Brewer Hometown Band director Jan Cox e-mailed that the band is preparing for a Christmas concert, which will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Brewer Auditorium.

She hopes, however, you will be entertained by more than just band music.

“We’re hoping to have local singers volunteer to sing with the band on that date,” she wrote.

“Singers do not have to be soloists,” they just need to be “able to carry a tune.”

Cox would like at least 100 of you to participate in this concert, so she is asking that you “please spread the word to friends, relatives, choirs or other vocal groups.”

Rehearsals are planned from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Senior’s Room of Brewer Auditorium.

For more information, call Cox at 989-5391.

Family and friends of former New Sweden resident Tania Erickson, are hosting a Benefit Supper for her from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in SVEA Hall of Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church in that community.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 10. Tickets can be obtained by calling 896-5692 or 498-2079.

Erickson, 47, is the wife of Thomas Thibodeau.

The couple resides in Bangor with their daughter, who is a high school junior.

Erickson is recovering from surgery for a brain tumor, and proceeds from the benefit will help cover expenses incurred by that surgery.

Heartiest congratulations to longtime Bangor residents George and Rita Chalmers. They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary Thursday, Nov. 9.

Anniversary greetings from friends, old and new, can be sent to the couple at 233 Clyde Road, Bangor 04401.

Winter coats, gloves, hats, mittens, scarves, snow pants and similar warm items are all part of the second Winter Clothing Swap sponsored by DownEast Community HealthCorps, a program of Health Ways.

Heather Farmer reports the Winter Clothing Swap will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays beginning Nov. 11, and continuing until Saturday, Dec. 16, at American Legion Post No. 65 on County Road, Route 189, Lubec.

Anyone who wishes to donate items can leave them during regular business hours at the McCurdy House across from Bar Harbor Banking and Trust in Lubec, the Fitness Port at the Regional Medical Center in Lubec, the Gooch House on Broadway Street in Machias, or on those Saturdays, at the Legion Hall.

Sponsors request that the donated items be clean and in good condition, and more information can be obtained by calling Farmer at 733-1090, ext. 3113, or Jessica Olson, 733-2504.

Farmer explained that “when you come to the Winter Clothing Swap, you don’t have to bring an item to take an item.”

Joan Andrews wrote that the First Congregational Church of Searsport is hosting its Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Curtis Hall on Church Street in Searsport.

“Tables of interesting gifts will include handicrafts, a boutique corner, Christmas items, baked goods and other treats,” she wrote of the fair that also includes a silent auction, a plant sale and a White Elephant Table.

Raffle tickets for a crocheted queen-size bedspread will be available, and a luncheon of soup, a half sandwich, a beverage and pie sells for $5.

“Crabmeat rolls will be on the menu as well,” she added.

Andrews wants you to know proceeds from the fair “support our missions such as the Local Food Cupboard, People to People, the Ronald McDonald House and our High School Scholarship Fund.”

Best wishes are extended to Brenda Davis for a safe trip as she places one foot in front of the other on her Fifth Annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking Tour.

Having begun at the end of October in South Portland, Davis is expected to cover more than 600 miles by visiting a record-setting 47 communities from Kittery to Madawaska.

At each credit union she visits, she will receive a contribution for the Maine Credit Union’s Campaign for Ending Hunger, and the Campaign will make a $100 donation to a food pantry in each of those communities.

Davis concludes her walk on Monday, Nov. 27, at Penobscot County Credit Union in Old Town, where she serves as executive director of Cross Roads Ministries.

The purpose of the walk is to focus awareness on the problem of hunger in Maine during Ending Hunger Month.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.