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Bangor

All things ‘Nutcracker’

Music, clowns, face painting and more. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for all things Nutcracker and part of the festivities is a stop at the Maine Discovery Museum to present a Nutcracker Neighborhood event. BSO staff and musicians will be at the museum from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25.

The public is invited to stop in that day and order tickets for “The Nutcracker,” to be performed at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.

On Nov. 25, enjoy live music by a Bangor Symphony ensemble at the museum while you have your face painted with Nutcracker characters.

Try your hand at making music with an instrument at the instrument petting zoo. Meet Flip the Clown and your favorite Nutcracker characters from the Robinson Ballet. Then remain for the afternoon to enjoy all of the Maine Discovery Museum exhibits.

Radio station 92.9 WEZQ will broadcast the event live.

Admission to the museum is $6. For more information, call the Bangor Symphony Orchestra box office at 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221. More information about “The Nutcracker” is available at bangorsymphony.com.

PICA benefit auction

The 20th annual PICA Benefit Auction will be held 2:30-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the University College of Bangor’s College Center, 210 Texas Ave.

Local artisans, businesses and donors offer many items for bid, including sweatshop-free clothing, original art work, holiday wreaths, cut-your-own-holiday-tree, pottery, books, yoga and dance lessons, Reiki treatment, gift certificates for local restaurants and stores, a seacoast weekend, a sailboat ride, cross-country skiing, plants, flowers, food and more.

The auction offers lots of fun, free food and music by Brian Dyer-Stewart.

New to the auction this year is a juice bar offering Salvadoran Smoothies, made from fruits of Central American and food to go, such as Supper for Sale.

A highlight of the auction will be the Wall of Donors, recognizing the many donors who support the PICA Auction and have done so for many years.

Items up for bid include:

. A Michael Lewis painting. Artist Lewis has taught art at the University of Maine for 40 years. His work has been collected and exhibited throughout and beyond the United States at galleries that include the Aucocisco Gallery in Portland, Uptown Gallery in New York City and Steven Scott Gallery in Baltimore, Md. Twenty-seven of his paintings, drawings and prints are included in the collection of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. His work also is in the collections of the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria, the Portland Museum of Art and Colby College Museum of Art, among others.

. Beautiful hand-crafted blue glass bowl, with a stained glass lid created and designed by Lisa Raven. This is a raffle item.

. Original made-in-Maine jewelry and pottery.

. Penobscot Theatre tickets.

. Seacoast weekends.

PICA, or Peace through Interamerican Community Action, is a Bangor-based non-profit organization working to build a global economy from the bottom-up for the benefit of all people. PICA specializes in anti-sweatshop work and fair-trade advocacy and education. For more information, call 947-4203.

Oils and pastels by Jaqua

“Painting Maine,” the second exhibit in the 2006-2007 Eastern Maine Community College Gallery Series, features the oils and pastels of Winslow artist Mary Louise Town Jaqua.

The exhibit opened Nov. 6 and runs through Dec. 29 in the Library Gallery in the new Campus Center.

Jaqua is a multi-talented artist well-known for her bold, colorful approach to landscapes, florals, still-life works and portraits. She has painted professionally for more than 30 years in oil, pastel, acrylic and watercolor. Her work has been displayed in Maine galleries and art shows across the state. Examples of Jaqua’s mural art can be seen at the Winslow Public Library. A recipient of numerous awards and published credits, Jaqua has been a featured artist in American Arts Magazine.

“Painting Maine” offers a glimpse of Maine life through the eyes of this classic but contemporary-styled artist.

For information on Library Gallery hours, call 974-4640.

Turkey talk

Manna Ministries is seeking donations of turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday. The goal is 5,200 turkeys and-or $10 gift certificates to provide turkeys to individuals and food providers throughout Central Maine.

Those who wish to receive a turkey should stop in at Manna and sign up.

Manna will be open to receive donations of turkeys or gift certificates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To obtain more information, call 990-2870.

New city employees

The city of Bangor has listed the following new employees:

. Police – Jill Bechtold, dispatcher, and Dwayne Wilcox, custodian.

. Public Works – Joseph Qualey, Gary Young and Dale Cloutier, heavy equipment operators.

. Airport – Jessie Tyler, environmental technician; Matthew McKay, ramp attendant; and Kimberly Spann, Sharon Seymour, Angelica Grindle, Donald Menninghaus, Ruth White and Kenneth Frati, passenger service agents.

. Health and Welfare – Jenny Robicheau, dental hygienist, and Dawn Reese, medical clerk, STD Clinic.

The city also announced that Lillian Smith in the assessing department and Tim McKay of the fire department have retired.

Alternatives to punishment

How do children react to punishment? Is it necessary to rely on punishment as a means of discipline? Explore new techniques to discipline without hurting or alienating, and to help the child develop a positive and realistic self-image.

Alternatives to Punishment, a two-part series will take place 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, at the Penobscot County Extension office, 307 Maine Ave. The fee is $15 and pre-registration is required. Presenter will be Louise Kirkland, Extension educator. For more information, call 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485.

Brewer

Zonta Market Place

The Zonta Club of Bangor will hold its 28th annual Market Place, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Brewer Auditorium.

The event will feature more than 70 crafters, antique dealers and vendors. The Zonta Cafe will serve hot and cold lunch items, desserts and homemade pies.

A “Meals to Go” table will offer shoppers prepared and packaged dinners such as lasagna, chicken pie, chop suey and more.

Candies, fudge, jellies and other treats packaged for the busy shopper will be available to take home and enjoy.

Admission is $1 and proceeds will benefit Zonta’s local scholarships fund, Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets program and local area shelters.

“Changing” the world

Tossing coins in a pond could bring you good luck, but tossing coins in a fish tank will reap better benefits.

My Gym Children’s Fitness Centers nationwide are encouraging people to toss their loose change in fish tanks at various locations for the Kids Can “Change” the World fundraiser – an effort spearheaded by the company’s nonprofit organization, The My Gym Challenged America Foundation.

The fundraiser, which will continue through Dec. 16, is intended to raise money for equipment, services and scholarships for disadvantaged children, said Karen Kohlmeyer of My Gym of Brewer.

Participating My Gym locations have placed a fish tank on their counters for people to toss in their loose change. MGCA will supply small objects that can be placed in the fish tanks so that children coming to their classes can help bury the special “object of the week.”

For information on the fundraiser, contact Kohlmeyer at 989-1233 or mygymbrewer@adelphia.net.

Christmas voices

The Brewer Hometown Band will give a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Brewer Auditorium. Organizers of the concert are seeking local singers to volunteer to sing with the band.

Singers do not have to be soloists, just able to “carry a tune.” At least 100 voices are needed. Rehearsals will take place in the Seniors Room of the Brewer Auditorium 6:45-7 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. For more information, call Jan Cox, 989-5391.

Model train show and sale

The Eastern Maine Model Railroad Club will hold its 30th annual Model Train Show and Sale 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Jeff’s Catering, Coffin Avenue.

The event will offer operating train layouts, many vendors of trains and “railroadiana” and the opportunity to buy or sell trains in silent auctions. Refreshments will be available. Admission is $3, free to children under 12. Those interested may inquire about club membership. For more information, call Bill Soule at 866-4060.

Bucksport

One-act play auditions

The Riverbend Players of Bucksport will hold auditions for a Christmas one-act play. The play will be in conjunction with a variety show to be performed right before Christmas.

Auditions will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Jewett School Community Center. All ages are welcome, especially children. From beginners to Broadway stars, all levels of acting ability are welcome. Those who have never acted in a play before are welcome to try out. The only preparation necessary is enthusiasm.

The Players also are looking for those interested in singing either solo or in a group. For more information, call Paula R. Webster at 460-2072 or Suzi Leeman at 469-5885.

Hermon

Dance benefit for CaPella

“Kick In for CaPella,” a benefit for UCP’s Camp CaPella, will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at Morgan Hill Event Center, Route 2.

The event will feature dancers from Morita’s School of Dance, River City Dance Center, Thomas School of Dance and Top Hat II Dance Studio, performing a variety of choreography and dance styles.

Admission is $10. For information or reservations, contact Sandy Sanzaro, 843-6028, TOPHATII@aol.com

Holiday craft fair

The second annual Holiday Craft Fair, featuring more than 50 crafters and artisans, takes place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Hermon High School gym. Shoppers will find a selection of uniquely made decorations and gifts for holiday season. One-of-a-kind items include, ornaments, jewelry, quilts, art, toys, clothes, soaps and lotions, candles, dried flower arrangements, baskets, and much more.

Fair-goers can enjoy lunch and satisfy a sweet tooth at the concession stand. And why bake for Thanksgiving when you can buy one or more of the homemade pies, breads and other goodies at the bake sale table? Admission is $1 and proceeds will support Hermon’s Cub Scout Pack 25. For more information about the Holiday Craft Fair, call 848-0829.

Orono

Bicentennial cookbook

A limited number of copies of “Orono Cooks,” the city’s bicentennial cookbook, are still available for sale.

The cookbook provides 400 recipes for favorite local dishes and links them with past and present with photos and anecdotes from Orono’s first 200 years. Recipes range from the humorous elephant stew to the thought provoking hot milk cake, which was served at the Town Poor Farm.

The cookbook embodies the culinary history of a diverse community that began as a farming center and mill town on the Stillwater and grew into the educational hub of the state. From stone jar molasses cookies to Red Riots chicken cacciatore in a bag, Orono’s cooks tell the story.

A recipe for blueberry biscuits appears in the cookbook with this note: “This was a favorite family recipe in the 1920s and 1930s and cooking it was a family affair. Father picked the blueberries, mother made the biscuits and my sister and I did the dishes. They were a supper special, often enjoyed with fresh vegetables from our garden.”

Copies of “Orono Cooks” are available at the Town Office and the Orono Public Library on Goodridge Drive, and in downtown Orono at DeGrasse Jeweler, the Orono Pharmacy and The Pretty Woman.

Blueberry Biscuits

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp. melted shortening

1 cup sour milk

1 1/2 cup blueberries

Set oven at 400 degrees. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside 1/4 cup of the mixture. Add the melted shortening and milk to the remaining flour mixture. Toss blueberries with reserved flour mix to coat, then add to batter. Cook in a well-greased muffin tin for 15-20 minutes, or in a greased cake pan for a bit longer, testing with a toothpick to determine when done.

Women of the World

Women of the World will celebrate the Iberian Peninsula at noon Monday, Nov. 13, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, Main Street. Traditional dishes from Spain and Portugal will be served. An exhibit table will display items and books from that region.

Volunteers are needed to help set up at 11:15 a.m. and for clean up after the meal.

WOW is a group of international women, including Americans, who gather once a month around an ethnic lunch; a cultural program featuring the country-theme represented usually follows.

WOW is a great place to meet women from around the world and the perfect opportunity to learn about new cultures and discover new cuisine. Lunch fees are $4 women and children over 10, $2 children 6-10, no cost to children under 6 who attend with their mothers.

For more information on WOW, call Mireille Le Gal at 581-3423. WOW is sponsored by the Office of International Programs and National Student Exchange at the University of Maine.

Holiday walking tour

As a finale to Orono’s 2006 bicentennial celebration, a holiday walking tour of the downtown historic district will take place between noon and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Eight homes and two churches will be included in the tour. It is the first time these homes have been open to the public during the holiday season.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to see some of Orono’s most magnificent homes and churches,” said Jean Carville, event chairwoman. “Many of the people who have graciously allowed us to showcase their homes will be decorating for the holidays and the homes will be at shown at their finest.”

Historic homes included in the tour are the Nathaniel Treat House, Asa Babcock House and the Daniel McRuer-Edward Southard House. In addition, the Israel Washburn house tour will include an actor portraying Washburn, and the Widow Hamlin House will feature an actor impersonating Hannibal Hamlin.

The churches included in the tour are St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Church of Universal Fellowship.

Tours will begin and end at the Church of Universal Fellowship at 82 Main St. Tours are self-guided throughout the afternoon.

Tickets are $15 or $25 for two and may be purchased at the downtown Orono businesses the Orono Pharmacy, Pretty Woman, Ampersand, Degrasse Jewelers and Judy’s Scrappin’ and Stampin’ shop. Tickets also are available at the town office and public library, or by calling volunteer Lianne Harris at 866-2456 or e-mail lharris@nehs.net. Refreshments will be served at the Church of Universal Fellowship.

In conjunction with the bicentennial holiday walking tour, the United Methodist Church is having a bicentennial dinner with food reflecting the 1806 era. The dinner will be held 4-6:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door for $6.

A group of local residents has spearheaded numerous bicentennial activities throughout the year, including an Orono Festival parade, a year-long series of public lectures on topics of historic interest and a garden tour day, to name a few.

In addition the group has sold mementos throughout the year including historic replica postcards, a bicentennial coin and cookbook. For additional information on Orono’s bicentennial events visit: www.orono2006.com/index.htm.