Clear Channel kids project marks 25th Christmas

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For the 25 years it has been broadcasting in Eastern Maine, Clear Channel radio station KISS 94.5 FM has been conducting its Christmas Is For Kids program, raising more than $220,000 and helping more than 23,000 children.

Last year, the station raised more than $26,000 and helped more than 1,200 children.

This year, the station needs to help fulfill the Christmas wishes of 1,400 children.

Clear Channel market manager Larry Julius reports the station “partners with the Salvation Army, Penquis Head Start, Community Health and Counseling Services and 19 other, smaller agencies which pinpoint and screen” families that may need “help in delivering a happy holiday for young ones.”

The Christmas Is For Kids drive runs through Friday, Dec. 15, and you can participate in one of two ways.

By listening to the profiles of the children on KISS 94.5 FM, you can call in and agree to take the name of a child and purchase what is needed.

Or, if you prefer, you can simply make a cash donation and others will do the shopping for you.

To find your match, either way, call (800) 339-KISS.

But if you just prefer to help by sending a donation, you can make a check payable to Christmas Is For Kids and mail it to 24 Buttermilk Road, Ellsworth 04605.

Melody Weeks reports that two floors of Maine crafters will be featured at the 16th annual John Bapst Fine Arts Department Craft Fair 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at John Bapst Memorial High School, 100 Broadway, Bangor.

There is no admission fee. Students will perform throughout the day, and lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Marine Environmental Research Institute invites you to attend its 2nd Annual Celebration of Northern Lights and its MERI Holidays for Children at MERI Center for Marine Studies in Blue Hill.

The Celebration of Northern Lights, 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, features the women’s group Ellacappella at 6 p.m., and a multimedia presentation by author Cherie Mason that invites you to “think whales” while you enjoy sustainable seafood dishes and holiday cheer.

Additionally, a special holiday art opening and sale in the Ocean Art Gallery will feature the work of Mark Bell, Cynthia Stroud, Sherry Streeter and Bill Irvine.

MERI Holidays for Children is 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, with Blue Hill author and illustrator Rebekah Raye reading her new children’s book, “The Very Best Bed” at 2:30 p.m.

A performance by the local youth steel drum band, Rhythm Rockets, follows at 3 p.m., and then an ensemble of children will debut MERI Days, a song written by Blue Hill resident Rudy Deetjen and dedicated to MERI.

Are you a new member of a nonprofit board? Would you like to learn what your responsibilities are, as a member of that board?

Perhaps, as a veteran board member, you’d like a responsibility refresher course.

Merry Fogg of the Institute for Civic Leadership reports its most popular workshop, “The Core Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards,” will be held 8 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the Lewiston Public Library’s Marsden Hartley Cultural Center, 200 Lisbon St.

The program fee is $70 for the first person and $55 for each additional person from the same nonprofit.

For complete details, visit www.civicleadership.org. To register, call Fogg at 773-3254, ext. 100.

Local author Elsie O’Dell Dinsmore will sign copies of her book, “Jerusha’s Tree,” a story of “Orphans, Apples and Star-crossed Lovers,” 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Eastport Senior Center on Boynton Street.

The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.

Janis Hogan and all those working to make Belfast Area High School Project Graduation 2007 a success hope you will attend a public spaghetti supper and auction beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at BAHS.

The supper and auction viewing is 5-6:30 p.m., and the auction begins at 7 p.m.

All proceeds benefit Project Graduation 2007.

To make donations to the auction or receive more information, call Hogan at 338-4648 or Cindy Boguen, 338-4025.

Former Dexter resident Wesley E. Parkman Sr. celebrated his 92nd birthday Nov. 27.

He would certainly be pleased, and surprised, if friends, relatives and former neighbors sent him their best wishes on this occasion. His mailing address is 57 Thayer Parkway No. 38, Dover-Foxcroft 04426.

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