Bangor

Tutor Training for Literacy Volunteers

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor will offer English Language Learners Tutor Training for volunteers interested in helping adults speak English and understand American culture and customs.

The 20 hours of training will be held 6-9 p.m. at United Technologies Center, 200 Hogan Road on these dates: Tuesday, Jan. 2; Tuesday, Jan. 9; Thursday, Jan. 11; Tuesday, Jan. 16; Thursday, Jan. 18; Tuesday, Jan. 23; and Thursday, Jan. 25.

Those interested must call LV-Bangor at 947-8451 to register. A training session also will be held in March. The cost of course materials is $25. Scholarships are available.

LV-Bangor is accepting applications from adults who want to improve their English speaking skills. They may call 947-8451 for more information.

LV-Bangor is an organization that links volunteer tutors with adults who want to improve their literacy skills, which include learning English. In particular, adults who have moved to this area from countries in Asia, Africa and Central America are in need of English language services. Last year, LV-Bangor volunteers donated more than 11,300 hours of service.

Christmas concert

The Bangor Band will present its annual Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Bangor Civic Center. There is no cost to attend the concert.

The early start of the concert allows those with tickets to the Kenny Rogers concert to attend the band’s Christmas concert and still have time to attend the Bangor Auditorium event.

Band conductor Fred Goldrich has chosen an assortment of Christmas and familiar seasonal selections for the concert. To add to the Christmas atmosphere, the band members will wear whatever they choose in the colors of the Christmas season. Some may even have lights on their instruments.

Air Traffic Control at Bangor International Airport has informed concert organizers that it will delay outgoing flights and put incoming flights into a holding pattern when Santa arrives at the Civic Center during the concert. Santa is expected to file a flight plan this year. Last year Santa forgot to do so and there were reports of startled pilots and passengers as a sleigh with eight reindeer went flying past.

‘Night of Miracles’

The Columbia Street Baptist Church Choir will present “Night of Miracles” by John W. Peterson at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at Columbia Street Baptist Church.

The choir is directed by Dora Rexrode. Narration of the traditional Christmas story put to music will be offered by Scott McPhedran.

The Christmas musical, featuring many soloists, will be preceded by a Christmas organ concert featuring Clayton A. Rogers, and a time of congregational caroling. For information, call the church at 945-6616.

Exhibit by Rockland artist

“What Animals Dream,” oil paintings by Rockland artist Janice Kasper, will be on display at the Robert E. White Art Gallery at Husson College through Jan. 15.

Kasper is the current Farnsworth Museum curator of historic sites and a past director of education at the Penobscot Marine Museum. For 30 years she has been involved in holiday celebrations in museums.

The White Gallery is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

New Year’s Eve dance

A New Year’s Eve dance and breakfast buffet open to the public is set for 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Anah Shrine, Main Street. Music will be provided by Debbie Myers and her country band. The cost of admission is $30 per person.

The dance is smoke-free. BYOB; ice and mixes are free. The breakfast buffet will be provided by Stevie’s Catering.

Deadline for ticket purchase is Dec. 20. Tickets are available at the Shrine office, Twin City Auto Supply in Brewer or by calling Ralph Fraser at 989-3140.

Proceeds will benefit the Anah Drum and Bugle Corps.

Nordic walking

Volunteer Kristel Hayes will introduce Nordic walking at the Bangor Land Trust’s monthly walking group outing at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. The group will explore the Kenduskeag Stream Parkway.

The Nordic walking technique uses poles while walking to produce a total body workout for all ages and fitness levels. Poles will be provided.

Nordic walking burns more calories than regular walking, eases muscle pain and tension in neck and shoulders, does not aggravate joints and knees and increases heart rate. Poles add stability on slippery surfaces, yet can be used on cement surfaces and trails.

For more information, call Lyndsey Monroe at 942-6389, ext. 3219, or Lucy Quimby at 945-3675 or 356-5954.

Book signing

Former Maine poet laureate Baron Wormser will read and sign copies of his new book, “The Road Washes Out in Spring,” at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Lippincott Books, 36 Central St.

The book is a memoir of Wormser’s off-the-grid life in the backwoods of Maine. It has won praise from the Boston Globe and other reviewers. Wormser is the author of seven collections of poetry. For more information, call 942-4398.

Kiwanis Club news

Bangor Noon Kiwanis has inducted Dot Demyan, owner of My Cat’s Choice, into the Bangor Noon Kiwanis. Demyan has owned her business in Eddington, a cats-only boarding facility, for several years.

Bangor Noon Kiwanis will participate in the PAL holiday party on Dec. 14, bell ringing for The Salvation Army at the Bangor Mall. Members also assisted Santa with calls from the North Pole through the Bangor Recreation Department.

Those interested in helping children in the Bangor area are invited to join Kiwanians noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays at Howard Johnson’s on the Odlin Road. No reservations are needed.

For information, call president Chris Patten at 848-3385.

Master Gardener training

The Penobscot County Extension office announced that the 2007 Master Gardener training program will concentrate on growing ornamentals.

Instruction will include information on basic soils, botany and pest management training. The Master Gardener training program fee is $90. Master Gardeners trainees receive a reference manual, opportunity to interact with other gardeners and opportunities to work on a variety of volunteer projects.

Forty hours of volunteer time is required of each trainee as part of the overall program.

Training begins Tuesday, Feb. 6. The application deadline is Jan. 12. Training sessions will be held at the Extension office, 307 Maine Ave., Bangor.

Application packets for the program may be obtained by calling the Penobscot County Extension Office at 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485, or by e-mailing Linda Kinney at lkinney@umext.maine.edu.

Child care honor

The Penquis CAP Child Care Resource Development Center recently received a Quality Assurance Award from the Child Care Aware program of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

The Penquis CAP Child Care Resource Development Center, funded by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, promotes quality and accessible child care services in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

It provides referrals for parents seeking child care, training and technical assistance for child care providers, and education and support to employers, schools and communities. The Child Care Resource Development Center maintains information on before-school, after-school, full- and part-time child care throughout Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and provides referrals free of charge to all families, regardless of income.

Developed in 2001 by a team of local, state and national child care resource and referral experts, the Child Care Aware program was created to ensure that families across the country have access to consistent, high-quality consumer education and referral services. The designation as a quality resource and referral agency is valid for three years.

Parents seeking child care referrals may access the Penquis CAP Child Care Resource Development Center at (888) 917-1100 or visit the Internet at www.penquiscap.org/rdc.

‘Maine Grandfamilies’

Maine Kids-Kin will present the documentary film, “Maine Grandfamilies,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library. The 25-minute film highlights the challenges of family members who step in to care for relatives’ children.

Families and Children Together is one of four organizations nationwide to receive a federal grant to make the film.

For information, call Families and Children Together at 941-2347 or (866) 298-0896.

Orono

Holiday walking tour

As a finale to Orono’s 2006 bicentennial celebration, a holiday walking tour of the downtown historic district will take place noon-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.

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 in the tour are St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Church of Universal Fellowship. Tours 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 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 will offer 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 yearlong 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 more information, visit www.orono2006.com/index.htm.