Are you looking for something special to do with the hours leading up to the big ball-drop New Year’s Eve in downtown Bangor?

Are you creative or, if not, do you have a few hours to give that evening to help oversee activities for young people?

Karen Foley e-mailed her friends that Hammond Street Congregational Church “is going to be the location for a very exciting portion of Downtown Bangor’s New Year’s Eve festivities” when it hosts a Youth Art Forum from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, downstairs at the church on the corner of Hammond and High streets.

“The purpose of the event is to promote art, give kids and teens a place to make and enjoy art, and provide a safe, chemical-free place for young people to hang out that evening,” Foley wrote.

“Adults are also welcome, and hot cider, cookies and coffee will be provided.”

I spoke with Foley, and she told me the program was the brainchild of local businessman Rob Stuart, who will be assisted by Hammond Street Church Pastor Mark Doty, local artist Anne Claude Cotty, several local high school art teachers and, Foley hopes, many other friends and “Hammond Streeters.”

Thus far, the program includes origami and mask making with Cotty, digital art with Sarah Pringle-Lewis, a community mural with Jennie Foley, cookie art with Mark Bridges and Branden Mountain, a kid’s corner and face painting.

Also on display will be all mediums of work by local teen artists.

But what Foley said the event needs most is not only “kids, teens and families to attend” but also “adults and teens to volunteer.”

She emphasizes that “you do not have to commit to the whole evening,” and that “you can stop in for a little while or stay as long as you like.”

If you’re not artistic, perhaps you could “pour coffee, greet people at the door, or even help” ahead of time by passing out fliers.

And, of course, musicians are most welcome to join in this fun, festive event.

For more information about this special New Year’s Eve happening and how you can be part of it, visit Rob Stuart during regular business hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Frenchboro Books, Art & Antiques, 46 Columbia St., Bangor, or e-mail him at info@FrenchboroBooks.com.

You can also obtain more information by e-mailing Karen Foley at kmfoley@midmaine.com, calling her at 944-7860, or by calling Pastor Doty at 942-4381.

Ann Carter urges those attending the Annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 7 tonight at Dennysville Meetinghouse to arrive early.

This event “is always so well-attended” that arriving early will help people “get the seat of their choice,” as well as a parking space, she wrote.

The Rev. Ronald Windhorst will lead the service, with scripture lessons read by nine readers of all ages.

The choir is directed by Colin Windhorst. Laurel Storm is the organist with Peter Phillips on percussion and Areille Raff playing violin.

Writing on behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Charlie Boothby wants readers to know that its members will host a community dinner, open to the public, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, in Dorothy Memorial Hall, located next to the sanctuary of the church at 120 Park St. in Bangor.

“This dinner will feature both turkey and ham, with all the fixings, and is free of charge,” he wrote.

For those who choose to attend, a Christmas Eve service will follow the meal in the church sanctuary.

Bangor Symphony Orchestra executive director Susan Jonason has announced that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded the BSO a $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant.

The funding is in support of the BSO/Kruger Brothers’ world premiere concert, “Music from the Spring: A Romantic Serenade for Banjo, Guitar, Bass & Orchestra” by Jens Kruger.

That concert is planned for Saturday, June 2, at Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.

As part of this collaborative effort, the BSO developed Strings Attached, an outreach program bringing classical and traditional musicians into classrooms.

Last fall, the Kruger Brothers visited students in Bangor and Swanville and, next spring, will return to Bangor as well as making stops in Ellsworth, Farmington and Kingfield.

Joining the Krugers and the BSO during some of these visits will be the Abbott Hill Ramblers of Dexter and the Bangor Fiddlers.

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