Great chef’s event to support kidney awareness

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People who have been strong supporters, and have always enjoyed the event, will be pleased to know that one of our area’s most delightful fundraisers, hosted by and to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Maine, is making a return appearance here.

Aimee Senatore of NKFM reports the 21st Bangor Great Chef’s Dinner & Auction begins with a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 16, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

The chef’s tables open at 6 p.m., and the live auction, featuring the Tilton Family, begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the semiformal event are $30 each and can be reserved by calling Senatore at 772-7270.

Titled “Red Carpet Treatment – Hollywood Style,” the evening features “surprise Hollywood star appearances.”

“This event has always been very popular in the Bangor area,” Senatore said of the fundraiser that was not held last year “to the dismay of many of our supporters” in the community.

“We were lucky enough, this year to have a rejuvenated planning committee made up of individuals all very passionate about making this year’s event the best one yet,” she explained.

Among those making this event possible, and who receive a special thanks from the kidney foundation, are Maria Bridges of The Lucerne Inn and Jeff Durkee of the Olive Garden, who are serving as the fundraiser’s chef liaisons.

The menu includes appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Participating businesses include those facilities plus Brick Oven Bakery, Cafe Nouveau, the culinary arts program at Eastern Maine Community College, Geaghan’s Restaurant & Pub, Governor’s Restaurant, Jeff’s Catering, Ruby Tuesday, Smokey Bones, Spectacular Event Center, Thistle’s Restaurant, Frank’s Bakery, Texas Road House, Paddy Murphy’s Pub and more.

Senatore reminds readers that the mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Maine “is to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.”

Here’s a last-minute reminder that the Eastern Maine Orchid Society Show and Sale is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, at Clapp Greenhouse at the University of Maine.

Louise Snow said “big signs” will direct you to the show.

The sale helps fund a $500 book award given to a University of Maine junior majoring in greenhouse management.

Snow reports that in addition to unusual plants for you to see, there will be an excellent selection of plants for sale.

And, she said, you will enjoy the fragrance of many of these plants.

Snow also wants you to know that, “contrary to popular belief, orchids are not difficult to grow.”

“It is the largest family of plants in the world as well as being one of the oldest,” she said.

Snow hopes you take the opportunity to attend the show and sale, support the club’s fundraiser, and “bring home many orchids.”

Purchasers will be provided “culture sheets” to help them properly care for these delicate bloomers.

The River City Harmonizers, a women’s a cappella chorus, is inviting any woman who loves to sing to attend any or all of its three upcoming guest nights.

Lynn Rogers of Levant reports the guest nights are all 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and will be held Thursdays, April 12, 19 and 26, at Morgan Hill Event Center on Route 2 in Hermon.

Founded in 1991 “by women who wanted to sing four-part harmony,” Rogers explained, the singers invite you to join them in celebrating “our love of harmony and fun.”

Over the years, the Harmonizers have performed “at events from Belfast to Cherryfield, from LaGrange to Blue Hill,” Rogers wrote of appearances at “fairs, festivals, hospitals, nursing homes, retirement parties, weddings and anniversaries.”

Last year, the Harmonizers performed at the Waldo County Tribute to Seniors to benefit the Cedars Hospice program, and made their eighth return appearance at Belfast’s New Year’s by the Bay celebration.

Rogers encourages you to come and “practice with the chorus,” which she believes will help you relax, keep your brain sharp and provide you with a “little gentle exercise” while enjoying the wonderful world of harmony.

The experience also will give you a good idea what this organization’s “typical rehearsal activities” are, and enable you to learn “what this singing group is all about,” she wrote.

If you have questions or want more information, call Lana Leighton of Bangor at 947-1506, or Ellen Kenney of Belfast at 338-4232.

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