Governor honors outstanding Maine volunteers

With the assistance of Gov. John Baldacci, on one of the nicest days in an otherwise dreary April, the Maine Commission for Community Service presented its 2007 Governor’s Service Awards in the State House Hall of Flags.

Master and mistress of ceremonies Irv Marsters and Sharon Rose recognized the honorees for their selfless commitment to others.

Jane Card of Cape Porpoise received the Volunteer of the Year award; 85-year-old Alice While of Baileyville, the National Service Volunteer award; Deborah Davenport of Naples, the Outstanding Public Sector Volunteer award; The Jackson Laboratory of Bar Harbor, the Corporate Volunteerism Award; and Linda Danielson of Brunswick, the Excellence in Volunteer Administration awards.

Four Exemplary Service Award nominees not receiving an award in their categories were recognized. They were Cheryl Rust, Wiscasset; Dr. R. Stephen Drane, Auburn; Rolf Staples, Bangor; and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

That afternoon, I joined Irv in hosting the governor for a separate ceremony at the Maine State Museum Hall of Flags, where more than 350 recipients of the Roll of Honor were recognized by Baldacci for their contribution of 500 or more documented hours of service to their communities during the year.

The Governor’s Service Awards were created 19 years ago to recognize outstanding Maine volunteers. More information about the awards, including nomination criteria, is available at www.volunteermaine.org, by calling the MCCS at 287-8933, or e-mailing kim.goding@Maine.gov.

By the way, if you have not visited the Maine State Museum in Augusta lately, be sure to put that on your to-do list this summer. It’s a great place to take the kids, parking is no problem in the nearby garage, and you’ll learn a lot more than you might have expected.

I hadn’t been there in quite a few years and I was very, very impressed.

For Meli deBethune of Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, it’s Senior Project time, she wrote, “and I am happy to say it is my turn this year.

“As a rather concerned young citizen of the earth, I decided to use this as an opportunity to make a difference.

“It is with great pleasure that I invite you to attend a special presentation on the climate crisis.” She has organized the presentation and will host it for the public.

“Respect your Mother: How We Can Avert The Climate Crisis,” begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsfield.

“Respect your Mother” refers to Mother Earth, and deBethune is pleased to announce that the guest speaker is Sam Brown, who is “certified by the Climate Project” and will “educate us about climate change, our impact, and what we can do to help.”

She encourages you to join her for this event, which features displays and door prizes, and hopes that you “don’t forget to bring a friend.”

Mary Ann Devoe, president of Orono Health Association, invites the public to its annual meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Church of Universal Fellowship on Main Street in Orono.

The guest speaker is Dr. Erik Steele, vice president and chief medical officer for Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and BDN columnist, who will address “Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Healthcare But Were Afraid to Ask.”

The meeting also will include yearly activity reports and election of officers for the coming year.

Carlene Parsons of The Attachment Parenting Association of Ellsworth invites you to an educational evening at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parish Hall in Ellsworth.

You will learn about “Hypnobirthing and What is a Doula,” from Evelyn Conrad of Your Birth Connection in Bangor.

You also will meet Dr. Meredith Norris of Blue Hill, who will discuss “Making Medical Decisions for You and Your Child.”

The evening is free and open to all families.

Continuing efforts are under way to help raise funds for 24-year-old Christopher Pinto of Bangor, who is suffering a second recurrence of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, to receive a bone marrow transplant.

Doors open for the fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

Nonrefundable tickets are $20, and can be obtained by calling Carlo or Kim Pinto at 866-5832 or 356-2204.

The event features a hot and cold appetizer buffet and cash bar, and stars comedian Adam Hatch and five local comedians who are volunteering their services for this benefit.

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