Alton

Maine Country Living Legends benefit

The Maine Country Living Legends will hold a benefit show and dance for Bill Morrill and family 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 13, at Happy Acres Bottle Club on Route 16.

Bill Morrill, the son of Doc and Mary Morrill, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Doc Morrill appeared for many years on the “Curly O’Brien Show” as one of the Top Hands.

DJ Dutch Heiser will be the guest master of ceremonies.

Performers will include:

. The Top Hands, Jackie King, Dutch Heiser, Lefty Dean and Doc Morrill.

. Yodelin’ Wade Dow and Kim Bailey.

. The Higgins Family.

. Harper.

. The Mainely Country Band with Kayla Wass.

Donation is $10 a person.

Food, refreshments and a 50-50 raffle will be available.

Proceeds will help the Bill Morrill family with medical expenses.

Bangor

Fireside chats on race

The Bangor Daily News quoted Assata Sherrill as saying, “Most of the time, people are simply curious, not judgmental.”

So when Sherrill ran into three teenage boys who threw rocks and racial slurs at her, she was determined to hold them accountable and make sure that the community she lives in has ample opportunity to discuss race.

Is it true that people are afraid of what they don’t understand? Or that they fear those who are different or who think differently than they do? Sherrill has no hesitation in taking part in a community dialogue, and looks forward to answering questions for people who have not had the opportunity to talk with a neighbor from another race or culture.

Children are particularly welcome.

Sherrill’s Fireside Chats will take place at the Bangor Public Library at 6 p.m. Thursdays, May 10 and 17.

‘Broadway Our Way’

The Y-Players will perform “Broadway our Way,” a show billed as “a love letter to our faithful audiences” at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 15; 7 p.m. Friday, May 18; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20; 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 22; 7 p.m. Friday, June 1; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at the Bangor Y, Second Street.

The Y-Players are 18 senior ladies who have performed together for more than 20 years to raise funds for the YWCA. The ages of the Y-Players range from 60 to 94.

Last year the show raised $3,000 for senior programs and for the Encore Program for those dealing with breast cancer. Admission to the show is by donation.

For more information, call Pam Martin at 989-5442 or call the Y at 941-2808.

Cast of T-rex at library

A cast of a tyrannosaurus rex skull is on display in the children’s department at the Bangor Public Library.

The original skull is a specimen known as “Black Beauty,” and is in the collection of the Royal Tyrell Museum in Alberta, Canada, the largest dinosaur museum in the world. Black Beauty’s skull, with its 6-inch long teeth, was found by a high school student while fishing in 1980.

The T-rex skull cast, along with real dinosaur bones and dino “poop,” will be on display through May 14 at the library.

Spring concert

The Bangor Community Chorus annual spring concert will be a celebration of American composers at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, at the First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St. Conducted by Joshua Schmersal and accompanied by Naomi Hall, the singers will present traditional spirituals and works by such renowned composers as Berlin, Gershwin and Randall. Both choral and solo works will be performed.

Admission to the concert is free, but donations are accepted. For information, visit www.maineguide.com/Bangor/chorus/index.html.

Boot Camp for Dads

The Penquis CAP Parents Are Teachers, Too program is offering Boot Camp for New Dads, a free workshop for first-time dads-to-be who are in the last trimester of pregnancy. The next workshop will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow St. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

New babies don’t come with owner’s manuals. Lots of first-time fathers have questions, like how do I hold, feed, talk to, or play with a baby?

Boot Camp for New Dads offers first-time fathers-to-be a chance to talk with experienced dads who bring their own babies. The goal is for participants to leave the workshop more confident in their ability to be great dads.

There is no cost to participate. To register or for more information, call Wendy Pace at 973-3674 or (888) 389-3610.

Brewer

So You Think You Have Talent

The auditions for the Brewer Kiwanis Club first So You Think You Have Talent Show were held recently. Twenty-four acts were chosen out of 56 applications.

The talent show will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Brewer High School.

The contestants chosen for the show come from various parts of Maine, including Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Belfast, Lincoln and Franklin.

The talent includes comedy, singing, dancing, piano, guitar, jazz, punk and monologue. The performers have competed in other talent shows and some have performed in Las Vegas and Europe. One contestant auditioned for “American Idol.”

Tickets to the show are available at Roy & Associates CPAs in Bangor; Mark’s Music, Awards, Signage and Trophies in Brewer and Brewer Public Library.

Ticket prices are $15, $10 children age 12 and under, VIP $35, and $35 family pack – two adults, two children. Tickets also may be purchased at the door. Proceeds will benefit local children’s charities.

Sorority Sister of the Year

The Eastern Maine Area Council of Beta Sigma Phi announced at its annual Founder’s Day Banquet that Barbara Allen of Brewer is the organization’s 2007-2008 Sister of the Year. She has been in sorority for 20 years and is a member of a Master Chapter.

She has received the Order of the Rose, held all executive board positions and chaired committee positions in her local chapter. She has been on the city council as president and vice president. She submitted a recipe for the Beta Sigma Phi cookbook and had it published. She organized bus trips to conventions or shopping, not only for her chapter but for all members who were interested. She has attended several Beta Sigma Phi Conventions.

As a working mother of four, Allen has made time for her children’s activities, including concerts and sporting events. She has five grandchildren. She was a Cub Scout leader when her sons were involved and helped out with the Girl Scouts.

She is a member of the Brewer Music Association, raised money for graduation parties sponsored by the high school, helped community members balance their checkbooks monthly, assisted with the March of Dimes while working at Bangor Savings Bank, volunteered several years with the United Way and was the treasurer for T.O.P.S. in Brewer.

She is a member of St. Teresa’s Parish commissions and the parish council and has been a member of the parish executive board for more than 20 years, taking Communion to shut-ins and nursing homes.

Allen has demonstrated her ability to learn new things, always moving forward and collecting friendships along the way. She exemplifies the Beta Sigma Phi motto of Life, Learning and Friendship.

Playground fund

The Brewer Housing Authority family resident council has started a new campaign to raise funds for a new playground. Supporters are helping the group earn funds by collecting empty laser and inkjet cartridges and used cell phones. These products are then sent to FundingFactory to be exchanged for funding to subsidize the playground fund.

The fundraising method works because the used items can be refurbished or refilled and reused.

Companies or individuals interested in demonstrating a commitment to the environment and to local children may participate free in the program’s business support option. FundingFactory will send each supporting business free, postage-paid shipping boxes for sending the collected cartridges and cell phones to help the group earn needed funding.

Business and individual supporters also may collect cartridges and call for pickup of the items.

To learn more, call Debra at 745-9864 or the Brewer Housing Authority at 989-7551. More information is available at www.fundingfactory.com.

Chamber Singers

The Mount View Chamber Singers will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at First Congregational Church. After the concert a meet and greet reception will be held to afford the opportunity to buy the singers’ CDs. Light refreshments will be served.

The Chamber Singers have performed throughout eastern and central Maine and in New Brunswick. The group is known for its “carols in the round” performances during Advent.

The singers returned recently from a concert tour in Hungary where they performed in an 800-year-old church in Budapest, at the cathedral in Lalocsa, at a school and at a museum where their performance was recorded and broadcast on television.

For more information, call 989-7350 or e-mail fcongobrw@midmaine.com.

Carmel

Book sale

The Simpson Memorial Library, Plymouth Road, will hold its annual book sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the library. The sale offers a large selection of hardcover and paperback books at low prices. Proceeds from the sale help support the library.

Holden

Nature photography workshop

Fields Pond Audubon Center, Eastern Maine Camera Club, Friends of Sunkhaze Meadows Refuge and Friends of Unity Wetlands will offer the public a nature photography workshop 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Fields Pond.

Bring your own camera. Call 989-2591 to register or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org for more information.

The workshop is part of a larger effort to increase the local awareness of, and community involvement in, Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Unity Wetlands.

The Eastern Maine Camera Club, which works to encourage and develop interest in amateur photography, will present a slide presentation and discussion. Coffee and refreshments will be available.

Participants then will head outdoors to work in small groups and experience hands-on expertise, advice and encouragement from camera club members.

The workshop is arranged to stimulate interest for an upcoming photo contest that Friends of the Refuge and Friends of Unity Wetlands will host. Participants are encouraged to enter the photo contest, which runs through Oct. 31.

Contest entries must be photos of nature or people enjoying the outdoors at Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge or Unity Wetlands. Prizes are offered and all ages are welcome to enter. Each of the photos will be judged in one of two age categories – 18 and older, and under 18.

Friends of Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a private, nonprofit organization formed to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and to encourage individuals to participate in protecting refuge resources for present and future generations. Visit http://sunkhaze.org for more information.

Friends of Unity Wetlands is the local steward for the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge lands in Benton, Troy and Unity. The membership-supported conservation association works to sustain the wild and working landscape of the Unity Wetlands in western Waldo and Kennebec counties. Extending across nearly 65 square miles, the Unity Wetlands is considered one of central Maine’s preeminent ecological systems. For more information, visit www.friendsofunitywetlands.org.

Spring Fest

Come to Spring Fest on Saturday, May 12, at Fields Pond Audubon Center.

A native plants sale by Julie Beckford of Rebel Hill Farm will be ongoing as well as a children’s activity area. The programs are free and open to the public.

. 6:30-7:30 a.m. Birding by Ear Walk with Bruce Barker.

. 7-8:30 a.m. Bird Walk with Sandi and Bob Duchesne.

. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Morning Yoga with Barbara Lyon.

. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Children’s Walk.

. 10 a.m. “Planning Your Garden/Wildlife Habitat” with Reeser Manley.

. 10-11 a.m. Children’s Walk.

. Noon. Lunch Break: wraps, chips, cookies and juice for sale.

. 1 p.m. Live Skunk (de-scented) Show and Tell.

. 2 p.m. “Walk and Talk” with Bucky Owen.

. 2-3 p.m. “Bugs and Pond Exploration” with Ruth Perry.

. 2:30 p.m. Birding by Ear Walk for the visually impaired with Steve Coleman.

. 3 p.m. “Maine’s Birds in Ecuador” with Bonnie Bochan.

. 3-4 p.m. Children’s Walk.

. 4-5 p.m. Evening Yoga with Sandy Cyrus.

. 4-5 p.m. “Bugs and Pond Exploration” with Ruth Perry.

. 5-6 p.m. Bird Walk with Judy Kellogg Markowsky

The nature center is located at 216 Fields Pond Road in Holden. For more information, call 989-2591 or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org.

Roadside cleanup

The Holden Conservation Commission in partnership with the Holden Land Trust held a roadside cleanup April 29.

Although a full week after Earth Day, the cleanup was developed in support of Earth Day’s concept of caring for the environment. It was open to all residents of Holden.

Participants ignored Sunday’s rain and picked up the soggy roadside trash with incredible enthusiasm, organizers said. Others provided transportation by using their trucks to pick up bags and deliver them to the Town Office.

The grand finale included a barbecue in the nearby gazebo with many prizes including several sheets of 10 highly prized garbage stickers, a Holden Land Trust family membership and other items. Plans are under way to make the cleanup a twice yearly event.

Old Town

Special baby shower

How does one help a mother short on money? Donate baby necessities – from diapers to diaper ointment.

In many communities, parents of babies and young toddlers are struggling to meet the needs of their families. St. James’ Episcopal Church in Old Town is asking for help in collecting diapers, infant cereal and formula, baby wipes, lotion, powder and baby shampoo.

Drop off the baby necessities on Mother’s Day morning, Sunday, May 13, at St. James’ Episcopal Church.

St. James’ Church will sponsor a baby shower in the undercroft immediately after the 10 a.m. Eucharist. Items will be donated to Crossroads Ministries in Old Town.

St. James’ is located at the corner of Center and Main Streets. This is the second year that the church has assisted with the drive to collect necessity items for babies.

Crossroads Ministries Inc. is an ecumenical food pantry founded in 1991 by Brenda Davis. It serves families in Old Town, Orono, Milford, Bradley and surrounding towns.

For more information, call Paula Baines, 947-0087, or e-mail prbaines@yahoo.com.

Orono

Youth Concert Series

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s annual Youth Concert Series will be held at 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Monday, May 14, at the Maine Center for the Arts. Tickets are still available.

The Youth Concert program includes excerpts from Sibelius’ Symphony no. 2; Grieg’s Norwegian dance no. 2 and Piano concerto in A minor featuring Lydia Kilian of Weeks Mills, 2006 BSO Maine High School Concerto Competition winner. Also performed will be Williams’ “Theme from Superman;” Saeverud’s “Elegy;” and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” finale continuing the longstanding tradition of a student conductor selected from the audience.

A video montage of the aurora borealis will be displayed from the stage.

Tickets are $3 for students and $10 others.

To make reservations, download the reservation form from the Youth Concert Series page at www.bangorsymphony.com and mail it to: Bangor Symphony, P.O. Box 1441, Bangor 04402-1441 or fax 990-1272. Or, call the Bangor Symphony office at 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221 to request a copy. Orders will not be filled over the phone.

Orrington

Bluegrass at the Grange Hall

The Bluegrass Special will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Orrington Grange Hall, corner of Dow Road and Center Drive.

The Adrians and Beacher Boys and Girls will be featured. Organizers describe the event as “wicked cool traditional country music with bluegrass energy, warmed up with hillbilly fun.” Admission is $10, $8 seniors, free to children under age 12. A portion of the proceeds go to the Bluegrass Music Association of Maine for children’s music education. For more information, call 843-5994 or 944-3128.