Bangor

Pathfinders program for grieving children

Pathfinders: Support for Grieving Children, has announced its fall session scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. beginning Mondays, Oct. 8-Dec. 10, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Essex Street, Bangor.

The 10-week session provides grief support for children and their families or caregivers who have experienced the death of a loved one. Adults who attend with children meet in their own groups. Teens can attend on their own as long as they have the consent of their caregiver.

Now in its 13th year, Pathfinders was founded by Maria Brountas and the late Barbara Eames. The program provides special bereavement support geared specifically for children and teens age 3-18. To help defray costs, there is a $50 fee per family with a limited number of scholarships available.

For information on attending a session, call Linda Boyle at 973-826. More information also is available at www.pathfindersmaine.org.

Pathfinders is a member of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

United Way kickoff

United Way of Eastern Maine’s annual community rally is set to kick off at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Bass Park. The public is invited to attend the free event, which includes a complimentary lunch from Hannaford.

The event, expected to draw more than 1,000 people, will include the temporary installation of a Born Learning trail, an outdoor-activity walking trail with 10 stations for children and parents to learn and have fun together. Sargent Corp. has sponsored the permanent installation of the trail in Old Town.

Attendees will enjoy fun activities and hear from Attorney General Steven Rowe, United Way 2007 Campaign chairman John Rohman and others. Rowe will speak on the value of early childhood education, a focus area for United Way. To recognize September as National Recovery month, he will highlight the value of early-childhood learning in making positive choices later in life.

For the second year, Darling’s, L.L. Bean and R.H. Foster have donated prizes for campaign contributors. Donors who give at least $5 a week will be entered to win the grand prize, a new 2007 Nissan Versa 1.8S from Darling’s; the second prize, 500 gallons of heating oil from R.H. Foster Energy; or the third prize, a $1,000 L.L. Bean gift certificate.

Donors who give $3 a week or more will be entered to win either the grand or the second prize, and donors who give $2 a week or more will be entered to win the third prize.

“The United Way of Eastern Maine plays a vital part in our communities, improving the lives of thousands of our friends and neighbors in measurable ways,” Rohman said. “Our annual kick-off event is a fun way to highlight UWEM’s contributions and to inspire all of us to support our 2007 campaign.”

Those who plan to attend and are not registered through their work places are encouraged to call United Way at 941-2800.

More details about the prizes and the event are available at www.unitedwayem.org.

BSO auditions

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra will hold auditions at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Bangor High School.

Positions available are: principal viola; horn 3; contracted seats in violin, viola and cello sections and substitute positions in all sections.

Contracted musicians are paid on a per service basis, with mileage and housing arrangements included.

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra season includes six classical concerts, the Spirit of Bangor holiday event, two youth concerts, summer POPS and other special events.

For audition requirements and other information, contact Scott Burditt, personnel manager, at 944-0929 or the Bangor Symphony office at 942-5555 or 800-639-3221; or e-mail symphony@bangorsymphony.com.

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra is the oldest continuously operating community orchestra in the United States, founded in 1896.

Music director and conductor Xiao-Lu Li begins his sixth season on the podium. More information is available at www.bangorsymphony.com.

Farmers’ market

Based on the success that Donna’s Daily Bread and other farmers had during Downtown Bangor’s eight-week outdoor market, Donna and Mike Mionis have organized and will manage a farmers’ market.

The market will be held 2-6 p.m. Thursdays in Pickering Square through the fall months.

Products include fresh baked bread, goat cheese, produce, berries and more. For information, contact Donna Mionis at 884-8224.

Art at the library

Members of the Eastern Maine Camera Club will show their work in the Bangor Public Library’s Lecture Hall Gallery during September.

Members include many award-winning photographers whose works have been shown extensively in Eastern Maine.

Bangor photographer Maria Verrill will show her far-flung images of America in the Stairwell Gallery.

The Bangor Public Library welcomes local artists to submit applications to exhibit in the library’s three galleries. Interested artists should submit an application by Oct. 15.

The library’s art committee will select artists and groups to exhibit in the library during the next calendar year.

Artists do not need to be a professional to apply; in fact, the committee encourages students of all ages and groups of all types of artists to apply.

The committee also encourages gallery talks and programs on themes relating to exhibits, as well as openings for every new show. For information, call the library at 947-8336.

Adoption, foster care

The Bangor office of the Department of Health and Human Services will hold a public informational meeting about adoption and foster care at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, in Bangor. To learn the location and to participate, call A Family For ME at 877-505-0545.

Those considering adoption or foster care through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Workshop for nonprofits

The Institute for Civic Leadership will present the workshop “The Core Responsibility of Nonprofit Boards” 8 a.m.-noon Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Dyke Center for Family Business, Husson College, 1 College Circle. A continental breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m.

The workshop will give prospective and current board members, and nonprofit executive staff, an overview of nonprofit board service. It will explore the key roles and responsibilities. Participants will have the opportunity to meet seasoned board members and discuss different ways to handle challenging situations.

To register, call Wayne at 773-3254, Ext. 100, or e-mail wgriffin@civicleadership.org.

The fee is $70 for the first person from an organization; $55 for each additional member from the same organization.

Career class for women

“Creating Your Future: Learn and Earn Your Way to Success” will be offered 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Sept. 26-Nov. 28, at Women, Work and Community at the Bangor Center. The 10-week free course will give training in creating career, educational and financial goals. Preregistration is required by calling 262-7842 or 800-442-2092.

Children’s choir auditions

Auditions for the Bangor Area Children’s Choir training choir will be held 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 540 Essex St. Call back auditions are set for Thursday, Sept. 20, also at the church.

For information about age requirements and other details, call choir artistic director Michele Bremner Hall at 947-2023 or e-mail michelehall@bangorareachildrenschoir.com. More information also is available at www.bangorchildrenschoir.com.

Child care symposium

The Penquis CAP Resource Development Center and the Child Care Training Coalition will host its annual Child Care Symposium 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Eastern Maine Community College.

The symposium, “Good Beginnings Last a Lifetime,” focuses on creating relationships with families. The keynote speaker is Chris Trout, who will speak on “Communicating with Parents from a Strengths Perspective.”

Participants select two workshops from a variety of topics in child care and early education. Information in these workshops will be helpful for infant-toddler teachers, preschool teachers and center directors, as well as other early childhood professionals.

Workshop and registration information is available at www.penquiscap.org/rdc.

The training can be used to meet the licensing requirements for childcare providers, and CEUs will be available.

The symposium is funded in part by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The fee is $30 for registrations postmarked by Friday, Aug. 31, $35 for registrations postmarked after Aug. 31. The registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch.

CEUs are available for $10 through the University of Maine. There are no refunds.

For information, call the Penquis CAP Resource Development Center at 973-3533 or 888-917-1100.

Brewer

Food and fund drive

Good Shepherd Food Bank will hold a Labor Day Weekend Food and Fund Drive Friday through Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, at the Wal-Mart parking lot, 24 Walton Drive.

Participants are encouraged to donate nonperishable items and other basic supplies. The most-needed items include tuna, chicken, ham and other canned meats, peanut butter, pasta, canned vegetables and fruit, beef stew, personal hygiene and paper products.

Also, donations of funds will be accepted to help multiply the food that is provided to partner hunger-relief agencies.

Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Brewer Distribution Center serves some 120 hunger relief agencies in the Bangor region alone and nearly 600 statewide.

With each dollar donated, the food bank can provide more than $12.50 worth of food to pantries, and a $10 gift can provide 48 meals to hungry Mainers in many communities.

The Brewer Wal-Mart has kicked off the fundraiser with a $1,000 donation.

Food Bank director Rick Small said, “We experience tremendous increase during the summer months, particularly while kids are out of school. Maine has more than 65,000 kids who qualify for free or subsidized lunches when school is in session.

“Our food pantries, soup kitchens and children’s programs all report more kids in lines, and more families needing our assistance,” he said.

Castine

At Wilson Museum

These events are coming up at the Wilson Museum, 120 Perkins St.:

. Applique, needle-turn blind stitch technique workshop led by Castine quilter Charleen Wiseman, 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1.

. “Penobscot Culture and Contemporary Issues,” presentation by Barry Dana, Penobscot Nation activist and spokesman, followed by drumming and dancing with Keepers of the Penobscot Drum, 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Co-sponsored with Bagaduce Watershed Association.

. Basket-making demonstration by Caron Shay, Penobscot Nation, 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Co-sponsored with Bagaduce Watershed Association. Baskets available to purchase on demonstration day.

. Maine Old Cemetery Association fall meeting, luncheon and cemetery tour. Speaker, S. J. Wolfe, “Curiosities and Commodities: Egyptian Mummies Downeast,” meeting begins 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. Luncheon reservations required. Call 326-9247 for information.

Holden

Family Walks in Nature

Maine Audubon naturalist Holly Twining wants families to get outside and explore the great outdoors.

No matter what the weather brings, the group will discover the fascinations of nature that thrive in the surroundings of the Fields Pond Nature Center.

After a guided walk, a creative project tied to the walk’s theme such as bird feeding, tree identification, and examining and constructing animal tracks will be offered for both parents and children.

Inside the center, there’s the opportunity to watch wildlife at the feeders and to see interesting animals and seasonal curiosities on display.

“Family Walks In Nature” will be held 1-2:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 8 and 22, and Oct. 6 and 20; and 1-2:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 4 and 18, at Fields Pond Audubon Center. The cost is free for adults, $4 for one child, $6 for two children in the same family and $7 for three children in the same family. No preregistration is necessary.

For information, call 989-2591 or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org.

Volunteer naturalists

Fields Pond Audubon Center is gearing up for fall nature walks for school children and is seeking volunteer naturalists to lead Secrets of the Forest walks. Audubon provides training – all volunteers need is a love of nature.

Attend any two of the training sessions and you’ll be ready to share your knowledge with endlessly curious and enthusiastic children.

Secrets of the Forest volunteer orientations will be held:

. 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5.

. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6.

. 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10.

. 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Sessions are held at the nature center in Holden. Call 989-2591 or e-mail rperry@maineaudubon.org for information.

Areawide

Board nominations

Gov. John Baldacci has nominated these area people to serve on boards:

. Finance Authority of Maine: Terry McTaggart of Hampden; Brent Cross of Bangor.

. Commission on Government Ethics and Election Practices: Edward M. Youngblood of Bangor.

. Maine Maritime Academy Board of Trustees: Mary Lou Cormier of Castine.

Nominees must be confirmed by the Maine Senate.