Supper, auction to benefit orphaned children

Another in a series of community events in the Sullivan area to assist with the needs of Connor, Garrett and Morgan Openshaw is planned for this weekend.

The children were orphaned when an August automobile accident claimed the lives of their parents, Corey Openshaw and Stacey Collins.

Helen Gordon reports that the Sullivan Women’s Fire Department Auxiliary and Family Ties will hold a baked bean and casserole supper and a Chinese auction to benefit the children from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center, 1776 U.S. Route 1 in Sullivan.

For the benefit of those, like me, who may have forgotten (or may not know) what a Chinese auction is, I reread a column I had written, several years ago, describing one.

This is the gist of it: At such an auction, containers are placed in front of each item. Attendees buy tickets and place them in the container in front of the item they hope to win. At the end of the auction, the winning ticket is drawn from each container.

Donations of food for the supper or items for the raffle, or an offer to assist with the event, may be made by calling Gordon at 422-6719.

The benefit will include more than 60 auction items, as well as live music featuring The Higgins Family, Yodelin’ Wade Dow, Bill Lydick, George Harnish and Dick Philbrook of the Frye Mountain Band, Gordon said.

For those who cannot attend but who would like to help the children, mail a contribution to the Openshaw Children’s Donation Fund, c/o Union Trust Co., P.O. Box 479, Ellsworth 04605.

Sally Bates reports Bangor Center Corp. will hold a Downtown Dog Wash featuring student members of the University College of Bangor’s veterinary technicians organization.

The Downtown Dog Wash will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at a shampoo station beside Aubuchon Hardware in Penobscot Plaza on Washington Street in Bangor, under tents provided by Sea Dog Brewing Co.

The event includes doggie manicures, tips about doggie dental care, face painting and more, and your dogs will be washed with locally made soap from Brook Street Kitchen.

All activities are free, but donations to Save Our Strays will be accepted to help UCB’s vet tech organization members meet their goal of raising $2,000 for SOS in the form of cash, bleach, cat litter or paper towels.

For information, call Jennifer Gallant, 262-7853, or student volunteer Nathan Beckett at 399-8119.

Rebecca Hobbs of Spruce Run Association in Bangor, which is the domestic violence project serving Penobscot County, reports Serenity Salon of Millinocket, owned and operated by Crystal Anastos, “is honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month by donating a portion of the proceeds” from its services, this month, to Spruce Run.

You may call Anastos at 723-5001 to make an appointment, or visit Serenity Salon at 158 Penobscot Ave., Millinocket.

Spruce Run is a nonprofit organization providing services for people affected by domestic abuse. It offers a variety of programs ranging from its 24-hour hot line to emergency shelter and community education.

Its toll-free hot line, 800-863-9909, is available to anyone affected by domestic abuse.

Another old-fashioned supper is available to folks in the Pittsfield area who don’t want to cook on a Saturday night.

Vernette Dechaine called to say that St. Agnes Ladies Guild will hold a baked bean supper “with all the trimmings,” beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Dobson Street in Pittsfield.

Admission is just $5 at the door, and children under 5 will be admitted for no charge.

Proceeds benefit the many project of the Ladies Guild, Dechaine said, and more information may be obtained by calling 487-5758 or 487-3550.

To clarify information provided me recently about the participation of local Curves franchises with the American Cancer Society fundraiser, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Sandy LaVertue, who e-mailed the information, is the owner of Curves franchises in Bangor and Newport.

Joan Marie Smith is the owner of the Curves franchise in Brewer; Karen Darling, owner of Hampden Curves; and Gail Orndorf-Sperry, owner of the Old Town Curves franchise.

All five local facilities are participating in this event celebrating October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They are offering a variety of ways for members and others to participate.

For information, call Curves in Bangor, 947-0000; Brewer, 989-3733; Hampden, 862-6746; Newport, 368-2589 or Old Town, 827-7200.

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