Maine military families need help before winter

Heartbreaking was the word that came to mind when I spoke with Donna Chapman of Operation Homefront-Maine, and she told me we have five military families in the state who need help with “urgent repairs” to their homes “before snow flies.”

Operation Homefront, with 31 chapters nationwide, is a nonprofit organization providing assistance to military families while a service member is deployed, according to a later e-mail from Chapman.

It is truly heartbreaking to realize that family members of men and women serving our country are finding themselves in difficult situations here at home.

Chapman reports the five families needing assistance range from those with deployed soldiers to families who have “soldiers getting ready to deploy” as well as “a disabled soldier.” Some of those families reside in our readership area.

The help they need includes having roofs redone, the donation and installation of a propane heating unit, rehabilitating a home and plumbing work, Chapman explained, adding that “the disabled soldier needs his house finished” because he is unable to do it “due to his disability.

“All of us have experienced some crisis and confusion in our lives,” she wrote.

“Many of us are fortunate to have family and friends to help deal with these challenges. But there are many people in our community who, for a wide variety of reasons, may not have, or be aware of, the support systems available to help them through tough times.”

Chapman wrote, “these service members want to be sure” their families’ needs are met so the soldiers can deploy without worrying about their families’ well-being.

If you can help, call Chapman at 321-1321 or e-mail Maine@operationhomefront.net.

More information about Operation Homefront-Maine is available at www.operationhomefront.net/Maine.

Vicki Blanchette called to say that, because of the possibility of rain, volunteers will not plant the Pink Tulip Garden today on the corner of Broadway and Center Street in Bangor, but will plant the bulbs at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at that location.

She invites readers to the planting and thanks you for helping meet her $500 fundraising goal for the Women’s Cancer Fund of the Maine Cancer Foundation.

University of Maine at Machias recreation professor Bill Eckart and up to 60 UMM recreation students have been working hard to bring you the best Machias Community Haunted Forest yet, according to information provided by the university.

Everyone is invited to enjoy a “lifetime of scares” at the Machias Community Haunted Forest from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 30, along the nature trail behind Machias Memorial High School.

The entry fee is $2, and children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

You are asked not to bring flashlights, by the way, but are urged to dress warmly for the cold, late-October weather, and reminded to be patient because there might just be a waiting line to get into the forest.

Second Congregational Church in Brewer will hold a 100th Anniversary Organ Celebration Program that includes a lecture tour by organist Dr. Kevin Birch.

Birch “will guide participants on a tour in sights and sounds of representative organs by E. & G.G. Hook (later E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings) in the state of Maine,” wrote Leigh Butler.

Included in the presentation will be a demonstration of the church’s 1907 Hook & Hastings Organ.

The public is invited to attend the anniversary celebration at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the church, 607 South Main St., Brewer.

Assisting Birch with hymns and vocal selections will be Joan Kroehler, the church’s minister of Music.

After the program, a reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

Kerry Sack e-mailed that “Pushaw needs your help,” and hopes that those who have an interest in Pushaw and Little Pushaw lakes will join the Greater Pushaw Lake Association, its board of directors and officers, and Friends of Pushaw & Little Pushaw for the GPLA annual meeting.

The event runs from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Orono Senior Center on Birch Street.

Pizza will be served, and you are asked to call Sack at 827-2696 or e-mail kerrysack@gmail.com to make your dinner reservations.

Sack reports the meeting “will focus on the challenges facing GPLA,” and that the organization needs your support to continue its work.

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