Staff and supporters of Eastern Maine AIDS Network invite and encourage you to pause in your holiday preparations and join them in observing World AIDS Day.

Staff members Patricia Murphy, Suze Howe and Joe Sargent announced that EMAN World AIDS Day begins with an open house at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Hammond Street Congregational Church in Bangor.

There you will find panels from the national AIDS quilt, a timeline HIV display, information about HIV-AIDS and red ribbons for the public.

A brief talk by the Rev. Mark Doty is planned for 6:30 p.m., then candles will be distributed to the group members who will walk to Hannibal Hamlin Park along Kenduskeag Stream to light luminaria and hold a vigil in recognition of the 20th annual World AIDS Day.

For information about this event or EMAN, visit www.maineaidsnetwork.com or call (877) 990-3626.

A benefit supper for Julie Washburn and Bob Meckley of Skowhegan, who lost their home in a recent fire, will be held 6-8 p.m. today at the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, 21 Silver St., Skowhegan.

Mike Lange reports the meatball or sausage sub, french fries and desert meal is $7 a plate and is after the American Red Cross blood drive at the lodge.

Washburn is lodge president and Meckley is chairman of its youth activities committee.

For information, call 474-3111 or e-mail elks2531@beeline-online.net.

Bonnie Hunter is chairman of the Pembroke Historical Society craft fair, which will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Pembroke Elementary School.

Part of a continuing effort to support the historical society’s activities and its museum, the fair features outstanding crafters from the area and will include the sale of the first in a series of annual historical society commemorative glass Christmas ornaments.

A quilt raffle, historical items, a bake sale, Chinese raffle and more await all who attend this fundraiser, which is free and open to the public.

Cheryl Murphy and Kathy Griffin invite you to a benefit old-fashioned bingo game, offering more than $1,000 in gift cards and prizes.

Doors open at 11 a.m. for lunch, and games begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center, Route 1, Sullivan.

Admission is $10 for 16 games plus five early-bird specials for an additional charge. The event includes a 50-50 raffle.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 944-8977.

Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Each walker must raise $2,200 to participate, and 2008 will be Murphy’s fourth and Griffin’s third walk, having raised a total of $15,400.

To join “Murf’s Maineiacs,” receive more information or make a donation, call Murphy at that number.

You can attend alone, as a couple or part of a group, Jonathan Falk reports of Salsa for Social Justice, a benefit dance hosted by the Sistering Committees of Peace through Interamerican Community Action, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and community radio station WERU-FM.

Salsa for Social Justice begins with a free salsa lesson with instructor Silvana Cuello at 7 p.m., and the dance at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St., Bangor.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children under 12.

For information, call Pica at 947-4203 or e-mail info@pica.ws.

Brenda Ferguson invites you to her art studio open house 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at her studio, 298 North Road in Dixmont.

An original framed work, “Blanketed,” will be given away as a door prize at 2 p.m., and the recipient must be present to win.

For information, call 257-4215, e-mail brenda@brendaferguson.com or visit www.brendaferguson.com.

Patricia Henner invites you to visit the Page Farm and Home Museum’s Holiday Shoppe 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2, on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.

Henner wrote that “multiple vendors as well as nonprofit organization will have their crafts and products available to the public.”

Director Cynthia Jennings invites you to the Old Town Public Library’s first holiday tea, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at the library, 46 Middle St.

Tour the decorated library, listen to carols and view Holiday Hullabaloo Gift Baskets to be raffled at that Dec. 8 event.

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