Those who enjoy the wonderful variety of holiday concerts available in our area won’t want to miss “Let’s Trim the Christmas Tree,” the Christmas cabaret offered by the Heart of Maine Chorus of Sweet Adelines International.

That special event, featuring women singing four-part harmony, barbershop-style, is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the handicapped-accessible Brewer Auditorium on Wilson Street.

Member Gloria Hodgdon reports tickets are just $7, and may be purchased at the door, from any member of the Sweet Adelines or at Knapp’s Music Store on Main Street in Bangor.

Hodgdon added that a portion of the profits from ticket sales will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society and that the event will include a 50-50 raffle, door prizes and free refreshments.

A beef stew benefit dinner for Julie Washburn and Bob Meckley, leaders of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge who were left homeless after a fire on Thanksgiving weekend, will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the lodge, 21 Silver St., Skowhegan.

Admission is $7, and more information may be obtained by calling the lodge, 474-3111, or at elks2531@beeline-online.net.

Carla Bommarito reports Dollars for Scholars at Hampden Academy will host Breakfast with Santa, 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Reeds Brook Middle School cafeteria in Hampden.

The cost of the pancake breakfast is $2.50 or a maximum of $10 per family.

Photos with Santa are $2 each, and you can make purchases at the Holly Jolly Bake Sale, knowing your contributions will be turned into scholarship dollars for members of this organization who earn that money by donating their time at fundraisers such as this.

Old Town Public Library director Cynthia Jennings reports the library and the River Coalition “have, once again, teamed up for a Holiday Hullabaloo Celebration.”

Holiday Hullabaloo is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Dec. 8, at the library.

There you will find “a shopping mall for children to purchase dollar-items for their families,” Jennings wrote, “the Friends of the Old Town Public Library annual cookie sale, pictures with Santa and the Hullabaloo Gift Basket raffle.”

Cocoa and Carols and a special holiday display start at 2 p.m., and the activities end “with a festive tree-lighting ceremony and holiday program” at Riverfront Park, Jennings wrote.

She extends “special thanks … to all the volunteers, business, churches, local civic organizations and individuals” who either created gift baskets or decorated trees in the park.

“Your efforts are greatly appreciated.”

Paula Baines reports St. James’ Episcopal Church is hosting its third Second Saturday Story and Craft Time for children 3-7 at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the church on the corner of Main and Center streets in Old Town.

Holly Henderson, vice president of Houlton Humane Society, e-mailed to say that HHS and Hollywood Pet Salon are hosting Home for the Holidays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Hollywood Pet Salon.

The purpose of the event is to find “forever homes for some of the beautiful felines and canines we have” at the shelter, Henderson wrote, adding that “some of them will be featured” at the salon.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, “we will be serving lunch” next door at The Vault restaurant, she added.

Meanwhile, back at the salon, you will find gift boxes of homemade candy, crafts, wreaths, trees and much more for sale; carolers; a gift-wrapping service; “a beautiful, original painting by Esther Faulkner up for auction; and a handcrafted blanket box as well,” Henderson wrote.

Joyce Given, president of Millinocket Regional Hospital Auxiliary, reminds you its 14th annual Love Light Tree project closes Saturday, Dec. 8.

You can purchase white lights in memory of someone, green in honor of someone, red to honor a child or blue for friendship.

The donation is $3 for one light, $5 for two, $8 for three, and $10 for four, or you can purchase as many as you wish.

The lights grace the auxiliary’s tree outside the MRH main lobby entrance.

Proceeds benefit three $500 scholarships for graduating seniors, who plan to pursue a career in the medical field, from Stearns High School in Millinocket, Schenck High School in East Millinocket and Katahdin High School in Stacyville.

Donations may be mailed to MRHA treasurer Terry Given, 106 Prospect St., Millinocket 04462.

Order forms are also available at Millinocket Floral Shop, in the MRH lobby and at the East Millinocket Library.

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