Area dancers have been issued a call for auditions by Robinson Ballet-School of Robinson Ballet artistic directors Keith and Maureen Robinson in preparation for Robinson Ballet’s annual dance performance, which is planned for April.

Maureen Robinson told me the auditions are open to everyone interested, and she invites dancers to participate in one of two sessions.

The Company Class audition, which is open to all dancers interested in auditioning, is from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 12, at the School of Robinson Ballet, which is located above the Greyhound Bus terminal at 107 Union St., Bangor.

Auditions for dancers ages 12 through adult follows, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the same location.

The dance program will be created by five choreographers and will range in style from classical ballet to jazz and modern.

For your planning purposes, the annual dance performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, at the Bangor Opera House; and at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at The Grand, in Ellsworth.

For more information about these auditions, or the performances, call 989-7226 or visit www.robinsonballet.org.

Sally Burke, representing Penobscot Valley Ski Club, has been a busy lady lately.

She keeps readers well informed about all club activities, and called me this week with more information about a new program that will be of interest to young skiers.

The PVSC and the Winterport Rec Department “are kicking off a Youth Cross Country Ski Program for skiers 8-14,” Burke wrote.

The program will offer “ski instruction and games,” and it will be tailored for skiers who are beginners to those with more “advanced ability,” she explained.

Registration for the new program is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at the Victoria Grant Civic Center in Winterport.

Burke reports that the Youth Cross Country Ski Program, under the direction of Emily Cartwright of Winterport, will be held from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Thursday, Jan. 10, and ending Thursday, March 6, at Abbott Park in Winterport.

To obtain more information about the cost of the program, ski rental options, and how to register, visit the PVSC Web site at pvskiclub.org, and click on Nordic.

You can also call Cartwright for more information at 223-4791, or e-mail her at emilyski@yahoo.com.

Ray “Bucky” Owen of Orono, retired wildlife biology professor and a former director of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will address members and guests of the Bangor Nature Club at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at First Congregational Church, 35 Church St., Brewer.

BNC board member Ella Waitt said that Owen’s topic will be the Penobscot River restoration.

She reminds readers that nonmembers and members of the public are cordially “invited to attend the meeting,” and that “refreshments will be served.”

Melody Weeks, director of Development for John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, reports the school’s Winter Art Show is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan 10, in the John Bapst Auditorium, at the school, 100 Broadway in Bangor.

The public is invited to attend the show, and there is no admission.

Under the direction of John Bapst art teacher Melissa Burns, nine students worked together on a collaborative art project, with each reproducing a section of a painting by a 15th century German artist.

That piece will be displayed at the show as will be the artwork of students in the John Bapst drawing, advanced art and advanced placement studio art classes.

A press release on behalf of Friendly’s Restaurant Corp., invites those who visit the restaurants in their local areas, now through Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 14, to participate in Friendly’s “Cones for Kids” program to benefit children and adults with disabilities.

Each person visiting a Friendly’s Restaurant who makes a $1 donation to the Easter Seals campaign will receive a Kids’ Valentine’s Day card, which is redeemable for five, free kids’ ice cream cones.

As part of the fundraiser, guests are also encouraged to drop their spare change into collection jugs located at the front of each restaurant.

Sine 1981, Friendly’s employees and guests have raised nearly $25 million for Easter Seals to improve the lives of people living with autism and other disabilities, the release states.

Last year, the “Cones for Kids” campaign raised $1.184 million.

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