Bangor

Celebration of Purim

Congregation Beth El will conduct its Purim celebration at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20. The public is invited to join the congregation for an evening of fun, food and song.

Purim is the most joyous of Jewish holidays and it is customary to read the story of Purim, the Megillah. During the reading, greggars, or noisemakers, are used to silence any utterance of the villain Haman’s name.

Hamantaschen (Haman’s hat or pockets) is a traditional pastry served during the Purim holiday. It also is common for Jews to come to services in costume to celebrate.

Congregation Beth El is an open, welcoming and inclusive reform congregation at 183 French St. For more information, call 945-4578 or visit www.me002.uri.net.

Talk by UMS chancellor

University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude will speak at the Bangor Breakfast Rotary Club meeting at 7 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Sea Dog Restaurant.

His presentation will focus on the educational, economic and cultural value and importance of Maine’s public universities. Pattenaude also will explain his “Agenda for Action,” a five-part plan for improving the system’s quality, affordability and accountability.

For information on the Agenda for Action, visit www.maine.edu/chancellor/index.php?section=4>.

Dedham

Veterinary hospital

Lucerne Veterinary Hospital, located on Route 1A in Dedham, has opened for business.

To mark the occasion, Dr. Chris A. Miles and Dr. Stephanie G. Monk and their staff will hold an open house noon-2 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at the hospital, located between the Dedham town office and the Lucerne Inn.

Miles is a graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has been practicing in the Bangor area for more than 20 years. She recently became a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

She has a strong interest in surgery, including minimally invasive surgery, performed with a camera through tiny incisions, and endoscopy.

Monk is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and has been practicing in the Bangor area for about seven years.

She has developed strong interests in internal medicine, ultrasound and oncology.

The hospital, which opened in late 2007, offers digital X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, usual and unusual surgeries, chemotherapy, dental and other services.

Contact LVH at 843-6300 or visit www.lucernevet.com.

Orrington

Maple Festival and Irish Celebration

The Curran Homestead will hold its 12th annual Maple Festival and Irish Celebration 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at 372 Fields Pond Road.

Learn how maple sap is turned into maple syrup. Sample ginger ice cream and beans made with maple syrup.

Sample Irish stew, beef stew and biscuits.

Enjoy the live Irish music and sing along with Jerry Hughes.

Meet a Scottish Highland cow.

See your kids enjoy the Easter egg hunt for children 12 and under.

Tickets, including food, are $5 for adults and $3 for children, if members.

For non-members, prices are $7 for adults, $5 for children.