Hampden woman to celebrate 103rd birthday

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April Fool’s Day is Tuesday, April 1, but for one very special lady, it also happens to be an exceptional birthday.

Edna Bragg of Hampden will celebrate her 103rd birthday, and hearing from friends would certainly make that remarkable occasion even more enjoyable.

Granddaughter Susan Hall of Hampden told me Mrs. Bragg “is the oldest citizen of Hampden, and holds the Hampden Historical Society Cane,” which honors that community’s most senior resident.

Born in Hampden April 1, 1905, Mrs. Bragg has spent most of her life in that community, Hall said.

A homemaker, she is the widow of George W. Bragg Sr., to whom she was married for 62 years.

The couple had one son, who died in 1989. Mrs. Bragg has one other granddaughter, Nancy Coyne, of Londonderry, N.H., five great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

“She was a wonderful mother, and is a wonderful grandmother,” Hall said of the woman “who loves to get mail.”

To help make this a memorable day, cards and wishes can be sent to Edna Bragg, Roe Village, 113 Western Ave., Hampden 04444.

If you would like more information, call Hall at 862-2062.

The second of a series of presentations for grandfamilies affected by substance abuse is “Resilient Families: Overcoming Histories of Substance Abuse,” reports Janelle Wuoristo of Maine Kids-Kin, a program of Families and Children Together.

This presentation is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at FACT, 304 Hancock St. in Bangor.

Licensed clinical professional counselor Dr. Virginia Holmes will “discuss how children and their behavior are affected by substance abuse, and strategies to help you and them manage the situation,” Wuoristo wrote.

“Grandfamilies are invited to attend this free event” which will include a free pizza dinner and free child care for those who preregister – by today – with that request.

For more information or to register for child care, call Wuoristo 866-298-0896 or 941-2347 or e-mail jwuoristo@mainekids-kin.org.

Mary Jane Bush of the Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition invites the public to learn about the Plant a Row and Maine Senior Farm Share Program at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Jewett Community Center on Bridge Street in Bucksport.

Hancock County Cooperative Extension Office extension educator Joyce Kleffner will explain the Plant a Row program, and Deanne Herman of the Maine Department of Agriculture will discuss the Maine Senior Farm Share Program.

Home gardeners participate in the Plant a Row program to provide vegetables for needy individuals and families by dedicating a row, or more, of fruits or vegetables that are donated to a local food pantry program, Bush explained.

The Maine Senior Farm Share Program “engages Maine farmers to provide locally-grown produce to distribute at no cost to low-income older adults,” she explained.

The forum is sponsored by BBHCC, H.O.M.E. Inc., and Bucksport Community Concerns.

For more information, call Bush at 469-6682.

Bev Wilson of Spruce Run Association in Bangor encourages you to “join us to celebrate 35 years of working for peace at home” by attending the Spruce Run annual gala dessert party and silent auction.

That essential fundraiser for the domestic abuse service agency of Penobscot County is 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Buchanan Alumni House on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.

This event “is an elegant feast of fabulous desserts provided by the community’s finest restaurants and private bakers,” Wilson wrote.

“Chocolate has a starring role, but fruit and vanilla are well represented.”

The evening also includes the opportunity to “catch up with old friends, meet new ones, listen to excellent jazz, bid on spectacular silent auction items,” all while supporting the work of Spruce Run, she added.

For more information or to obtain tickets, call Wilson at 945-5102.

Executive director Bill Rae and staff members of Manna Ministries wrote that “people have called Manna and asked what we need: What can the community do, to provide meals, or how can someone help with one of our programs.”

In answering those questions, Manna staff members came up with “a short list of our immediate needs.”

You can help Manna help others by providing items such as 5-pound cans of regular (not instant) coffee, powdered cream, 8-inch or 9-inch Styrofoam plates, and plastic forks, spoons and knives.

Any of these items can be brought to Manna, 629 Main St. in Bangor, and more information can be obtained by calling Manna at 990-2870.

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