Bangor

Children’s Book Week

National Children’s Book Week will be celebrated May 12-18, and the Bangor Public Library has scheduled these activities:

. Librarians in aprons will cook up great introductions to recently published children’s books at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. Newly released books are sweet and salty and “book bakery” fun will be served up with freshly baked treats. Savory selections will be offered for children ages 4-12.

. Book Week Scavenger Hunts will be offered for ages 6-10, 11-14 and children under 6 with a parent or guardian. All entries successfully completed will be eligible to win a Book Week poster. There are three posters awarded to each age group.

. The Penobscot County Genealogical Society will sponsor a Genealogy for Kids Day 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in the Story Room. Children ages 8-14 are invited to learn about the exciting hobby of genealogy. A free lunch will be served thanks to Leadbetter’s Super Stop East. Prizes will be awarded. Guest instructors include Dale Mower and Phil Getchell. Register at the Children’s Desk, call 947-8337 or visit www.bpl.lib.me.us.

. Sally Michaud, shepherd and artisan, who spins, dyes and knits her own wool, will demonstrate her skills and show some of her beautiful finished pieces at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, in the Story Room. Children are invited to join her for “woolie” adventures.

Book sale at library

The Friends of the Bangor Public Library will hold their annual book sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in the Lecture Hall.

Donations of used hardcover and paperback books in good condition, including children’s books, are needed for the sale. Reader’s Digest Condensed books and magazines will not be accepted. Those who wish to have volunteers pick up books or who would like to help at the book sale, call the library at 947-8336 and leave a message.

Members of Friends of Bangor Public Library may look over books at Preview Night 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 9, and purchase up to 20 books each.

Membership forms are available at the front desk of the library and will be available on Preview Night.

The prepreview sale takes place 3-4:40 p.m. Friday, May 9. Those who pay a $10 admission fee to the library are eligible to buy books for $5 per item, except specially priced items.

Community chorus concert

The Bangor Community Chorus, under the direction of Joshua Schmersal, invite the public to its annual Spring Concert, 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St.

The chorus, accompanied by pianist Colin Graebert, will present a varied program of inspirational music, traditional spirituals and works of composers Mozart and Brahms. Solos will be performed.

Featured will be “I Dream a World,” written by Andre Thomas and “dedicated to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, that we might come together in peace.”

The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted to help the mission of the chorus.

Juried art show

May is the month of the Bangor Art Society’s highly anticipated Juried Show at Bangor Public Library. The show, which attracts many of the area’s most prominent artists, is on display in the Lecture Hall. The opening reception for the exhibit will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13.

In the Stairwell Gallery, Bangor photographer Grace Bartlett will show her black-and-white silver halide photographs in “The Nature of Things and the Things of Nature.” Bartlett’s work features and contrasts subjects from nature with man-made objects. The opening will take place 4-5 p.m. Friday, May 9, in the Stairwell Gallery.

Applications to exhibit at Bangor Public Library in 2009 are available in the lobby.

Woolie events at library

Shepherd, spinner and knitter Sally Michaud of Vassalboro will demonstrate her skills at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Bangor Public Library. Michaud will appear as the guest of the library’s knitting club, which meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, at the library.

Home buying classes

MaineStream Finance will offer a free 12-hour certified training course that helps potential home buyers make prudent purchasing decisions. Classes will be held 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, May 12-15, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St. Participants must attend all classes.

The course uses a qualified trainer and discusses roles of professionals involved in the buying process, such as attorneys, realtors, lenders, insurance agents and home inspectors. Components are budget and debt management counseling and credit counseling.

There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. Contact MaineStream Finance at 974-2424 or 800-215-4942, ext. 424 or e-mail fperry@penquis.org.

MaineStream Finance is a nonprofit community development financial institution and wholly owned subsidiary of Penquis. Its mission is to promote community development through financial education and financing activities for Maine’s low- and moderate-income residents.

Brewer

So You Think You Have Talent Show

Auditions for the second annual Brewer Kiwanis So You Think You Have Talent Show will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Brewer High School.

The talent show itself will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Brewer High School. The grand prize is $1,000. A cash prize of $500 will be awarded in these categories: age 10 and under, ages 11-18 and age 19 and up.

Talent categories include comedy, singing, dancing, piano, guitar, jazz, small-band groups, monologues and more.

Applications may be obtained at Brewer High School, Brewer Public Library, Brewer Auditorium, Camden National Bank in Bangor, Awards Signage and Trophies in Brewer, Realty of Maine in Bangor, Goldstar Cleaners in Brewer and Henry’s Formal Wear in Bangor.

No applications will be available at the door. Applications may be mailed to: Brewer Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 538, Brewer, ME 04412, postmarked no later than May 27.

Last year’s contestants came from Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Belfast, Lincoln and Franklin. For information, call any Brewer Kiwanian or President Jessica Tilton at 942-0913 or 356-9163.

Bucksport

100-percent voting record

With more than 200 votes taken in the State Senate during the second regular session and the first special session of the 123rd Legislature, it was common for legislators to miss a few here and there.

But Sen. Richard Rosen of Hancock and Penobscot counties was in his seat for every recorded vote.

Between January and April, senators were presented with 231 proposals that required a roll-call vote. Rosen, now in his second term in the State Senate, was present for each and every one of them.

“Senators and representatives make a commitment to serve the people of Maine in Augusta,” Rosen said. “It is important that with every vote cast we work to ensure our constituents are represented. Though we are a part-time legislature advocating for the people of Penobscot and Hancock counties, it is an obligation I take seriously.”

Rosen has not missed a single vote during the two-year period of the 123rd Legislature, casting 445 votes.

“Senator Rosen is one of our hardest working senators. His tireless efforts on behalf of his constituents not only benefit those whom he represents, but the entire state,” said Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston. “Richard is a model senator other legislators can look to for guidance.”

Eddington

Annual variety show

The fifth annual Variety Show will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Comins Hall, 1387 Main Road.

The entertainment includes singers, dancers, musicians, comic skits, recitations and more from new participants and returning favorites. It is a variety show in the old-fashioned sense. There’s something new every 5 minutes.

Admission at the door is $5, $1 for children under 12. Handicapped seating is available on the first floor with video and audio simulcast of the show. A concession stand will be open and door prizes awarded. Proceeds go toward ongoing renovations at Comins Hall.

Orrington

PTO spring fair

The Center Drive School Parent-Teacher Group’s Spring Fair will be held rain or shine, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Center Drive School. Admission is free. The event helps fund the group’s various projects.

The gymnasium will be filled with carnival games, a superslide and bounce house. Maine Traditional Karate will give demonstrations. Service dogs will be in action from Tail Waggin’ Training Center.

The Orrington Fire and Rescue Department’s fire engine and rescue vehicles will be on display outside.

Throw a cream pie at a favorite target to help Boy Scout Troop 44. In the cafeteria enjoy real fair food, an old-fashioned penny candy shop and other shopping, including a Chinese auction with more than 100 items up for bid.

Local vendors will offer items such as Wooly Ridges’ organic flowers and herbs, silk floral arrangements; Pampered Chef and Body Shop products; Girl Scout cookies from Brownie Troop 750; and more.

Hannaford Supermarkets will offer a nutrition exhibit and Fields Pond Audubon Center will have information about its summer programs. Orrington Recycling will provide earth-saving ideas.

Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Food Pantry will offer a children’s activity.

The Little League bake sale also will take place at the fair.

Orono

Tasting Bee

The Orono Historical Society will hold its annual Tasting Bee 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 12, at the Asa Adams School gymnasium. Local restaurants will offer samples of their fare for attendees to taste.

Participating restaurants to date include Pat’s Pizza, Margarita’s, The Sports Bar, Harvest Moon Deli, Woodman’s Bar and Grille, Dirigo Pines, Bear Brew Pub and The Store Ampersand.

Local merchants will provide door prizes.

Tickets are $10, $5 for children ages 6-12, free for those under age 5 and available at Judy’s Scrappin’ and Stampin’, The Pretty Woman and The Store Ampersand or by calling Marlene Doucette at 866-2597 or at the door.

Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Civil War monument in Webster Park.

Oh, those auction items

The Orono Public Library Foundation will conduct its third annual gala auction on Saturday, May 17.

The theme of the auction is “Go Green” to celebrate the environmentally friendly plans for the new library. The foundation plans to achieve Silver Level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification with the design of the new library and it may be possible to attain Gold Level. Orono’s new library will be one of a small but growing number of green buildings in the area.

The Go Green Auction will feature silent and live auction items, hors d’oeuvres, classical guitar music by Orono musician Rich Kenefic and a multimedia presentation about the LEED features of the new library building.

More than 100 auction items will be up for bid, including vacation packages, dinners and goods and services such as homemade dessert delivered to your door, lobster buoy earrings, a boat tour with lunch on Moosehead Lake, an antique chair, a five-course northern Italian dinner prepared in your home, a photograph of Katahdin, bass fishing on the Penobscot River, a Vincent Hartgen paintings, private yoga class for two, a stained-glass class, weekend at a waterfront cottage, a day sail and lunch, an ornate class bowl and pitcher, Christmas-theme dolls, closet clean-out and shopping spree with Shopgirl Kristen Andresen, landscaping services and a trip to Hawaii.

Tickets are $25 each. To reserve tickets, call Laurie Rose at the Orono Public Library, 866-5060, or e-mail lrose@orono.lib.me.us.

The Orono Public Library Foundation has raised nearly $1.85 million toward the $2.2 million cost of the new construction. The land has been purchased and cleared, but an additional $400,000 is needed to break ground in June.

Those who wish to contribute an item to the auction should call Laurie Rose at 866-5060 or e-mail lrose@orono.lib.me.us, or call Bob Bass at 889-8200 or e-mail rbass@midmaine.com.

Stillwater

Bean supper fundraiser

Boy Scout Troop 76, Old Town, will hold a baked bean supper 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Stillwater Federated Church, Bennoch Road, to raise money to support the Eagle Scout service project of Nathan Edwards.

Edwards has taken on the task of building a much-needed wheelchair ramp for the vestry of the Stillwater Federated Church.

The supper will feature big and small beans, coleslaw, rolls, pickles, brown bread and pies. The cost is $6, $1 children. Troop 76 Boy Scouts will be the servers at the event.

Areawide

Letter carriers’ food drive

The National Association of Letter Carriers will do its part to stamp out hunger across America on Saturday, May 10, in the nation’s largest single-day food drive.

Leave nonperishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta or cereal in a sturdy bag next to your mailbox before the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 10.

Brewer

Chamber music concert

The Mount View Chamber Singers will sing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at First Congregational Church of Brewer, UCC. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

After the concert a “meet and greet” reception with light refreshments will be held and attendees will have the opportunity to buy the group’s CDs.

The Mount View Chamber Singers travel throughout eastern and central Maine during Advent with “Carols-in-the-Round.”

Orono

Musical theater workshops

The Church of Universal Fellowship will offer a Summer Musical Theater Workshop for students entering grades eight through 12.

The workshop will run 1-5 p.m. Monday, June 23 through Wednesday, July 2, with the workshop performance at 7 p.m. July 2, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St., Orono.

The seven-day workshop series will include classes in dance, drama and music led by Andrew McCormick and Cami Carter, both professionally trained in music and theater.

To register or for information, call Connie Carter at 866-3187 or e-mail conniecarter@gmail.com.