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Bangor

Antique appraisal day

Spring brings the ritual of cleaning and deciding what to do with unwanted belongings. Before setting items aside for a yard sale, dusting and rearranging, or donating to charity, come find out their value at “Bangor Appraisal Day with Cyr Auction Co. at The Charles: Antiques and Collectibles.”

Join the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bangor Museum and Center for History and Cyr Auction Co. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at The Charles Inn, 20 Broad St., West Market Square, for the appraisal event.

Cyr Auction Co. appraisers Jim Cyr, who specializes in general antiques, jewelry and collectibles; and David Kimball, who specializes in photos, cameras and decoys; and experts Steve Moss of Araby Rugs and Charlie Crosby of Crosby Books & Sports Memorabilia will offer the history and value of attendees’ treasures.

Suggested items to bring for appraisal are artwork, books, coins, collectibles, folk art, jewelry, linens, musical instruments, rugs and sports memorabilia. Attendees are invited to bring photos of larger items.

Proceeds from the $5-per-item appraisal fee benefit the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

Raffle chances will be available for tickets to the BSO’s 2008-2009 season, a historical item from the Bangor Museum and Center for History, a two-night stay at The Charles Inn, and a free estate appraisal from Cyr Auction Co. Proceeds from the raffle benefit the BSO and the Bangor Museum and Center for History

For more information, visit www.bangorsymphony.com or call 942-5555.

Visit Cyr Auction Co.’s Web site at www.cyrauction.com or call 657-5253. Contact the Bangor Museum and Center for History at 942-1900 or www.bango

rmuseum.com. Information about the Charles Inn is available at 992-2820.

From Bangor’s past

As the Bangor Museum and Center for History prepares a new facility to connect the Queen City’s diverse history with its residents, they’re also uncovering items from Bangor’s past.

When workers from Nickerson & O’Day Construction began Phase 1 at 25 Broad St., the future home of the museum, they discovered a tattered journal ledger nestled between the wallboards.

“It appears to be an index of customers from 1846 for the Martin Prescott Co.,” according to Dana Lippitt, curator for the Bangor Museum and History Center. “We’ve identified many of the customer names as those of other Bangor residents we’re familiar with – including Henry Call, whose portrait hangs in the Thomas A. Hill House.”

Henry Call was a coppersmith, prominent in mercantile circles and civic affairs. He also served as a representative from Bangor 1834-1835.

Call was also an incorporator of the Bangor Mechanic Association – an organization that would become the foundation for the Bangor Public Library.

The building at 25 Broad St. is a synergistic composition -built and modified in stages to create the space that it is today. Originally constructed in the 1830s, the building has housed Merchants Bank, Shiro Shoes and Cormier Men’s Clothing.

The architecturally magnificent building was given to the museum by Bill and Sally Arata in 2005 to provide a state-of-the-art facility for the museum’s extensive collection.

Founded in 1864 as the Bangor Historical Society, the BMHC seeks to preserve the rich history of Bangor and its surrounding communities. The addition of the new facility also will provide new opportunities to present a programs and exhibits showcasing Bangor’s role locally, regionally and nationally.

Many of the BMHC’s spectacular pieces are currently held in storage because of space limitations. The BMHC’s development of 25 Broad St. will allow many of these items to be permanently displayed for the benefit of Bangor residents and visitors.

Hampden

To dance with the stars

It was a success in Brewer and Orono, and now it’s Hampden Project Graduation’s turn to put on a “Dancing with the Stars”-like event.

Students and faculty have been practicing with professional dancers provided by Back Door Dance Studio.

After five weeks of practice, an elimination round will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Hampden Academy.

The final round will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Hampden Academy.

There will be judges scoring, then the audience can vote by paying $1 per vote.

“It is very entertaining and a great fundraiser,” said Bill Burke of Hampden Project Graduation. Dancers have gotten sponsors to help with the fundraising.

“The dancers are having a great time learning,” he said. “We will have refreshments on sale, also.”

Old Town

National Train Day

National Train Day was held on May 10 in Portland by Maine Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit educational organization working to end collisions, deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and on railroad property.

Volunteers from Maine Operation Lifesaver staffed exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Maine. On display were an operating model train set with examples of dangerous and illegal behavior such as walking on or too close to the tracks, jumping or fishing from railroad bridges, and snowmobiling or ATV riding on the tracks.

Giveaway items included rail safety coloring books, pencils, Maine railroad trading cards and student rail safety guides.

“We want to make it clear, especially to children, that watching a train go by can be fun, but only from a safe distance,” according to State Coordinator Fred Hirsch of Maine Operation Lifesaver. “When someone is on the tracks or even too close to the tracks, it doesn’t only put that person in harm’s way, but is considered trespassing and is illegal.”

Maine Operation Lifesaver has certified presenters statewide and offers free presentations on safety at crossings and railroad trespass prevention to school groups, service clubs, professional drivers and organizations. Information can be obtained at info@main

eol.org or by calling 827-7367.