What a challenge is being set before the community by Bertha Mahon, acting director of the Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Auxiliary.

Mahon is coordinating the effort to resurrect this organization that for many, many years was directed by such capable and outstanding leaders as president emerita Frieda Miller and treasurer emerita Eleanor Nelligan.

Formerly known as the Bangor City Nursing Facility Auxiliary and, before that, as Bangor City Hospital Auxiliary, “it was a very strong organization,” Mahon said.

“But we are now in the process of passing the torch in honor” of those such as Miller and Nelligan, who gave “so many years, and so many hours, to the Auxiliary.”

To begin this process, Mahon is “inviting past members, lifetime members and members of the community to join in helping reorganize the Auxiliary.”

That process will begin with a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at BNRC, 103 Texas Ave., Bangor.

Mahon encourages “anyone, with any association or any interest in the city of Bangor and the only, free-standing, nonprofit nursing and rehabilitation facility in the Bangor area, to please come and join us.”

At that meeting, she said, you will be able “to meet people and help rejuvenate the Auxiliary and make plans for programs that will benefit residents, facility improvements and needs.”

Mike Lange reports that the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge will conduct a public memorial service at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds, in recognition of “the seventh anniversary of one of America’s worst tragedies.”

He explained that during the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks annual convention earlier this year in California, the organization “declared Sept. 8-14 as American Patriotism Week, and urged all of the nation’s 2,100 Elks lodges to host an observance” on that day.

The memorial is under the direction of lodge president Julie Washburn, who has invited many local dignitaries to speak at the service, which will take place in front of the main grandstand.

Brenda Hall reports that the Mount Desert Island Hospital Auxiliary will hold a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, in the lobby of The First of Bar Harbor.

You will find luncheon items, pies, breads, cookies and muffins, and all proceeds will benefit the MDI Auxiliary.

If you are willing to contribute baked goods or want more information, call Hall at MDIH, 288-5082, ext. 1198, or Mary Grindle at 288-2392.

Hall also wants you to know the “Auxiliary truly appreciates the continuous support of the island community in all of their activities.”

Members of the sponsoring Grace United Methodist Church invite the public to the third annual Dessert with Elvis, featuring Bruce Nye, “the Elvis Guy,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in Bangor at Patrick’s Hallmark Shop in the Broadway Shopping Center, Rebecca’s on Main Street and GUMC, 193 Union St. They also will be available at the door the evening of the event.

The program features a silent and live auction, a dessert buffet and the Elvis performance. Proceeds benefit GUMC community outreach programs.

Owner Don Hanson reports Green Acres 11th annual Pet Appreciation Day is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Green Acres Kennel Shop, 1653 Union Street in Bangor.

Special guests will be representatives of The Animal Orphanage, Bangor Humane Society and Save Our Strays.

The event features fun activities for kids and pets, and educational events for all ages.

Seminars range from cutting your dog’s nails to dental health. Seminar space is limited so admission will be first-come, first-served, and pets are not included.

You also can speak with groomers, training and behavior counselors and representatives of food companies, who will discuss animal nutrition.

One special aspect of this event is that when people, from Sept. 13 through 20, donate bags of 5 pound or more, or a dozen cans of dog or cat food, to the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank, Green Acres groomers will provide a free nail trim for one pet.

Also, between those dates, Green Acres will donate 10 percent of the value of all pet food or merchandise purchases, to the Furry Friends Food Bank.

For more information about this and other events and activities, call Hanson at 945-6841.

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