Areawide

Boy Scouting memories

Do you have memories of Boy Scouting in Maine or know someone who does?

Katahdin Area Council has established a historical committee for the purpose of preserving the oral, written and photographic history of the Katahdin Area Council, Camp Roosevelt and the Maine High Adventure program.

The council seeks help in finding those who have memories of past scouting adventures in order to conduct interviews on video. Photographs, documents and news articles pertaining to area Boy Scout history also are sought.

Those who can be of assistance in saving the history of scouting in the Katahdin Council may e-mail Steve Frost at Sfrost5290@roadrunner.com or Gary Savignano at gsavigna@bsamail.org, or mail information to: Katahdin Area Council Boy Scouts of America, PO Box 1869, Bangor, 04402. For information, call 866-2241.

Bangor

El Salvador gathering

The public is invited to PICA’s U.S.-El Salvador Sister City National Gathering, Friday to Sunday, Oct. 10-12.

Bangor is this year’s host city for the annual national gathering, an honor shared by Maine’s three sister city groups – PICA and the committees of MOFGA and WERU radio.

Participants all learn about and help create the network’s shared program with its Salvadoran partners.

Two Salvadoran representatives will attend at the gathering. Bernardo Belloso is a member of the national board of CRIPDES, the organization of the networked Salvadoran communities with whom PICA is sistered. He has been involved in the antimining struggles in El Salvador.

Heriberto Orellana from Carasque will be the other half of this two-person Salvadoran delegation.

The event schedule is:

. Talk by Bernardo and Heriberto, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the PICA office. Dessert will be served. Welcome to Maine fiesta to follow.

. Get-together and welcome, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Francois Amar and Karen Hover’s house, 20 Spencer St., Orono. Meet, greet and eat potluck. Call PICA at 947-4203 or 889-8055 for more information.

Events for Saturday, Oct. 11, Union Street Brick Church, 126 Union St., Bangor:

. Breakfast at 8 a.m.

. Morning: Updates about the current situation in El Salvador, including upcoming elections, immigration, human rights and other topics.

. Afternoon: Focus on Sistering.

. Dinner, 6 p.m. at Panda Garden Restaurant, Bangor. Music and entertainment.

Events for Sunday, Oct. 12, Union Street Brick Church, 126 Union St., Bangor:

. Breakfast, 8 a.m.

. Deciding on operative priorities for two interest group discussions. Possible topics include fair trade workshop, immigration, human rights responses, experience of connecting local community to sister city and Arlington-Teosinte school curriculum.

To RSVP, or to obtain more information, call PICA at 947-4203, or e-mail info@pica.ws.

Parade of Lights

The Rotary Club of Bangor has been feverishly getting ready for this year’s Parade of Lights. The theme has been set: “Making Dreams Real.” Step-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Wonderful weather has been ordered – keep your fingers crossed for the good stuff. Now all that is needed are participants.

The parade will be a spectacular display, encompassing all the diverse celebrations that take place throughout the season in Maine.

Seventy glittering units can be accommodated. From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman to more traditional scenes celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan and Kwanzaa, this dazzling event will surely brighten the season for the thousands of spectators who will line the streets.

Groups or businesses may apply to be part of the parade by completing an application by Monday, Nov. 10.

Applications are available from Barbara McDade at 947-8336 or at the Rotary Club of Bangor’s Web site, www.bangorrotary.org.

The Rotary Club of Bangor meets at noon Tuesdays at Wellman Commons on the former Bangor Theological Seminary campus on Union Street.

Those who would like to attend a meeting or consider membership in Rotary may do so by calling Jan Currier, membership chairwoman, at 942-8261, ext. 224, or e-mail usafreejan@aol.com.

Organ Spectacular

Bangor will join the global celebration of the organ, the “King of Instruments,” with an Organ Spectacular concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at All Souls Church, 10 Broadway.

The event was announced by the American Guild of Organists, the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. On Oct. 19, more than 250 concerts and recitals are scheduled to take place throughout the world in the largest one-day celebration of the organ ever held.

“We are thrilled that organ players and organ enthusiasts of all ages from all over the world will be coming together on this one day to pay tribute to the world’s oldest keyboard instrument and its contributions to our music and culture,” said Eileen Guenther, president of the AGO.

A yearlong festival continuing through June 2009, the International Year of the Organ will feature activities ranging from organ concerts and recitals to special organ music appreciation classes for students and “tours” of pipe organs.

The complete directory of worldwide Organ Spectacular events is available at www.agohq.org/events/index-os.html.

Cemetery tour

A tour of Mount Hope Cemetery will be conducted at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, the last tour of the season. The walk to visit the resting places of men and women important to the history of Bangor will be conducted by volunteers from the Bangor Museum and History Center dressed in period clothing. The fee is $5 and is free to museum members and children under 12. Call 942-1900 for more information.

Bangor Ballet auditions

Bangor Ballet will hold auditions for its spring production of “Hansel and Gretel” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Sunday, Oct. 19, at Thomas School of Dance on State Street.

Auditions for “Hansel and Gretel” for dancers age 8 to 12 will be held 2-3 p.m.

Auditions for intermediate to advanced level dancers for both “Hansel and Gretel” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be held 3:30-5 p.m.

A choreography competition is scheduled for 5-5:30 p.m.

Auditions are being held now so that costuming can begin. Rehearsals will not begin until mid- to late January. Performances will be in late May and early June.

Call 945-3457 for more information.

Literacy Volunteers training

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is scheduling training for those interested in becoming an LVB tutor for those learning English.

The 20-hour training course, which introduces second language acquisition, culture, teaching strategies, approaches and drills, will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, and continue for the next three weeks on Monday and Wednesday evenings at United Technologies Center, 200 Hogan Road. For more information, visit www.lvbangor.org, or call 947-8451.

Art exhibits at the library

“A Matter of Perception 2008: Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities,” is on display in the Bangor Public Library’s Lecture Hall through October. These talented artists from throughout Maine work in many media, including watercolor, acrylic, textiles, ceramics and book arts.

Bangor photojournalist Jim Counihan is showing his work in the exhibit “Four Seasons in Maine” in the library’s Stairwell Gallery. Counihan’s photos include both color and black-and-white digital images.

Ghost Lamp tour

The Bangor Museum and History Center will offer its Ghost Lamp tour of downtown Bangor at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14. Participants will learn about Bangor’s past on the entertaining and educational walk. The cost is $5, free to museum members and children under 12. Call 942-1900 for more information.

Music ministry concert

The Muellers will perform 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St. Admission is free. An offering will be taken for the music ministry.

With family roots in Missouri and Maine, The Muellers are grounded in the bluegrass tradition. A true family band, they comprise parents Curt on banjo and Karen on bass, and five of their seven children: Tom on guitar, Laurah on mandolin, and Sarah, John and George on fiddle.

The Mueller’s MasterShield Records debut project, “Branching Out,” was released last year to positive reviews and national airplay.

The Muellers are the subject of a documentary film, “Talent to Burn,” on YouTube. The film explores the development of the band and the effect of a musical career on the family’s life.

Mission conference

The public is invited to attend a mission conference at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10; and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12, at Columbia Street Baptist Church. Speakers include Magda Aquirre, a missionary from El Salvador; David and Jenny Rowe, members of Wycliffe Bible translators working in Africa; Wanda Seymour, social worker from the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter; Rick Tardiff from the Shaw House; and others.

Telephone Pioneers craft fair

The Maine Council of the Telephone Pioneers, an organization of employees and retirees of the telephone industry, will hold its craft fair 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Fairpoint garage, 645 Odlin Road. Proceeds will benefit the Whiting Food Pantry and Sunny Corner Fuel Assistance.

With more than 50 crafters, free admission and a mini food court, the fair offers something for everyone, organizers said.

Table rental space is available by calling 945-9216.

City personnel

These changes in city personnel were listed in May:

Seasonal employees

. Parks and Recreation: Anthony DeRosa, Alexei Knlose, Jonathan Vance, Christopher Whitney, George Keefe, Sam Chase, Sara Phillips, Austin Smith, Paul Nelligan, Robert Gaboury, Richard LaPointe, Joseph Taylor, David Finch.

. Public Works: Joseph Heber.

New Employees

. Engineering: Gerald Ledwith, harbor master.

. Health and Community Services WIC: Jessica Michaud, on-call nutritionist.

. Airport: Christian Nicholson, Larry Pinkerton, Maurice Beane, Peter Golding, parking control aides.

Promotions

. Finance: Lisa Casterline, payroll and accounting clerk.

. Code enforcement: Gayle Flye to secretary-bookkeeper.

. Airport: Tony Colella to full-time ramp attendent.

. Public works: Ronald Leger to head custodian.

Retirements

. Engineering: Jim Greer.

. Police: Dan Frazell.

Personnel changes listed in August are:

New employees

. Public works: Michael Gasch, Corey Smart and Joseph Kelly, heavy equipment operators 1.

. WWTP: Philip Besse Jr., custodial-laborer.

Personnel changes listed for September are:

New employees

. Public works: James Norton, heavy equipment operator 1.

. Airport: Heather Bailey, customer service representative.

. Information services: Robert Goodspeed Jr., information services specialist.

Promotions

. Fire department: Randy Lowe, lientenant; William Van Peursem Jr., lieutenant; John Prentiss, captain.

Halloween fun

Pumpkins in the Park is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Bangor Auditorium. The sixth community Halloween party will feature hundreds of jack-o-lanterns, bounce houses, face painting, hayrides, clowns, balloon-tying and trick-or-treating. For information, contact Tish Pendergast, 941-2952, ext. 206, or Tish.Pendergast@upcofmaine.org.

Build the Sukkah

Hanging around Bangor for Columbus Day? Join Congregation Beth El in the building of the Sukkah on the front lawn of the synagogue.

Bring your branches, corn stalks, bull rushes or other schach – greenery for the roof and sides. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at 183 French St.

Sukkot services will be held at 7:30 p.m., offering the first opportunity to wave the lulav and etrog, sing and recite the blessing for dwelling in the sukkah. All are welcome to come as early as 7 p.m. to continue to decorate the sukkah. Bring items to hang.

Sukkot, a Hebrew word meaning “booths” or “huts,” refers to the Jewish festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest, as well as the commemoration of the 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after Sinai. Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur on the 15th of Tishrei on the Jewish calendar, and is marked by several distinct traditions.

These include taking the commandment to “dwell in booths” literally – to build a sukkah, a booth or hut. A sukkah is erected by Jews during this festival, and it is common practice for some to eat and even live in these temporary dwellings during Sukkot.

The Sukkah will be available during the holiday for those who wish to eat a meal or two in it. For information and directions, call Congregation Beth El at 945-4578 or e-mail bethel@me.acadia.net. Beth El is an open, welcoming and inclusive reform congregation.

Chinese-Israeli relations

Bangor’s Congregation Beth El, 183 French St., will sponsor a lecture by Dr. Jonathan Goldstein on “The Establishment of Chinese-Israeli Relations,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the synagogue. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Dr. Goldstein will trace the relations between two nations at opposite sides of the Asian land mass, beginning with the birth of Israel in 1948 and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China one year later.

Israel’s recognition of the People’s Republic went unreciprocated for 42 years. At that point the combination of the demise of the Soviet Union, Arab-Israeli peace talks, prospects for commercial and military sales and cultural and scientific exchanges brought the two nations together.

Goldstein is a research associate at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies and a professor of East Asian history at the University of West Georgia. He summers on Pushaw Lake. His books include “Philadelphia and the China Trade,” “Georgia’s East Asian Connection, “America Views China,” “China and Israel,” and “The Jews of China.”

For more information, call Beth El at 945-4578 or e-mail bethel@me.acadia.net.

Brewer

Tax office closure

The tax office at Brewer City Hall will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 15, to implement a new motor vehicle program.

Taxpayers are encouraged to send in sewer, water and tax payments via mail. A number of services are available online, including vehicle, ATV and snowmobile re-registration and hunting and fishing licenses. Visit www.brewerme.org and click the Online Services button on the left side of the page. Free Internet access is available at the Brewer Public Library, 100 South Main St.

Rock and Gem Show

The Penobscot Mineral and Lapidary Club will hold its fourth annual Rock and Gem Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Brewer Auditorium. Admission is $1; children under 13 are admitted free.

The event will feature displays and sales of gems, jewelry, fossils and minerals from 20 dealers. Door prizes will be awarded each hour and silent auctions will be conducted. Other activities include lapidary demonstrations and children’s treasure hunts.

Brewer Hometown Band

Had enough gloom and doom? Then it’s time to come out to a Brewer Hometown Band concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Brewer Auditorium. The band will be under the direction of Beth Zdrojowy and Jan Cox.

Enjoy a program of lighthearted and uplifting music featuring TV and movie themes. Remember “Those were the Days” and “Get Smart?” Hear tunes from “Mary Poppins,” “Cinderella” and “Harry Potter.”

Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments served. The concert is free, but donations are accepted.

Carmel

Library grant, raffle

The Simpson Memorial Library is a recipient of a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware Grant. The grant provides three new computers and includes the cost of maintaining the computers for four years. The purchase of peripherals and technical training also are covered by the grant.

The grant will be phased in over a two-year period and requires the library to provide 25 percent in matching monies per year at a cost of $1,300 per year.

The first year will provide two new computers in 2009, with a third computer by 2010.

To help raise funds, the library is conducting a raffle of a number of items, including an autographed edition of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” handmade crafts and gift certificates to area businesses.

The raffle drawing will be held at the community tree lighting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the library. To learn more about the raffle, call the library at 848-7145.

Hampden

Gospel music concert

The Hyssongs will present a concert of gospel music at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Hampden United Methodist Church, Kennebec Road.

The Hyssongs are a well-known southern gospel family who sing and travel throughout the United States and Canada. Dell, Susan and Richard have appeared on TV and radio, and are Nashville recording artists.

The Hyssongs provide family vocal harmony, lively energetic style, humor, brass instruments – trumpet and trombone – and a love for God.

A freewill offering will be received.

Old Town

Museum Autumn Tea

How might the grand ladies of Old Town have entertained years ago? Find out at the Old Town Museum autumn tea on Sunday, Oct. 19, and be part of a tradition by which friends share tea and conversation.

The museum will open at 1:30 p.m., and tea will be served at 2 p.m. Tea fans of all ages are invited to attend the benefit event for the museum.

The menu includes a specialty tea, scones, tea sandwiches and sweets served to you at your table.

The program includes a pre-tea tour of the museum, the display “Things Tea,” a presentation about tea, tea quiz, door prizes and more. Those who have a unique tea item to display during the tea party may label it and bring it to share with others.

Only 50 tickets are available at $10 a person. There are tables for eight, six or four guests to be seated together.

Reservations are required; no tickets will be sold at the door. Call Mary at 827-2435.

Orono

Potluck supper

Starting Over, a place for older singles to meet, will hold a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Orono United Methodist Church, 36 Oak St. Bring a dish to share. Call 866-7508 or 942-4091 for more information.

Cool Starts with You

Cool Starts with You at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Orono Town Council Chambers, 59 Main St. will be an evening of fun, education, discussion and action.

According to organizers, together we can build an informed community that is actively engaged in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and turning the world to “cool.” Bring your household electricity usage and heating fuel usage for one year and learn how to calculate your carbon footprint.

Learn about easy steps you can take to “get cool” and receive your free take-home packet. The event will be presented by Maine Partners for Cool Communities and hosted by Orono’s Cool Committee. The public is invited. For more information, call the Orono Public Library at 866-5060.

Orrington

Voter registration

In order to provide smoothness for the Election Day process, voter preregistration will be held 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at Orrington Public Library in the Center Drive School, 17 School St. Preregistration also will assist with the counting of election votes.

By state regulation, preregistration forms must be in hand by Tuesday, Oct. 14, in order to have the time necessary to verify the residence of each one.

Orrington is a fast-growing community, with new residents and 18-year-old first-time voters. Organizers of the pre-registration event said they hope the service will help community members participate in the national election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

For information, call the Orrington Town Hall at 825-3340.