Bangor

World Children’s Day

Join the Queen City Club of Bangor High School and Ronald McDonald House in the celebration of World Children’s Day.

Activities will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Ronald McDonald House, 654 State St.

Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

There will be children’s games and activities, a bounce house, silent auction, refreshments and best of all – from 10 a.m. to noon, Grimace!

Each year in November, World Children’s Day is celebrated around the globe to benefit millions of children.

The event will benefit the Bangor Ronald McDonald House and its programs, Ronald McDonald House officials said.

Classical pianist

Classical pianist Rudolf Golez will appear in concert at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library.

Golez, a Juilliard-trained specialist in Chopin interpretation, has appeared with the Clarion Ensemble, the Manila Chamber Orchestra and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He was the winner of the Chopin Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2004. A recent performance in the Philippines prompted an enthusiastic music critic to remark that “… Golez ‘possessed’ the grand piano. There were distinct sounds of nature and haunting echoes of life in the timelessness of the pieces, which he played with sheer virtuosity.”

This special musical event is free and open to the public. Golez’ CDs and tapes will be available for purchase.

Program on digital TV

Learn about the coming transition to digital television and find the answers to your questions and concerns.

WLBZ General Manager Judy Horan will present a program on the changeover to digital television at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Bangor Public Library.

In February 2009, standard broadcast television signals in the United States will end, and TV sets that rely on antennas will no longer receive signals.

If you subscribe to cable or satellite service, or your television is already DTV ready; you won’t need to do anything.

Holiday Marketplace

The Sunshine Club for Children will hold its annual Holiday Marketplace 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Anah Shrine Center, 586 Main St. The cost of admission is $1.

Crafters and vendors of antiques and collectibles will offer items for sale. Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day and a quilt raffle will be conducted.

Lunch and supper will be available in the cafe. Soup, sandwiches and homemade desserts will be on the menu.

Extra parking will be available at Bangor Pipe and Supply, 68 Farm Road.

Talk on new Sockalexis book

Journalist, author and teacher Ed Rice will talk about his new book, “Native Trailblazer Andrew Sockalexis: Penobscot Indian who Followed the Maine Running Path to Glory and Tragedy,” at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Maine Reading Room in the Eastern Maine Community College library.

The book builds a case for naming Andrew Sockalexis Maine’s “greatest forgotten athlete.”

Art at the library

Liz Grandmaison will exhibit “The Music You Can’t Hear: An Exploration of the Luthier’s Craft” during November at the Bangor Public Library. A luthier is someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments.

Grandmaison’s research on the art practiced by stringed instrument artisans brings together an engaging collection of images. Her work is a celebration of beautiful woods, sensuous lines and remarkable designs.

An exhibit opening is set for 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3.

An exhibit talk featuring Bangor cello maker Nathan Slobodkin will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the library’s Lecture Hall.

Also in November, Bangor photojournalist Jim Counihan will share exhibit space in the library’s Stairwell Gallery with fellow members of the Bangor Camera Club.

All exhibits, talks and openings at the library are free and open to the public.

Christian Women’s Club

The Bangor-Brewer Christian Women’s Club, a division of Stonecroft Ministries, will meet noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road. The program will feature “Entertaining with Ease,” offering holiday ideas and recipes. Learn how to fold napkins, decorate and make centerpieces.

Guest speaker will be Ella Pickering. Her topic will be “Coping with a Large Family.”

The cost of the luncheon buffet is $10. To make reservations or to arrange complimentary child care, call Alcinda at 989-5796.

Samhain

Samhain will be celebrated 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Unitarian Universalist Society church, 120 Park St. The Feast of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture.

Priestesses in training, Iseum class of 2010, will offer the public ritual. The ceremony will focus on releasing outmoded energies and beliefs that no longer serve the highest good. Wear Hecate hats and bring Halloween goodies to share. Also bring harvest vegetables or nonperishable foods to be donated to a local food cupboard.

Financial donations are requested to help with the expenses of the rituals. For more information, call 941-0261.

Mexican cookery

Brother Donald of the Friars’ Bakehouse will be the host for a cooking class 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at the Ronald McDonald House. He just returned from Mexico and will share recipes from the Yucatan, such as pico di gallo and pollo achiote. Those interested in learning to prepare these foods and sample them may call the Ronald McDonald House at 942-9003 to register. The cost is $20 and proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Brewer

Silver Star

Gov. John E. Baldacci presented on Oct. 23 the State of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medals to two veterans during a ceremony at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta. The veterans are former prisoners of war and Purple Heart recipients.

The medal was first awarded to Maine veterans in August 2006, and is presented to those who have been wounded while serving their country and to former POWs.

“These brave Americans we are honoring today served their country with great distinction,” Baldacci said. “I consider it an honor to be able to recognize them for their service on behalf of the State of Maine.”

The governor was joined by Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management Col. Don Lagace and Director of Veterans Services Peter Ogden in awarding the service medals to the veterans.

Since Baldacci first dedicated the Silver Star Honorable Service Medal for veterans wounded in combat and former prisoners of war, more than 400 Silver Star Medals have been presented to Maine veterans.

Veterans recognized were:

. Pfc. Donald O. Dore, Brewer.

. Cpl. Rev. Roland M. Lord, Bryant Pond.

Pie-baking contest

Enter your favorite pie in the first Brewer Kiwanis Pie Contest set for Saturday, Nov. 8, at Brewer Auditorium. Pies must be dropped off 8-9:30 a.m., clearly labeled with baker’s name and contact information. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. at the Kiwanis pie table, a part of the Zonta Club’s holiday craft fair. Pie tins will not be returned.

Pie slices will be sold to raise money for local charities.

Pie-baking contestants may enter in these categories:

. Home baker, $5 entry fee per pie.

. Professional baker or bakery, $25 entry fee per pie.

Proceeds from entry fees will be donated to local charities.

Shannon Ellsworth of the Barking Cat Cafe will be judge.

Judging will be based on filling texture and taste, crust or topping texture and taste, clarity of recipe and presentation.

Gift baskets and award ribbons will be given to the top seven home baker winners.

Gift baskets, certificates and award ribbons will be given to the top three professionals.

Brewer Wal-Mart donated the 10 gift baskets for winners.

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 and children under 13 are admitted free of charge.

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.

Kiwanis news

At the recent meeting of the Brewer Kiwanis Club, it was announced that New England District Gov. Bill England will visit on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. The fall New England District Conference will be held Friday-Sunday, Nov. 21-23, at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Honored guest at the meeting was Division 3 Lt. Gov. Nyoka Nixon. She inducted club officers for next year: Trisha Largay, president; Manley DeBeck, vice president; Herb Hopkins, secretary; and Cathy Maher, treasurer. Directors are Bob Dion, Kim Long, Carlton King and Jim Pooler.

Hopkins presented awards for perfect attendance to Carlton King, 35 years; Herb Hopkins, 30 years; Jessica Tilton, three years; Jim Pooler and Kim Long, two years; and Cathy Maher, one year. An award was presented to outgoing President Jessica Tilton for outstanding service. Treasurer Cathy Maher was named Kiwanian of the Year. A special pin and certificate were presented to Lt. Gov. Nyoka Nixon.

Fuel oil raffle

Two hundred gallons of fuel oil will be given away to a lucky local raffle winner at a drawing at noon Friday, Oct. 31, at the Dead River Company office, 103 Main St. in Brewer.

Last-minute raffle sales will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 at Dead River’s office. Proceeds help area students prepare for the future as consumers, citizens and workers through classes produced by Bangor Region Junior Achievement.

Sue Lovell, local sales manager for ABC 7 and Fox Bangor, and co-chairwoman of the area nonprofit Junior Achievement board of directors, praised Dead River Company for its long-term support for helping area students learn to appreciate the economics of households, businesses and the world marketplace.

According to Lovell, teacher requests in this region have more than doubled in the past two years and Brewer teachers lead the way in terms of numbers of classes conducted. Bangor, Carmel, Corinth, Dixmont, Dover-Foxcroft, Etna, Hampden, Hermon, Holden, Levant, Old Town and Veazie also benefit from Junior Achievement classes.

Funds raised by Junior Achievement are used to provide course materials for the business volunteers who present the courses free of charge to local schools. A challenge grant from the Cole Family Foundation is used as matching funds for contributions raised by the local Junior Achievement board.

A donation of $5 equals one chance to win the 200 gallons of Dead River fuel oil, a $10 donation gets four chances to win and a $20 donation yields 10 chances to win.

Hampden

Sewing class

The Bangor Area Sewing Guild is offering a class on quilt borders and binding to be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Hampden Municipal Building. Teacher Kathy Childs said the class will benefit those who wish to put a little something extra in their quilting or clothing projects. The cost is $10 for guild members and $15 for others. Call Childs at 941-8815 to register or for more information.

Orono

Halloween at Orono school

The Orono Public Library and Orono Parks and Recreation Department will hold the annual Halloween Party 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Asa Adams Elementary School.

Activities will include a spooky storytelling tent, Halloween crafts, bounce house, haunted hay rides, prizes, candy, hot dogs and popcorn. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Sparky the Fire Dog. For more information, call the library at 866-5060 or recreation department at 866-5065.

All Saints Day service

A candlelight service will be held in honor of All Saints Day at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St.

The church choir will perform “Requiem” by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. The piece draws inspiration from the East and West. In this innovative and moving setting of the Mass for the Dead, the traditional Latin texts highlight the cyclical nature of death, life and rebirth.

Candles on the altar will represent the loved ones of the church family and of members of the wider family who have passed away in the past year.

Call the church office at 866-3655 to place names on the Memorial List.

All are welcome to attend.

Goddess celebration

Celebrate the goddess at the Feminine Divine Fair, set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the D.P. Corbett Business Building, University of Maine.

The Temple of the Feminine Divine Iseum class of 2009 will share goddess lore, crafts, music, “witchy workshops” and good things to eat. The event is free and family friendly. Crafts and goodies will be available for purchase.

Women with Wings will perform a benefit concert at 3 p.m.

For more information, call 941-0261.

Starting Over

Starting Over, a nondenominational social support group for singles who have suffered the end of a relationship and who are interested in making new friends, meets each Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, 7 Oak St. Coffee and social time is 6:45-7 p.m.; meeting is at 7 p.m. Call 942-4091 for more information.

Winterport

Live Nativity Pageant

The Live Nativity Pageant in Winterport will mark its 41st consecutive year, dating back to 1967, this December. The presentation is held on the grounds of Winterport’s historic Union Meeting House at night.

Central Maine Power Co. shuts off the street lights and the Winterport Fire Department diverts traffic away from Route 1A. Usually, more than 300 people show up to see the pageant.

The pageant, which includes live animals, is presented by the young people of Winterport, the six local churches and the Winterport Historical Association.

It is time once again to hold the only planning meeting for the Winterport Live Nativity. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at St. Gabriel’s Columbian Hall, Main Road. The meeting lasts about an hour and consists of assigning the minor jobs.

Those who cannot attend the meeting but would like to help may e-mail wintgrdns@roadrunner.com or call Beth Thieme at 223-4088.