Areawide

Retreat on addiction

The Hammond Street Congregational Church Addiction Ministry will be the host for a retreat called “Facing The Storm: For those who have been affected by a friend or loved one’s addiction,” from 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Living Waters Retreat Center, 93 Halifax St., Winslow. Call Bill or Lee at 862-5448 for more information.

Film fellowship

Filmmakers in the early stages of their careers are encouraged to apply for a Morrison Film Fellowship through the Maine Community Foundation.

The application deadline is Thursday, Jan. 15.

Recipients will be notified in late February. For guidelines and a list of 2008 winners, visit www.mainecf.org.

Through the Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund, up to two $1,000-$2,000 grants will be awarded to filmmakers interested in obtaining further instruction in filmmaking at a workshop, conference or film festival. Maine residents will receive preference.

Jane Morrison, an Augusta native and the creator of the films “The White Heron,” “Master Smart Woman” and “The Two Worlds of Angelita,” began her career in filmmaking as an English teacher at Cony High School, where she participated in the first Artists-in-Residence Program, sponsored by the Maine Arts Commission.

Bangor

Americorps NCCC service

They’ve lived in tents, gutted flood-damaged homes, mentored disadvantaged youth, coordinated thousands of volunteers, and developed into the nation’s future leaders.

With 138 projects in 18 states behind them, Branden Mountain of Bangor and Shannon Ross of Freeport are two of 272 members of AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps who have completed 10 months of full-time service to communities in need.

Mountain and Ross, who arrived at NCCC’s Southwest Region Campus in Denver on Feb. 4 to begin their term of service, graduated from the program on Nov. 19.

Mountain, Ross and their respective teams of about 10 other members completed a series of six- to eight-week projects in communities across the country. NCCC projects assist with disaster relief improve the environment, enhance education, increase public safety and address unmet human needs.

The graduating class responded to 22 disaster callouts nationwide this year in partnership with the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Forest Service, including a large-scale response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

AmeriCorps NCCC certifies 100 percent of its members in disaster relief, and has responded to every national disaster since the program began in 1994.

Other NCCC campuses were located in Perry Point, Md., Vinton, Iowa, and Sacramento, Calif.

Before joining the NCCC, Mountain graduated from Bangor High School in June 2007 and attended Newbury College for a semester. James and Rebecca Mountain are Branden’s parents.

Ross graduated from Freeport High School in June 2003 and from the Universiy of New Hampshire in December 2007. Bill and Glee Ross are Shannon’s parents.

In exchange for their service, Corps members receive $4,725 to help pay for college or to pay back existing student loans. Other benefits include a small living stipend, leadership development, team building skills, increased self-confidence and the knowledge that, through active citizenship, people can indeed make a difference.

For more information about AmeriCorps NCCC, visit www.americorps.gov/nccc.

Journey to El Salvador

Maine and the mountains of El Salvador seem worlds apart, but Mainers and Salvadorans may have more in common than we realize. The state continues to shed manufacturing jobs, while small farmers struggle to survive in the face of competition from food produced by corporate farms, said Jonathan Falk, executive director of Peace through Interamerican Community Action. At the same time, free trade policies and subsidized American food commodities have devastated the rural economies of Latin America. An estimated 500-700 men and women leave El Salvador daily, driven by economic desperation to attempt to emigrate to the United States.

On Nov. 15, a delegation of nine Mainers, ages 23 to 84, left Maine for a nine-day visit to Bangor’s Sister City of Carasque, El Salvador, to learn more about these issues from the people most affected by them. The delegation is being conducted by PICA as part of its new “kNOw US AND THEM” program.

The heart of kNOw US AND THEM is a Listening Project, consisting of in-depth, nonjudgmental interviews of displaced Maine manufacturing workers, small Maine farmers, immigrants to Maine and Salvadorans.

In El Salvador, the delegation will meet with and interview a range of Carasque community members, including the Directiva – City Council, teachers, women, youth and elders.

PICA is a grass-roots organization based in Bangor. For more than 20 years it has worked for social and economic justice, both here and in El Salvador. It has been partnered with the remarkable community of Carasque, El Salvador, for 17 years.

“The name of the kNOw US AND THEM program underscores its belief that the more we know about each other, the less we will have an “us” and “them” mentality about people whose basic concerns and experiences may not be very different from our own,” Falk said.

When the delegation returns from El Salvador, PICA will combine the interviews and photographs from El Salvador with interviews conducted in Maine, using them to engage Mainers in discussions of how trade and immigration affect everyone, and what individuals and groups can do to preserve communities and ensure a future for our children. From its decades of experience, PICA has learned the power of sharing people’s stories.

“We hope to strengthen efforts for human rights and fair trade by bringing together people who have not felt connected in the past.” Falk said.

AARP luncheon

Penobscot County AARP Chapter 374 will hold its Christmas luncheon at noon Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Sunbury Village, 922 Ohio St. To make a reservation, mail a check for $7.50 to Jane Plummer, 66 Monument Drive, Eddington 04428.

Vivaldi concert

A Vivaldi Sampler, a concert featuring “Gloria in D” sung by the All Souls Senior Choir, and “The Lark” flute concerto in D and Concerto in A Minor for 2 Violins, will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at All Souls Church, 10 Broadway. Admission is by donation. For more information, call 942-7354.

“Tellabration”

The art of storytelling is, perhaps, human beings’ oldest art form. Around campfires, in banquet halls, on front porches, at the kitchen table, stories are told anywhere where people want to share the latest news or the oldest tales. Perhaps they wanted to preserve their fables, their myths, their sagas and traditions. Or maybe they wish to share the sheer joy of telling a good story.

Judson Scott Lee, a seasoned practitioner of the art of storytelling, will present “Tellabration” as part of a nationwide celebration of storytelling at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Lecture Hall, Bangor Public Library. Around the world, “tellabrations” will be held, including at many libraries across the America.

While storytelling groups are especially popular in the southern states, Lee’s Tellabration presentation may be an introduction or reintroduction for many to this age-old pleasure. While the Bangor Library has many story times for the youngsters, this event is for those age 14 or older.

Dance recital

Top Hat II Dance Studio will present “A Real Cool Yule” at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Peakes Auditorium, Bangor High School. The shows will feature a variety of dance and music styles. Admission is $12, $6 children and students. For more information, call 989-3900 or 843-6028.

Christmas music concert

An evening and an afternoon of Christmas music featuring five choirs, instrumentalists and more are set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at First Baptist Church, 56 Center St.

Refreshments will be served. The event is free. Donations will be accepted to benefit the church’s winter heating expenses. For further information, call 945-9694.

Lend a creche

The ninth annual Creche Exhibit sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set for Friday through Monday, Dec. 5-8.

The theme of the exhibit is “The Reason for the Season.” The hosts are issuing an invitation to community businesses and families to consider lending their creches for the exhibit or assisting in the setup and tear-down of the exhibit.

Every year, people from many denominations lend creches from around the world for this community event.

Creches to be lent may be dropped off 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 1-3, at the church on the corner of Grandview Avenue and Essex Street.

Creches should be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Those interested in lending a creche may call Pat Rand at 989-1953.

Those who would like to volunteer with setup or tear-down may call Bob or Gail Fletcher at 453-6745.

Brewer

Train Show and Sale

Eastern Maine Model Railroad Club’s 32nd annual Train Show and Sale will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Jeff’s Catering. Buy or sell train items in two silent auctions. Auction closings will be at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items may be entered up to 15 minutes before closing. The club receives 15 percent of proceeds.

Forty vendor tables will offer toy and model trains and “railroadiana.”

The club’s “scenicked” modular HO-scale layout will feature long trains with digital control and sound effects.

The Train Doctor will provide free train trouble diagnosis and minor repairs.

The snack bar will be open.

Admission is $4, free to children under 12. For more information, e-mail Bill Soule at soule@maine.edu.

Kiwanis news

At a recent Brewer Kiwanis meeting, D.J. Ault, president of the Brewer High School Key Club, opened the meeting with the singing of “America” and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Carlton King gave the invocation.

Also attending as part of Key Club Week were Key Club members Kayla Triplett, club vice president, and Kate Weigel, club treasurer. The Key Club members conducted the Kiwanis meeting with the assistance of Kiwanis president Trisha Largay.

Past Lt. Gov. Bud Bruns of the Hampden Kiwanis also attended the meeting.

Brewer Kiwanis members will be bell ringers again this year for The Salvation Army.

Plans were made for the children’s Christmas party set for Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Three delegates volunteered to attend the fall convention of the New England District of Kiwanis Nov. 21-23.

Speaker chairman Herb Hopkins introduced Division 3 Lt. Gov. Nikki Nixon, who gave an update on the upcoming activities of Kiwanis.

A motion was passed to change the time of the Kiwanis Club meeting from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Hopkins inducted new member Debbie Roberts, who was introduced to the club by Jim Pooler. Nixon gave Roberts a Kiwanis pin.

The club raised $400 at its pie-eating contest fundraiser for Meals for ME.

The professional winners were: Montes, The Lucerne Inn and the Muddy Rudder.

The home baker winners were: Elizabeth Wieck, Colleen Hart, Charlotte Thompson, Scott McKenzie, Gayle Ballesteros, Carolyn Pooler and Jill Conkline. This money has been allocated to Meals for ME.

Brewer Kiwanis is still looking for new members to help serve the children of the community and the world. The Brewer Kiwanis Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Muddy Rudder.

Bucksport

Pie sale

The Women’s Group of the Franklin Street United Methodist Church, 71 Franklin St., will have a Thanksgiving bake sale 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25.

The sale includes preordered 9-inch pies with homemade crusts with choice of apple, blueberry or pumpkin for $9, or mincemeat for $10.

Also for sale are pumpkin, anadama and cinnamon swirl bread, and assorted cookie platters. Orders for pies must be received by Nov. 20. To order or to obtain information, call Chris Petravicz at 469-9979 or Sandy Smith at 469-7328.

Dixmont

Christmas Fair

The Dixmont Gold Crest Riders Snowmobile Club will hold its 34th annual Christmas fair 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the clubhouse on the Cates Road.

The Dixmont Community Birthday Calendars have arrived and may be paid for and picked up at the fair.

A variety of gift items, Christmas decorations, needlework, crafts, baked food and candy will be available for purchase. Several individuals and organizations will sell their wares, including jewelry, knives, quilted items, soaps, toys, handpainted items, jams and jellies, knit and crocheted items, pillows, candles and woodworking.

The club kitchen will be open, serving lunches, snacks and coffee.

Hampden

Christmas Comes Early Fair

The Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church will hold its Christmas Comes Early Fair 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the church on Kennebec Road.

Organization for the fair begins in late summer and early fall. Since September, several church members have met at Morna Rawcliffe’s home to create crafts for the fair.

Carol Worster is in charge of organizing the silent auction. Marva Meagher is organizing the children’s shopping room, where all items are $1 or less. The room opens at 8 a.m. for children, and at noon for other shoppers.

Judy Luro, and Bob and Karen Williams are in charge of organizing food tables featuring baked goods, jams, jellies and garden vegetables.

This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the church, said treasurer Darla King. Proceeds fair help fund church programs throughout the year, including outreach programs such as the Hampden Food Cupboard, Help for Hampden Fund Ofelia’s Resource Center in Hampden.

Indian Island

Polar Bear Dip

It is that time of year again. Are you ready to take the plunge? The Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club will be the host for its sixth bone-chilling, heart-warming Polar Bear Dip fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 24. Last year’s dip raised $3,000, which enabled the club to participate in a matching challenge grant that provided food for the club’s after-school health and nutrition meal program. To learn more about the event or to participate, call Carla Fearon at 817-7355.

Orono

Book talk, signing

The public is invited to an author talk and book signing for the newly published poetry collection, “The Art of Nesting,” by Sandra Hutchison of Orono at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Dirigo Pines Retirement Community. Orono Public Library is the sponsor.

“The Art of Nesting” includes lyrics about the natural world, gardening, motherhood, marriage, travel to China, a visit to the Orono Bog Walk and a long poem, “Celestial Navigations,” set in Castine and based on a 19th-century mystical work by Baha’u’llah, “The Tablet of the Holy Mariner.”

Sandra Lynn Hutchison has received a number of literary awards, including the Emily Dickinson Poetry Prize from Universities West Press. Her poetry, stories, essays and reviews have appeared in a variety of publications, including the Oxford Anthology of stories about China, Chinese Ink and Western Pen. She is the author of “Chinese Brushstrokes,” a book of stories about life in China in the prelude and aftermath of the Tiananmen Square incident. She serves as the poetry editor of Puckerbrush Review and teaches at the University of Maine.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and proceeds will benefit the new library project. For information, call the library at 866-5060.