Bangor

Boot Drive for MDA

Going shopping the day after Thanksgiving?

Take along a little extra for a contribution to the Bangor Firefighters’ Boot Drive, set for 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 28, at the intersection of Hogan Road and Bangor Mall Boulevard.

All proceeds will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a charity the firefighters have supported for about 15 years.

And yes, the firefighters would appreciate your driving carefully in the area of the Boot Drive on Friday.

For information on the project, call 322-5044.

Coats & Toys for Kids

Coats & Toys for Kids Days will be broadcast live from seven locations statewide. Drop off a coat or a toy Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, and meet NewsCenter personalities at:

. Hannaford Supermarkets at the Airport Mall, Bangor, and in Brunswick and Sanford.

. Shaw’s in Ellsworth, Auburn and North Windham.

. Pratt Abbott on Forest Avenue in Portland.

The two-day event kicks off the Coats for Kids and Toys for Kids appeals. The live broadcasts are noon-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and 7:30-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

Coats may be dropped off at any Hannaford Supermarket or Shaw’s Supermarket statewide Nov. 28-Dec. 31.

Toys must be dropped off at the supermarkets no later than Monday, Dec. 15, so they can be picked up by The Salvation Army and shared with families in time for the holidays.

Art Factory Fun Day

Art Factory Fun Day will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the University of Maine Museum of Art, 40 Harlow St.

Bring the whole family to an art-making event. Drop by the museum any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Different stations will be set up, each offering the chance to participate in art projects. Take the results home and give them as holiday presents.

All the supplies are free and instruction will be given throughout the day.

For information, call 561-3360 or visit the Calendar section of the UMMA Web site at www.umma.umaine.edu.

The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is wheelchair-accessible.

Adoption information

The Bangor office of the Department of Health and Human Services will hold a public informational meeting about adoption and foster care 1-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in Bangor. To learn the location of the meeting, call A Family For ME toll free at 877-505-0545.

Those considering adoption or foster care through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Bucksport

Fire department grant

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, announced on Nov. 20 that Homeland Security has awarded a total of $182,978 in grant funding to five Maine fire departments. The funding is provided through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, or FIRE Act.

The funding includes a grant of $43,216 to the Bucksport Fire Department.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is an extremely critical source of funds for our fire and rescue personnel,” said Collins. “This grant will help provide Maine’s critical first responders with the equipment and skills to better serve their communities.”

The funding will come through the Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which consists of training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to the departments’ facilities.

Grants are awarded to help fire departments increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs, Fire Prevention and Safety programs, and to purchase new fire equipment.

Carmel

Tree lighting ceremony

Simpson Memorial Library will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony in conjunction with the Carmel Historical Society at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the library. The tree is donated by Piper Mountain Christmas Tree Farm and cut by kindergarten students from Carmel Elementary School.

After the tree lighting, participants may proceed along a lit path to the Paul Haskell house next door, where light refreshments will be served. The library will draw winners for its fall raffle. Tickets are available at the library or from any trustee. Items to be raffled include an autographed copy of Stephen King’s book “On Writing,” gift certificates to area businesses and several hand-crafted items.

Castine

Christmas Celebration

The Castine Christmas Celebration, with traditional carols, special music and the Children’s Chorus, will be presented at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at Trinitarian Congregational Parish, 68 Main St.

Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be received to benefit those in need.

Corinth

Christmas cantata

“There is Peace in the World Tonight,” a Christmas cantata, will be performed by the Corinth United Methodist Church choir at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the church, 275 Main St. The public is invited to hear music and readings of the season. The church is wheelchair-accessible. For information, call the church office at 285-3557.

Frankfort

Hanging of the Greens

Frankfort Congregational Church on Main Road will present its annual Hanging of the Greens service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

The service tells the story of Christ’s birth through Scripture and song. Pastor Timothy Hall will lead the program.

Special music will be performed by the choir under the leadership of organist Charlene Brassbridge. All are welcome to come during the holiday season. Light refreshments will be served after the program.

Hampden

Benefit concert

Anna Mae Mitchell & Rising Tide, a bluegrass-gospel-folk band based in Winterport, will perform a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Reeds Brook Middle School on Main Road South.

The concert is sponsored by Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church to benefit Hampden’s Helping Families Fund for fuel oil assistance.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and military.

Call Chris Henderson for details at 862-5506.

Anna Mae Mitchell & Rising Tide produces a sound that has been described as “bluegrass with a shot of estrogen.”

With a repertoire rooted in traditional bluegrass, folk and gospel music, Anna Mae Mitchell & Rising Tide brings audiences fresh arrangements and originals by up-and-coming songwriters from the Midwest to Maine.

Band members are Anna Mae Mitchell, lead vocals and guitar; Kadee Reynolds, harmony vocals and percussion; Nancy Merrill, bass fiddle and harmony vocals; Richard Silver, mandolin and guitar; Bill Thibodeau, guitar, mandolin and fiddle; and special guest Steve Peterson, banjo.

The group’s five-track demo and information on concert dates are available at www.ammrisingtide.com or e-mail risingtidemusic@yahoo.com.

Holden

Programs at Fields Pond

These classes will be held at Fields Pond Audubon Center:

. Photography workshop with Andy Anderson, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Get tips on all aspects of photography. Anderson will present his photos, share his history with photography and discuss what led him to focus on birds. The workshop is for anyone with an interest in birding, as well as for beginner and serious photographers. $5 Audubon members, $7 others. Advance registration is required.

. Nature art lessons for adults, 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 13. Learn drawing techniques with teacher Carolyn Wallace-Zani to capture the essence of local fauna and flora with pencil on paper. Bring a regular school pencil, sketch pad and eraser. $10 Audubon members per lesson, $12 others.

. Children’s drawing class for children ages 4 to 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Bring your favorite art supplies. Teacher, Carolyn Wallace-Zani. $10 Audubon members, $12 others for one adult and one child.

For information or registration, call 989-2591.

Newburgh

Trash pickup date

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, trash pickup in Newburgh will be moved from Friday to Saturday, Nov. 29, this week.

Old Town

Fuel assistance fundraiser

St. James Episcopal Church will launch its Days of Warmth fuel assistance fundraiser on Monday, Dec. 1. To help:

. Sponsor an hour of warmth for $1.25.

. Sponsor a day of warmth for $25.

. Sponsor a week of warmth for $175.

Proceeds will be donated to Crossroads Ministries, an ecumenical food pantry and resource center in Old Town. Crossroads serves Orono, Old Town, Milford, Stillwater, Hudson and Veazie.

“We can each do our part in helping our neighbors stay warm during the winter on the sometimes very cold days in Maine,” said Paula Baines, the church’s outreach team leader.

Consider challenging family members, co-workers, neighbors, businesses, churches and other community organizations, she said. “It would be wonderful if each day of December, January and February had many sponsors.” She also suggested that children collect change to sponsor hours of the day. Sponsor sheets are available at St. James’ Church and at Crossroads Ministries.

Send donations to Crossroads Ministries, 2 Wood St., Old Town ME 04468. Write “Days of Warmth” on the check.

To become a sponsoring business, call Paula Baines at 947-0087 or e-mail prbaines@yahoo.com. She will deliver sponsor sheets to businesses or organizations.

Orono

Star shows in December at Jordan Planetarium

Celebrate this holiday season at the Jordan Planetarium with two star shows.

“Season of Light” explores the traditions of the solstice at 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19; 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28; and Wednesday, Dec. 24. Learn how people held celebrations to help them through long, dark winters and find warmth and comfort in the lights above.

Historic scenery unfolds in the Omnidome and visitors discover why Hanukkah celebrations use candles and what was seen over Bethlehem.

A teddy bear will introduce young explorers to the world of flight in “Wilbear’s Adventure” at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20. Especially for children age 4 to 7, the star show celebrates the anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight.

Grandfather Bear shares with Wilbear the many ways people have tried to fly, from gliders to jet planes, and his dream comes true in the Omnidome show when Wilbear launches into flight.

A special celebration day, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 13, is Wilbear’s Flying Party. Families may bring their stuffed friends for crafts, activities and tea before a special showing of “Wilbear’s Adventure.” The fee for Wilbear’s Party is $5 a person – teddies fly free.

Other star shows will be offered during the week of Christmas break. For reservations or information, call the Jordan Planetarium at 581-1341 or visit www.galaxymaine.com.

Wreath-making workshops

The University of Maine Page Farm and Home Museum on campus will hold wreath-making workshops:

. Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.

. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 2-3.

The workshops offer an opportunity to enjoy a hands-on start to the holiday season.

Claire Ackroyd, who has conducted wreath workshops at the museum for a dozen years, will offer novice and expert wreath-makers the materials and instruction to take home a fresh decorative wreath to last for months, said Patricia Henner, museum director.

A $15 charge covers the cost of one 12-inch ring, balsam fir tips, pine cones, berries, colored ribbon and refreshments.

Because space is limited, Henner encourages early registration at 581-4100.

For those who wish to buy a locally made holiday wreath, the museum will sell those wreaths starting Saturday, Nov. 29, for $15. Of that amount, $6 will be donated to support the nonprofit educational museum’s programs. The wreaths include five pounds of fresh, fragrant, hand-wrapped fir bough tips, pine cones, berries and ribbon.

Call ahead to order during museum operating hours, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 581-4100.

Starting Over

Starting Over, a nondenominational social support group for singles who have experienced the end of a relationship and 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 at 7 p.m. Call 942-4091 for information.