Members of the Burton-Goode-Sargent Chapter 1 of the Korean War Veterans of America invite the public to join them in “the laying of the wreaths” at noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery on State Street in Bangor.

“We lay seven wreaths, representing each branch of the service,” chapter secretary Olive Benton of Bangor said of the chapter’s participation in the program that “is part of the Wreaths Across America Project (founded in 1992) by Morrill Worcester,” owner of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington.

For more information about this program, in which more than 100,000 wreaths will be laid on veterans’ graves throughout the U.S., visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Mary Bird of Page Farm and Home Museum e-mailed that the next in the Museum’s Brown Bag Lunch lecture series features Cooperative Extension specialist, John Jemison, discussing “Potatoes in Maine” at noon Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the museum on the University of Maine Orono campus.

The program is free and open to the public; beverages and light dessert will be provided; and more information is available by calling 581-4100.

The Old Town-Orono Animal Orphanage will hold its annual Re-Gifting Sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA on Stillwater Avenue.

Carol Higgins Taylor e-mailed that you can find just about everything for anyone, from your parents to your pets, and all proceeds benefit the orphanage.

She reminds you this facility “takes in stray animals from the Old Town-Orono area, and gives them a safe place to live while they wait, patiently, for a home of their own.”

And, she added, “some animals who are not adoptable, for various reasons, live out their lives at the orphanage,” which is “an expense as well,” so your support is important in a variety of ways.

Roberta Griffiths reports the Presque Isle Congregational Church will hold a Turkey Stew Luncheon, Food Sale and Twice-Nice Gifts from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the church on Church Street.

Luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christmas greenery arrangements will be available, and proceeds benefit ministries of the church.

For information, call the church at 764-4743.

Admission is free for anyone who would like to attend a holiday music concert, Country Christmas, 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at First Congregational Church on Route 7 in Brooks.

Alison Rector e-mailed that this concert “will feature choral music for the holidays, a bell-ringing choir, and special instrumental performances as well as skits.”

“Please join us!”

Violet Grant and members of Brownville Community Church invite you to a Dessert Night and Yankee Swap at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the church, 84 Church St., Brownville.

“Please bring two or three pieces of your favorite Christmas goodies, for tasting, and a gift to swap” that does not exceed $10 in value, Grant wrote in urging you to “come and join in the fellowship at Brownville Community Church.”

Charlotte Dilworth called to invite the public to attend a benefit “to help fill the oil tank” of the Jonesboro Grange.

This special benefit, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Grange Hall on Route 1, features the University of Maine Machias Ukulele Club as well as “singing and dancing,” Dilworth said.

Admission is $5 but, she added, “family rates will be available at the door.”

You also can purchase hot dogs, soda and dessert, and Dilworth hopes everyone will “come have a good, old-fashioned Grange time.”

On behalf of the members of the Chamber Choir of St. John’s Catholic Church, Corky Pinette invites you to a concert of Sacred Music for Advent at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. John’s, 207 York St., Bangor.

The suggested donation is $10 for this exceptional program, “performed in the wonderful acoustics of St. John’s Church,” Pinette wrote.

Directed by Kevin Birch, the choir will be joined by violinists Anatole Wieck and Sascha Zaburdaeva; Augusto Bertado on viola; cellist John Frankland; and organist Steve Burgess.

My sincerest congratulations are extended Bangor native Marilyn Zoidis, senior curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s Star-Spangled Banner Restoration Project, who will be presented the 2008 Big “M” Award by the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Dec. 13, in our nation’s capital.

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