Although we have yet to respond to Halloween trick or treat requests, a local couple is already preparing for Christmas in a way that is very new and exciting for them.

Richard “Skip” Young of Glenburn, a member of the Marine Corps League Detachment #1151, is the new local coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

His “assistant” in this effort is his wife, Amber Young.

The couple told me that 3,500 requests for toys already have been made, which is why you will find collection boxes for the Toys for Tots program at many locations in and around this area.

The local organizers emphasize that many people are out of work due to the closing of mills and other businesses, so the need for donations of toys is much greater this year.

“We’re hoping for a great turnout,” Amber Young said. “We’d like to see lots of participation between now and Dec. 22,” when the collection drive ends.

“Any new, unwrapped toy is acceptable,” she said.

Being new program coordinators, the Youngs are currently storing donations in their garage, but they may have to find another location once contributions increase, Skip Young said.

And while the Marines work hard to make sure that every child has a Merry Christmas, they recognize that would not be possible without the donations of individuals like you and local business owners.

For more information about how you can help the Toys for Tots program, call Skip Young at 945-6556, write him at Greater Bangor Det. #1151, 901 Hudson Road, Glenburn, 04401, or visit www.toysfortots.org.

To celebrate the opening of its new store, Starbucks is hosting an open house 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at its 38 Bangor Mall Boulevard location.

The festivities included a raffle for a limited edition Starbucks espresso machine, live music, a Ceremonial First Pour by Bangor City Council Chairman Dan Tremble and free coffee and pastries.

Starbucks store manager Rhonda Murphy will announce a fund-raising partnership with Bangor Public Library, and present a check to library director Barbara McDade.

The public is invited.

Through the magic of photography, you can tour Denmark, Ireland, Nova Scotia and the Pine Tree State courtesy of Eastern Maine Camera Club.

Jim Counihan and members of the club invite you to attend its 3rd Annual International Slide Exhibition at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

The free event features the work of club photographers and members of its sister clubs in Drogheda, Ireland; Midtfyn, Denmark; and Halifax, N.S.

Counihan, who is producing the annual event, reports prize-winning and competition-quality work will be displayed as well as slides contributed by amateur photographers.

Refreshments will be available and, while there is no admission fee, donations will be accepted to help offset expenses.

People shopping at the Hannaford supermarket in Ellsworth have a chance to win a $500 gift certificate and help support the community’s Woodlawn Museum Preservation Campaign at the same time.

Executive director Joshua Torrance reports Woodlawn is sponsoring a “Hannaford Harvest” food raffle, with the winning ticket to be drawn Friday, Nov. 19, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Tickets are $5 for one or $10 for three, and can be purchased at the store’s service desk at its High Street location, at Woodlawn Museum on West Main Street, or from any member of the Woodlawn board of trustees.

For more information, call Torrance at 667-8671.

In June I wrote that members of Flagstaff Memorial Chapel Association reprinted the book, “There Was a Land … Memories of Flagstaff, Dead River and Bigelow.”

The book tells the stories of 70 individuals and what life was like in a small, Maine town before they were forced to move away when their valley was being filled with water to form Flagstaff Lake.

Ruey Baldwin, with whom I spoke about the book, has written to let book owners know if they purchased “a book without an index, we will give them a free index to insert in the back of the book.

“Some do not care if they have an index or not,” she explained, “but others like to look up the names of people they know.”

If you would like an index, call Baldwin at 947-6447, or write her at 56 Sunny Hollow Pl., Bangor 04401.

The books are $35 each plus $2 for mailing and handling.

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