Local veterans are being offered an invitation and a challenge. First the invitation.

On behalf of the Brewer High School Student Council and Key Club, their adviser, Mike Hutchins, invites all veterans to join the students for a Veterans Day assembly honoring those individuals for their service to their country.

The event begins with a coffee and doughnuts reception from 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Student Services Room next to the gymnasium at Brewer High on Parkway South.

The Veterans Day assembly, in which many Brewer High school groups will participate, is 8-9 a.m. in the gymnasium.

Those who have prepared this assembly in honor of area veterans hope you will attend.

The challenge comes from Korean War veteran Ken Buckley of Bangor.

Buckley is “challenging those 70-year-olds” who are veterans of that war to join other Maine veterans in marching in the Veterans Day parade, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Brewer Shopping Plaza.

“A few Korean War veterans still march to show their support for all of their comrades who gave their lives, and who face the enemy in Korea and Iraq 24 hours a day,” Buckley wrote.

But he wishes more would do so.

Buckley invites and encourages Korean War veterans “and those who have served in Korea since the Armistice was signed in 1953,” to participate in this year’s parade.

An observance saluting veterans of all wars will be held immediately after the parade, at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.

Buckley reports the Marine Corps League of Bangor, which will serve as color guard for the parade, will participate in this ceremony, and “Brewer High School’s 40-piece band, under the direction of Brady Harris, will perform as will vocalists William Fink and William Morley.”

The Rev. Peter Sprague of Columbia Street Baptist Church will officiate at the ceremony, and trumpeter Hal Wheeler of Bangor will sound “To the Colors” and taps.

Buckley added that six people who have been of great assistance to the Burton-Goode-Sargent Chapter of Korean War Veterans will be inducted as honorary chapter members.

Information about this event is available from Buckley at 942-6501.

Lucille Cardin invites you to the Ladies’ Aid Christmas Fair 8 a.m.-2 p.m. today, at Veazie Congregational Church, 1404 State St. The facility is handicapped-accessible.

The fair offers coffee and doughnuts, crafts, a boutique booth, knit items, baked goods and lunch.

Ellsworth disc jockey Bill Butler is auctioneer for the GFWC-Narraguagus Women’s Club annual auction 2 to 5 p.m. today at the Red Barn Restaurant in Milbridge.

Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

Proceeds benefit the club’s scholarships fund.

From Pastor Lois Field of Dexter United Methodist Church we learn its annual Christmas Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the church, offers more than the usual crafts, food and lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Muddy Marsh Ramblers will present a concert of original and traditional bluegrass music at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary, she wrote.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children under 12.

Concert proceeds benefit the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which she described as a global organization assisting people affected by a major disaster, such as the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes and the earthquake in Pakistan.

I recently received a request from a reader in that area who wanted to know, particularly, how to help victims of the Pakistani earthquake.

Attending this concert certainly provides an answer to that query, as would contacting Pastor Field regarding the work of the relief committee.

Mike Lange reports that the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge will conduct a bottle drive 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, in the Skowhegan area.

Returnables also may be left, on Sunday only, at the lodge on Silver Street in Skowhegan.

Proceeds from the bottle drive will benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

Mary Rohn, volunteer coordinator of the Battered Women’s Project of Aroostook County, reports that organization is conducting a free, 30-hour hot-line training program.

The sessions are 6-9 p.m. beginning Monday, Nov. 7, and continuing through Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Presque Isle office of the Battered Women’s Project.

Rohn said hot-line volunteers can perform this valuable service from their own homes, and anyone who wants to volunteer with the Battered Women’s Project is welcome to attend this free training program.

For more information, or to register, call Rohn at 764-2977 or (800) 439-2323.

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