One of the ways folks in Aroostook County are able to show support for our troops is by contributing to the work of SOAR of Houlton. SOAR stands for Support Our American Recruits.

Marilyn Sjoberg e-mailed me saying that the first Maine SOAR chapter was established in Milo in 2004, followed by the Houlton chapter this past June.

The group sends care packages throughout the year, as well as notes of encouragement, to soldiers at home and abroad.

SOAR of Houlton seeks support from individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations and welcomes your support and participation at a card making workshop.

As part of the SOAR of Houlton Make A Soldier’s Christmas campaign, Heather Johnson will lead a workshop during an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Scraps in downtown Houlton.

Sjoberg said materials will be available for anyone to sign a card for a soldier, which will become part of a collection of items SOAR of Houlton will send off to the troops in mid-November.

Saturday is Make a Difference Day. Houlton SOAR invites you to make a difference in a soldier’s life.

For more information about SOAR of Houlton, call Sjoberg, 532-4378; Beverly Erickson, 532-2963; Peg Luciani, 532-6578; Deborah Rafford, 532-5981; or Iris Desrosiers, 757-7603.

On behalf of the Telephone Pioneers, Cindy Black invites you to its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Verizon Garage, 645 Odlin Road in Bangor.

Admission and parking is free at this event that features more than 50 crafters, she said, and you will find light lunches that include hot dogs, nachos, coffee, doughnuts, popcorn, soda and muffins for sale.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the United Cerebral Palsy of Maine campaign to reopen Camp Capella on Phillips Lake in Lucerne-in-Maine.

For more information, call Black at 945-2020.

Residents of Glenburn are working together to assist one of their own.

Kevin Paschal, who has served as a member of the Town Council, the volunteer fire department, the G&H Ambulance squad and as a member of the Penobscot County Budget Committee, among many other community-oriented activities, needs immediate surgery for a serious heart condition.

To help with the financial burden incurred by this situation, members of the West Glenburn Community Club are hosting a spaghetti supper 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the club on the corner of Ohio Street and Phillips Road in West Glenburn.

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children under 12 and $15 for families.

If you cannot attend the supper but wish to help Paschal, write a check payable to the West Glenburn Community Club Inc., and mail it to Jackie Campbell, 369 Phillips Road, Glenburn 04401.

Holly Henderson e-mailed that the Houlton Humane Society is hosting a Harvest Supper 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12, and proceeds benefit the Houlton Animal Shelter.

She wrote you will find “lots of homemade food and desserts … karaoke entertainment” for anyone who wishes to participate, “a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction” of three or more “choice items.”

Jeff Franklin of the Caribou Kiwanis Club invites you to its annual steak and lobster dinner and auction with dinner at 5 p.m. and the auction at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in the cafe at Caribou High School.

Tickets are $15 and are available from Kiwanis, Key Club or Builders Club members; Caribou Chamber of Commerce, Caribou One-Stop, Caribou Food Trend and at the door.

The event features boiled Maine lobster, barbecue steak and apple crisp for dessert, along with hundreds of dollars worth of auction items.

Proceeds benefit youth and community projects.

Suzie and the Smelts will play for your dancing pleasure when you attend an adult Halloween dance party beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m., a finger-food buffet at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, 21 Silver St. in Skowhegan.

Admission is $6 each or $10 for couples, and the public is invited.

Prizes will be awarded for the funniest and most scary costumes and to the best couple in Halloween costumes.

The event, which includes a raffle and other prizes, benefits the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

For more information, call 474-3111 or e-mail elks2531@gwi.net.

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