For the fifth year, Cathy Anderson of The Briar Patch in Bangor is making it possible for you to donate books for children to be distributed during the annual holiday party for the families in the Maine Kids-Kin program.

Maine Kids-Kin serves grandfamilies (including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings) who are raising relatives’ children.

While you are doing your holiday shopping at The Briar Patch, ask about its Angel Tree program to learn how you can donate a book for Kids-Kin.

When you do that, you will receive 20 percent off the book you donate and 20 percent off another book of comparable or lesser value.

The Briar Patch is open during regular business hours and is located at 27 Central St. in downtown Bangor. As the holidays approach, you can call the shop at 941-0255 for its holiday shopping hours.

To learn more about Maine Kids-Kin, a program of Families and Children Together, visit www.mainekids-kin.org or call 941-2347.

Members of the St. Croix International Quilters Guild are hosting their free Anything Goes workshop at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Methodist Homes Rec Center in Calais.

Attendees should bring any unfinished project and their own lunch.

For more information, call Kathryn Mekelburg at 454-0654.

A wonderful and rather unusual tailgate opportunity awaits adoptive, foster and kinship families and people interested in adoption or foster parenting.

Bette Hoxie, director of Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine in Old Town, invites interested people to attend a Tailgate Party offering pizza, apples, cider, cupcakes and more beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, next to the football field prior to and continuing through the University of Maine versus Northeastern football game on the UMaine campus in Orono.

In the tent will be a Heart Gallery of photos of children awaiting an adoptive family.

AFFM is hosting the informational booth in collaboration with the Maine Department of Human Services in recognition of National Adoption Awareness month.

Attendees will meet author and entrepreneur Sue Pollard of Ogunquit, who advocates for AFFM.

Julie Lisnet has announced the Robinson Ballet board of directors and Friends of Robinson Ballet are launching their third coloring book contest for their Color for Costumes Campaign 3:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in the children’s Room of Bangor Public Library on Harlow Street.

The campaign raises funds to enhance the Company’s Nutcracker performances.

The first editions of the new coloring books, featuring four new Nutcracker characters and scenes, will be available.

The event also features a reading of “The Nutcracker”; a display of Robinson Ballet heirloom costumes; crayons and markers for immediate coloring; Nutcracker books; and tickets for Robinson Ballet performances.

Contributions can be made to Color for Costumes, c/o Robinson Ballet, P.O. Box 1885, Bangor 04402-1885, or by calling campaign chair Caroline Travis-Tully, 945-3807.

You are invited to attend the AFS 29th Annual Auction beginning with a preview at 4 p.m., hot chili served at 5:30 p.m., and Dave Ames banging the gavel for the opening bids at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Asa Adams School in Orono.

All proceeds benefit the Orono AFS Scholarship Fund.

Nancy Grant reports that among the items up for bid are a collection of baseball hats, folk art chairs, University of Maine men’s ice hockey and basketball tickets, OHS all-sports passes, a two-day motorcycle learning program, and an antique lady’s rocking chair with the original paint.

For more than a half century, AFS Intercultural Programs has been considered one of the leading international student exchange organizations.

The Valley Gospel Singers will appear in concert to benefit the preservation of the stained-glass windows of Sewall Memorial Church meetinghouse in Robbinston.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Sewall Memorial Church in Robbinston.

Together since 1975, this ecumenical group was voted Traditional Group of the Year in 2004 by the New Brunswick Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

There is no admission, but your goodwill offering will be gratefully accepted to help repair the old windows that have also been affected by recent storms along with the usual activity along busy U.S. Route 1.

For more information about the concert, call Ann Carter, 454-7823, or e-mail ahcarter@midmaine.com.

For more information about the Singers, who are donating their talents for this fundraiser, call Janet Harper at (506) 466-4599, or Reva Avery at (506) 466-5927.

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