Bangor

Art auction

The Bangor Art Society will hold its fourth annual Holiday Art Auction 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the Union Street Brick Church on the corner of Union and Main streets in Bangor. Proceeds go to the many programs the society offers.

The cost of admission is $7 for an evening of live music, refreshments and a chance to win an original painting. Tickets may be purchased from society members; at Penobscot Paints, Penobscot Plaza, 31 Washington St.; or at the door.

Yule music

The public is invited to begin the holiday season with a singing celebration. An a cappella vocal group with a “mostly medieval” repertoire and the colorful name of Leafy Greens and Mutton will perform at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Bangor Public Library.

It is the perfect day for the singers to offer a selection of European medieval and renaissance yuletide songs, for it is the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, the inspiration for today’s Santa Claus. Many of the carols will sound familiar to today’s audience even though some have been sung for centuries.

After the concert, performers will share the contents of a wassail bowl with the audience and there may be a visit from St. Nicholas.

The members of Leafy Greens and Mutton are part of an international medieval recreational organization known at the Society for Creative Anachronism. Information will be available at the concert.

Carols and dessert

The public is invited to sing Christmas carols and partake of refreshments at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St. For more information, call the church office at 942-8320.

Advent Lessons and Carols

The Parish Choir of St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French St., will present its Service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Child care will be provided. Admission is free. The church is wheelchair-accessible.

Based on a medieval vigil service, the Advent event is a candlelight celebration adapted from the century-old tradition established at King’s College, Cambridge, England, where it is performed Christmas Eve to standing-room only crowds, and broadcast worldwide.

It consists of readings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, traditional Anglican prayers and responses, and congregational carols, all related to the Advent and birth of Christ. After each reading the choir sings one or more carols related to the readings.

The service will be followed by an Advent tea in the Undercroft, hosted by the ladies of the church.

Directed by Travis LaCombe, organist and choirmaster, the St. John’s Parish Choir has a reputation for fine music making in the Anglican choral tradition and a repertoire spanning the 15th century to the present. The mixed choir of adults and children has made four tours abroad and sung at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England. The Parish Choir is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music.

Foster parents banquet

The fourth Foster Parents Appreciation banquet was held Nov. 15 at the Ramada Inn to honor the commitment of foster parents and kinship care-givers in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. Local businesses donated items and services and families returned home with thank-you gifts ranging from restaurant gift cards to overnight hotel stays. Gift baskets assembled by state Department of Health and Human Services workers were awarded.

The Penobscot-Piscataquis area has 178 foster homes and 40 kinship care homes. The region has more children in crisis than it has foster homes to provide them with care and comfort. The shortage of homes means that more gets asked of area foster parents, one of the many reasons DHHS wanted to honor them.

Those who wish to provide foster care are encouraged to call Lisa Bullard, 561-4259, or Stacy Boss, 561-4231.

Toys for Tots

Sullivan Tire, 72 Target Industrial Circle, will participate in the Toys for Tots program by collecting new, unwrapped toys. Customers and employees may drop off toys through Friday, Dec. 15. Toys will be distributed to children in need by the U.S. Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program.

Gift wrap volunteers

The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help at the holiday gift wrapping booth at the Bangor Mall. Volunteers are needed Fridays until Dec. 24.

The 16th annual event features people from schools, businesses, agencies and households throughout the area working three- or four-hour gift wrapping shifts.

Sponsored by the Bangor Mall and Northeast Cardiology Associates, the effort is expected to raise more than $15,000 for the Pine Tree Chapter’s emergency assistance program. Proceeds will be used for shelter, food and clothing for victims of local disasters such as fires and floods throughout eastern and northern Maine.

To schedule a shift, call Hillary Roberts at 941-2903.

Save Our Strays

Diane Stimpson of Glenburn is treasurer of the animal resources organization, Save Our Strays, which raises money to help families pay the cost of neutering or spaying pets, to provide pet food to those who feed large numbers of stray cats and to educate the public about stray animals. Save Our Strays also traps, neuters and releases feral cats. For info, visit www.saveourstraysinmaine.org, or write: Save Our Strays, P.O. Box 8391, Bangor ME 04402-8391.

Cookbook benefiting Bangor Room

The Penobscot County Genealogical Society Family Cookbook is available for purchase. Copies are on display, with a sign-up sheet for orders, at the Bangor Public Library.

The cookbook also may be purchased by e-mailing pcgscooks@msn.com, or by calling Hugh Hastings at 862-4785. The cost per copy is $8, plus $2 for shipping and handling if it is to be mailed. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will benefit the Bangor Room of the Bangor Public Library.

Parent’s night out child care

The Hammond Street YMCA will serve as the host for a child care service for children in kindergarten through fourth grade from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Hammond Street YMCA. Children will enjoy snacks, swimming, games, crafts and a holiday movie. The cost is $4 for one child for four hours, or $6 for two children.

Gift basket silent auction

The Hammond Street Senior Center invites the public to participate in its upcoming silent auction, “It’s a Basket Case,” Dec. 4-8. Local businesses and center members have donated items and services for baskets of all sizes. Baskets will be on display at the center for bidding.

There will be more than 50 themed baskets in a variety of price ranges. The baskets will interest artists, fishermen, wine aficionados, barbecue chefs, knitters, Black Bear fans, tea drinkers, cooks young and old, new parents, John Deere collectors and more.

Bidders are invited to come to Hammond Street Senior Center 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Dec. 4-7, and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, to review the baskets and to fill out a bidder’s form. Call in throughout the week to check on the status of the bidding and increase your bid if necessary. Bidding ends at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Winning bidders may pick up their treasures beginning then.

The Hammond Street Senior Center is located in the old Merrill Trust building at 2 Hammond St. Information is available by calling 262-5532.

Holiday concert

The New Renaissance Singers will present their 15th anniversary holiday concert, “Our Favorite Things,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Brick Church, corner of Main and Union streets. The concert program is the members’ favorite holiday pieces.

Laura Estey is director of the group and Dora Rexrode is accompanist. Members are Bill Shook, Armand Andrle, Michael Strang, Melva Kent, Judy Adams, Pam Ware, Rew Ware, Pat Moulton, Marie Harrington, Nancy Averill, Janet Kimball and Molly Stevens.

Along with well-known Christmas carols, the group will perform pieces written by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Handel, and some foreign language songs. Several members will perform solos and duets.

Dr. Anatole Wieck, professor of music at the University of Maine, will accompany the chorus on violin in an arrangement of “The First Noel-Pachelbel’s Canon.” He will play a violin solo, “Ave Maria,” and will be guest director for “Rejoice, O Virgin.”

There will be refreshments and the chance to participate in a raffle for a holiday gift basket.

The New Renaissance Singers extends thanks to sponsors and patrons for helping to make its concerts possible. The group is celebrating 15 years of bringing choral music to the Bangor area. Concert admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Howard Foundation

The Howard Foundation, a scholarship fund named in honor of Charlie Howard, is holding a fundraiser, Holidays with the First-Timers female impersonators, 7:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 308 Godfrey Drive. Doors open at 7 p.m. The event, with cash bar, will feature dancing to DJ music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s from 9 to 11 p.m. Parking is free with validated parking. Tickets are $15, $25 couples, and available at Epic Sports, 6 Central St.

The Howard Foundation scholarship is awarded to non-traditional students majoring in a field dealing with diversity, who are enrolled at the University of Maine or Eastern Maine Community College.

The First Timers are an amateur troupe of female impersonators. Lady Danielle, Miss Caddy DeVille and Grand Dame Sheena will be among those appearing in the show.

Brewer

Brewer Historical Society

The Brewer Historical Society will meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, in the lower auditorium of the First United Methodist Church. Members should bring a salad or a casserole.

Clayton Rogers will play Christmas carols and those attending will sing along.

A report on the building repairs at 199 Wilson St. will be given. A report on the Christmas Village display, restored by Gene More for display this month, also will be given.

Bucksport

‘Carols in the Round’

The Mt. View Chamber Singers will perform “Carols in the Round” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Franklin Street United Methodist Church.

The a cappella singers, high school youth from Mt. View High School in Thorndike under the direction of David Stevenson, have traveled nationally and internationally sharing French melodies, English carols, music from early centuries and familiar hymns of the holiday season.

The public is welcome. An offering will be taken to help the group with expenses, and CDs of their music may be purchased. A reception will be held after the performance. For more information, call 469-3622.

Etna

Auction at school

The Etna-Dixmont School eighth-graders will hold an auction Friday, Dec. 1, at the school on Route 143. More than 100 items will be available for bid. A preview is at 5:30 p.m. and the auction begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Val at 234-2416.

Santa’s breakfast will be held 8-10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, at the school. Eat with Santa and browse the craft table. The cost of breakfast is $3, $2 children. Or bring a gift for an adult or a child for the Giving Tree and breakfast is free. For more information, call Rose at 234-2260.

Frankfort

Hanging of the Greens

Pastor Terri Bracy and members of the Frankfort Congregational Church, Main Road, invite the public to attend its annual Hanging of the Greens Advent worship service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. The church will rededicate the newly remodeled sanctuary and illuminate a Remembrance tree on the front lawn. Refreshments will be served.

Hampden

Christmas tree sale

The Hampden Academy Boosters will offer a holiday tradition of recent decades, the sale of Christmas trees, outside the school 9 a.m. to dark, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-3.

The trees, 6 feet to 9 feet, cost $30. In addition, the boosters will have merchandise available inside the school.

Old Town

Homemade cookies

The Friends of Old Town Public Library is seeking donations of homemade cookies for its annual Christmas cookie sale planned for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in the meeting rooms of the library.

Those who wish to donate cookies may drop them off at the library on Friday afternoon, Dec. 8.

At the sale, the River Coalition will serve as the host for photos with Santa, a children’s shopping room and a tin can auction the day of the cookie sale. The town’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m., also on Dec. 9, in the park.

No suppers ’til January

Because of the holidays, there will be no community suppers at St. James’ Episcopal Church during November and December. The suppers will resume at 6 p.m. the fourth Friday of each month, beginning Jan. 26.

Orono

Jazz Ensemble concert

The University of Maine’s Jazz Ensemble is preparing a list of familiar favorites by some of the most popular American jazz musicians for its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Hauck Auditorium, Memorial Union.

Under the direction of Jack Burt, the jazz band will perform originals from the modern big bands of Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Woody Herman, plus classics from the libraries of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Selections include “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “Straight, No Chaser,” and a special Stan Kenton version of the Glenn Miller tune “String of Pearls.”

Expect new versions of familiar tunes, Burt said, plus wonderful ballads such as “My Romance” and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most,” a medley of songs from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” and compositions by Pat Metheny, Rodgers and Hart, Sammy Nestico, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.

“It’s all music to make you smile and be happy,” said Burt. “Toes will tap and the roof just might catch fire.”

The jazz ensemble is an audition-only big-band ensemble, and comprises more than 20 student musicians – mostly, but not all, music majors. Anyone can audition.

The UMaine School of Performing Arts also has a chamber jazz ensemble, a smaller group led by music professor Karel Lidral.

General admission is $6 and free for students with a MaineCard. Call the Maine Center for the Arts box office art 581-1755 for ticket information.

Old-fashioned holiday party

The Page Farm and Home Museum at the University of Maine invites members of the university and surrounding communities to its annual, old-fashioned holiday party at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. It will be a time to experience the spirit of trimming the tree, making ornaments, decorating gingerbread cookies and caroling.

Refreshments will be served and children are welcome to attend, said museum director Patty Henner. The event is free.

For details and further information, call the museum at 581-4100. Visit www.umaine.edu/pagefarm for information about exhibits, events and hours.