Applications are now available for The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas assistance program.

That word came last week from Salvation Army program director Mary McKay, who also wanted applicants to know that the applications will be taken from 9 a.m. to noon daily at The Salvation Army’s 65 South Park St. location in Bangor.

“Because the new building is in transition, and it’s so crazy, we’re taking the applications here,” she explained.

The Salvation Army is in the process of moving all of its services to a new site on Broadway in Bangor, but McKay wants people to know that much of the work is still being done at the old location.

The Salvation Army’s’ Christmas assistance program offers qualifying individuals and families help with food and holiday gifts for their children, McKay said.

Those filling out applications need to provide their income and expense information, she said.

The program assists qualifying people living in Bangor, Brewer, Dedham, Exeter, Glenburn, Hermon, Holden, Levant, Kenduskeag, Newburgh, Newburgh Center, North Orrington, Orrington, South Levant, Veazie and West Levant, McKay said.

People residing in one of these communities may call The Salvation Army’s Bangor office at 941-2990 for more information.

McKay said those seeking information about the Christmas assistance program who do not live in one of the towns listed that is served by The Salvation Army in Bangor may call the Bangor office and its staff will provide you with the telephone number of a contact person in your area.

I am pleased to add my good wishes to those of the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Club, which is honoring Robert “Bob” Covell of Orono with the highest Kiwanis achievement award, the Tablet of Honor.

An absolutely wonderful, generous community-spirited man whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for the 33 years he has served as that club’s secretary, Bob has been a Kiwanian for 42 years.

He also served as the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis president in 1965 and as a Kiwanis lieutenant governor in 1967.

Bob will be honored by his Kiwanis peers during festivities beginning at 6:15 tonight at the Black Bear Inn in Orono.

Fellow Kiwanian George Gonyar will serve as master of ceremonies for the festivities that include presentations by club President Penny Goodie, past Presidents Stu Haskell and Bruce Gram, and past New England District Governor Hap Gerrish.

Looking for holiday gifts in a quiet, unhurried shopping setting?

Friends of Eastern Maine Technical College Library are selling Jewel Pins and Little People Pins today and also on Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, in the Maine Hall Lobby on the EMTC campus in Bangor.

The Friends also have the 2003 Book Lover’s Calendar on sale.

Net proceeds from the sales will benefit the EMTC Library as well as its early childhood education library resources.

I’ll have more detailed information about this event as the date approaches.

However, you should mark your calendar now for the popular Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary Christmas fair, which is 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Washington Academy gymnasium in East Machias.

And DECH Auxiliary board member Ruth Leubecker reminds readers to please reserve tables as soon as possible for exhibit space in this event. The deadline is drawing closer.

For more information about the fair, or to reserve a space, call Carole Ann Sprague at 255-3660.

Gene Nardi of Winterport called to report that his little, 15-year-old Lakeland terrier, Amy, who, despite her age, is in fine health, slipped her leash when she was outside last week, and is missing from her 40 School St. home.

She last was seen running along Route 1A south, Nardi said.

Amy is light tan in color and was wearing a light tan dog coat.

For 12 years, Amy has been a therapy dog, making the rounds of hospitals and nursing homes in our area, where she is much loved and appreciated.

AKC registered, Amy is also a tester for Therapy Dog International.

Nardi is seeking information about Amy, and hopes someone has found her or picked her up.

If you know of Amy’s whereabouts, you are asked to call Nardi at 223-4478.

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