Small business course

BANGOR – The Penquis Community Action Program and Husson College’s Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business will offer an Incubator Without Walls small business course 9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Oct. 21-Dec. 9, in the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business, 1 Husson Circle.

The Incubator Without Walls Program helps individuals start and expand businesses with five or fewer employees. The course emphasizes that good management, effective marketing and financial controls lead to increased profits, and that business planning leads to business growth, profits and personal satisfaction.

Classes are frequently augmented with guest speakers from the business community, allowing participants to network with local accountants, web designers, bankers, insurance agents and other experts.

The course and the “Business Training Manual” are free. Registration is required. For information or registration, call 973-3612 or 973-3573.

These services are partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable arrangements for those with disabilities will be made, if requested two weeks in advance. Call Tammy Leland at the above numbers or contact her at Penquis CAP, P.O. Box 1162, Bangor, ME 04402-1162.

I Can Cope classes

BANGOR – People living with cancer are facing one of the hardest challenges they may ever encounter. To meet that challenge Eastern Maine Medical Center is offering the American Cancer Society’s I Can Cope program for cancer patients, family members and caregivers.

The four-week series of free classes is set to begin 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor in the Brown Conference Room.

I Can Cope is a series of classes where doctors, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals present information about cancer and answer patients’ questions.

Topics may include nutrition, cancer treatment, body image, family relationships, fitness and many other relevant subjects. Time also is spent sharing ideas and learning from others’ experiences about how to cope with cancer.

Participants should attend each session to experience the full benefit of the program. Class size is limited. To register, call Nadine Bullion at CancerCare of Maine, 973-7476.

Dinner auction

BANGOR – Barbra Francis of Penobscot Brown Ash Baskets in Old Town has donated a prize-winning basket to the annual March of Dimes Dinner Auction to be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Bangor Elks Club, Odlin Road. The Penobscot porcupine sea urchin-style basket won Best of Show at the Lawrence Kansas Indian Art Show in 1999. Such baskets normally sell for $150-$300. Francis has signed and dated the donated basket, adding to its value.

In addition, more than $10,000 worth of items will be auctioned. Guests will have an opportunity to bid on romance packages to Bar Harbor, Portland and the Midcoast. For NASCAR fans there is a windbreaker signed by Ricky Craven, and a miniature car autographed by Tony Stewart. More than 10 restaurants have donated food for the auction. Maine humorists Clyde Folsom and singer Elzada Parsons will provide entertainment.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the March of Dimes office at 989-3376.