Individuals associated with SAD 22, which includes Hampden, Newburgh and Winterport, are invited to attend the annual meeting of Citizens for Quality Education at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden.

Herb Sargent is chairman of the CQE board, and Karen Reynolds is secretary.

Reynolds reports that the nonprofit citizens group works “to fulfill unmet needs in our district in the areas of curriculum, character development, performing and fine arts, athletics and recreation.”

Since its founding two years ago, “we’ve achieved several goals,” she added.

Among those are purchasing 28 laptops for Hampden Academy faculty, ATM Distance Learning, construction of Bordick Park, and working to enhance “the quality and safety of our school district’s athletic fields by constructing the first high school synthetic field” in Maine, she wrote.

CQE is continuing to raise money to pay off this project, a $1 million capital campaign, and has reached the halfway point.

CQE is also “closely tracking the progress for a new Hampden Academy, as well as continuing to raise money for new seating and a press box” for the field, Reynolds wrote.

Sargent and Reynolds urge all district residents to attend this meeting and join “in our effort to ensure greater opportunities for our children.”

For more information about CQE, call Sargent, 990-1735, or Reynolds, 223-5255.

For more information about the capital campaign, call fund-raising chairman Jon Eames, 947-8611.

The Concert Coach, for those who prefer not to drive themselves to Bangor Symphony Orchestra classical concerts at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono, will be available for the three remaining concerts, the first of which is 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1.

Under the direction of Maestro Xiao-Lu Li, the orchestra will perform “Notes of Passion,” and be joined by violinist and guest soloist Philippe Quint for the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.

There are three routes serving passengers of the Concert Coach.

One departs at 12:45 p.m. from Parker Ridge and at 1 p.m. from George Stevens Academy, both in Blue Hill; at 1:15 p.m. from the Surry post office and at 1:30 p.m. from the Mill Mall in Ellsworth.

The second route departs at 1 p.m. from Mechanic Street lot in Camden; at 1:30 p.m. from the Co-op parking lot in Belfast; at 1:45 p.m. from the Bangor Savings Bank lot in Searsport; at 1:55 p.m. from the town office in Stockton Springs and at 2:10 p.m. from Rosie’s Diner in Winterport.

The third coach leaves at 12:30 p.m. from the Irving Big Stop in Houlton; at 12:45 p.m. from Porter’s Filling Station in Island Falls; at 1 p.m. from the Irving Station in Sherman Mills and at 1:30 p.m. from the Irving Big Stop in Medway.

Individual Concert Coach rides are $15 per person, and reservations can be made by calling the BSO box office at (800) 639-3221 or 942-5555.

Brewer Economic Development Director Drew Sachs reports that the Brewer Holiday Food Drive “broke all past records for collection,” with nearly 7,500 nonperishable food items plus $2,325 in cash donations, “which we were able to share with the Brewer Food Cupboard and the Brewer Community Service Council.”

“It was an extraordinary effort and, hopefully, we’ve all made a real difference in people’s lives,” he wrote.

And, he added, “our success took on new meaning” with the recent announcement that Eastern Pulp and Paper Co. “was closing its doors.”

“We now have about 300 families in Brewer, and in surrounding communities, who are unemployed; many of whom were living paycheck to paycheck, even when their jobs were secure.

“Our hope is that the generosity of the people of Brewer (as well as from others as far away as Ellsworth and Augusta who donated) are now helping to meet their needs as well.”

Sachs thanks everyone for helping make the annual Brewer drive such a success.

Aroostook Visual Arts Coalition is planning its Fine Art Fair to coincide with CaribouFest, July 8-12. AVAC includes painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists throughout Aroostook County.

Artists who want to participate in the Fine Art Fair should write AVAC, c/o Sandra Huck, P.O. Box 948, Caribou 04736.

AVAC’s next meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Caribou Public Library, 30 High St.

The program will focus on outdoor shows, exhibit booths and related topics.

Information about AVAC can be obtained from co-founder and executive director Linda Crane, 496-3650.

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