Although I do not know Bangor lawyer Stephen Smith, I thank him for not “dropping the ball” after he first “dropped the ball” one New Year’s Eve and then continued doing so to create what has become a wonderful Queen City tradition known this year as Downtown Countdown 2008.
For newcomers or visitors to Bangor, a bit of history.
It was New Year’s Eve 2004 that Smith came up with his own version of the traditional New York City Times Square ball drop countdown when he threw a beach ball covered in Christmas lights off the roof of his downtown Bangor building.
That year, his ball drop attracted a few hundred people but last year more than 3,000 people reportedly participated in the event which has grown by leaps and bounds and receives great community support and sponsorship.
You can visit http://www.downtownbangor.com/DT_Countdown, click on Special Events, then click on More Info under Downtown Bangor Downtown Countdown to get information, or download the full brochure at http://www.downtownbangor.com/admin/assets/brochureDTCountdown.pdf.
I thank Julie Lisnet, managing editor of Robinson Ballet, and Bill Carlin of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor for reminding me to remind you what fun awaits on this special eve.
Lisnet’s e-mail reports you can “warm up for the big night with the Epic Sports 5K Finale” at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, by preregistering at Epic Sports in downtown Bangor for $10, or register for $15 on the day of the race.
Downtown Countdown 2008 activities run from 3 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31, in downtown Bangor, and admission is free unless otherwise noted, according to the Web site.
Parking in the Pickering Square Garage is free and you can ride the BAT city bus for free to any event location.
Those venues include Union Street Brick Church, Bangor Opera House, Maine Discovery Museum, J.B. Parker’s Cafe, Charles Inn, Hammond Street Senior Center, University of Maine Museum of Art, City Hall council chambers, Unitarian Universalist Church and Bangor Public Library.
Carlin invites you to a New Year’s Eve Spaghetti Dinner & Contradance with dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve at 120 Park St. in Bangor.
The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children, $20 for a family of four. “Proceeds, over expenses, will be donated to the society’s Social Justice Program,” Carlin wrote.
There is no charge for the dance, which is 8-11:30 p.m. and features UpRiver Reel with Tavi Merrill, Rebecca Bosworth-Clemens, Karen Marysdaughter and Mary Halley. The caller will be John McIntire.
If you’ve never participated before, you’re in for a treat because on this occasion you can enjoy everything from a wide variety of musical entertainment to classic movies, singalongs, a costume party, children’s activities and karaoke.
It’s all thanks to Stephen Smith’s first unique beach ball drop!
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Cheri Goodspeed reports as part of the annual 100 Mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race planned for Feb. 7, 2009, beginning on Moosehead Lake in Greenville, a “Mushing for Fuel” project has been put together by the race committee.
“A portion of the funds raised will go toward fuel assistance programs in the communities of Greenville and Brownville,” Goodspeed said.
“Donations will come from the mushers, through entrance fees, a portion of sponsorship funds, and a 50-50 raffle.”
The committee invites “local organizations, businesses and individuals to donate to this great opportunity for both towns by becoming a race sponsor or supporter,” Goodspeed wrote.
Already on board as corporate sponsors are Camden National Bank, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, Indian Hill Trading Post, Appalachian Mountain Club and Moosehead Hills Cabins, she wrote recently, “and we would like to have your help as well.
“Let’s make this event all about helping people of the Highlands area,” she wrote. “Can you help?”
If so, call Goodspeed, 695-0965; Bethany Young at the Greenville town office, 695-2421; or Sophie Wilson at the Brownville town office, 965-2561.
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Donations of any size are always appreciated, as staff at the Warren Center for Communication & Learning in Bangor reminds us.
From members of Daisy Scout Troop 147 of Bangor, reported Mary-Anne Saxl, the center recently received money to purchase a Fisher Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm.
The donation to “Bangor’s oldest audiology and speech center,” Saxl said, was made “in honor of Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low,” who had hearing difficulties.
If you would like to make a donation, mail it to The Warren Center for Communication & Learning, 175 Union St., Bangor 04401 or visit www.warrencenter.org.
For information, call toll-free 877-542-9000, 941-2850, fax 941-2852 or TTY 941-2833.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.