Heartiest congratulation and a sincere “well done” is extended to everyone who participated in last Saturday’s Cumulus Radio Ton of Pasta food drive event to benefit Manna Ministries of Bangor, and other area food cupboards.
Nelson Jewell of Cumulus Broadcasting in Brewer reports that this event, in which the goal was to obtain a ton of pasta, “was a big success” and that this year’s drive was “one of the best ever.”
“The four stations raised approximately 7,300 pounds of pasta, not to mention a few hundred pounds of various, nonperishable food products not included in the pasta total,” he wrote.
Jewell thanks “the many caring Mainers, and businesses, who reached out to help their neighbors in need in these difficult times” and adds a very special thank-you to Hannaford Supermarkets, which continue to serve the “local community in so many ways.
“But, of course, the real heroes will always be [executive director] Bill Rae and Manna, and his incredible staff and volunteers, and the many volunteers associated with area food cupboards, all of whom work tirelessly with loving, compassionate hearts to help” others who “suddenly find themselves in tough situations.”
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The public is invited by Marine Environmental Research Institute to attend the next 2009 Ocean Environment Lecture Series, “From Weather to Whales: Connections between Climate, Plankton & Right Whales in the Gulf of Maine.”
That lecture begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at MERI Center for Marine Studies on Main Street in Blue Hill.
The presenter is University of Maine professor Dr. Andrew Pershing, who is a research scientist for the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
Before the lecture, you are invited to attend a reception in honor of the speaker at 6 p.m. at MERI.
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Iris Simon of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital’s Health-Link in Ellsworth reports 25 teams in two locations, kicked off its Lose and Win program Jan. 8 in Trenton and Deer Isle-Stonington.
“Teams with names like ‘The Bod Squad,’ ‘Sakin ’n Losin’ and ‘First Class Losers,’ a team made up of post office employees, are challenged to lose weight and develop a healthful lifestyle during the 10-week program,” Simon said.
Good Cheap Meals is the topic to be covered at the next satellite meetings on Thursday, Jan. 15, at MDI Hospital, MCMH and Deer Isle-Stonington High School.
Sponsored by a “coalition working together to improve the health of residents of Hancock County,” Simon wrote, you can visit www.mainehospital.org and click on the Lose and Win logo for more information, or you can call 667-2474.
The program is based on the book “The Town that Lost a Ton.”
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Here’s a reminder from Lanie Colson of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems Healthcare Charities that the Auxiliary of Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Winter Beach Ball, “Shake, Rattle and Roll Off the Ice and Snow,” is 7-11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Bangor Civic Center.
Tickets are $30 and can be reserved by calling 973-5055.
The fundraiser features the Tony Boffa Band, and proceeds benefit CancerCare of Maine to support cancer patients and their families living in northern, central and eastern Maine.
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Reservations are required by Saturday, Jan. 17, for anyone planning to attend the Curran Homestead Annual Gathering and Recognition Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Oriental Jade Restaurant on Bangor Mall Boulevard.
Sponsored by Bangor Letter Shop, there is no charge for members to attend (other than paying your 2009 dues in advance or at the door) and no charge for donors and honored guests. The charge for all other attendees is $15 for adults, $8 for children.
Reservations can be made by calling Karen Marsters, 947-0749, Irv Marsters, 745-4426, or e-mail irv@bangorlettershop.com.
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Larry Willinski informs us that the First Congregational Church of East Millinocket will celebrate its 100th birthday Tuesday, March 3.
Members of the church are seeking “old photos, wedding pictures or any other information that might be of interest for display” during this celebration.
While members of the church will “have a party, with cake, on Sunday, March 1,” he wrote, “the big celebration” is planned for Sunday, June 7.
You are thanked in advance for any items that you can provide for this celebration, and you can mail them to Willinski at 11 Maple St., East Millinocket 04440.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.