Friends, schoolmates, teachers and community members of SeDoMoCha Elementary School third-grader Chris Ames, his mother, Melanie Burrill, and Chris’ older brother and sister are rallying around this family during a most difficult time in their lives.
Chris “has been diagnosed with a brain tumor,” wrote Chrissy Goodine. He has lost sight in his left eye and suffers from severe headaches.
He has undergone surgery that determined the tumor “is not cancer,” Goodine said, but since the tumor is “very large and is located at the front of Chris’ brain,” the youngster will be undergoing surgery Nov. 4 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor “to remove what they can.”
The family is grieving the loss of Chris’ stepfather, who died of cancer last spring, while holding onto memories of his father, who died of cancer seven years ago.
“This family needs our help,” Goodine wrote, pointing out that his mother “is looking at a long time in Bangor with Chris while he recovers.”
To help in whatever way they can, friends will hold Chris Ames Day, featuring a yard sale 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 31, in the SeDoMoCha gym, 63 Harrison Ave., Dover-Foxcroft.
Goodine reminds readers donations are most welcome, as is volunteer help with the fundraiser.
For more information, call her at 564-6535, ext. 1108 or 1107.
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Robin Long of Caring Connections, a program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center, reports its Bone Health Information and Discussion Group will hold a free program on improving balance and reducing the risk of falls and fractures at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Isaac Farrar Mansion, 17 Second St., Bangor.
Kevin Dunton of the Bangor Y and Carol Higgins-Taylor of Eastern Area Agency on Aging are the featured speakers.
For more information or to attend, call 941-2808, ext. 338.
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River City Harmonizes, a women’s barbershop chorus, will hold Ladies’ Fun Night 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 540 Essex St., Bangor.
Lana Leighton reports the “free event will include renditions of current repertoire songs from the chorus and its quartet, Out on a Whim,” as well as the opportunity for attendees to learn what a “regular rehearsal” is like, including “physical and vocal warm-ups.”
Founded in 1991, the chorus has appeared in several concerts and regularly entertains at nursing homes, hospitals, festivals, private parties and community fairs.
The women hope others will want to join them and invite you to attend Ladies’ Fun Night or call Leighton, 947-1506, or Sylvia Pomroy, 947-3128, for more information.
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Coats for Kids will be collected when Anna Mae Mitchell & Rising Tide appear in “Boo Grass!” at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, at Next Generation Theatre, 39 Center St., Brewer.
Kadee Reynolds reports tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students and the military, free for children 12 and under.
The program includes costume contests and prizes with food and beverages from Next Gen Cafe.
Advance-ticket purchases guarantee seating at this Halloween event. Reynolds asks you to “empty your closets of outgrown outerwear and help your friends and neighbors this bone-chilling season.”
For more information or tickets, call the theater at 989-7100.
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Airlia Britt reports that only 100 tickets will be sold “and one person is guaranteed to win the $10,000 grand prize” during the Ninth Annual All Saints Scholarship Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Bangor Banquet and Conference Center.
Additionally, one in three ticket holders will win prizes valued at approximately $100, Britt said.
To purchase tickets, call All Saints School, 947-7063.