Area
Solidarity Harvest
McTeague Higbee, a law firm specializing in protecting workers’ rights, recently pledged a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $5,000 to the Brewer-based Food AND Medicine to go toward its annual Solidarity Harvest. This is the second year the firm has offered a matching grant to this program.
The money raised between now and Nov. 25 by FAM, with the help of Maine’s labor unions, will be matched by McTeague Higbee and support the creation of special food baskets for laid-off workers and their families.
“We are proud to stand with Food AND Medicine in support of such a worthy cause. As a firm that is dedicated to fighting for workers’ rights, we understand that now, more than ever, Maine’s families need our help,” said Jeffrey Cohen, managing partner at McTeague Higbee. “Last year, with our matching grant, Food AND Medicine was able to not only provide baskets to over 300 families in Maine, but also support 20 Maine farms. We hope our grant this year will encourage even more businesses, union members and individuals to step forward in solidarity and give what they can to help our neighbors in need.”
Food AND Medicine has organized the Solidarity Harvest since 2003. The event brings together unions, farmers, churches and small businesses to create Thanksgiving baskets filled with local food to give to laid-off workers and families in difficult circumstances. Last year, FAM distributed 324 baskets. The organizations hopes to reach more families in Maine and provide more locally sourced food with this matching grant.
“We are so grateful for McTeague Higbee’s support of Solidarity Harvest last year and again this year,” said Willow Cordes-Eklund, organizer of Solidarity Harvest for Food AND Medicine. “Since all of the food in our baskets is grown and produced right here in Maine — from the cranberries to the turkeys — we are not only supporting families in need in Maine, but also the farming families in our state as well. Through these grants, we are able to expand our geographic reach, help more families in need, and support more Maine farms. Solidarity Harvest is based on a foundation of people acting together to support each other during the holiday season through difficult economic times.”
Housing awards
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Maine $278,972 to help public housing agencies retain or hire service coordinators to work directly with families who participate in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program. The coordinators will assist voucher recipients in finding employment resources and job training opportunities to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency.
Local agencies receiving funds include Bangor Housing Authority, $22,550; and Housing Authority of the City of Old Town, $23,972.
Brewer
Costume swap
Brewer Costume, in partnership with SNAP Fitness, will hold its second annual costume swap noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at SNAP Fitness, 242 State St. The free event is open to children from birth to 18 and their parents.
Starting at 11 a.m., people can drop off any gently used costumes, accessories or clothing used to make a costume — no plastic, no exceptions.
At noon, participants can choose from what others have donated to pick a costume for Halloween. There are no guarantees that any one size will be available.
Costume donations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.
There also will be a choice for a healthy candy alternative, as well as a display of options for things to hand out. Those who want to make donations before the event may contact the coordinator at 385-5889.
Brewer Costume is a member of Green Halloween, a nonprofit, grass-roots, community initiative to create more healthful and earth-friendly holidays.
For more information, visit http:// www.brewercostumeexchange.doodlekit.com/home or 385-5889.
Childhood education
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Brewer Housing Authority $2,491,690 to create early childhood education and adult training facilities for public housing residents. The Brewer Housing Authority was one of five public housing authorities that received part of the nearly $15 million awarded, joining housing authorities in Georgia, New Jersey, New York and Washington.
“What better time than now to invest in helping Americans win the future,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “This funding fills the gap for public housing agencies that want to provide these services but lacked the resources. This is an investment to make certain we connect affordable housing with quality education and employment resources.”
HUD’s Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facilities Program provides funding to public housing authorities for the construction, rehabilitation or purchase of facilities that will offer early childhood education, adult education and-or job training programs. It is designed primarily for public housing residents, but can be used by residents in the community. The purpose is to offer comprehensive, integrated education and employment services to help public housing residents achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.
The Brewer Housing Authority will use the funding to construct a 10,035-square-foot, one-story
building on housing authority property to provide adult education and job training. Partners identified include the Brewer Adult & Community Education Program, Eastern
Maine Community College and Eastern Maine Development Corp.
HUD requires successful applicants to illustrate their ability to get firm financial commitments to leverage the HUD grant by at least 5 percent. These applicants also were required to identify at least one education and-or training supportive service provider, such as a community college, that would partner with the housing authority to provide education and employment services. Grantees formed partnerships with local organizations.
Brooks
Civil War program
Brooks Historical Society will hold its annual Heritage Day open house 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Pilley House. Peter Dalton of Northport, author of “With Our Faces to the Foe: A History of the 4th Maine Infantry in the War of the Rebellion,” will give a presentation using slides and Civil War artifacts.
The 4th Maine Regiment comprised companies from Brooks, Winterport, Searsport, Belfast and Rockland. On display will be the Civil War trunk which accompanied Capt. Andrew Derby Bean of the 4th Maine Regiment at the Battle of Bull Run.
Familiar artisans from past years will demonstrate their skills at spinning, rug braiding, rug hooking, quilting and timber framing. Refreshments will be served on the porch. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Clifton
Food pantry hours
The Clifton Community Food Pantry, an outreach of Clifton United Baptist Church, has changed its days of operation. The Food Pantry is open 10 a.m.-noon the first Monday of each month and 4-6 p.m. the third Monday. The volunteer-operated Food Pantry is housed in the church at 742 Airline Road. Community residents interested in volunteering should contact the Clifton United Baptist Church to arrange an interview.
Orland
Items for Guatemala
H.O.M.E. Inc. in Orland needs help in gathering common household items needed by villagers of San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala. The project is designed to strengthen solidarity between wealthy and impoverished communities throughout the world. After several years of working on this project, funding has been acquired and H.O.M.E. is charged with the mission of filling this
container. These are items are needed:
• Bicycles, in good working order or easily fixable.
• Kitchen appliances, including microwaves, toaster ovens, hot plates, coffee makers.
• Carpentry tools including hammers, saws, sanders.
• Mechanical tools including wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers.
• Farming tools including shovels, picks, axes.
• Shoes for men and children.
• Computers and laptops.
• Sewing machines.
• Clothing for men and children.
• Cash donations.
Call Josh or Rosa at 469-7961 to arrange to drop off a donation or to have items picked up.
Orono
Boardwalk benefit
A silent auction and potluck supper to benefit operation and maintenance of the Orono Bog Boardwalk will be held 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the historic Birch Street School, now home to the Orono Senior Center. The facility is located just off Pine Street behind the Orono Public Library.
Ample free parking is available. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share and plan to bid on such items as a weekend getaway on the Maine coast, behind-the-scenes tours of area museums and labs, landscape consultations, antiques, original artworks and more. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
The Orono Bog Boardwalk has been in operation since 2003. Each year, more than 30,000 visitors enjoy a close look at this exceptional northern peatland, thanks to the 4,200-foot, wheelchair-accessible walkway maintained by a staff of dedicated volunteers.
Because it is made of natural materials and rests on the surface of the spongy, waterlogged bog, the boardwalk has undergone a weathering process during its years of operation. The volunteer maintenance crew continually monitors conditions, replacing boards, rails and other components as needed; removing fallen branches; and keeping the “floating” walkway level and safe.
They also provide rapid response to occasional incidents of vandalism, ensuring that nothing prevents area residents from enjoying access to this popular natural area. The costs of materials and upkeep are met through fundraising activities, including the silent auction and potluck supper.
Through spring, summer and fall, the views of flora and fauna at the bog are constantly changing. Some visitors opt to participate in guided tours and nature walks, which offer informative perspectives on the ecology of the bog; explore art and poetry; or delve into the history and geology of the site.
Other visitors prefer a self-guided approach, enjoying a brisk healthy pace or pausing to contemplate the bog’s beauty from one of the many benches and interpretive stations.
Specially arranged educational programs offer valuable learning experiences for school groups and other organizations. Leaders of these tours and programs are experts and volunteers who contribute their knowledge and enthusiasm to enhance visitors’ experience.
For more information about this event, the Orono Bog Boardwalk and its programs; or ways to support the operation of the boardwalk, contact jim.bird@umit.maine.edu, call 866-2578 or visit http:// www.oronobogwalk.org.
Fundraising auction
Families And Children Together has announced a fundraising auction to be held Friday, Oct. 14, at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. Proceeds will benefit the programs of F.A.C.T.
This year’s auction is guaranteed to have something for everyone — a selection of handmade and precious jewelry; signed sports memorabilia, including a baseball signed by Jonathan Papelbon; dining at some of the area’s most popular restaurants; tickets to a variety of
concerts and events from performing arts organizations across New England; outdoor items such as a Vapor Kayak made by Old Town Canoe; fine arts and crafts from around the state; and much more. To view the growing list of items up for bid, visit the website at http:// www.familiesandchildren.org.
The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar and gourmet hors d’oeuvres from Montes International Catering. The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., with the live auction at 7 p.m. The auctioneer will be Ken Bustard, also known in the community as the Accounting Coach. Tickets are $15, or $120 for a table of eight, and can be reserved by contacting F.A.C.T. at 941-2347.
Working in the Bangor area since 1993, F.A.C.T. encourages and fosters the development and healing of children living with mental illness, or emotional and behavioral challenges.
Prospect
Fright volunteers
The Friends of Fort Knox are seeking volunteer zombies, ghosts and ghouls for the Fright at the Fort. One of Maine’s largest Halloween events, Fright at the Fort will take place 5:30-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29. Visitors will be guided through the dark passageways of the 19th century granite fortification where “horrific scenes and spooks” await them.
Volunteers will help haunt the fort or lead guests through the twisted fright course. Groups of volunteers are encouraged, and there are areas available for assignment for groups to haunt together. An orientation session for fright volunteers will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Fort Knox Visitor and Education Center.
Interested volunteers may contact Leon Seymour, executive director of the Friends of Fort Knox, at 469-6553 or FOFK1@aol.com
Stockton Springs
Steeple information meeting
The Stockton Springs Community Church will hold a meeting on the progress of the steeple rebuilding 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Stockton Springs town office.
The Steeple Committee comprises Janice Shute, chairman; Mary Jane Costigan. Marion Fisher, Peggy Mace, Pearl Seekins and June Wentworth. Those attending can meet the steeple builder, R.O. Hanscom, Builder and Steeplewright, from Greene.