Candidate Connection
BANGOR — FUSION:Bangor will hold a series of luncheons in August, September and October to connect young residents in the Bangor region with candidates for major political office.
The series, Candidate Connection, will host candidates for governor and Maine’s seats in the U.S. House and Senate. Candidate Connection is sponsored by Rudman Winchell and Bangor Savings Bank.
Each luncheon will take place noon-1p.m. at the Cross Insurance Center. The format will allow 30-40 minutes of informal networking between the candidate and attendees, and remaining time for the candidate to address the group. The schedule is:
• Wednesday, Aug. 6, Eliot Cutler, Independent candidate for governor.
• Wednesday, Sept. 3, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, Democratic candidate for governor.
• Wednesday, Sept. 10, Sen. Emily Cain, Democratic candidate for 2nd Congressional District.
• Wednesday, Sept. 17, Shenna Bellows, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.
• Wednesday, Sept. 24, Gov. Paul LePage, Republican candidate for governor.
• Wednesday, Oct. 8, Bruce Poliquin, Republican candidate for 2nd Congressional District.
Tickets to the Candidate Connection series are $18 and may be purchased at fusionbangorme.eventbrite.com.
All candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House have received and confirmed requests to participate in the series. For information, go to fusionbangor.com.
Astronaut Academy
BANGOR — Challenger Learning Center of Maine, 30 Venture Way, will hold Astronaut Academy camp 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 4-8, for students entering grades six through eight. A highlight of the week will be the virtual appearance from Houston of Maine native and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy on Aug. 6.
During the camp, students will learn about space travel, nourishment, mental and physical agility, and prepare for and “fly” two missions at the Challenger Center.
Campers also will have the opportunity to learn from an aerospace expert from the University of Maine Department of Physics.
Astronaut Academy also will feature an off-site trip to the Carrabassett Valley Ski Academy in western Maine, where campers will have the opportunity to test their agility on the academy’s giant trampoline and climbing wall. Survival skills and buoyancy training also will be a feature of the trip.
The camp offers extended times for drop off and pick up each day at the Challenger Learning Center.
For information on cost and application, call 990-2900, ext. 1, or email info@astronaut.org.
Benefit dinner
BANGOR — City Reach Bangor will host a benefit lobster dinner to support its men’s and women’s recovery homes at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at The Rock Church in Bangor. Tickets are $40 for the lobster dinner and barbecue buffet, or $30 for pulled pork sandwiches and the buffet if tickets are reserved by Friday, July 25.
The event will offer live bands, dramas, a comedian, testimonies and an auction.
For information or to purchase tickets, go to cityreachbangor.com/lobster.
Outdoor service
BREWER — St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church of Brewer invites its neighbors and members of the community to an outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 27, at Brewer Auditorium and Doyle Field. The Rev. Rick Cross will be the celebrant for the service.
Bring folding chairs, blankets or other seating, and something to share at the potluck picnic after the service.
St. Patrick’s has held its annual outdoor service for the last several summers. This will be the first time that it has been celebrated at Doyle Field in Brewer.
Food pantry
BREWER — The Brewer Area Food Pantry, Save-A-Lot food stores and Paradis Shop-N-Save are partnering on Project Help The Kids, a program to help provide eligible school-aged children of Brewer and Eddington with supplemental food during July and August. Shoppers can purchase items to donate to Project Help The Kids. Or make a monetary donation to: OHI-Brewer Area Food Pantry, 25 Freedom Parkway, Hermon ME 04401. Cash donations will be used to purchase lunch meats, cheese and other perishable items. For information, Rich Romero at 605-1218 or Brenda Leavitt at 605-1208.
Blueberry Festival
HOLDEN — Holden Congregational Church will host its annual Blueberry Festival 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the church. The festival will offer fresh blueberries available for purchase, crafts and a giant yard sale in the parking lot. The Ladies’ Home Circle will host a bake sale.
The festival also will hold a Blueberry Pie Contest. Contestants and judges for the contest are needed.
The church kitchen will serve blueberry (or plain) pancakes and desserts.
For information, to volunteer to be a pie contest judge or to enter a pie in the contest, call Zita Osgood at 570-6094 or Jenn Perkins at 843-6013.
Class of 1959 reunion
ORONO — The Bangor High School class of 1959 will hold an informal reunion at 6 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 6, at Pat’s Pizza in Orono.
Dinner and beverages can be chosen from the menu.
Additional information is at the class website, bangor59.com, or by calling 942-8683.
Class of 1974 reunion
ORONO — Orono High School class of 1974 is planning its 40th class reunion. The schedule is:
• Meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Pat’s Pizza in Orono.
Saturday, Aug. 2:
• Tour of Orono High School, 10 a.m.
• Picnic at noon at Sue Sylvia-White’s, 45 Lakeview Ave., Dedham. Burgers and dogs will be provided. Bring a side dish and beverage. Attendees can stay Friday and-or Saturday night if need be.
Sunday, Aug. 3:
• Meet at 1 p.m. for lunch at Porthole Pub and Restaurant, 20 Custom House Wharf, Portland.
• Boat cruise, 5:30 p.m., first come, first served.
RSVP to Don MacNeill (aka Spud) at dmacneill@lakesidelink.com or 215-588-7639.