Summer Wine event
BANGOR — Authors Richard Shaw and Brian Swartz, whose book “Legendary Locals of Bangor” is now available, will join members of the Bangor Historical Society during the organization’s Summer Wine at Hill House event 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at the Thomas Hill House Museum. Shaw and Swartz will have books on hand for purchase and will be signing copies.
“This book is a look into the people who helped make Bangor what it is today,” Bangor Historical Society Executive Director Melissa Gerety said. “And Dick and Brian are such incredible resources when it comes to Bangor’s history. Having them join us at Hill House is a natural fit.”
Summer Wine at Hill House is new event for the historical society’s 151st season. Held three times during the summer months, the two-hour event is a casual gathering of historical society members, new and old.
Shane McCarthy of State Street Wine Cellar provides a choice of wines each month, light hors d’oeuvres are provided and music, courtesy of the Bangor Band, accents the evening.
“We don’t have a formal program during Summer Wine, it’s really just an opportunity for our members to get to know one another and, for those who are new members, to learn a little more about us and our collection by spending time at Hill House,” Gerety said. “The book signing accentuates the purpose of our event — to give people an opportunity to learn more about Bangor’s rich history.”
The cost of Bangor Historical Society membership starts at $25 and are available at bangorhistoricalsociety.org or at the entrance to the event. More information is available by calling 942-1900 or emailing info@bangorhistoricalsociety.org.
Literacy volunteers
BANGOR — Eastern Maine Community College announced recently that it has welcomed Literacy Volunteers of Bangor to its campus at 354 Hogan Road.
Literacy Volunteers moved in on July 1 and will host an official open house and reception in the fall. A local nonprofit, LV Bangor helps strengthen the community by providing free English language tutoring to Bangor area adults. LV Bangor staff offices are located in the building behind EMCC’s Maine Hall, which also houses the Eastern Maine Community College Foundation.
For information on Literacy Volunteers go to lvbangor.org. For information on EMCC emcc.edu.
Hygiene kits
BANGOR — BJ’s Wholesale Club, opening soon in Bangor, already has begun its commitment to giving back to the community through a recent presentation of 1,000 hygiene kits it donated to Manna Ministries.
The local Bangor-based nonprofit provides outreach to the hurting, lost and needy throughout eastern and central Maine.
The donation was part of 15,000 kits BJ’s Team Members assembled during its annual company conference in collaboration with Clean the World whose mission is to collect and recycle soap and hygiene products discarded every day by the hospitality industry and other sectors that generate environmental waste.
During the conference, approximately 400 BJ’s team members put together kits that included soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth and an inspirational note card. The hygiene kits are being distributed to organizations that support individuals and families who struggle with basic needs across BJ’s 15-state footprint.
Medallion Award
BANGOR — Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap recently recognized Winterberry Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care with an award for helping voters access the polls last November.
Winterberry Heights was presented with the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award for “selfless devotion to democracy and the voting process.”
“Without any prompting or solicitation, Winterberry Heights volunteered their buses all day long to run people back and forth to the door of the polling place [during last November’s election],” said Dunlap. “We didn’t ask them to do it, they did, and it was extraordinary service that made life easier for a lot of people.”
The NASS Medallion Award allows individual secretaries of state to recognize outstanding service and dedication to furthering the mission of NASS. The award was presented during the NASS Summer Conference on July 10, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.
Winterberry Heights’ contribution was brought to Dunlap’s attention by Bangor City Clerk Lisa Goodwin, who was on hand to help present the award.
“I can’t tell you how much Winterberry Heights helped the city of Bangor by mobilizing all of our people from the parking lot into the building,” said Goodwin.
Bangor recently consolidated its eight polling places into one, she said, and “people were not happy that they were displaced out of their neighborhood,” so the transportation was particularly helpful during the transition.
Maygan Meagher, director of health services for Winterberry Heights, accepted the award on behalf of the assisted living center staff.
Engineering scholarships
BREWER — Every June for the last 23 years, the Maine Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has run a golf tournament to raise money toward a scholarship for University of Maine students.
With more than 70 participants this year, the organization raised $4,700. Typically the scholarships are given to two students during the spring semester, and are awarded by the UMaine Department of Civil Engineering.
UMaine students who wish to apply for the scholarships may contact the UMaine Department of Civil Engineering at http://civil.umaine.edu/prospective-students/scholarships/scholarship-qualifications/.
Ice cream social
GLENBURN — A community old-fashioned ice cream social will be held 4-6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, followed by a concert by Carrol Smith and Friends, 6:30-8 p.m., at Glenburn Evangelical Church, corner of Lakeview Road and Hudson Road.
Crafters needed
HOLDEN — Organizers of Holden Congregational Church’s Blueberry Festival is seeking crafters to take part in the event 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the church. Table rental fee is by donation. For information, call Zita Osgood at 570-6094.
Office hours change
ORONO — The front desk of the Orono Town Office will be closed to the public on Wednesdays, July 15 through Oct. 31.
With planned staff retirements and new hires coming on board, the Wednesdays will be used for staff training and technology upgrades. During this period, code enforcement, planning, assessing, and Parks and Recreation will be available to the public on Wednesdays by appointment.
Residents will find lots of information about the town and town services, and may re-register motor vehicles, trailers and boats at orono.org ot obtain hunting and fishing licenses at maine.gov.
The Town Office will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Yard sale
ORRINGTON — The Curran Homestead Living History Farm and Museum will hold its fifth annual giant yard sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 23-25, at 372 Fields Pond Road.
The funds raised at the yard sale will be used to operate the farm and support its mission to preserve and promote rural Maine heritage through public education programs and demonstrations.
To donate items for the sale, contact Dick Hanson at 825-4457, Bob Croce at 843-5456, Bruce Bowden at 356-5076 or brucerbowden@hotmail.com, or Irv Marsters at 745-4426 or irv@bangorlettershop.com. Items must be in good condition and good working order.