Gift Wrapping at the Bangor Mall

Heading to the Bangor Mall for some holiday shopping? Stop by the gift wrapping center to have them wrapped before you leave!

UCP of Northeastern Maine is calling on volunteers to help with the wrapping. All proceeds benefit the important work that this group does for our community. It's a worthy cause -- and it's fun!

UCP is looking for individuals as well as groups to volunteer in three-hour slots from now until Christmas Eve. They're there every day of the week so you can volunteer more than once if you want to. If you are interested in helping out, contact Tish Pendergast at 992-0606 or email her at tish.pendergast@ucpofmaine.org.

What's Happening this Weekend...

Comedy Show
November 19
Spectacular Event Center, Bangor
Three Boston comedians will take the stage for a night of laughs. There will be appetizers and a cash bar. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show starts at 8:30 p.m. $10 in advance; $12 at the door.
www.spectaculareventcenter.com

Primo Cubano
November 19
The Grand, Ellsworth
Come listen to Maine's own salsa band and benefit The Grand and WERU at the same time. 7:30 p.m.; $12; $10 Grand and WERU members.
www.grandonline.org

Alison Chase Performance
November 19
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
Alison Chase is a well-known choreographer and founding artistic director of Pilobolus Dance Center. Don't miss the multidimensional performance featuring fusions of film and dance. 8 p.m. $27.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Artfull Gifts at Point Lookout
November 19-21
Northport
Don't miss the Midcoast's premier invitational show for fine Maine-made holiday gifts. Exhibitors will show a variety of work including gold and silver jewelry, woven silk, stoneware and porcelain pottery, ash baskets, blown glass, and more. Gala opening is Fri. 5 to 8 p.m. with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. The show runs Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $3 per day to attend the fair; $10 includes both days of the fair and the gala. Children under 16 free.
www.artfullgifts.com

Annual "Fowl" Shooting Contest
November 20
Brewer Auditorium
Each participant will get 10 free throws, plus three additional "bonus FOWL shots" which consist of a basketball with a bird attached. There are four divisions for all age ranges -- from kindergartners to adults. One person will win a Thanksgiving turkey. 10:30 a.m. $1 donation.
www.brewerme.org

Early Bird Sale & Bed Races
November 20
Bar Harbor
Shop at your favorite local stores in your PJs 6 to 9 a .m., then catch the bed parade starting from the Village Green at 10 a.m. Head to Cottage Street to find your seat for this fun annual even, sponsored by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
www.barharborinfo.com

Donizetti's Don Pasquale
November 20
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
A Metropolitan Opera Live Broadcast, this production has been called "brilliant" and "wonderful" by The New York Times. 1 p.m.; $24.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Mariachi Los Camperos
November 21
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
This 10-piece band is led by Natividad "Nati" Cano, a traditionalist and a visionary who has mirrored and shaped the history of mariachi music. The ensemble employs the finest musicians from Mexico and the U.S. and has performed for audiences worldwide. 3 p.m. $27.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Bach & Forth with Stephen Prutsman, Piano
November 21
Rockport Opera House
In a fascinating program that will debut here before heading to Lincoln Center in New York, the brilliant pianist Stephen Prutsman connects and juxtaposes the timeless music of J.S. Bach with works of virtually every style since his day. 2:30 p.m. $25-$45; $8 for youth 18 and under.
www.baychamberconcerts.org

What's Happening This Weekend...

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
November 11-14
Aroostook Centre Mall, Presque Isle
Get a jump on your holiday shopping by browsing the wares of local artisans and crafters.
www.pichamber.com

The Savoy Family Band
November 12
The Strand, Rockland
This four-piece family band brings the raw energy of Cajun music of southwest Louisiana to Rockland. 7:30 pm. $15; $18 at the door.
www.rocklandstrand.com

Christmas Fair
November 12 & 13
Belfast United Methodist Church
Homemade crafts and gifts, ornaments, baked goods, gift baskets, plants, jewelry, cookbooks, and a luncheon. $5.
www.belfastumc.org

The Gifted Hand Fin Art, Craft, and Gift Show
November 12 & 13
Acadia Park Hotel, Ellsworth
This 5th annual show features over 50 juried Maine artisans in a benefit art and craft show for Schoodic Arts for All in Winter Harbor. There will be painters, bead makers, illustrators, weavers, and many more. Fri. 11 am–7 pm; Sat. 9 am–4 pm. $2; free for children under 12.
www.giftedhandshow.com

Glam-Rock Hamlet
November 12-14
Gates Community Center, Bar Harbor
A new approach to Shakespeare’s enduring classic. Fri. and Sat. 7:30 pm; Sun. 2 pm.
www.coa.edu

Annual Harvest Craft Fair
November 13
Acadia Christian School, Trenton
This annual craft fair features a bake sale, silent auction, book fair, and tons of kids activities. 9 am–2 pm.
664-0182

Dvorak & Sibelius
November 14
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
The spectacular performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto conducted by Edward Cumming features Stefan Jackiw on violin. 3 pm. $18–$42.
www.collincenterforthearts.com

Three Local Veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, consulting editor Henry Garfield, sat down with three area veterans to find out what Veterans Day means to them. We'd like to introduce them and share some of their answers.
Photos by Shane Leonard

Charles McClead, Dedham

Do you think America is more or less patriotic today than it was during the time you served?

I think America today at least knows the truth of what's going on a little better. We're no longer blaming the military for things that go wrong. We know that the military is under command of the president and Congress. The right way to look at it is if you don't like it, your elected officials are the ones that are running it.

Was it hard to be back into the routine of everyday life when you returned home?

I came back with a bit of post traumatic stress disorder. I had a lot of anger because of the way the people who fought in Vietnam were treated when we got back. The news media made us look like we were baby-killers, bombing school buses, even though we were doing what we were assigned to do. It was ugly.


Russell Treadwell, Carmel

What does Veterans Day mean to you?

To me it is a day to show my respect and gratitude for all the sacrifices that veterans have made for our country.

What, in your opinion, are the best ways we can honor our veterans?

Don't be critical of them for doing what the civilian leadership directs them to do. Show your support in the community when you interact with members of the military.


Doug Kell, Ellsworth

Why did you join the military?

I was too young to go into the Second World War, and I felt like I hadn't done my duty. The Korean War came along, and I had a chance to be a man.

What would you like the average citizen to know about your military service?

I've reached a point in my life when I think that war is futile. We needed it 100 years ago, but it's no longer necessary. WE can be patriotic without going to war.

Holiday Open House

One Cumberland Place, the home of Bangor Metro, Maine Ahead, and Real Maine Weddings magazines, is hosting a Holiday Open House on November 18 from 4:30 to 8:30 pm.

Come do some holiday shopping from the following vendors:
Pampered Chef
Scentsy Candles
Tastefully Simple
Anthony John's Salon
Miche Bags
Tupperware
Lia Sophia Jewelry
Sharon's Stained Glass & Crafts
Dogn'i Apparel
A Body in Knead
Mary Kay
and many more...

You can also purchase Bangor Metro and Maine Ahead gift subscriptions for your friends and family. It's the gift that gives back 10 times a year!

There will also be door prizes and refreshments. Stop by after work and let us put a little jingle in your step before Thanksgiving.

What's Happening This Weekend...

MDI YMCA's Las Vegas Night
November 6
Bar Harbor Club
Games, appetizers, cash bar, raffles, and prizes. All proceeds benefit YMCA scholarships and programs. 6:30–10:30 pm. $35 in advance; $40 at the door.
www.mdiymca.org

Hysterical Comedy Dinner Show
November 6
Spectacular Event Center
The Maine Hysterical Society is back in Bangor by popular demand. Evening events include dinner buffet, cash bar, appetizers, and a ton of laughs. 6:30 pm dinner; show starts at 7:30. $25.
www.spectaculareventcenter.com

Take Pride in Acadia Day
November 6
Acadia National Park
Bring gloves, a rake, water, your family and friends, and prepare the park for the winter. A free lunch of chili, cornbread, and cider follows the morning’s work. Registration is required. 8 am–1 pm.
www.friendsofacadia.com

Outta Sight!
November 6
Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor
The 8th annual museum gala/dinner and auction benefit for the Maine Discovery Museum features 60 fabulously decorated covered wood storage bins painted by Maine artists across the state. From the elegant to the wild, the stately to the whimsical, there are bins for every taste, every age, and every room of your house or cottage. Preview, cash bar, and silent auction starts at 5 pm; dinner at 6:30 and live auction at 8 pm. $50.
www.mainediscoverymuseum.org

Gingerbread Holiday Fair & Luncheon
November 6
First Congregational Church of Brewer
Baked goods, handmade jewelry, mittens, scarves, gift baskets, and more. Luncheon includes homemade soup, salad, bread, and pies. Musical entertainment provided by Jerry Hughes. 9 am–2 pm. Luncheon begins at 11 am.
989-7350

United Maine Craftsmen's Bangor Arts & Crafts Show
November 6 & 7
Bangor Auditorium
Start your holiday shopping early this year and give the gift of something Maine-made. Over 80 artisans will be displaying their unique products at Bangor’s largest craft show. Sat. 9am–5 pm; Sun. 10 am–4 pm. $2; free for children under 12.
www.unitedmainecraftsmen.com

Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde
November 6 & 7
Penobscot Theatre, Bangor
This new and shocking version of the classic tale of lust, love, and horror features multiple Hydes performed by the cast. $35.
www.penobscottheatre.org