People who attend the annual Christmas Concert of our historicBangor Band, which is nearing the end of its 146th year, will welcomeits new conductor, Dr. Fred Goldrich of Trenton.
The Bangor Band Christmas Concert is 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, atBangor Civic Center and, band president Bob Pentland promises, 'SantaClaus will be there.'
The concert is free and open to the public.
Having conducted symphony and chamber orchestras in the New YorkCity area, 'as well as musical theater both in that area and inMaine,' Pentland informed me, Goldrich has prepared a veryentertaining and enjoyable selection of holiday music for thisspecial concert.
You will hear many familiar holiday selections that will pleaseboth young and old, and 'a little brass ensemble' will be playing'some snazzy, jazzy Christmas music' as you pass through the lobbyheaded for your seats.
Once again, Pentland added, Bangor city officials have graciouslygiven 'permission' for Santa and his sleigh to light atop the civiccenter and avoid the snarl of holiday traffic, but Pentland requestsno oats be thrown to the reindeer on the roof.
Serving with Pentland on the Bangor Band board of directors forthe upcoming season are vice president Dale Brownie, Stetson;secretary Dianna Wyman, Fairfield; treasurer Richard Starke, Castine;and at-large members Don Menninghaus, Bangor, and Michelle Share, OldTown.
The band has openings for clarinet, saxophone and French hornplayers.
For more information, call Goldrich at 667-0153, Pentland at 667-4874, or Menninghaus at 942-1295.
Kathryn Braggins, e-mailing on behalf of the Hudson Museum, wantsthe public to know about a special raffle taking place during the11th annual Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration, whichis free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec.10, at the Museum in the Maine Center for the Arts on the Universityof Maine campus in Orono.
Braggins wrote that the Museum 'has commissioned a Passamaquoddyfancy basket by Jeremy Fray to be raffled off that day.'
'The basket is absolutely beautiful,' Braggins added.
It can be seen at the museum shop, or you will find a picture anda brief write-up about it at www.umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum/index.php.
Raffle tickets are available at the Museum Gift Shop for $5 each.
More than 30 Maine Indian basket makers will be selling theirunique ash splint and sweet grass baskets. If you wish to be an'early bird,' you can do so beginning at 9 a.m. for a $10 fee.
Throughout the day, traditional foods, storytelling and music,children's workshops and demonstrations will be offered.
More information about the Basketmakers Sale can be found atwww.umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum/even.php.
Santa Claus will be one of the special guests for the sixth annualWoodlawn Museum Candlelight Evening at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, atWoodlawn on Surry Road in Ellsworth.
Underwritten by Union Trust Co., festivities include music by theFletcher's Landing Philharmonic band, a bonfire, caroling, tours ofthe museum, hot chocolate and cookies served by members of the KeyClub, and lighting of the luminarias along the driveway by local BoyScouts.
Santa concludes the event at 6:30 p.m. with a reading of ''Twasthe Night Before Christmas' and the lighting of the CommunityChristmas Tree, which features decorations made by participants ofthe Downeast Family Child Care program.
Admission is $5 per car, plus an additional $5 for adults and $1per child for those who want to visit the museum and view theChristmas Trees of Woodlawn display.
From Nancy Grant we learn that doors open for the AFS 28th AnnualAuction at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, in the cafeteria of Orono HighSchool.
Your $5 admission includes a dinner of chili, corn bread, dessertand beverage. A vegetarian chili also will be available.
The silent auction is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and closes promptly,in preparation for the live auction from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., featuringguest auctioneer Dave Ames.
Up for bid, this year, is everything from a boat ride down thePenobscot River and sailing into Penobscot Bay to an authenticraccoon coat, a flag that's been flown over the U.S. Capitol, giftcertificates, and OHS all-sports passes.
The AFS 'We are the World' quilt, currently on display at MerrillMerchants Bank in Orono, is this year's raffle item.
As always, all proceeds benefit the Orono AFS InterculturalPrograms Scholarship Fund.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.
