City seeks spruce tree

LEWISTON — With planning for the sixth annual Twin Cities Holiday Celebration underway, the City of Lewiston is seeking the donation of a tree with which to decorate Dufresne Plaza, the site of festivities following the 2012 Parade of Lights, which will kick-off in Auburn on Nov. 26.

City Arborist Steve Murch is seeking a spruce tree that is 35 to 45 feet tall with a “good full shape and single stem.” The tree needs to be easily accessible, not growing into power lines and not in a backyard, and it also needs to be located within Lewiston.

If interested in donating such a tree, residents may contact Murch at 513-3003, ext. 3443, TTY/TDD 513-3007 or via smurch@lewistonmaine.gov. The city arborist will inspect suggested trees and by mid-November the owner of the selected tree will be notified. In addition, the city will return to the donating resident’s property in the spring to grind the stump and loam/seed the area.

Child, Adult Care Food Program

LEWISTON — Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care announces its participation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals are available at no separate charge to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

For further information on participating centers and/or homes,  contact Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care. The Child and Adult Care Food Program is currently accepting new providers for daycare homes. It is designed to assist in serving nutritious meals and snacks and entails a monthly reimbursement check for food served.

Applications for all programs are accepted at any time. Call 795-4040, ext. 325, for more information or visit www.androscogginheadstart.org.

Program about burial options

AUBURN — Burial in a green cemetery, standard burial, body donation, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, spreading ashes or using a columbarium are all methods that people choose for dealing with bodies after death. Panelists will address these options, followed by a question and answer session, on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the annual meeting of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine.

The panel discussion will be preceded by a 9 a. m. business meeting and refreshments. Handouts will be provided. The program will be held at the First Universalist Church, 169 Pleasant St. It is open to the public, free of charge. For more information about FCAMaine see www.fcamaine.net.

Scouts hold hunters breakfast

MONMOUTH — Boy Scout Troop 654 will hold their annual hunters breakfast from 4 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Monmouth Fish & Game, Route 202.

The cost is $5 per person or $15 group rate for immediate family. Menu includes eggs made to order, home fries, sausage, pancakes, muffins/toast, coffee, hot chocolate and juice.

History Barn Open House

NEW GLOUCESTER — The monthly New Gloucester History Barn Open House will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the History Barn behind the Town Hall on Route 231.

New exhibits include newly acquired town records and a tuning fork used as a fire alarm. Sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society.

Safe Voice training

LEWISTON — Safe Voice volunteer training will begin Monday, Nov. 5.

Anyone interested in making a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence is invited to become a helpline volunteer. The nine-week training course will provide information and confidence to be a helpline advocate.

The helpline provides victims of domestic violence access to resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information or to sign up for the free training, email jallen@safevoices.org or call 795-6744.

Election Day cafe at MTM

LISBON FALLS — On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, The Sunshine Hill Neighbor’s program of the Lisbon Recreation Department will hold their second annual cafe open all day at the MTM Center, 18 School St.

The cafe seating will be in Room 10 with servers bringing breakfast, lunch and dinner to patrons from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Muffins, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches will be served in the morning, and chowders, spaghetti and lobster rolls round out the lunch and dinner menu. Affordable prices make this a family event. The proceeds will go towards the purchase of a van. Call the Lisbon Rec Department for more information, 353-2289.

Phlebotomy course offered

AUBURN — The Corporate and Community Services department at Central Maine Community College will offer Introduction to Phlebotomy on Thursday evenings from Nov. 15 to Jan. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $475 and includes materials and book.

A combination of lecture, lab and hands-on practical experience, the course will allow students to develop the skills needed to work in an entry level position in medical facilities as a phlebotomist.

For more information or to register, contact 755-5280 or 800-891-2002, opt. 7, email training@cmcc.edu or visit www.cmcc.edu/training.

Registration deadline is Nov. 8.

Wreath-making program at park

LISBON — Registration is being accepted for a make-your-own Christmas wreath program at Beaver Park Lone Pine Lodge on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will also be a wreath-making workshop on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Contact Verla Brooks at Beaver Park, 353-9075, or email vbrooks@lisbonme.org to register for a class to make a Christmas wreath, to order one made or to have any questions answered.

Space is limited and registration is required. There will be a $12 charge per wreath made at the workshop. Payment is due at time of registration. Groups are invited to schedule special evening classes. All funds derived from the classes and sale of wreaths support projects at Beaver Park.

Americanism essay contest

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Elks Lodge 371 is holding an Americanism Essay Contest that is open to all students currently in the fifth through eighth grades. The topic of the essay will be “What does the National Anthem mean to me?”

The essay should be no longer than 250 words and must be either typed or printed legibly in ink. The participant must also include their name, grade, school attending and the name of the sponsoring Elks Lodge, which in this case would be the Lewiston Elks Lodge.

Essays should be submitted to the Lewiston Elks Lodge at 1675 Lisbon St., Lewiston, ME 04240 by Jan. 1. Judging will follow, and winners will advance to the District for further review, and then possibly advance to the State level for final judging. For questions, contact Americanism Chairman Karen Staples at 312-4516 or via email at stapleskm1@gmail.com.