Articles by Joni Averill
JONI AVERILL
Time has come to enter a new phase in life
Transitions. Stages. Changes. Such is the nature of life, and I am about to embark on a new chapter. For 32 years, I have been privileged to be part of a very special family known as Bangor Publishing Company. My professional identity, since 1979, has been “Joni Averill of the ...
American Legion post in Bucksport needs help
Here is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country. Writing on behalf of American Legion Post No. 93 of Bucksport, Alton Gross said the group’s building “is in desperate need of a paint job, outside … We have very little money ...
JONI AVERILL
A few auxiliary members with big hearts support Penobscot Valley Hospital
For a small group, members of the Penobscot Valley Hospital Auxiliary in Lincoln continue to be a major force in the lives of everyone associated with PVH, from the people it serves to the staff who provide those services. “We have a lot to be proud of,” said PVH Auxiliary ...
Teen recording artist raises funds, awareness for cancer and late friend’s foundation
Teen recording artist Gareth Laffely, who is visiting with relatives in Orono, has a goal: He wants “to change the world through music,” he said. A home-schooled, 13-year-old eighth-grader, Laffely lives with his parents, Susan Oliver and Neil Laffely, in Nashville. He made recent local appearances at a Champion the ...
JONI AVERILL
Save green, go green and swap this Halloween
Emails from out-of-state public relations firms working on behalf of a variety of organizations and event sponsors arrive daily and, as a rule, I quickly scan them to see whether there is anything that would apply to us here in Maine. The majority do not, but this one really grabbed ...
JONI AVERILL
Family who lost child to cancer reminds us September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Sometimes we need an extra nudge, in the form of a thoughtful reminder, that we haven’t recognized something extremely important not only to many of our readers but, in the larger scale of things, important to each of us. I thank Christina Giorgi of Eddington for reminding us September is ...
September could be considered square dance month in Maine
Although there is not technically a designated square dance month in Maine, if there were one it most likely would be September. That’s because the weather’s getting cooler, family vacations are over and many people are looking for an inexpensive evening out. Many square dance clubs do meet in the ...
Teen receives wish from Make-A-Wish Foundation
BANGOR, Maine — The sky may have been cloudy Tuesday morning, but the smile on the face of Sam Alexander as he shopped his favorite store, GameStop in the Bangor Mall, lit up the place like a day filled with sunshine for family and friends accompanying him on a special ...
EMMC Auxiliary enters 118th year
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of being in contact with four members of the board of Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary in Bangor. I discovered this is a group of whom it can most certainly be said are all on the same page. Determined, assured, enthusiastic, confident and ...
Williams Pond Lodge Red Bench Project benefits Cancer Support Center of Maine
Earlier this year, Williams Pond Lodge Bed & Breakfast of Bucksport introduced its Red Bench Project, which co-owner David Weeda describes as “a fun, creative way to support [the Bucksport-based] Cancer Support Center of Maine and increase our seating capability here at the Bed & Breakfast.” Williams Pond Lodge Bed ...
JONI AVERILL
Free retreat offered to women with ovarian cancer
What is believed to be the first retreat of its kind for Maine women who have ovarian cancer is being offered by the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center of Ellsworth. The free, two-day Turning Tide Ovarian Cancer Retreat begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and ends ...
Bar Harbor Bank &Trust directors and employees donate to Robert and Mary’s Place
Each week, in exchange for being able to dress casually on Fridays, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust directors and employees voluntarily contribute to a charitable fund that makes a monthly donation to local nonprofit organizations through its Community Commitment program. The bank matches the employee donations, doubling the amount given ...
Estelle’s Angels benefit comedy show one of many fundraisers for Penobscot Relay for Life
Each year, individuals and their friends form teams and spend months planning, organizing and hosting activities to raise funds to participate in American Cancer Society Relay for Life events held at various sites throughout Maine. The types of fundraisers range from benefit suppers to dances to car washes. One team ...
Firefighters helping to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy
When the 46th annual MDA Labor Day Telethon was broadcast for just six hours on Sunday, Sept. 4, it was the first time in the lives of many Americans 45 and younger that the program was not an all-day marathon fundraiser starring comedian Jerry Lewis and televised on Labor Day. ...
Noteworthy news Sept. 2, 2011
The Susan G. Komen Maine Race for the Cure-Bangor and Survivor Sponsor Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway have announced that Michele Rowles of Brewer, co-chairman of the 2011 Bangor race, has been named the second Survivor of the Week. “I had some time to give and I wanted to give ...
Neighbors Helping Neighbors work to clear property so local family can rebuild home lost to fire
Thanks to the efforts of some caring residents of Orrington and the surrounding area, major efforts are under way to assist the family of John and Ruth York and their children, Michael, 17, and Eva, 12, return to the property they once called home. In 2008, the York family lost ...
In Katahdin area, it’s not just the residents and businesses feeling the economic pinch
With all the public discussion of what could and should be done to help the depressed economy in the Millinocket-East Millinocket area, especially when it comes to employment, it is all too easy to put in the back of our minds what is happening to some of the most depended-upon ...
Friends make, sell pet treats to help woman pay for service dog
The last Thursday in July was a special day for Carlene Rice of Brewer and her friends at Citizens of Maine at the Intown Plaza in Bangor. That was the day Carlene, her mother, Sissy Rice, and her sister and direct support personnel, Danielle Littlefield, came to Citizens of Maine ...
JONI AVERILL
Down-home feel is real during Machias Wild Blueberry Festival annual musical comedy
What is there not to love about watching your friends, neighbors and fellow community members giving it their all to entertain you? Each year, people who attend the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival are treated to a musical comedy experience delightfully created, directed and performed by their very own, and this ...
JONI AVERILL
Wayne’s WIFFLE for a Wish goal is to be able to fund one full wish this year
Wayne’s WIFFLE for a Wish is in its third year raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Maine Chapter. That organization, with offices in Camden and Portland, now has more than 500 volunteers statewide and a staff of six. According to its website, the national Make-A-Wish Foundation began April 29, 1980, ...
Orono man charged with murder in death of Glenburn teen
Police find remains believed to be Nichole Cable, 15, in Old Town woods
Family remembers Nichole “CoCo” Cable, warns of social media dangers
Old Town, Orono residents react to girl’s homicide with shock and grief
Glenburn woman gets 18 months for embezzling $100,000 from beagle rescue group
Nichole Cable: In our minds, hearts
Obama’s boyfriend line
How to humble a wing nut
UMaine narrows candidate list, hopes to name men’s hockey coach next week
Former Dexter, Nokomis coach Pratt takes Mount View football post
Eastport teen notches first ‘Bandolero’ racing victory
Houlton makes plans for new hockey boards at Millar Civic Center
Unity Raceway heading in new direction when track opens for season Sunday
Fun, informative or just plain strange: 8 museums in Maine worth a road trip
Microsoft unveils new Xbox One game console
Bangor veteran of World War II exemplifies the way life should be
So what the heck is a “Show Choir”?