Margaret Chase Smith essay contest

SKOWHEGAN — The Margaret Chase Smith Library has announced the topic of its 20th annual essay contest is “Presidential Leadership.” The competition is open to Maine high school seniors.

With the 58th presidential election approaching, the Margaret Chase Smith Library wants to know what qualities teenagers, who will be eligible to vote for the first time, are looking for in a president.

In 1960 the New York Times asked Sen. Margaret Chase Smith what qualities she looked for in a president. Her response was: “The most obvious qualities an ideal president should have are integrity, intelligence and fairness.”

Entries are due by April 1 and decisions will be announced on May 1. Prizes are $50 for five honorable mentions, $250 for third place, $500 for second place and $1,000 for first place.

FMI: 207-474-7133, www.mcslibrary.org/program/edu/essay.htm.

Four chaplains ceremony at Legion Post

TOPSHAM — Corey E. Garver Post 202, American Legion, 79 Foreside Road, will host a four chaplains ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. The public is welcome.

The ceremony honors the memory of Methodist minister George L. Fox, Reformed Church in America minister Clark V. Poling, Roman Catholic priest John P. Washington and Rabbi Alexander B. Goode, all selflessly giving their life-preservers to other soldiers aboard the Army Transport Dorchester as it sank after being scuttled by a German U-Boat on Feb. 3, 1943.

The four chaplains were from different religions and sacrificed their lives for men of all faiths. The ceremony provides a detailed account of their bravery and serves as an example of interfaith unity for all ages.

FMI: 207-729-9870.

PechaKucha Night in Waterville

WATERVILLE — A concert of ideas will be celebrated at a PechaKucha Night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, in the Summit Room of the Spann Student Center at Thomas College.

PK WTVL volume 19 will feature a diversity of topics, including winter birds, travels to India, gleaning and art guitars.

The presenters will be Noël Bonam, Peter Garrett, Steve Kahl, James Macdonald, Heidi V. Neal, Hannah Semler, Pamela Thompson and Herb Wilson. Thomas College President Laurie Lachance will serve as master of ceremonies.

The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be provided by Thomas College.

The snow date is Saturday, Jan. 30.

FMI: pechakucha.waterville@gmail.com.

Maine Media Women plan astrology workshop

DAMARISCOTTA — The Maine Media Women meeting Saturday, Feb. 6, will be an astrology workshop presented by Elisabeth Goodridge of Appleton.

Goodridge has been practicing astrology for over 40 years, doing private readings, teaching classes and speaking to workshop groups. She was on the radio for several years.

The workshop will be held from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. at River Arts Gallery, 241 U.S. Route 1. Space is limited and preregistration is required. A $5 fee will be collected at the door.

To sign up, call Salt Bay Art Supply at 207-563-8377 or email sbart@tidewater.net by Thursday, Feb. 4.

FMI: 207-549-5518, 207-563-6835, www.mainemediawomen.org.

Stories of 5th Maine soldiers to be told

BRUNSWICK — A Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War roundtable will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in the Morrell Room of the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St.

Curtis Mildner will speak on “True, Untrue, Surprising and Amazing Stories of the Soldiers of the 5th Maine.” Lectures are free and open to the public.

Veterans membership set

Vietnam Veterans of America’s Membership Affairs Committee made a motion to the national board of directors to make $100 a permanent price for a lifetime membership. The motion was passed on Jan. 9 and is retroactive to Jan. 1.

“This is fantastic news,” said Vietnam Veterans of America President Joseph Armstrong. “In some cases it will mean a savings of over $100 for members and prospective new members,” Armstrong said.

FMI, application: 207-490-2094, president@vva1044maine.org.

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