VFW to hold barbecue supper

AUBURN — A public beef barbecue supper hosted by the men’s Auxiliary will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave. The cost is $7.

Maine cat association to host show

SPRINGVALE — The United Maine Coon Cat Association, an affiliate of the Cat Fanciers Federation, will celebrate its 40th anniversary and Veterans Day by hosting the Patriotic Cat Show on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 and 11,  at the Nasson Community Center Gym, 457 Main St.

The theme will honor American servicemen and women with each ring dedicated to a branch of the Armed Services. The competition is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and veterans and free for children 6 and under. Those wishing to exhibit cats may contact Ken Staples at 401-766-3955. General information may be found at www.CFFinc.org or by call Peggy Vivinetto at 603-859-4738 or Carla Maria Sullwold at 373-0470.

Workshops to explore ocean

PORTLAND —  “Exploring Ocean Diversity Through Science, Art, and Literature” will take place Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 350 Commercial St.  

The schedule includes hands-on professional development workshops from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a light dinner. The evening lecture, beginning at 7, will feature Maine children’s book author Mary Cerullo and her latest book, “City Fish, Country Fish: A Study in Biodiversity.”

Advance registration is recommended by Tuesday, Nov. 13. The registration fee for all or part of the evening is $15 for current GOMMEA members/$25 for nonmembers (includes one-year GOMMEA membership).  Sign up at  http://gommea.eventbrite.com/.

Woodward to keynote series

PORTLAND — Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Bob Woodward will keynote the third annual Wright Express Leadership and Creativity Event Series with a presentation on “Presidential Decisions and the Role of Leadership in the 2012 Elections” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in Hannaford Lecture Hall, Bedford Street.

All ticket proceeds will support USM scholarships. Tickets are $20, general admission and $10 for students. Seating will be first-come, first-served. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to http://usm.maine.edu/giving/WEXseries.

SAT prep courses slated

BRUNSWICK — Maine Prep will offer group SAT prep courses beginning Sunday, Nov. 18. The classes are geared to high school juniors who plan to apply early decision to college. The eight-session two-hour courses will prepare students for the Jan. 26 SAT test.

For more information, call Jack Mahoney at Maine Prep, 798-5690, or email [email protected]. Schedules for the classes and other locations are available at  www.maineprep.com.

LePage kicked off kettle campaign

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage kicked off the Salvation Army’s statewide kettle campaign on Nov. 5 at the State House Cabinet Room.

A Salvation Army Brass Ensemble was part of the festivities. Following the kick-off, familiar red kettles will be seen regularly at stores, malls and other locations throughout the state.

Those wishing may visit www.onlineredkettle.org to make a donation. For more information, contact Capt. Morrison at 623-3752 or Patricia James at 774-6304, ext. 232.

Searching for the next Miss Maine

BRUNSWICK — Registrations are now being accepted for the 77th annual Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant scheduled for June 2013 at the Crooker Theater at Brunswick High School. The Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant is the official state preliminary to the Miss America Pageant, one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the largest source of scholarships for women in the world.

All participating contestants will receive scholarship assistance, while Miss Maine receives more than $75,000 in cash and in-kind scholarships and prizes.

Potential contestants must be a United States citizen, must be between the ages of 17-24 and must be a high school graduate no later than six months after the date of the competition. She must be a resident of Maine, attend a Maine university or college or work full-time in Maine. Deadline for participation is March 1.

To obtain a registration form and for additional information, visit www.missmaine.org or contact Audrey Findlen at [email protected].