OAKLAND DARE READY TO 'ROCK' IN NEW YEAR

OAKLAND - "Rocking in 2009" is a chance to dance and dine on New
Year's Eve and support what many call an invaluable program for young
people in the community at the same time.

The fundraising dance and buffet supports the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) and Learning for Life programs, initiatives of the
Oakland Police Department aimed at helping children make the right
choices.

Children who make those right choices are rewarded with various
trips, including an outing on Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade, skiing at
Sugarloaf/USA and the chance to see a Portland Pirates hockey game.

"Rocking in 2009" is one of two fundraisers organized each year to
support the programs, according to Kathy Paradis, who helps
coordinate the programs.

"Without these (fundraisers) those programs really couldn't happen,"
Paradis said, "because this is the money that buys the (DARE) books
and funds the trips."

The New Year's Eve event, now in its fifth year, is scheduled from 7
p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Winslow Veterans of Foreign War hall on Veteran
Drive in Winslow.

Tickets for the event are $30 per couple, $20 a person.

Paradis said the buffet is lavish. This year the spread includes
scallops wrapped in bacon, a shrimp platter, lasagna, macaroni and
cheese, a mean and cheese platter, assorted salads, homemade baked
beans, hot dogs, mozzarella sticks and coffee and assorted desserts.

Sidney Fire Chief Richard Jandreau is the disc jockey.

A cash bar will be available.

Tickets for the event can be obtained by calling the Oakland Town
Office (465-7357) or the Winslow VFW lounge (872-9850).