Travelling back in time from the year 2113, the futuristic comedy improv group Octavarius will take the stage at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. The way the group presents it, the galaxy is in danger—an evil mythical cyborg octopus is leading the invasion—and the audience’s help is needed to save it. Through interactive improv, games, scenes, songs, and audience participation, Octavarius will generate enough laughter and friendship to save the future. This show, rated PG-13, is free and open to the public.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle, in partnership with Cary Medical Center and the Siruno Stroke Education Center, will present Dr. Joel Fuhrman—the best-selling author and internationally recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing—as the next speaker in its 2014-2015 Distinguished Lecturer Series. Dr. Fuhrman will deliver his talk on Preventing and Reversing Disease through Nutritional and Natural Methods on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. His talk is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening.

Purple Pinkie Project to raise funds for polio eradication

The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are joining forces to host their Third Annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project celebration and this year, with the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Washburn, the celebration is going to spread throughout central Aroostook County. A slate of activities will take place between Oct. 18 and Oct. 26 to celebrate World Polio Day, which takes place Oct. 24. All activities are meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money — $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.

In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the University of Maine at Presque Isle will hold its annual fall blood drive on Monday, Oct. 27. The drive will run from Noon until 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.

Sept. 1, 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of Martha, the last remaining passenger pigeon, dying in captivity in the Cincinnati Zoo. To commemorate this important anniversary, the University of Maine at Presque Isle is hosting a display in Folsom Hall in an effort to bring awareness for endangered animals and how quickly they can become extinct.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present Antarctica by world-renowned photographer John Paul Caponigro from Oct. 20 through Nov. 30, 2014. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception and Book Signing on Oct. 21 from 5:30-6:45 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with Caponigro’s Distinguished Lecturer presentation at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center.