Here is an opportunity to participate with members of Midcoast Maine Writers in the discussion of their recently published book “Behind the Purple Door,” which the writers describe as “selected short stories, poems and other stuff,” according to Joyce Harvey of the Women’s Fellowship of the First Congregational Church in Searsport.
That group, Harvey wrote, is sponsoring a dessert and discussion with the authors at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Curtis Hall on Church Street in Searsport.
Proceeds from the suggested admission donation of $5 will benefit the area Interfaith Fuel Fund.
To fully participate in this event, Harvey suggests, you might want to purchase the book before the discussion, and you can do that at Left Bank Books on Main Street in Searsport.
Harvey said that a discount would be offered to those “who wish to purchase the book for this event.”
If you have questions, or would like more information, call Harvey at 548-6204.
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Event coordinator Bob Frank invites you and your family to enjoy horse-drawn sled rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum at Leonard’s Mills off Route 178 in Bradley.
“Hundreds of individuals have already come to Bradley to experience the way winter travel in Maine was conducted before roads were plowed,” Frank wrote.
If you get a bit chilly on your ride, you can head into the heated Blacksmith Shop and enjoy hot chocolate, and the village Gift Shop also will be open, he wrote.
Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 2-12.
For more information about this historic museum, visit www.leonardsmills.com or call 947-8838.
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Cindy Tuck is the regional coordinator for Maine Transition Network which, she explained, is “funded by the Maine Department of Education” to assist young people, with disabilities, “to transition from high school to the adult world.”
Tuck wrote to ask that I pass along to parents and guardians of young people with disabilities an invitation that has been extended to representatives of area school systems because Tuck wants to be sure you “are informed and invited” to attend.
MTN plans a workshop, MISSION TRANSITION: Unlock Your Future, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.
The snow date is Wednesday, April 1.
The conference is “for youth with disabilities,” and it “focuses on post-school employment and postsecondary education.”
Tuck explained her “region covers all of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties,” and that she has invited students from all high schools, in that area, to attend.
“We will be offering 16 workshops,” Tuck wrote, half of which will cover postsecondary educational opportunities and half post-school employment opportunities.
Tuck wrote that “all the major postsecondary institutions, many community providers, several state agencies, and more,” will participate in the workshops.
EMCC president Joyce Hedlund will welcome attendees, and the keynote speaker will be OJ Logue, associate dean for the University of Maine in Orono.
Parents and guardians are invited and are encouraged to attend.
Tuck hopes many will “take advantage of this fabulous conference” to help young people “prepare for life after high school.”
For information or to preregister, call Tuck at 951-3311 or e-mail ctuck@mainetransition.org.
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In December I wrote about a benefit in Levant hosted by friends and co-workers for 40-year-old Jim McPhearson and his family.
McPhearson recently was diagnosed with a recurrence of brain cancer (he first underwent treatment for the disease at age 3) and is undergoing treatment again.
Since the December benefit, McPhearson has had more surgery, been diagnosed with meningitis, has had other complications, skin grafts, and treatments including chemotherapy and radiation, both in Bangor and Boston, which, his mother-in-law, Annie King, explained, has kept the family very busy.
But she wants everyone to know that McPhearson’s family has not forgotten the outpouring of support it received at that December fundraiser.
The family extends its most sincere gratitude to local business owners, members of the sheriff’s department, friends and family “for all their help in making the benefit supper and auction a huge success,” King wrote.
“Many thanks to all of them for the caring, sharing and mostly for the prayers. We can never repay all the good things they have done for our family. Just pay it forward and hope we can help someone else.”
For updates on McPhearson’s condition, visit www.caringbridge.org and type in jimmcphearson.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.