Plans are under way for the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter’s 14th annual Hike for the Homeless on Saturday, April 18, reports executive director Dennis Marble.
Starting points will be Hampden Academy, the Cianchette Building in Brewer, Veazie Community School and Husson University in Bangor.
And although “paid registration is not required to participate,” Marble wrote, “hikers are asked to secure pledges from others who can support them, and the issue.”
The focus of each hike “is all about two themes: advocacy and fundraising,” he wrote, adding “the need for private financial support is more than ever.”
“Demand for our shelter services is up, our expenses are up and state funding is forecast to decrease for us at a level of between $12,000 and $20,000 this year.”
Last year, more than 600 people participated, raising more than $30,000 “to support the continued operation of the Shelter,” he wrote.
“Readers who wish to jump in and help can consider walking, pledging for others to walk, buying raffle tickets or helping with their sales,” he wrote.
Among the donated prizes you might win are a flat-screen television, plane tickets to Florida, a Bangor Y membership or a one-year subscription to the Bangor Daily News.
Raffle tickets are available at any Merrill Bank branch and Camden National Bank branches in Bangor and Hampden.
To register for the hike or to make a pledge, visit WLBZ2.com to download a form, call the shelter at 947-0092 or e-mail Marble at bahs@gwi.net.
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Heartiest congratulations are extended to the 21 pupils of SeDoMoCha Elementary School in Dover-Foxcroft who are the first SAD 68 representatives to compete in Odyssey of the Mind, which is taking place today at Sanford High School.
It is always great to learn that newcomers are participating in this event.
I wish them the best of luck, and thank their coordinator, Thomas Evans, for letting us know of this accomplishment.
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Anne Russenberger-Keefe of Woodlawn Museum in Ellsworth reports that Monday, March 30, is the deadline for individuals to register for the Woodlawn Bus Tour: American Art in Maine Museums.
The cost is $250 for members, $280 for nonmembers, for the two-day tour to Rockland, Waterville, Brunswick and Portland.
Call 667-8671 to register.
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Lyn Smith of the Pittsfield Public Library reminds readers that its Story Time is 10:15-11 a.m. Mondays, “on the lower level of the Pittsfield Town Office.”
The program, for preschoolers age 2 to 5, “includes a story, games, finger plays, songs and crafts.”
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The public is invited to join members of the Ellsworth Garden Club for an illustrated lecture “on the Do’s and Don’ts of Composting,” reports Mary Blackstone, when the club hosts Richard Kersbergen, extension educator for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Waldo County.
The public lecture is 7 p.m. Monday, March 30, at the Hancock County Extension office on Boggy Brook Road in Ellsworth.
Refreshments will be served.
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Julie Coulombe reports that the Church of Universal Fellowship is hosting a spaghetti supper to benefit its church softball team at 7 p.m. Monday, March 30, in the church vestry, 82 Main St. in Orono.
Tickets are $7 for adults or $3.50 for children 12 and under.
For tickets, call the church office at 866-3655.
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Congregation Beth Israel hosts its annual Passover Second Seder at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at 144 York St., Bangor, “for the first time, with the Congregation, and it promises to be a wonderful event,” reports Lynn Higgins.
Admission is $23 for adults 13 and older, $8 for children age 6-12 and free for youngsters 5 and under.
However, reservations are required and must be made by Thursday, April 2, by calling Beth Israel at 945-3433.
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Here’s a reminder from Mary McEwen, chairwoman of the John Bapst Parents Association, that the seventh annual John Bapst Auction, Celebrating our 80th, is 6-9 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the John Bapst Memorial High School Auditorium on Broadway in Bangor.
A silent auction, live auction, 50-50 raffle in which someone can win $10,000, a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and desserts are all part of the event.
Tickets are $15, $25 for couples and $125 for tables for eight, and the 50-50 raffle tickets for the $10,000 prize are $50 each.
All tickets are available at the high school development office on the second floor of 31 Somerset St., Bangor.
McEwen reports you must be 21 to attend.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.