Tickets are still available for the “Read for Success Express” round-trip train ride from Hermon Junction to Searsport that leaves Hermon Junction at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14.

The fall foliage trip is sponsored by Bangor & Aroostook Railroad and Shop ‘n Save stores as a fund-raiser to help buy books for the United Way of Eastern Maine “Read for Success” program.

Thursday morning, UWEM staff member Nancy Roberts expressed concern that people might not realize they can still buy tickets for the trip, which are $35 for adults and $20 for children under the age of 12.

The reason for her concern, Roberts said, was that people were supposed to call Christi Dudley at the Shop ‘n Save corporate office for tickets and information, but unfortunately that telephone line was not working properly last week when we first ran information about this event in this column.

“We think people called and got the answering machine, and then thought maybe tickets were sold out,” Roberts said.

However, the phone line is now working and you can call that number to obtain tickets.

The trip includes reading the children’s book “The Little Engine That Could,” complete with a stop so the kids can help the engine get going again.

Train riders will also enjoy entertainment by Ann Dodson of Camden and Bingo the Clown, courtesy of the Ground Round in Bangor; and lunch provided by Shop ‘n Save.

So, if you still want tickets, don’t hesitate to call.

The foliage is still beautiful, trains are always fun to ride, and this is a great way to help with the UWEM “Read for Success” program.

Motorists traveling to or from the Bangor Mall early on Friday, Oct. 13, should pay closer attention to their driving, and not just because it’s Friday the 13th!

Walkers will be participating in a Stroller-A-Thon to benefit Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare, beginning at 8 a.m. at Sam’s Club on Hogan Road and proceeding to Eastern Maine Medical Center on State Street in Bangor.

Volunteers will be pushing donated strollers filled with toys, books, car seats and much more to be presented to CMN along with pledges collected by walkers.

Those planning to register to sell used ski equipment at the Annual Penobscot Valley Ski Club Ski and Snowboard Equipment Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Bangor Armory on Main Street must register their equipment from 6 to 9 tonight, Friday, Oct. 13.

The registration fee is $1 per item. You name your price, and the club will sell it for you, minus a small commission.

Planners expect approximately 6,000 items to be available and 14 vendors from businesses such as the Ski Rack and Cadillac Mountain Sports will be there. The sale is free and open to the public.

Sugarloaf/USA has donated two, two-day lift tickets for the event. One will be drawn as a door prize among those who attend, and the other will go to a lucky member of the Ski Club who volunteered to work on the sale.

Unsold items must be reclaimed between 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Items not claimed by 7 p.m. will be donated to charity. For more information, call 942-4925.

Several events highlight The Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine 2nd Safe Food Fair and 11th Harvest Supper from 2:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St. in Bangor.

Brian Tokar, activist and author of “Redesigning Life” and “Earth for Sale,” will deliver the keynote speech at 3:15 p.m. After Tokar’s talk and panel discussions, workshops will focus on health, the environment, political responses and public education. The Safe Food Fair will include displays by several Maine groups concerned about genetically engineered food crops.

The supper features locally grown and cooked foods that are predominantly or exclusively organically grown. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children under the age of 12, and $15 for families.

The event concludes with “The Fishy Tomato” at 7 p.m., a puppet show starring area youngsters who have produced this play and presented it at several events and fairs throughout Maine.

For more information, call 942-9343 or e-mail peacectr@mint.net.

Never heard of Cottey College in Nevada, Mo.?

Interested young women are invited to “Explore Cottey Women’s College” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the home of Marcelle Coffin, 891 Broadway in Bangor.

A representative from Cottey will speak about this two-year women’s college, which offers both associate of arts and associate of science degrees. Information packets about scholarships and financial aid packets will be available.

For more information, call Jane Shubert of Bangor at 947-8181, or Stephanie Cartwright of Guilford at 876-4248.

The Maine Dystonia Support Group invites you to an open house from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, in Room 501B of Rangeley Hall on the Eastern Maine Technical College campus. The building is located at the end of Sylvan Road in Bangor.

The open house highlights National Dystonia Awareness Day and features Maine poet Patricia Ranzoni of Bucksport and Dr. Jerry Campbell-Wade, a Bangor rehabilitation physician.

Both Ranzoni and Campbell-Wade have dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that affects the muscles, causing them to pull or spasm.

The event includes meeting members of the MDSG, light refreshments, information and door prizes. It is free and open to the public.

For more information, write Pat Leavitt, Maine Dystonia Support Group Leader, 129 Mudgett Road, Newburgh 04444, or call her at 234-7225.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.