Not surprisingly, the American Red Cross Blood Services New England Region Annual Christmas Blood Drive is exceedingly popular with men.

That’s because this event features the busy members of the John Bapst Memorial High School Key Club, who wrap their presents, free of charge!

“All donors have to do is supply their own presents,” said ARC spokeswoman Angela Bilodeau.

“We supply the paper and the ribbon; the Key Clubbers wrap the gifts.”

This year’s drive is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at the Bangor Donor Center at 900 Hammond St.

And, according to Bilodeau, this year’s event is going to be more appealing than ever.

Not only can you get your gifts wrapped, she said, but you will also be able to enjoy “wonderful refreshments provided by the Wright Brothers American Grill.”

Radio station Z107.3 FM will be doing a live remote at the event. And, new for donors this year, are great moose T-shirts.

The Christmas Blood Drive is, traditionally, “the biggest day of the year for us,” Bilodeau said.

“Last year, we saw more than 160 people. We would love to match, or exceed that number, this year.”

One of the major factors in this year’s drive, Bilodeau said, is the date.

“This is so important. Because it is on a Friday, the last day of our workweek, and we don’t have collections for three days, we really need to do a top job to make sure there is enough blood in the hospitals over the weekend.

“Unfortunately, not everyone can go home for Christmas, and we need that blood.”

Because Christmas and New Year’s both fall on Mondays, more people than ever will be on the road, heading home for the holidays over the long weekends.

We know, all too well, that more travelers mean more accidents.

So, when you’re thinking of giving gifts this weekend, the American Red Cross asks you to consider the very special gift of life by becoming an ARC blood donor.

If you have questions, or wish more information, call (800) 448-3543 or (800) GIVE LIFE.

We have learned from Loren Cole of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Bangor office that it will be exhibiting the work of members of the Bangor Art Society.

BAS representative Sally Guaraldo of Brewer and Catherine Hession of the HUD office coordinated the combined project.

“Under the agreement,” Cole said, “HUD will be showcasing works of eight local artists on the walls of its conference room.

“The artwork will be displayed, on a rotating basis, allowing the works to be shown three times each year.”

The public is welcome to view the artwork from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the HUD office in Room 101 of the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building at 202 Harlow St. in Bangor.

If you would like more information about the BAS, you are welcome to call Guaraldo at 989-6812.

The NEWS has received a letter from Trudy O’Neill of West Virginia, who is seeking her long-lost brother.

O’Neill writes that her older brother, Joe Goodall, used to live in Bangor and Sherman Station. She very much wants to locate him.

If you are her brother, or if you know his whereabouts, O’Neill would be thrilled to hear from you.

Her address is 148 Margaret Drive, Nitro, W. Va. 25143, and her e-mail is ticklish14u@aol.com.

For your information and viewing pleasure, the artwork of Patricia Hurd is being exhibited in the Lecture Hall of the Bangor Public Library now through the end of the month.

We’ve had a couple of calls lately from people wondering how to get rid of unneeded cars.

One good way is to donate it to the Kidney Cars Program.

The National Kidney Foundation of Maine will take any car, as long as it has all of its parts and a clear title.

The donated cars are auctioned off or recycled, and the funds support research, public education, patient services, professional education and organ donor awareness.

The NKF reminds us that in Maine, more than 2,500 residents are kidney patients, and of that number, 950 are on dialysis.

For a tax-deductible contribution to the NKF, and a great way to rid yourself of that unwanted vehicle, call (800) 488-2277, which is also (800) 488-CARS.

James Wynn of Georgia was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Maine during 1951-52.

Wynn is trying to locate the family of Winfred Stratton. Wynn believes Stratton’s father owned a hardware store in Brewer.

Wynn writes that he has tried, without success, to locate Stratton’s family through the Internet.

He would appreciate hearing from anyone who has information on Stratton.

You can write Wynn at 129 Sweet Gum Tr., McDonough, Ga. 30252.

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

990-8288.