With the recent news that race car driver Ricky Craven of Newburgh has signed a multiyear deal to drive the Tide No. 32 Ford for PPI Motorsports, and compete on the Winston Cup circuit, even more fans are sure to want to ride with him during the upcoming Ricky Craven Ride for Charity.

The fourth annual event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27, at Moosehead Lake in Greenville. Check-in is at 7 a.m. at Greenville High School, where breakfast will be served.

The ride time, although subject to change, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., and the cost to participate is a minimum donation of $125 per person.

Proceeds from the event benefit four nonprofit organizations: The Marrow Foundation, which secures funding for improvements in marrow and stem cell collection and promotion of the National Marrow Donor Registry; Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare, which raises funds for children’s services available through EMH; the Maine-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses; and the Travis Roy Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

As usual, Craven’s mother, Nancy Craven, and his sister, Lauri Matheson, both of Bangor, are hard at work on the fund-raiser.

Nancy Craven informs us that “anyone who would like to join us on our charity ride can call us at 990-3202 or 941-9364, or leave a message by calling 941-0096.”

Interested individuals may also write the Ricky Craven Charity Ride, P.O. Box 2223, Bangor 04402-2223. Nancy Craven and Matheson will mail brochures to those who contact them.

The one basic piece of information you must have, however, is that riders must be 13 years old to operate a sled. The event is sponsored by Arctic Cat and Wallace Associates Financial Services.

Breakfast will be provided by Mark MacDonald of the Bangor Main Street Dunkin’ Donuts and lunch will be provided by Mike LeBlanc of Associated Grocers.

Additionally, the event features an autograph session, special giveaways and door prizes during festivities that follow the ride.

We understand that this year’s raffle includes an Arctic Cat ATV 300 4×4, an Arctic Cat Z 120 snowmobile, a leather recliner from Stonington Furniture Company, a Bear Creek Canoe with paddles, and a mystery gift from Ricky Craven.

A laptop Toshiba Computer will also be raffled, and a 50/50 drawing will be held.

Dale Duff of Bangor radio station WZON will be the master of ceremonies.

Nancy Craven also informed us that pupils at the Orland Consolidated School, “under the direction of Jean Sargent,” conducted a penny drive for the Charity Ride, and raised $1,000.

“I can’t tell you how much that means to us,” Craven wrote.

And while adding that, “each year, we recognize special gifts,” Craven believes “this is the one that tops everything else.”

We would also like to salute the event’s committee members, who make this affair so special for those who participate, and those who benefit from it.

The full-time committee members, working with Craven and Matheson, are Vinal and Carol Smith and Larry and Eileen Lafland, all of Brewer; Don Emmons of Hampden; and Ray Knowles of Palmyra.

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Writing on behalf of the Caribou office of Catholic Charities Maine, Dixie Dumond thanks everyone “who brought food to the annual Holiday Light Parade in Presque Isle.”

Dumond wrote that your contributions helped make CCM’s “Feed the County” parade float “the most successful ever.”

And, in case you were not aware of this, she wants you to know that “all of the food stays right here in Aroostook County” – distributed to food pantries from Houlton to Fort Kent.

If you were unable to attend the parade and make a contribution to CCM’s food drive, you are welcome to make a food or monetary donation to its food distribution warehouse at any time during the year.

You can help “Feed the County” by calling the Caribou office of CCM at 498-2575, visiting its office or sending a check to CCM, 4 Lombard Road, Caribou 04736.

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We have been informed that the application deadline for young people to apply for participation in the Maine Chapter of Children’s International Summer Villages 2001 program has been extended.

Applications for boys and girls age 11, and for boys and girls ages 13 and 14, will be accepted through Saturday, Jan. 20. Leaders are also needed for these programs.

CISV is an independent, nonprofit organization that offers international and local programs fostering global friendships and cross-cultural understanding.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the organization, and the 100th birthday of its founder, Doris Twitchell Allen, formerly of Old Town and now residing in the South.

Youngsters age 11 can participate in four-week villages in British Columbia, Canada, Taento, Italy, and Salvador, Brazil.

The 13- and 14-year-olds can participate in an interchange program in Keil, Germany.

All applicants must be within the appropriate age range during the summer of 2001 to be eligible for the programs.

For more information about CISV, or to obtain an application, call Judy Noonan, 827-2708; Jaki Erdoes, 244-9213 or Maine Chapter president Alec Horth at 469-2062.

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