What terrific news we have to pass along to you about the plans for 80 people associated with OHI of Hermon to travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., next November.

OHI is a nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities live productively in their communities.

In November of last year, OHI set about making a dream come true for those in the program by launching a major campaign to raise the funds it would take to fly them to Disney World.

Initially, planners expected they would have to raise between $120,000 and $140,000 to cover expenses of travel, lodging, ground transportation and meals.

But Ron Carlow of OHI has called to report wonderful results of efforts to obtain the best possible prices for this grand adventure.

“We have, at this point, made some pretty good deals for our trip,” Carlow said. “Our total cost, now, will be between $60,000 and $65,000.”

Nearly $6,000 of that new amount has been raised to date, he said, and hopes are high that the next fund-raiser “will really get us off on a good foot” as OHI works to raise the remainder of the money, Carlow said.

That next fund-raiser is a spaghetti dinner and silent auction from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at University College Center, 201 Texas Ave., Bangor.

Admission to the event, which is being coordinated by Carlow and Duane Hall of OHI, is $4 for adults and $3 for children under the age of 15.

Carlow is pleased with the silent auction items that will be offered.

Among those items is a baseball autographed by pitcher Billy Swift, an autographed stick from the 2000-2001 University of Maine men’s hockey team, a basketball signed by the UM men’s team, a media guide signed by the UM women’s basketball team and, from NASCAR driver Ricky Craven, an autographed picture and a hat.

“We also have many other smaller things that will be included in the auction,” Carlow said.

He added that folks at OHI are “really excited” with the progress they are making on this project.

“Things are really starting to roll,” he added.

But while OHI and those who support its work are focused on raising the money needed, Carlow did say that “we are still looking for other, outside groups to help us raise money for this chance of a lifetime for the folks we support.”

If you can help make this dream come true for the people of OHI, or if you would like more information about this fund-raiser, call OHI at 848-5804 and ask to speak with either Carlow at Ext. 132, or Hall at Ext. 119.

In conjunction with the Caribou Winter Carnival, the Caribou Kiwanis Club is offering you the opportunity to lock up your friends through its Keystone Kops fund-raiser from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.

Club members set up a makeshift “jail” in the Lions Club Center in Caribou, and area residents who wish to do so purchase “warrants” for people they would like to have “arrested” by the Kiwanis Keystone Kops.

Warrants sell for a $10 donation.

You can call the Caribou Lions Club, 498-2185, during the event to have people arrested but, if you wish, you can purchase a “warrant” in advance.

Warrants will be available from Tuesday, Feb. 20, to Friday, Feb. 23, at the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 24 Sweden St., Caribou, and the Caribou One-Stop on Bennett Drive.

You can also obtain “warrants” from any Kiwanis member.

And you’re not reading this incorrectly: The event is a Kiwanis fund-raiser to benefit Kiwanis charities, but it is being conducted at the Caribou Lions Club facility.

Children in our area who have lost a loved one and need to share their feelings and concerns with someone have that opportunity through the Hospice of Eastern Maine program, “Pathfinders: Support for Grieving Children.”

Linda Boyle is the program coordinator, and she would be happy to speak with you and schedule an interview if you believe you have a child who would benefit from this program.

The 10-week Spring 2001 session begins with the first meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at Bangor Christian School. The program continues weekly through Tuesday, May 15.

This special bereavement support program is geared specifically for children to help them with unresolved grief issues, which can translate into misbehavior, poor school patterns or a juvenile dependency, which can severely affect adult relationships.

This program, founded by Bangor teacher Maria Brountas and the late Barbara Eames, is partially funded by a grant from the Children’s Miracle Network.

Adults who accompany children to the bereavement support sessions meet with their own group for the same time period.

If you or a family you know could benefit from this program, call Boyle at 973-8269.

Randi Slusher is a member of the fifth grade at Olinda Elementary School in Brea, Calif.

She is doing a report on our state, and is “looking for information you won’t find in an encyclopedia,” she writes of contributions she hopes “will give me an insight about the state, businesses in the state, and the people who live there.

“Pictures and posters would be fine, too,” she writes.

If you can help this youngster prepare a most original state report, please reply to Randi Slusher, Olinda Elementary School, 109 Lilac Lane, Brea, Calif., 92823.

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

990-8288.