Although Ricker College in Houlton officially closed its doors in 1978, many of its legacies live on through its graduates and the people of the communities Ricker served.

Ricker’s arts legacy, for example, continues in the nonprofit Houlton Children’s Theatre.

Ann Barnes and Lissa Thompson serve as HCT co-directors.

Barnes explained that former Ricker College students founded Houlton Children’s Theatre and, when the college closed, “interested people in the community took it over.”

HCT, which is “theater by children for children,” Barnes said, is now celebrating its 31st year.

The company is open to young people between the ages of 8 and 18.

“In fact, we just had auditions and we had 25 kids try out,” Barnes said. “We took them all.”

Under the direction of Barnes and Thompson, the youngsters already are in rehearsal, preparing to appear in “The Golden Grotto,” which is also known as “Bracko the Prince Frog,” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at Houlton Christian Academy.

And while the co-directors and performers are preparing for the show, other HCT supporters are working hard to raise funds to support the work of the organization.

HCT, Barnes said, “depends solely on volunteer support and contributions from the community.”

“We are not affiliated with any other organization,” she said.

To help meet its performing expenses and fulfill its financial needs, a fund-raising campaign has just gotten under way.

“We’re in the first step right now,” Barnes said of letters that have been mailed to selected local businesses. “If we get a good enough response from this, then we won’t have to do more.”

The next step, she explained, would be contacting members of the community to help HCT meet its needs.

The 2001 fund-raising goal is $4,000.

The group would like to raise that amount “because we have purchased some lighting, and we would like to get more,” Barnes said. “Also, we are now renting a space for our costumes.

“We had been keeping our wardrobe in people’s homes, but people keep moving, so we have rented a storage space that will be an expense in addition to the expenses for the play,” which are in the neighborhood of $1,000, Barnes said.

HCT has taken a unique approach to its fund raising, one that should be greatly appreciated by local businesses and individuals.

“We would like to have a campaign every other year,” Barnes explained, “and, if you contributed this year, we would go to a different list the next time and not ask you twice in a row.”

So, if your business receives a request in the mail for help in the HCT 2001 fund-raising campaign, we urge you to respond immediately, and generously.

Make your commitment now, and then make plans for the next one down the road.

In the meantime, 25 enthusiastic local performers are in rehearsal, preparing to entertain young people in a production that is just for them.

If you have not been contacted for a contribution to HCT and would like to be part of this marvelous community tradition, you can send a donation to HCT treasurer Glynn Porter, 448 Drews Lake Road, New Limerick 04761.

If you would like information about the Houlton Children’s Theatre, call Barnes at 532-3556.

Our Thursday morning mail provided an update on registration information for the free legal education program sponsored by Families and Children Together of Bangor, known as FACT.

The program, for relatives who are raising children not their own, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 24, at the FACT office, 16 Penn Plaza, Bangor.

The original deadline to register for the program was Friday, March 16, but Barbara Kates of FACT has written to report that the registration deadline is extended “to early next week.”

If you would like to take advantage of a free legal education program to learn more about the legal system in regard to guardianship, adoption and child protective proceedings, call 941-2347 or (800) 833-9786 by next week.

Gabrielle Russell of Auburn, a dean’s list student majoring in architecture at Tulane University in New Orleans, has been named Maine’s Cherry Blossom Princess for the 2001 National Cherry Blossom Festival to be held March 31-April 5 in Washington, D.C.

Chosen by the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., the Maine Princess is the daughter of Ronald and Doris Russell and the fourth Maine Princess from Auburn.

To celebrate the blossoming of the cherry trees that were presented to the United States by Japan in 1912, and which have since become a major attraction in our nation’s capital, the city plays host to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, sponsored by the National Conference of State Societies and other civic organizations.

Since the 1948 festival, member organizations have selected and sponsored princesses who represent their respective states and territories in the D.C. festival.

Each year, one queen is chosen by a spin of the “Wheel of States” to represent the United States, her state, and the National Conference in Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

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