The experience of being an AmeriCorps*VISTA worker with United Way of Eastern Maine was such a rewarding one for former Caribou resident Channa Jackson that she extended her commitment to two years rather than the one year required of her.

“I chose to renew,” she said of staying with the program and working for the UWEM Greater Bangor Communities for Children program.

“I would recommend it to anyone,” she said of taking advantage of this opportunity.

AmeriCorps*VISTA is a Corporation for National Service program in which individuals commit to a year of full-time service working with anti-poverty and community development programs.

Benefits include an annual stipend of $9,492, a $4,725 education grant, health care coverage, child care allowance, student loan deferment, and special “noncompetitive” eligibility for federal employment.

Jackson’s position shortly will become available, and UWEM is seeking her replacement.

She said that while the money one earns may appear minimal, interested individuals should not be deterred from applying because of what is gained from the experience.

“You do work full-time,” Jackson said. “It is 40 hours, but I’ve been a Jill-of-all-trades here at United Way. I’ve helped on the fund-raising campaign, and filled in different areas. This is the best place to work, if you truly want to get involved with the community.”

The UWEM Communities for Children program is a grass-roots community effort supported by the governor’s office to improve the life chances of children in our area.

If you are interested in learning more about this AmeriCorps*VISTA position, call UWEM at 941-2800, or log on to www.unitedwayem.org.

Jackson’s slot is not the only AmeriCorps*VISTA position you might think about.

Statewide, Jackson said, “there are 40 full-time and 20 associate positions available.”

People working in AmeriCorps*VISTA programs elsewhere in the state “might run a teen center, create mentoring programs, do grant writing, or facilitate youth leadership councils,” Jackson said.

One does need a high school diploma to join the program but other than that, she said, “you just need a good personality and be able to work in this type of environment.”

Jackson urges anyone interested in gaining work experience in his or her community to contact Denise Riebman, the VISTA project supervisor, at her office in Augusta.

Riebman’s telephone number is 287-4341.

The United Vets Motorcycle Club of Houlton, together with Community Living Association, is sponsoring its first Easter Egg Hunt for area children at Miller Arena on Saturday, April 14, in Houlton.

UVMC president Rusty Watson writes the organizations needs prizes or gift certificates to put in the eggs for the children to find.

A cookout precedes the Easter Egg Hunt and, for children who want them, bike rides will come after the event.

If you are able to contribute prizes for the youngsters to find, that contribution would be greatly appreciated.

For more information, call Watson at 532-2802, or Bruce Scott at 532-9446, Ext. 44.

Did you attend the University of Maine at Fort Kent?

Have you received its most recent edition of the alumni newsletter, “The Bell Tower”?

If you did not get your newsletter, perhaps that is because you are counted among the “lost alumni” UMFK is unable to locate.

The publication contains photos and information about campus happenings and events. A section of class notes is printed twice a year.

Those who did receive the newsletter should check out the list of names of missing alumni.

If you have information about anyone on that list, you are asked to call the university relations and alumni services office at 834-7557.

One reason many alumni may be “missing” is that they have not notified the alumni office of address changes related to the Emergency 911 system now in place.

If you have not received a copy of the newsletter, and you would like one, you are encouraged to call the number listed above.

“Do You Know What Your Children Are Listening To?”

That is the question being asked, and the name of the program being offered, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Veazie Community School.

Co-sponsored by the University of Maine chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and the Veazie PTO with support from Merrill Merchants Bank, the program features Bangor Police Department Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer Dan Frazell.

Frazell has traveled the country giving his presentation to a variety of groups from parents to police officers.

Frazell brings to you his concern about the tenor of the lyrics prevalent in today’s rock and rap music, the hidden messages that our children are exposed to through music and television, and the effect it has upon those who hear and see it.

Participants must be at least 18 years old to attend, and there is no fee for the program.

You can register with Carol Duffy, 1108 Shore Road, Lamoine 04605 or through the Internet at cakd@acadia.net.

Refreshments will be available, door prizes will be awarded, certificates of participation will be available and, for a $5 fee, you can earn 0.5 Continuing Education Units.

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