Considering how unfavorably many people – especially those with young children – are viewing our “spring” weather, it’s a sure bet they will be thrilled to know about a free, indoor fair this weekend.

“Child and Parent Day 2001” is a day of family fun sponsored by the Waldo County Child and Parent Council in cooperation with many organizations and businesses.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast.

WCCPC director Patrick Walsh looks forward to greeting everyone.

He hopes that as many as 600 people will attend the fair, which is now in its 13th year. “We usually have about half kids and half adults,” he said.

With support from Dutch Chevrolet, People for People, the Maine Nutrition Network, Belfast Coop Store, Shop ‘n Save and many individual volunteers, the day features entertainment, food, balloons, music and dance.

Walsh describes Deb Matthews Hensley of Freedom as “a performer of some repute” whose “Little Debbie and the Snack Cakes” band specializes in folk-bluegrass music.

Lisa Newcomb of Belfast Dance Studio has “a long history of teaching and performing,” Walsh said of the dancer who specializes in “the African and Caribbean mode.”

Walsh has asked Newcomb, who will be accompanied by Jeff Densmore, “to get everybody up doing a line dance.”

Ed Morris of Yarmouth, a well-known local balloon artist, will entertain the children.

And then there’s the magician.

“Every year, we try to include some youth as entertainers, and this year it’s 17-year-old magician Brain Rogers of Brooks,” Walsh said.

Also doing their part to make this a wonderful day will be “Kids on the Block Puppeteers” of Searsport Middle School, under the direction of teacher Jenny Johnson.

Representatives of Kelmscott Farms will bring a newborn lamb or two. Birdsacre Sanctuary will bring live owls. The Pulp and Paper Resource Council will teach the art of making your own paper and many other craft activities will keep everyone busy.

Responding to requests of those who have attended this event in the past, a special “toddler room” will have activities for the littlest ones.

“It’s all free,” Walsh reiterated, “and, this year, we received a grant from the Maine Nutrition Network, so we will be giving away good, nutritious food prepared by MSAD 34 food service, which will have lots of vegetable entrees.”

It sounds like a great time for everyone with terrific entertainment, creative things to do and good food to eat. And, best of all, it’s free.

If you have questions about this event, or about the programs offered by Waldo County Child and Parent Council, call 338-2200, Ext. 109.

Veteran auctioneer Ray Rogers presides over the HealthReach Retired & Senior Volunteer Program’s fourth annual auction beginning with item viewing at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Universalist-Unitarian Church on the corner of Elm and Silver streets in Waterville.

The auction begins at 7 p.m.

A benefit for HealthReach RSVP, the auction features antiques, new and nearly new furniture and other items, gift certificates, a door prize and refreshments.

Ruth Saint Amand of HealthReach RSVP invites the public to attend, free of charge, and hopes you will bid and buy.

For more information about the auction, or the activities of HealthReach RSVP, call 873-1127, 626-3430 or 474-3191.

In recognition of April 1-7 as National Library Week, Altrusa International of Bangor is hosting a reception for librarians representing 31 Bangor area schools from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. today in the Husson Faculty Dining Room on the campus of Husson College in Bangor.

During the reception, each librarian will be presented the book he or she requested Altrusa donate this year.

Altrusan Margaret Brown of Orrington wants students to know the organization has three scholarships available.

Altrusa offers a $1,000 scholarship to a Maine woman enrolled in a degree-granting program at Husson College in Bangor.

The club also awards a $1,000 scholarship to a Maine woman enrolled in a degree-granting program at any college within a 25-mile radius of Bangor.

In addition, the organization awards the $1,000 Ruth Milan Altrusa International Inc. of Bangor Scholarship to a student enrolled in the Husson-Eastern Maine Medical Center nursing program.

Altrusa scholarship applications are available in the financial aid offices of qualifying colleges. Applications must be received by Monday, April 30.

You can also apply for an Altrusa scholarship, or receive more information, by e-mail at http://www.altrusa-bangor.com/index.cfm?area=Scholarships.

Don Muth of Hampden dropped by the office to provide information for individuals or families who might be considering adopting a pet.

The Hampden VFW and Ladies Auxiliary and the Bangor Humane Society are sponsoring a “Small Animal Adoption Clinic for Dogs and Cats” from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Hampden VFW Post on Canoe Club Road in Hampden.

If you are thinking of adopting a dog or cat, here’s your chance to learn how to go about it, and an opportunity to see some of the pets the BHS has available for adoption.

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