Although a couple thousand Mainers will be walking an average of five miles on one day to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research, one Maine man with Bangor connections will walk more than 2,000 miles over five to seven months for the same cause.

Registration can be made right up to the day of the 2001 Maine MS Walk, which is set for Sunday, April 22, at various locations.

BJ Bangs of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Maine Chapter’s office in Portland reports that Ellsworth is the newest addition to the list of communities hosting an MS walk in 2001.

Keeping with a tradition begun 12 years ago, seven MS walks will be held in eastern Maine in addition to walks in Augusta, Lewiston-Auburn, South Portland, Brunswick, Sanford and York.

All walks will take place Sunday, April 22, with one exception.

Individuals or teams of four can register for the 2001 MS Walk from 8 to 10 a.m. at Newman Gymnasium in Bangor; 8-10 a.m. at Warsaw Middle School in Pittsfield; 8-10 a.m. at Camden-Rockport Middle School; 1-2 p.m. at Cary Medical Center in Caribou; and noon-2 p.m. at Ellsworth Middle School.

Registration for the Eastport walk is noon-2 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at the Youth Center.

“Monies from the walk go towards research, and this past year the Food and Drug Administration did approve one new drug, Novantrone, which was previously used to treat cancer,” Bangs said, “so the research is moving along at quite a rate. Some good things are happening, although not fast enough.”

Last year’s walks raised $345,000, and Bangs said the event is the largest fund-raiser for the Maine Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Rest stops will offer walkers free food and beverages. Walkers also have an opportunity to earn prizes, and all enjoy a festive finish-line celebration.

If you want to preregister, or receive more information, call walk manager Jean Spaulding at (800) 639-1330 or visit www.msmaine.org.

In the meantime, maybe you’d like to help 29-year-old Aaron James “AJ” Whitney of Limington raise funds for MS while he hikes the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Later this month, Whitney will fly to Atlanta and head for Springer Mountain, where he will journey several months before ending his hike atop Mount Katahdin.

Whitney is walking in honor of his uncle, 66-year-old Anthony Vafiades of Bangor, who was diagnosed with MS about three years ago.

While Bangs said it is not unusual for people “to go off and do individual events, such as a bake sale or car wash, and send the proceeds to us,” it is not often that someone hikes the Appalachian Trail for MS.

Vafiades is deeply moved by his nephew’s commitment to help raise funds for MS research.

“I can’t explain it,” he said. “It’s such a magnanimous gesture.”

A member of the Bangor Lodge of Elks, Vafiades said when he learned of his nephew’s plans, he asked the Maine State Elks Association to make a donation of $500.

Instead, Vafiades said, they gave $1,000, which pleased him very much.

Vafiades also recommends people visit his nephew’s Web site at www.hikeforacure.org, not just because it provides information on how to help support Whitney’s quest, but because it’s a very exciting and attractive Web site, he said.

Donations for the 2001 Appalachian Train MS Walk can be sent to Whitney’s mother, Nancy Whitney, 91 Alehson St., Rye, N.H. 03870, or you can call 603-436-1333 for more information.

Anyone who wants to contact Whitney on the trail can e-mail ajwhitney@pobox.com.

Door prizes and a bake sale will be part of “Storytelling and Shared Reading by Mrs. Wishy-Washy,” beginning at 10:15 a.m. today at Central Middle School in Corinth.

The event is a benefit for the family of Scott and Sherry Chesley Blanchard of Corinth, whose daughter is coping with a serious illness.

Local children’s book author Mrs. Wishy-Washy has books published by the Wright Group of McGraw Hill. This will be an opportunity for lots of youngsters to hear her stories and meet her in person.

I was told that while her true identity can’t be given out, Mrs. Wishy-Washy is a character in a book who is “larger than life.”

People attending the event also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction for a dining room table.

People seeking a delicious evening should plan to attend Springfest at 6 tonight at Stodder Commons on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.

Featuring food from around the world, Springfest is sponsored by the International Student Association and the Office of International Programs. Admission is $5 for students and $7 for members of the public.

Binaye Acharya of Nepal said members of the international student community are preparing treats from their native lands.

He will be offering “momos,” which he described as being “like a minced chicken, steamed and wrapped in flour. It’s pretty delicious.”

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