Besides the balloon she will send aloft in memory of her own son, Lisa Champney of Hermon will send up balloons for anyone who cannot attend the first Memorial Balloon Lift in memory of her son, Ryan Matarazzo, who committed suicide in May of last year.

The first such event sponsored by Ryan’s Hope Organization is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Ohio Street in Bangor.

Everyone is invited to attend this celebration of life for survivors of suicide.

Family members and friends are encouraged to share memories or read a poem that is special to them, and bring a helium-filled balloon to participate in the lift.

Champney said those attending can attach their own messages for their loved one, as she will be doing for her son, and for those survivors unable to attend.

The Rev. Kevin Holsapple of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bangor will say a prayer, and the balloons will be released at the end of the memorial service.

The mission of the Ryan’s Hope Organization, according to Champney, is “community prevention for teen-age suicide.”

The idea of a balloon lift for Ryan’s Hope came from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Champney explained.

“Basically, we just have the hope that they will drift toward heaven,” she said while recognizing that at some point, the balloons and the notes will drop to earth where they may be found.

To learn more about the work of Ryan’s Hope, and Champney’s effort to prevent teen suicide, call her at 848-5509, or e-mail ryanshopeorg@aol.com.

Donations to help support this new organization, which is in the process of obtaining tax-free status, can be sent to Ryan’s Hope Organization, c/o Bangor Savings Bank, P.O. Box 2805, Bangor 04402-2805.

It’s time, once again, for that great baby fair sponsored by the Jubilation Ringers Bell Choir of Hampden Methodist Church.

The Baby Fair is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 19, at the Hampden Academy Gymnasium.

“This year, we have more than 60 different tables, which is nice, because we have a lot more people selling,” said Tami Campbell of the sponsoring organization.

“We have pretty much everything you need in the line of baby clothing, furniture and equipment, games and toys, and lots of youth items as well,” Campbell added.

If you have questions about the event, call Wendy Holden at 862-6496.

Susan Rizza, secretary of the Winterport Historical Association, wrote that the organization is hosting its annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 19, at the WHA facility on U.S. Route 1A in Winterport.

According to Rizza, the WHA is located to the right of the Union Meeting House.

The WHA plant sale offers “a varied collection of perennials, and some shrubs,” she added, which “is a big fund-raiser for us,” and helps fund the various activities the WHA sponsors as well as maintaining its museum collection.

Members of state law enforcement agencies are in the process of raising funds for Maine Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics fund-raisers are scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Wal-Mart stores in Bangor, Palmyra, Ellsworth and Lincoln.

Many different activities are scheduled for each site, but in Bangor you can watch a Maine State Police K-9 demonstration and see a Maine Air National Guard Humvee. You also can get your boat checked by the Maine Warden Service and have your child’s fingerprints taken by the Bangor Police Department.

In Palmyra, you can see a police bike patrol display and take a ride in a police cruiser. You also can take a chance on winning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

In Ellsworth and Lincoln, you can have your child-safety seat inspected, get your car washed and eat food from concession stands.

With a variety of other activities at each location, you can help raise money for the Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run, which last year raised more than $105,000 for Special Olympics.

The Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run – the “Flame of Hope” – concludes Friday, June 15, at the Special Olympic Summer Games at the University of Maine in Orono.

Donations will be accepted at the Saturday events.

A benefit supper for Conrad Marsh of Brunswick and his 3-month-old son, Jacob Marsh, is planned for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Guilford Masonic Lodge on Hudson Avenue in Guilford.

The supper includes baked beans, casseroles, coleslaw, rolls and pies.

All donations will help defray medical costs incurred during the terminal illness of 30-year-old Julie Read-Marsh, who died Saturday, May 5, of metastatic melanoma.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to make a donation to help the young father and son, you can make checks payable to Conrad Marsh and leave them at Davis Brothers Furniture Store in Guilford, or mail them to Tony Davis, P.O. Box 206, Guilford 04443.

According to information in her obituary, donations also can be made to the Jacob Marsh Educational Fund, Bangor Savings Bank, Belfast 04915.

Further information can be obtained by calling Estella Bennett at 564-2222.

Rich Kimball and Clayton Smith are co-directing the upcoming Brewer Youth Theatre performance of “Li’l Abner,” which begins at 7 p.m. Friday, May 18; Saturday, May 19; Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, at Brewer Middle School.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

The 75-member cast includes kindergarten pupils to high school seniors, and stars Chris Rodway as Li’l Abner and Megan Fraser as Daisy Mae.

Remember that these highly popular productions usually are sold out, so get there early if you want a seat.

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