Good Shepherd Food Bank of Lewiston and Catholic Charities Maine in Caribou need an army of willing volunteers to glean the broccoli offered by Smith Farms of Presque Isle.

Broccoli gleaning for food pantries and soup kitchens served by Good Shepherd will be held in The County at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept 15.

Signs to guide you to the specific site will be posted along Route 1A about five miles south of Fort Fairfield.

The signs will bring people right to the “particular spot” to be gleaned, reports Bill Huston, warehouse manager of CCM-Caribou, who is coordinating the gleaning for Good Shepherd.

The gleaning will take place rain or shine.

Huston said snacks and beverages will be provided but if you plan to stay all day, you should bring your own lunch.

Volunteers need not sign up for any particular shift and may come and go as they please.

“We have no hours,” Huston said. “People are welcome to come any time and leave any time. We just need their help, because we’re hoping to get at least two tractor- trailer loads of broccoli.”

Jo Ann Pike, executive director of Good Shepherd, called to tell me about the gleaning, which greatly benefits poor people who can’t afford fresh produce, she said. “It’s been such a successful project, we’d like to keep it going. Because of the cooperation of all parties involved, we can get fresh broccoli to every corner of the state. I believe it’s the largest gleaning project in the state of Maine.”

Pike explained that the broccoli is put on ice, “and distributed to the needy, literally, from Aroostook to York counties.”

Huston is looking forward to working with you on Saturday.

“People just need to show up,” he said. “But if they want more information, they can call me during the week at 498-2575.”

Finders Keepers, a used furniture store in Old Town, is sponsoring a benefit auction for the family of the late Lori Willette Pete of Bradley.

The auction begins at 6 tonight at the Old Town Knights of Columbus Hall.

Lori Pete died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 31 on Thursday, July 19.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Pete, and two daughters, Makayla and Allissa.

Evelyn Cram and Julie Carter are organizing the event to benefit the children.

Cram said that among the donated items for the auction are certificates from local merchants as well as gift certificates for 100 gallons of oil from three different oil companies.

Also up for bid will be two original watercolors by the late Charles Baiungo. The paintings are appraised at $1,950.

If you are unable to attend the auction, but would like to help the Pete family, call Cram at 827-9431.

Contributions in Lori Pete’s memory can also be made to an educational fund to benefit her daughters in care of University Credit Union, Rangeley Road, University of Maine, Orono 04469-5779.

A few openings still remain for golfers who would like to participate in the Fourth Annual Phillips-Strickland Golf Tournament.

The event, which benefits the facility for the elderly in Bangor, begins with registration at 11:30 a.m. and tee-off at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

That location is the big news for this year’s tournament, according to Phillips-Strickland executive director Nelson Durgin.

“PVCC has a new clubhouse and an upgraded course,” he said. “Everything is in tip-top shape, and [club pro] Colin Gillis has been working with us to make this a really great event.”

Helping oversee the tournament with Durgin and Gillis are Phillips-Strickland board members and/or corporators Sarah Clark, Jane Shubert, Barbara Gibson, Bob Chase and Mike McInnis.

Durgin said the tournament features lots of prizes in addition to the golf prizes and the opportunity to play the PVCC course.

“We have 100 registered and we can take a few more,” he added. “We want to be sure to get anybody we might have missed.”

The tournament is four-player scramble format, and the entry fee is $65 per person.

“That includes the greens fee, cart, food, prizes and gifts,” Durgin said. “A barbecue will be served on the course, and an hors d’oeuvres reception follows with the awards ceremony.”

Durgin said the event has been “a good fund-raiser for us. All the money goes back into providing direct services for the elderly who live at Phillips-Strickland.”

To support that effort and to have the chance to play PVCC, you can register by calling Durgin at 941-2820.

The Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., is seeking candidates for Maine’s Cherry Blossom Princess to represent Maine and the Society in the 55th Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival March 31-April 6, 2002, in Washington, D.C.

An applicant must be at least 19, but not have reached her 25th birthday prior to the end of the festival.

Maine natives or individuals with strong Maine connections will be considered.

Applicants should be at least high school graduates, have never been married, and be knowledgeable about Maine

They must also be available for the entire festival week.

Festival information and applications are available from the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., 3434 Upside Court, Falls Church, Va. 220-4019 or by calling 703-237-1031.

Applications and required supporting documents must be received no later than Saturday, Dec. 1.

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