More area artists than ever before are participating in the sixth annual Show & Sale sponsored by “designing women” and set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, in the conference room at the Holiday Inn-Civic Center, 500 Main St. in Bangor.

All proceeds from your $2 donation at the door will benefit YWCA Bangor-Brewer programs for girls at risk. Representatives of those programs will be at the event.

Cindy Barnes of Alton, who creates lightweight, hand-painted paper jewelry, told me that because of previous associations with the YWCA, such as helping support its Caring Connections programs, “it was natural to turn to the YWCA again this year, to ask where our help is needed.”

The group known as “designing women,” founded in 1991, is made up of professional artisans who try to make a positive difference by connecting with other nonprofits that directly benefit girls and-or women in the community.

Although this is the sixth fund-raiser in our area, the organization has sponsored similar fund-raisers in the Portland area for more than a decade, Barnes said.

Locally, “designing women” also has supported United Sisters, rape crisis programs, efforts to eradicate breast cancer, and domestic abuse shelters and programs.

Among the artisans participating this year are Iceland native Kris Whitney of Bangor, with hand-painted objects reflecting her homeland; quilt artist Janyce Boynton of Orono, and Amy Jones of Old Town, who creates scented and handmade natural soaps.

Newcomers to the event are Lynn Winter of Sebec with her hand-knitted and felt items, Jo Eaton of Old Town with one-of-a-kind hats and Andrea Delano of Gardiner with her aromatherapy products.

Among the “designing women” returning to the Show & Sale are Kathie Pratt of Seal Cove, Michelle Henning of Harpswell, Janice Jones of Bradford, Jennifer Miller of Bernard and Lisa Clement of Portland.

You also will be able to select from jewelry created by Barnes, Regina Grabrovac of Machias and Dolores Broberg of Portland.

If you would like more information about this show and sale, or about “designing women,” call Barnes at 394-2303 or Jones at 327-1462.

Although today is actually Halloween, members of the East Orrington Congregational Church want you to think “Sugarplum Fair.”

That event begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, with a Lobster Roll and Fish Chowder Supper at the church on Johnson Mill Road.

The Sugarplum Fair is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, and includes crafts, woodcrafts, baked goods, candy and fudge booths.

Ministry program coordinator Maryann Flewelling reports that a flu clinic will be available 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the fair, and after the Sunday morning worship service.

The annual craft fair sponsored by The Sunshine Club for Children is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at the Anah Shrine Hall, 586 Main St. in Bangor.

Fair committee member Connie Lozier reports that the fund-raiser enables the club to assist with transportation and housing of a child and one parent to the Shriners Hospital in Boston or the burn unit in Springfield, Mass.

Through Sept. 30 this year, transportation chairwoman Eula Littlefield has assisted 44 patients.

The cost for this ground transportation only, to date, is between $10,000 and $12,000.

Serving as coordinators for this year’s fair are Cynthia Fielding and Maggie Hill who believe they have brought together a group of crafters who will, most definitely, please any holiday shopper.

Admission is free, and you can purchase a homemade lunch as well as pies or snacks.

Lozier has created a quilt, “Floral Tiles,” to be raffled, and nearly 50 booths will be filled with crafts of all kinds.

From our Pittsfield bureau comes word that the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge is hosting a dinner and dance to benefit the Togus VA Medical Center.

A dinner of stuffed Cornish game hen, potato and vegetables will be served 6-8 p.m. and the dance, featuring recorded music with Dan Graf, will follow from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Lodge, 21 Silver St. in Skowhegan.

The donation is $10 per person, and more information can be obtained by calling the lodge at 474-3111.

Publicly, the late John Bacon was a man of few words.

Getting a quote from him, for print, was like pulling teeth.

“Just write something, Joni, and put my name to it,” he’d joke.

I wouldn’t do that and he knew it, so he’d kindly give me what I needed.

John was 71 when he died this week, after a recent diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Those who knew and loved John understand that he would eschew any accolades used to describe him after his death, but all such words are well-deserved.

The private John Bacon was a man of simple tastes who disliked pomp and circumstance, fuss and folderol.

If he could, he’d “eschew” those “accolades” right out the door!

John was a devoted family man, businessman, citizen, friend and sportsman.

To his wife, Sandra, his daughters and their families; his sisters Jane and Carolyn, and her daughters, my sincerest condolences.

In John’s honor, I conclude my few words by saying it was my privilege to know him for more than 30 years, and I will dearly miss him.

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