This unusual request can only be described as a long shot but, you know what? I think it has a chance.

Wallace Landahl of Carroll Plantation is hoping someone who is planning to sail the western Caribbean, and particularly plans to visit Jamaica, will do him and his wife a great favor.

The couple recently won a trip to Jamaica.

While they were there, thoroughly enjoying themselves “at the gratis of winning a prize,” he explained, they couldn’t help notice “how bad the economy is.”

During their stay, they took a tour. At one museum stop, Landahl decided he wasn’t interested in going inside, so he meandered about the outside and struck up a conversation with “the young man who took us on the tour,” Landahl said.

Coincidentally, when the Landahls were preparing to leave Jamaica, that young man “happened to be the driver who took us to our flight,” Landahl said.

“And I got to know him long enough to know I liked him,” Landahl added.

One of the things the Mainer learned about his new Jamaican friend is that he has a 7-year-old daughter who is just learning the computer and she keeps asking her daddy if she can have one.

But the father said there is simply no way he can afford to buy a computer for his daughter, Landahl said.

“As it happens, we have a computer that is 5 to 6 years old, that doesn’t have a lot of value here,” Landahl said. “I thought we could package it up and send it to the little girl in Jamaica.”

Ten he began calling around and discovered it would cost, with taxes, nearly $600 to ship the computer to Jamaica.

“I am willing to pay something to get it there,” Landahl said, “but that’s too much.”

So he’s just wondering if someone is sailing in that direction, could they possibly take this computer on board and deliver it to Jamaica.

“I’d be willing to bring it anywhere if someone can take it,” Landahl said.

This is a most unusual request.

But people do sail to Jamaica, and it does have possibilities.

If you or someone you know is headed in that direction and would love to help make a 7-year-old girl very happy, give Landahl a call at 738-4052, e-mail him at yesdear@midmaine.com or write him at 2195 Main Road, Carroll Plantation 04487.

This Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 12, is the last opportunity World War II veterans will have to reserve a Maine maple walking stick through Cole Land Transportation Museum of Bangor.

World War II veterans can reserve their sticks at the Brewer-to-Bangor parade, which begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Brewer Shopping Center off Wilson Street.

Reservations can be made with museum staff beginning at 8:15 a.m. at Advance Auto Parts next to the shopping center.

Those who register are guaranteed that a walking stick will be ready for them during the World War II Veterans Memorial commemoration at the Cole museum on Monday, May 27, 2002.

Buses will be provided for veterans needing to ride the parade route on Monday.

Groups and individuals are encouraged to participate in the first Evergreen Bowlathon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Evergreen Lanes in Loring.

A high school sophomore and Lifeline Emergency Response are the beneficiaries of funds raised during the Bowlathon.

Presque Isle Kiwanis and The Aroostook Medical Center Health Group are hosting the event, which will help raise funds for a handicapped-accessible van for Adam McDonald, an active teen who has muscular dystrophy.

Lifeline Emergency Response serves nearly 400 elderly and disabled people from Allagash to Island Falls.

A pendant around their necks or on their wrists can be pushed and automatically places a call for assistance.

To sign up for the Bowlathon, call Penni Wilson in TAMC Administration, 768-4017.

Tickets are available for those who want to attend the Bangor YMCA’s fourth annual auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Bangor Inn and Conference Center on Hogan Road in Bangor.

Master of ceremonies Dick Cattelle also will serve as auctioneer, and local Maine humorist Joe Bennett will make a special appearance.

The admission donation is $15 per person.

Tickets are available at the Bangor YMCA, 127 Hammond St., or by calling 941-2815.

The evening includes not only the live auction, but raffles and a silent auction as well.

Raffle items include an Old Town Canoe kayak package, two golf packages and YMCA memberships.

In the silent auction you will find Stephen King books, restaurant gift certificates and two, round-trip Amtrak passes from Portland to Boston.

Dinner, catered by Paul’s Restaurant, will be served at 6:30 p.m. Cattelle starts the live bidding at 7:30 p.m.

Bidders will vie for a trip for two to Savannah, Ga., donated by Bonnie Sawyer; a classic jukebox with music donated by Canteen Service Co., flights to New York from Main One Travel and an arcade-style pinball machine donated by Lloyd Willey.

Also up for bid are airline passes from Comair; four tires donated by Jim McCurdy, and Sugarloaf golf and University of Maine hockey and basketball packages.

Attendees also will be able to bid on a Dale Earnhardt racing jacket donated by Village Car Co. and a motorized go-cart from Bennett’s Recreational Sports.

Last year’s auction raised more than $18,000, which helped expand programs and offer new opportunities for the YMCA.

Proceeds from this year’s auction will be used to develop programs that benefit Greater Bangor young people.

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