For 15 years, the Penobscot Valley Ski Club has been sponsoring the Caribou Bog Ski Race and Tour, which now includes a children’s tour.

This year, Cadillac Mountain Sports joins PVSC members in sponsoring the event, which begins with registration at 9 a.m. and the race at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Essex Woods on outer Essex Street in Bangor.

The event benefits Shaw House, a teen homeless shelter in Bangor, and will help with the development of cross-country ski trails in Bangor.

PVSC member Pat Cammack hopes everyone will participate in the event, which offers “something that can include your whole family.”

The classical-style, 18-kilometer course starts at the bottom of Essex Street Hill and finishes at Sargent School in Stillwater.

Transportation will be provided back to Bangor.

Gift certificates will be presented to the fastest overall man and woman, age group awards will be presented and free T-shirts given to the first 100 entries.

The entry fee is $15 for adults and $10 for people under the age of 18. The maximum that will be charged, per family, is $30.

The free Children’s Tour is for youngsters age 12 and under, and will be conducted on a supervised, 1-mile loop course starting at 1:30 p.m. at Sargent School.

A parent must be available for support for the classical-style tour. Awards will be given all starters.

Cammack is pleased that this year there will be plenty of snow for the race, and reminds cross-country ski enthusiasts that, not only is this a fun event, but “it is for a worthy cause.” Two worthy causes, in fact!

Additional information can be obtained by writing Caribou Bog Tour, P.O. Box 873, Bangor 04401; calling 941-5670, days, or 825-3230 evenings; or at pmillard@adelphia.net.

Entry forms are available at the PVSC Web site, www.pvskiclub.org, where you will also find out all you want to know about the Penobscot Valley Ski Club and its programs.

Last year, members of the George Stevens Academy National Honor Society in Blue Hill sold 3,000 carnations for Valentine’s Day and, this year, they hope to sell even more.

Today is the last day you can place your order for the flowers, which sell for 75 cents each, three for $2 or $7.50 a dozen.

Flower orders can be placed by any parent, student or academy friend by calling 374-2808 and asking for Bonnie Cooper.

Funds raised through the Valentine flower sale support community service activities of the school’s NHS.

And for those who don’t know or might have forgotten, the NHS students remind you that, when it comes to flowers for Valentine’s Day, red is for true love, pink is for friendship and white is for secret admirer!

Victoria Kane, administrative assistant for the Ethnic Studies Programs at the University of Maine in Orono, reminds readers that you are invited to participate in Franco American Month at the university.

Among the upcoming events you may choose to take advantage of are a concert appearance by Franco-American singer and songwriter Josee Vachon at 7 p.m. today at Minsky Hall, Class of 1944 Hall, on the UMaine campus. Tickets are $5 at the door.

For more information about two Mardi Gras seatings, featuring performer Joel Morneault at 4:30 and 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at York Dining Commons on the Orono campus, contact Susan Little at 581-4959.

Rhea Cote Robbins will read recent works at noon Monday, Feb. 18, in Soderberg Center of Jenness Hall on the UMaine campus.

“Elder Fire,” sponsored by The Maine Poetry & Story Exchange, is at 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, in the Estabrooke Hall Lounge. “Elder Fire” is a fireside presentation featuring Marie Therese Beaudet Martin, who will be reading her own poetry and her husband’s poetry.

A panel discussion of “Franco American History: In Memory of Robert LeBlanc,” will be presented 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in Soderberg Center at Jenness Hall.

Franco American Month is sponsored by the Franco-American Centre, Franco American Studies, Association Canado-Americaine and the Cultural Affairs Committee at UMaine.

For more information, call the Franco-American Centre, 581-3764, or the Franco American Studies program at 581-4450.

When I first learned that Bangor attorney and old friend David Bower had contracted cancer, I prayed that he would be counted among the long-term survivors of this insidious disease.

It was not to be.

Diagnosed five years ago, he died this week at the age of 54, and I am deeply saddened.

A loving family man and generous community member, David was one of the few people who never seemed to age.

Perhaps it was that twinkle in his eyes or that ready, kindly smile of his, but more likely, it was that darned crew cut he refused to give up that kept him looking so much younger than his years.

Of course, when his haircut came back into style, he became a trendsetter!

To Carolyn and their children; his parents, John and Millie Bower, and their family; and to David’s dear friends, I extend my heartfelt sympathy.

He was a really good guy who died too young, and he will be missed.

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