Known in this country as Lou Gehrig’s disease in memory of the star baseball player for the New York Yankees who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1941 at the age of 38, ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness resulting in paralysis, according to the ALS Web site.

And while there is no cure for the disease, much research is being conducted and ALS awareness is certainly on the rise.

Wayne Moore, a licensed clinical social worker at Neurology Associates of Eastern Maine in Bangor, called me this week to report that he is organizing a Bangor ALS Support Group.

Moore explained that “the only other ALS support group in Maine is offered in Augusta.”

But Neurology Associates has a number of patients with ALS “who live even as far north as Aroostook County,” he added.

For those with the disease, and those who care for them, traveling such distances to attend support group meetings can be difficult, which is why Moore believes a definite need exists for an ALS support group in this part of Maine.

That is why he is holding the first meeting of the Bangor ALS Support Group 1-3 p.m. Friday, March 15, at OHI, 25 Freedom Park in Hermon.

The topics for discussion are simple and straightforward: “Getting to know your facilitator,” who is Moore, and “deciding on future topics of information.”

The meeting site is being provided by OHI, and the building and conference rooms are handicapped-accessible.

To reach OHI, take Interstate 395 West, which becomes Hammond Street and Route 2.

At the traffic light at the intersection of I-395 and Odlin Road, go straight 1.8 miles and look for the Freedom Industrial Park sign on the right. Turn right. OHI is the second building on the right.

Moore hopes the group will continue to meet 1-3 p.m. on the third Friday of each month.

People who are interested in learning more about this new support group, or those who have any questions or concerns, are urged to call Moore from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Friday at his office, 947-0588.

Tuesdays or Thursdays you can leave a message on his cell phone at 356-1725 and he will return your call as soon as possible.

In recent years, the Cole Foundation of Bangor has assisted fire departments throughout Maine in their efforts to purchase life- and property-saving thermal imaging cameras.

Now, Viking Lumber and WVII ABC-7 have joined with the Cole Foundation to put “A Camera in Every Community.”

The kickoff for that campaign, with the assistance of ABC-7 news director Jan Smith, is 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at Sunbury Village, 922 Ohio St. in Bangor.

The public is invited to attend the kickoff to learn more about this campaign.

Not only will food and entertainment be provided, but you will meet many of your local firefighters as well.

For information about this campaign, call Smith or Cyndy Simpson, ABC-7, 945-6457; Mark Dunbar, Bangor Fire Department, 942-6335; or Gary Cole at the Cole Foundation, 990-3600.

Marion Syversen of Hampden called this week to report that seats are still available for the annual bus trip to the Boston Flower Show, sponsored by the Bangor Garden Club.

The bus leaves at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, from Broadway Shopping Center in Bangor, and returns at about 9 p.m. to that location.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is again producing the show, titled “Shades of Spring.”

A $60 ticket includes transportation and entry to the show, but not meals. A coffee break and a dinner stop are included on the trip.

Checks should be made out to the Bangor Garden Club and sent to Marion Syversen, 70 Main Road South, Hampden 04444.

Reservations also may be made by calling her, during business hours, at 862-2952.

Money raised through this trip help fund a number of civic projects sponsored by the Bangor Garden Club.

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