Once again, people in the Waterville area have an opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with wonderfully traditional Irish food and music, thanks to members of the Universalist-Unitarian Church of Waterville.

But, since seating is limited, you need to make your reservations early.

The church’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Gourmet Dinner features two seatings, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the church, which is located on the corner of Elm and Silver streets in Waterville.

The menu features flavorful Irish dishes and, according to church member Sarah Webster, the music will be flavorful as well.

Live music, which will be played throughout the dinner, will be provided by members of the church, Webster said.

And that live entertainment will not only include some Gaelic music, “but some Beatles music, too,” she added.

Tickets for the dinner are $15 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12 and, as noted above, early reservations are recommended.

For tickets or information, call 872-8526 or email jrich@prexar.com.

Caring Connections, a women’s health program sponsored by the YWCA Bangor-Brewer and Eastern Maine Medical Center, has received grants to continue two projects this year.

For three years, the Maine Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has funded a breast health screening program and, this year, is receiving additional support from the American Cancer Society.

Bridging The Gap 2002 provides free clinical breast exams and screening mammograms-ultrasounds for women in their 40s who are either uninsured or underinsured, and who qualify financially.

Women in their 30s with a symptom of concern, or who are at increased risk for breast cancer, are also eligible, and a few slots exist for women in their 20s who have symptoms.

First funded last year by the Maine Affiliate of the Komen Foundation, Bridging Books is co-funded this year by the ACS through a HELP grant and the Komen Foundation.

The books are given women on the day of diagnosis and are intended to educate them about their illness and help them participate in making decisions throughout the treatment process.

Information about ENCORE-plus support groups is included, as are listings of agencies and foundations that assist those with breast cancer.

Other resources are available in the Caring Connections lending library.

Also, this year, the ACS is providing a major reference guide, “A Breast Cancer Journey,” which is an informational packet distributed at surgeons’ offices in Bangor, Ellsworth, Dover-Foxcroft and Presque Isle.

Packets can also be obtained by newly diagnosed women at a clinic at the Breast and Osteoporosis Center at EMMC, through visits by Reach to Recovery volunteers, or from Caring Connections/ENCORE-plus at the YWCA on Second Street in Bangor.

For more information about any or all of these services, call Ro LeGasse or Robin Long at Caring Connections, 941-2808.

For those who may have missed the legal notice of this Eastern Agency on Aging opportunity, which appeared in the Bangor Daily News recently, I am happy to report that the application deadline for this program has been extended.

Deb Chapman, EAA outreach director, reminds readers that EAA has created a fund for seed money to support collaborations between community groups and organizations, businesses, schools or other self-identified groups, and EAA, to identify and-or establish resources to caregivers in this area.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program assists relatives and spouses who are providing care and assistance to people over the age of 60.

According to information provided by EAA, the Older American Act defines a caregiver as an adult family member, or another individual, who is an informal provider of in-home care for a person age 60 or over.

However, caregivers can also be grandparents caring for children under the age of 18.

Applications forms for requesting funding for seed money for organizations supporting the work of caregivers can be obtained by writing Chapman at EAA, 450 Essex St., Bangor 04401, or calling 941-2865 or (800) 432-7812.

The application deadline is now Friday, March 15.

Shirley Bassett is parade chairwoman for the Eastport 4th of July Committee, which sponsors that city’s Independence Day and Old Home Week Celebration, July 1-4.

She is in the process of contacting groups and organizations, and other interested individuals, who would like to participate in the Grand Independence Day Parade that begins at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4, in Eastport.

Should you decide to be part of this event, be prepared to be greeted by thousands!

Bassett reports that the city hosts up to 10,000 people during the week, who participate in a variety of activities and who line every street along the parade route.

Then, at dusk, along with parade participants, they enjoy the fireworks that conclude this exciting Fourth of July celebration.

The event is made possible by the generous donations of local residents, those “from away,” and by area business owners.

If you or your organization or group would like to be part of this parade, call Bassett at 853-4168 or 853-9577, or write her at 12 Adams St., Eastport 04631.

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