Recently Steve Mayberry, executive director of the National Kidney Foundation of Maine, contacted me to remind readers that one of its most important, and most popular, fund-raisers is coming up.

The 17th annual Great Chefs Dinner & Auction begins with the silent auction from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, at Jeff’s Banquet and Convention Center in Brewer. The live auction, under the gavel of representatives of the Tilton Auction Co., begins at 7:30 p.m.

Corporate table ticket sales have been going very well, I understand, but individual tickets are still available and can be purchased, in advance, for $30 each at Mr. Paperback in Bangor and Ellsworth.

You can also reserve your space by calling the NKF-Maine at (800)-639-7220.

This event raises money to assist the 950 dialysis patients and 3,500 Mainers with kidney disease.

Eighteen area restaurants will be represented, and more than 150 items will be auctioned off, thanks to the generous donations of local merchants and individuals.

Among those items are a case of champagne, a bronze sculpture by Forest “Toby” Hart of Monroe, an antique silver-plated pitcher, an antique 14-karat gold ring, a kayak and getaways at Atlantic Oakes, Sebasco Harbor Resort and the Crocker House.

Mayberry reported that several volunteers have been working very hard on the event, which is expected to attract nearly 250 people.

Helping make the fund-raiser successful are Bangor residents Bill and Sheila Johnston and Valerie Patch, Lynn Call of Brewer, Earle and Calista Hannigan of Holden, Pegi Whited of Veazie, Judy Butler of Eddington, Doris Doll of Orrington and Sue Gagne of Auburn.

In addition to its claim of being the only nonprofit organization in Maine committed to promoting organ and tissue donation, the NKF of Maine provides direct financial assistance for dialysis patients, conducts free kidney screenings, and offers in-school and other educational programs and seminars.

While we are on the subject of the National Kidney Foundation of Maine, and the work it does, let’s “keep” our attention focused there.

Karen Burrell, program services director of the NKF of Maine, has also been in contact with me.

She wants to remind readers that NFK of Maine is seeking participants for its eighth Kidney Early Evaluation Program, known as KEEP, which is planned from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 30, in Mason Auditorium at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

And, although this screening is free, preregistration is required, and the screening is limited to 50 appointments.

Once you have contacted NKF of Maine, you will be mailed a simple screening questionnaire to fill out and bring with you to the screening.

The process takes no longer than 30 minutes.

It involves checking weight and blood pressure, collecting blood and urine samples, and includes a brief consultation with a physician.

Follow-up with medical personnel is recommended and encouraged when tests indicate values are not in the normal range. You also will be offered light refreshments.

To consider whether you should take advantage of this program, Burrell reminds you that KEEP is a free program that focuses on high-risk individuals: those with known diabetes and-or hypertension, or individuals who have relatives with hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney failure.

You can preregister by calling Burrell at NKF of Maine (800)-639-7220.

One of the events that I understand is truly appreciated by folks in the Millinocket area is the Millinocket Regional Hospital Auxiliary “Books are Fun Book Fair” which is held 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the lobby of the MRH at 200 Somerset St. in Millinocket.

MRH Auxiliary President Joyce Given reports that “Bob and Kristie Curtis of Thorndike will have more than 100 titles, mostly hardcover, quality books, best sellers, children’s books and many others” for sale.

She added that all books will be “offered at a discount price much lower than the list price,” and that “proceeds will benefit our scholarship fund.”

The public is cordially invited to attend, and to seek out some great reading material for the whole family.

After you’ve read all your purchases, maybe you can institute a neighborhood swap, and just keep on reading until the next auxiliary book sale!

Anne Crowley, president of the Carmel Fireman’s Auxiliary, writes that the group is hosting a Basket Beano at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Carmel Elementary School.

The event will help raise money to enable the Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera.

“As there are only 200 tickets being sold,” Crowley wrote, “your chances are pretty good of winning a Longaberger basket.”

Italian sandwiches, drinks and “a few snack items” also will be on sale at the Basket Beano.

For tickets or information, call Crowley at 848-3877 or Suzan Bowers at Eastside Variety, 848-3322.

Jack McWilliams is a fourth-grade pupil at Evansville Day School in Evansville, Ind.

He is working on what appears to be an extensive project about the state of Maine, which includes writing a report, setting up a visitors center, and designing a float for a parade.

Anything readers can send, such as postcards, pictures of special places, or something to be used in a display or a float, would be greatly appreciated.

If you can help Jack with this project, send your contributions to him at Evansville Day School, 3400 N. Green River Road, Evansville, Ind. 47715.

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