One of the special 2002 March of Dimes WalkAmerica events certainly has to be the fourth annual WalkAmerica taking place in Houlton.

That fund-raiser begins with registration at 1 p.m. and the walk at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2, in Monument Park in Houlton.

Co-chairing the Leadership Steering Committee for the March of Dimes, an organization that works to help prevent birth defects and premature births, are Ann Joy of Houlton Regional Hospital and Arnold Bulley, an employee of Graves Shop ‘n Save in Houlton.

Bulley knows firsthand the importance of the March of Dimes’ work because, of the four children featured on the Houlton

WalkAmerica poster, three are his.

Arnold and Emily Bulley’s daughter Connor, who now is in prekindergarten, weighed just 1 pound, 13 ounces at birth.

Her younger brother Bryson was the biggest sibling, at 2 pounds, 5 ounces; and her baby brother Eli the smallest, at 1 pound, 11 ounces.

Today, they all are thriving, happy children.

The fourth poster child is 11-week-old Clair Appleton, daughter of Dennis and Lynn Appleton of Houlton.

Clair weighed just 1 pound, 1 ounce at birth, and she still is hospitalized.

Last year’s Houlton event raised $7,000, Joy said, and the goal this year is to raise at least $10,000.

“Things are looking much better,” she said of the possibility of reaching that goal.

“Last year, we had the walk in the fall, just after the events of September 11, and I think that had an effect.”

It is not too late to plan to participate, she said, and you even can register at 1 p.m. the day of the event at the park.

The only requirement is that you collect pledges but, if you are like Joy and prefer to just write out a check and make your own donation, you can do that, too.

“There is no minimum amount required to enter the walk,” she said, “and the grand prize package is a weekend at the Samoset Resort” in Rockport.

The walk is not only a healthy way to have some fun, enjoy good food and possibly win some prizes, but it also gives you the opportunity to help save babies’ lives, right in your own community.

For information about participating in this event, call the Community Education Center at Houlton Regional Hospital, 532-5969.

In a later column, I will have more detailed information about a local Twin Towers Memorial Fund that has been created by Lisa Harding of Levant.

The plan calls for creating a black bronze memorial to be placed on the south side of the Capitol building in Augusta, containing all the names of the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

A bake sale to raise funds for the memorial is planned from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the Bangor Mall near Sears.

All proceeds benefit the Twin Towers Memorial Fund.

If you cannot attend but wish to make a donation to this memorial, you can do so at Bangor Federal Credit Union in Bangor.

More information on the project can be obtained by calling Harding at 884-6066.

The Association of Junior Leagues International is celebrating a century of community service with a historical exhibition showcasing 100 years of the Junior League movement.

As it celebrates its 70th year of service in eastern Maine, the Junior League of Bangor proudly invites you to view this national exhibit beginning today and continuing through Thursday, June 27, at the Bangor Mall.

An organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, leadership development and improving our local communities, the Bangor Junior League has since 1990 provided more than $130,000 to local programs and projects, raising most of those funds through its annual Antique Show and Sale each fall.

Incoming officers for 2002-2003 are president Debra Jacques, president-elect Mary Marin Lyon, secretary Monique Bolduc and treasurer Lynn Thibeau.

For information or to learn how to become a member of the Junior League, call membership recruitment chairwoman Renee Hudgens at 990-4481.

Brian Higgins of Brewer called to report that Curran Farm Homestead is holding an Old Fashioned Barn Raising from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1, through Sunday, June 9, at the Homestead in Orrington, and everyone who can help is welcome to join in the project.

“We’ll be working on a couple different buildings, and we’re hoping to get volunteers to come out,” he said.

“Of course, we welcome anyone to come and look at the place while we’re there but, if they want to bring a hammer and saw and help do the work, that would be fine, too.”

For information, call Higgins at 478-5021.

If you’re thinking of dining out next week, why not stop by Applebee’s Restaurant in Bangor after 4 p.m. Monday, June 3? Not only enjoy an evening out with family and friends, but also have the satisfaction of knowing you will be helping thousands of children in central, eastern and northern Maine who need access to special health care.

The wait staff at Applebee’s Restaurant will be donating all of the tips they receive from 4 p.m. to closing that day to Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare.

Here’s a “save this date” reminder from Judy Butler of Orrington.

The 14th annual Bangor Flag Day Observance will feature two events: the Flag Day ceremony at 11 a.m. and the Flag Day celebration at 6 p.m., both Friday, June 14, at the Bangor Waterfront.

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