People residing in the five-county area served by the United Way of Eastern Maine might not think about bringing a book to the grocery store, but that is just what you are being asked to do.

What started as a fund-raiser in one store has spread to all stores in communities served by UWEM in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington and Hancock counties.

“We ask shoppers to donate books, and we put out a canister and ask people to make a donation when they pick up one of those books,” explained UWEM’s Nancy Roberts.

Many people come in with a book, donate it, pick up another book, make a donation, and then return the book for yet another sale, Roberts added.

What you end up with is a revolving book sale and continuing donation that help support the work of United Way of Eastern Maine.

“In addition, we’re getting more people to read,” Roberts said, which pleases the organization that sponsors the Read for Success program.

UWEM is gearing up for its annual fund-raising campaign that kicks off with a community rally beginning at noon Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Bass Park in Bangor.

Last year’s campaign kickoff, which was scheduled for Sept. 13, became a community response rally to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Building upon that moving experience, UWEM decided to continue the community rally in memory of those events, and in honor of the people who lost their lives on that fateful day.

In the meantime, you can help support the work of UWEM by recycling some of your favorite gently used books and, perhaps, purchasing another to read with your children.

Jane Cushing wants you to know that a public homemade bean and casserole supper and silent auction, sponsored by the Hermon Republican Committee, begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Hermon Rescue Squad facility on Billings Road in Hermon.

Admission for adults is $6, or $2.50 for children under 12.

Children younger than 5 will be admitted free.

I hope everyone enjoys participating in the 12th annual Tour De La Vallee on Sunday, Aug. 18.

A major fund-raiser for the Edgar J. (Guy) Paradis Cancer Fund, the tour features four options for bicycle riders who all begin and end their journeys at Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent.

Riders can choose from a 25-mile route along U.S. Route 1 to Frenchville and back, to a 100-mile trek from Fort Kent to Van Buren, Grand Isle and back to Fort Kent.

The Paradis Cancer Fund provides support services for cancer survivors and their families who reside in the St. John Valley.

The fund is best known for its financial assistance for travel and lodging expenses of family members, so they can accompany loved ones who require treatment away from home.

More information about this fund-raiser can be obtained by calling Roger Lagasse, 834-3195, Ext. 3181, or visit the Web site, www.nmmg.org.

It amazes me how formally organized and long-standing are some family reunions.

For example, Ruth Tracy wrote that the 107th Tracy family reunion is Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Gouldsboro Community Building on Pond Road.

You can start your family day with free bingo at 10 a.m., games and supervised play for the children or a softball game “for anyone interested,” she wrote.

Then, it’s the “usual potluck lunch,” served at 1 p.m., “with the business meeting to follow and door prizes drawn just before adjournment.”

If you’re a Tracy, and have questions, call 778-2284 or e-mail rtracy@prexar.com.

And here is a reminder that the 102nd Roberts family reunion, for descendents of Jonathan and Elizabeth Webb Roberts begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Grange Hall in South Sangerville.

A potluck lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.

People up Aroostook County way might want to take their youngsters to “Kids Fun Day” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at McDonald’s in Madawaska.

With all proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities, you are invited to stop by, have some fun, enjoy some food, games and pony rides, and take home some prizes.

Gaynor Reynolds of Hermon wrote to inform our readers that Ecotat’s Concert in the Garden, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20, at that site in Hermon has, unfortunately, been canceled.

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