The health and safety party sponsored by Penquis CAP’s Covering Kids and Families Campaign is 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at Cascade Park in Bangor.

In the event of rain, the party will be held at the Bangor Armory Gym on Main Street.

Janeen Feero, resource developer at Penquis CAP, reports that while this event will serve as “an enrollment drive for MaineCare,” the party also “provides information on other community services, health and safety tips, and lots of games and fun activities for kids.”

MaineCare is a program that enables eligible families with children and teens to obtain coverage for doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions and other benefits, Feero explained.

In addition to receiving all the information provided about MaineCare, free or low-cost health insurance offered through the state and other free community services, attendees can enjoy games, music, prizes and refreshments.

Among the activities will be a toy boat race, a hula hoop contest, painting, bubble blowing and face painting.

Folks from the Bangor Public Library will offer a story time for youngsters; you will see representatives from Penobscot School of Gymnastics; watch a dinosaur puppet show by Northeast Occupational Exchange and, if you wish, have your children fingerprinted and obtain ID cards for them.

Information about bicycle safety, car seat safety and fire safety, as well as nutrition, dental health and child care resources also will be offered.

Penquis CAP is able to sponsor this free event thanks to funding by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

For more information about the event – or about MaineCare if you are unable to attend – call Penquis CAP at 973-3577.

The public has an opportunity to hear new Bangor Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Xiao-Lu Li perform a benefit Violin Recital from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Blue Hill Congregational Church.

Proceeds from the concert by this acclaimed conductor and accomplished violinist will benefit the BSO.

Li’s extensive resume includes making his Carnegie Hall debut in 1990 and performing as first violinist for seven years with the Amici String Quartet.

Tickets are $15 each, and are on sale at the BSO office in downtown Bangor or by calling the BSO at 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221.

Tickets also can be obtained at Blue Hill Books, 2 Pleasant St., Blue Hill, or by calling the bookstore at 374-5632.

More information can be obtained by visiting www.bangorsymphony.com.

Do you know any former Maine State Society Cherry Blossom princesses?

If so, you may be able to help the National Conference of State Societies.

The congressionally chartered umbrella organization for all state and territorial societies is planning a Past Cherry Blossom Princesses Reunion during the 55th anniversary of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival from March 30 to April 5, 2003, in Washington, D. C.

The Maine State Society newsletter reports it is seeking the following princesses and current addresses: 1949, Patricia Sterling, Peakes Island; 1953, Elizabeth Ann Blanchard, Westbrook; 1955, Jeanine Raymond, Lewiston; 1956, Barbara Lyman, hometown unknown; 1959, Jean Shirley Watson, Rumford; 1965, Sandra Howatt, Farmington; 1967, Linda Nicklass, Freedom; 1988, Dana Steele, Standish and 1990, Kelly Riordan, Livermore Falls.

You are asked to send information to the MSS, 3434 Upside Court, Falls Church, Va. 22042-4019, or call 703-237-1031.

The attention-getting fliers announcing a very special fund-raiser make you smile, so you know that Lillian Brenton, the computer teacher at Mount View Grammar School in Sullivan, must make a lot of youngsters smile every school day.

And smiles are certainly most welcome all around her right now, because Lillian Brenton of Hancock is fighting lung cancer.

Brenton’s friends ask that you help show your support for her family during this very difficult time by attending a benefit potluck supper for Brenton beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Mount View Grammar School in Sullivan.

The fund-raiser also will include many raffles.

A hearty well done is extended to members of the Youth Committee of the Maine State Grange who recently presented a sizable check to Camp Sunshine in Casco.

Raising funds during a statewide “Bowl Across Maine” sponsored by that committee last March, the young people collected more than $2,100 which James Owens, Maine State Grange vice president, together with officers of the Youth Grange, presented representatives of Camp Sunshine.

Located on Sebago Lake, Camp Sunshine provides respite care, counseling, recreation and medical support for families with a loved one facing a life-threatening illness.

This year, the schedule for the weeklong summer camping experience was extended from eight to 13 weeks to include opportunities for more people to attend, especially families affected by the terrorist attacks on this country on Sept. 11, 2001.

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