The recent distressing news that a staff cabin burned to the ground at Pine Tree Camp in Rome is just one more reason people should consider purchasing holiday cards from the Pine Tree Society for Handicapped Children and Adults.

I spoke recently with Erin Rice, communications director for the PTS in Bath, who reported the organization “has two beautiful selections” of holiday cards by Maine artists this year.

“One is by Carlton Plummer,” she said. “It’s a scene in the woods of a person harvesting Christmas trees.

“The other offering is by Consuelo Eames Hanks. That’s a harbor scene, with little kids in the background building a snowman,” Rice said.

“Actually, you can go to our Web site, www.pinetreesociety.org, and look at them,” she added, which I did, and she is right. They are beautiful.”

Rice pointed out that the sale of PTS holiday cards “is a great fund-raiser for us. We’ve been doing it since 1969, and we have people who buy the cards every year.”

“It’s really interesting,” she said of the project. “We get all the paintings, in the summer, and it’s like an art museum in our office.”

Now, however, people are busily ordering, “and we have bags going out, every day, to the post office.”

Rice pointed out that purchasing the cards “help people in Maine with disabilities, go to camp free of charge, and it also helps support all of our programs.”

We are fortunate to have such an organization continuing its work of “caring for Maine people since 1936” and, in light of recent events, a card purchase would certainly be appreciated by all associated with PTS. If you would like to order your cards, on just make a donation, call the PTS at 443-3341.

You can also order the cards, online, at the PTS Web site by clicking on “Holiday Cards.”

Jim Goff of Hancock wrote that St. John’s Episcopal Church of Bangor will hold a dance featuring live music and a big band. Goff suggests that since seating is limited, you might want to get your tickets now for this special event.

Sentimental Journey will play 8-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Union Street Banquet Center, 3454 Union St., Bangor, which he describes as being located on “outer Union Street, Route 222, six miles from the intersection of Union Street and Griffin Road.”

The evening begins with dance lessons from 7 to 8 p.m., and the event features a beverage service and snacks. Advance tickets are $15 per person or $18 at the door, and can be purchased at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church office, 234 French St.; Friars’ Bakehouse, 21 Central St.; Rebecca’s Gift Shop, 43 Main St.; and Patrick’s Hallmark, Broadway Shopping Center, all in Bangor.

For more information, call Goff at 422-2440 or e-mail goffmaine@prexar.com; call Robin Borok, 942-2514 or e-mail twoaterra@aol.com, or call the church office at 947-0156.

One of the members of Sentimental Journey, in this “ecumenical” band, Goff reports, is saxophonist Jim Haddix, whom you might best recognize as the Rev. James Haddix, minister of All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor.

Charlie Sias, chairman of Penobscot County Area TRIAD, reports that TRIAD members Detective Cathy Rumsey of the Bangor Police Department and Officer Debbie Holmes of the Old Town Police Department, will be at the Bangor Wal-Mart on Tuesday, Oct. 15, promoting TRIAD’s “Keep Your Eye on Your Purse” program.

“Purse and wallet theft can be a real problem, particularly during the holiday season,” Sias reminds shoppers, who he hopes will visit with the TRIAD volunteers to hear what they have to say.

Writing on behalf of the congregation of the East Bangor Community Church, Patricia Snodgrass extends thanks to everyone who helped make its auction to benefit its “steeple and repairs” such a great success.

Eastern Maine Charities invites you to hear Dr. Charles Vialotte of Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, N.J., a nationally known expert on cancer treatment using intensity modulated radiation therapy, or IMRT.

Vialotte will speak during a dessert reception beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Bangor Conference Center on Hogan Road. Vialotte will discuss “Advances in Cancer Treatment through IMRT,” a precise form of radiation available to treat various forms of cancer including prostate, breast, brain and pancreatic.

Also addressing the gathering will be Greg Fecteau, executive director of CancerCare of Maine, who will provide information about the Campaign of Hope, the effort to bring IMRT to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

If you would like to attend this informative event, you are asked to RSVP by calling Deanna Masterson at 973-5101.

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