Always a successful event, the Beth Israel Synagogue Auction returns after a hiatus of several years, with a preview at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at the synagogue, 144 York St., Bangor.

Riva Gotlib first informed me about the event (before she headed for the sunny South) to which the public is cordially invited.

Tickets are just $9 per person and, from what more I’ve heard, that’s a great bargain for what should be a stellar occasion.

Stan and Ellie Israel are co-chairing the auction, and Ellie dropped by the Bangor Daily News to provide readers with an idea of what they can expect to find.

The auction items, donated by synagogue members, include “a variety that hasn’t been seen in this area” for some time, she explained.

The offerings include “unique artworks, antiques, pianos, jewelry, a Movado watch, Judaic treasures, Hummel figurines, a pingpong table” and even Beanie Babies, she said.

And you can also bid on services that range from a cooked meal for 10, to a day of sailing, wood-floor finishing or a cake for 100 people!

And while you’re bidding, you’ll be able to enjoy food and beverages, which have been donated along with the services of several willing and able volunteer auctioneers!

Tickets for this special evening can be purchased at the door.

Several years ago, Ann Delaware of Bradley was diagnosed with celiac sprue, an autoimmune disease. People who have celiac sprue are gluten intolerant.

Delaware has since helped start the Celiac Sprue Support Group of Greater Bangor for people who are living with the challenges of gluten intolerance.

The group, she reports, meets “on the third Tuesday of each month at the old fire station on Center Street in Bangor behind St. Joseph Hospital.”

“We share recipes and ideas to make living gluten-free easier,” she added. “Over the years, this group has fostered wonderful friendships, baked some great food, passed out numerous recipes, and encouraged many a person with celiac sprue.”

The group has also put together an information packet to help those newly diagnosed with the disease.

If you are interested in learning more about this support group, you are invited to call Delaware at 827-2733 or e-mail AnnEd472@msn.com.

“Youth Violence: A Cry for Help” is the subject of a presentation on youth violence by Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Brewer Middle School auditorium, 5 Somerset St.

Students, parents and community members are invited to attend and participate in a question-and-answer session after the presentation.

A native of Nigeria who lived through her father’s political imprisonment during that country’s civil war, Ikenze draws on her own experiences as she discusses coping with and transcending violence within one’s own community.

A pediatrician for 30 years, Ikenze is founder and director of Elizabeth Medical Clinic in Marin County, Calif.

For more information, call Brewer High School Principal Jim Frost or BHS resource officer Peter Rancourt at 989-4140.

The major fund-raiser of the year for the Machias Rotary Club is its annual TV-Radio Auction, which this year takes place the evenings of Wednesday, Oct. 16, and Thursday, Oct. 17, on radio station WQDY and your local cable channel.

Under the leadership of President Ian Emery, Rotary is raising money to support numerous community programs and projects, including scholarships for students at Washington Academy in East Machias, Machias Memorial High School and Lubec High School, as well as making significant contributions to area medical and educational programs and facilities.

Among the many and varied items up for bid, by telephone, are numerous gift certificates for food and lodging, a rug, a 252-piece mechanic’s tool set, sports tickets, a Web page design and a tooth whitening series.

To place your bid, and help the Machias Rotary Club continue to help the community, call one of the following telephone numbers during the auction: 263-6532, 263-6534, 263-6538, 263-6539, 263-6541, 263-6542, 263-6549 or 557-7024.

This thank-you note arrived on my desk just before I left on vacation last month.

Cindy Johnson of Bucksport wrote that the family and friends of Paul Klenowski Sr. extend their thanks to all the individuals, community organizations and businesses that helped with, or donated “their time and efforts” for the August fund-raiser for the 46-year-old Bucksport resident who had recently been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“The benefit was a real success,” and a great help to the Klenowski family, Johnson added.

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