Encyclopedia giveaway targets ‘young minds’

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Usually, it is we who ask for the doctor’s help. Today, it is a doctor asking for our help.

Dr. Semon Lilienfeld of Stockton Springs wrote with an unusual problem he hopes we might solve.

Lilienfeld is a member of the Stockton Springs Community Library Committee, which opened its facility a year ago to a rousing reception.

“The donations of books, and the enthusiasm of volunteers, has made our library a reality,” Lilienfeld wrote.

But the library committee does have a slight problem. “We have several sets of out-of-date encyclopedias” the library has tried to sell “at very low prices, but have had no takers,” Lilienfeld explained.

And now, many committee members “feel we will have to put them in the trash.”

Lilienfeld recalls growing up with a set of The Book of Knowledge.

While “it was not up to date, I remember, vividly, looking at the illustrations and, as I learned to read, traveling in print all over the universe. It was a lovely and valuable experience, and made me appreciate the value of the written word.”

Lilienfeld wonders if somewhere “there might be many young minds who might be pleased to possess an encyclopedia of their own, if they could afford one.”

Lilienfeld wants to hear from anyone “who would like to explore this idea, and get a set with no charge.”

He especially would like to give the books to families with young children.

“We have a very limited

number of sets,” he wrote, “so

I will give them to the

families who apply first.”

But while his intentions are commendable, Lilienfeld still has his doubters.

“Some members of our committee are willing to bet we will have no takers,” he wrote.

The books include the complete 26-volume Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia, 1975; complete 23-volume Encyclopedia Britannica 1981 Macropedia; complete 11-volume Encyclopedia Britannica 1981 Micropedia; two complete sets of The Golden Encyclopedia for children; and 20 of 26 volumes of The New Book of Knowledge.

If you are interested in obtaining these books for your home, write Lilienfeld at P.O. Box 460, Stockton Springs 04981, call 567-4380 or e-mail slilien339@yahoo.com.

He will be thrilled to hear from you!

Community members continue to offer love and support to the family of Denise Bowden of Surry, who was critically injured in an automobile accident while driving to a conference Friday, April 26. She is currently in a rehabilitation center.

At the time of her accident, Bowden was the accountant for School Union 92 and SAD 26.

SAD 26 board member Brenda Jordan reports three more events are planned to help the Bowden family.

A fish chowder supper will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Surry Elementary School. The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.

A fish fry begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Cave Hill School in Eastbrook. Admission for this meal is $7 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.

The third upcoming fund-raiser is an Italian supper at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Lamoine Consolidated School. The suggested donation for this event is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.

Supper proceeds will be placed into a fund for Bowden’s young children, Nicole and Josh. For more information about these and other ways to help the family during this difficult time, call Jordan at 584-5661 or Elizabeth Ehrlenbach at Surry Elementary School, 667-9358, or at home, 667-8804.

Chairwoman Cindy Black has 60 crafters lined up to help make your holiday shopping easier when you attend the Telephone Pioneers annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Verizon Garage, 645 Odlin Road, Bangor.

To make it even more convenient, admission is free and there is “plenty of parking,” Black emphasized.

And while you’re shopping and spending, you’ll be helping the Telephone Pioneers support the work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which will benefit from proceeds of this year’s fair.

It is important that the immediate family and the WABI-TV family know they are not alone in mourning the unexpected death of John Beaulieu.

Through his exemplary, 37-year career at WABI, Beaulieu became an intimate member of the Greater Eastern Maine family to which we all belong, and we share that loss and sorrow.

We were privileged that the 54-year-old producer, director and photographer dedicated his life to recording the events that shaped our lives.

He was, truly, a Maine man for all seasons. Local television, as we knew it through the excellence of his eye and his camera, will never again be quite the same.

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