They are “headed back to Isla Mujeres,” Brother Don said of the return trip he and Brother Kenneth will make next month to a Mexican island off the coast of the Yucatan.

Part retreat, part mission, the men are collecting medical supplies for the American Red Cross clinic on the island and school supplies for the Little Yellow Schoolhouse, “a school for special needs kids,” Brother Don explained.

The men are leaving Bangor on Monday, Jan. 6, and will return on Monday, Jan. 27.

Now through Jan. 6, they are collecting supplies and donations for the agencies they’ll be working with.

“The list of school supplies is very, very specific,” Brother Don said of the “wish lists” which are posted at the Friars Bakehouse on Central Street in Bangor.

When asked how specific the list is, Brother Don said “there are certain things we can’t bring, because of the weight, and they have an ample supply of crayons, paint and paper, for example.

“We’re mostly looking for craft supplies. Off the top of my head, we need glitter, felt, pipe cleaners and plastic tablecloths. Things like that.”

And, of course, financial contributions are certainly welcome as well.

“We hope to supply the school with playground equipment this year, and we hope to buy and install it while we’re down there,” Brother Don added.

Anyone seeking information about how you can help residents of this island fishing community, can visit the Friars Bakehouse Wednesday through Saturday at 21 Central St., Bangor, or call 947-3770 on those days.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, you can reach Brother Don or Brother Kenneth at 989-5814.

If you would prefer to send a check, you can make it payable to the Friars Bakehouse, with a “Mexico” notation, and send it to 21 Central St., Bangor 04401.

People with ties to Exeter have an opportunity to make some special Christmas purchases, courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society.

The society is selling historical calendars as well as souvenir place mats, postcards and notecards with matching envelopes. The calendar has two photographs on the cover and one photo per month plus historical facts averaging three per month.

The calendars are $7 each and can be obtained by calling Deanna Wetzler, 379-2449, or Stewart Bean, 285-79093.

The calendars can be ordered through the mail by adding $2 to cover shipping and handling.

Your $9 check should be made payable to Exeter Historical Society and mailed to P.O. Box 141, Exeter 04435-0141.

Lisa Harding of Levant and several local students will hold a pie and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Community Booth in the Bangor Mall.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit Operation Liftoff and The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree to purchase Christmas gifts for the needy.

The public is invited to hear Brewer author Trudy Irene Scee discuss her latest book at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at Phillips-Strickland House on Boyd Street in Bangor.

Scee’s book relates the history of “The Inmates and The Asylum: The Bangor Children’s Home 1835-2002,” and Scee will have copies of it available for signing.

Your contributions brought in more than 15,000 coats, statewide, during the WLBZ 2 and WCSH 6 fourth annual “Coats for Kids Day” on Saturday, Dec. 7. Coats were brought to Shaw’s Supermarkets in Bangor, Auburn and North Windham, the Shop ‘n Save Supermarket in Ellsworth, and Hannaford Supermarkets in Wells and Scarborough.

This year’s one-day total surpassed last year by 160 percent, and more than 75 clubs, classes and service organizations adopted “Coats for Kids” as a holiday service project.

Sponsored by the Maine Oil Dealers Association, “Coats for Kids” helps The Salvation Army care for Maine families in need.

New or gently used coats can be donated at any Shaw’s, Hannaford or Shop ‘n Save Supermarket in Maine through the New Year.

Individuals, schools, churches and civic organizations can call The Salvation Army’s Northern New England Division office at 774-6304 to request coats.

A professional wrestling show held recently at Washburn High School to benefit the family of Stephanie Goyette, who has hepatitis C, was not only a financial success but also a great morale booster for the 16-year-old.

The event raised $600 and was also the first time Goyette, who is a big wrestling fan and watches all she can on television, was able to see a live show.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Fowler of the U.S. Naval Reserve Center in Bangor, and a professional wrestler, coordinated the benefit.

The family extends its thanks and gratitude to all who participated, and for providing Stephanie with a night she will never forget.

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