The save-the-same-date approach taken by volunteers last year at the Curran Homestead in Orrington apparently worked so well they’re doing it again for 2003.

This year, however, it’s called “Save Your 16s” with activities planned on that day in January, February and March.

Kicking off those events, reports Irv and Karen Marsters, who co-chair the Community Support Committee, is the organization’s Annual Business, Recognition and Membership meeting which begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Oriental Jade Restaurant in Bangor.

You do need to call Carroll Adams at 989-2430 by today, however, to make a reservation. The meeting, which includes the dinner buffet, is free to Homestead members.

The next 16 to save is Sunday, Feb. 16, when the Homestead presents its Turn-of-the-Century Winter Carnival, the Fields Pond Family Ice Fishing Derby and the 3rd annual Currier & Ives Sleigh Rally.

The final activity for the 16th is the Curran Homestead Spring Event on Sunday, March 16, during which all things Irish and springtime will be celebrated at the farm.

For those who don’t receive the organization’s newsletter, you might want to know that much work has been done at the facility, with the barn roof having been completed, new barn doors, floors and doors added, and the interior floor plan made roomier.

Through the generosity of John Vickery Sr., The Homestead acquired a collection of John Deere equipment and farm machinery and, appropriately, the heavy equipment shed was raised and leveled, and it has a new roof as well.

With these and other improvements, Homestead volunteers considered 2002 a banner year as they work to continue their mission of developing a living history farm and museum at Fields Pond.

For more information about the organization, and how you can help or participate, write The Curran Homestead Inc., P.O. Box 107, Orrington 04474-0107.

Pathfinders: Support for Grieving Children will conduct its spring 2003 session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays beginning Feb. 24 and continuing through April 28 at Bangor Christian Schools.

Founded by Bangor elementary school teacher Maria Brountas and the late Barbara Eames, Pathfinders is a 10-week grief support group for children and families or caregivers experiencing the death of a loved one.

Adults accompanying children to the program meet separately.

If you are interested, you are asked to call program coordinator Deena Weinstein at 973-8269 to arrange an interview.

The program is conducted by volunteer facilitators who are trained by staff members of Hospice of Eastern Maine.

Weinstein asks that current facilitators, and those who wish to be trained as facilitators, meet with her between 2 and 4 p.m. either Wednesday, Jan. 15, or Friday, Jan. 17, at HOEM, 885 Union St., Bangor.

Training for new volunteers begins Monday, Jan. 27.

For more information, call Weinstein at the above number.

Carole Ann Glueck of Winterport called with the difficult news that her sister, 48-year-old Susan Stickney Bushnell of Rochester, Vt., has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment.

A former Brownville resident, Bushnell is a graduate of the University of Maine in Orono and Penquis Valley High School in Milo.

Glueck said her sister has many friends in her home state, and she believes it would lift her sister’s spirits to hear from them.

You can send your words of encouragement to Susan Bushnell, P.O. Box 313, Rochester, Vt. 05767.

The December birthday party at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor was particularly festive, thanks to the efforts of the Dexter Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and its Ladies Auxiliary.

Each resident celebrating a December birthday received a gift from the VFW Auxiliary, and the post not only gave the facility a videocassette recorder for the activities room, but also a cash donation for bingo game prizes.

A chorus singing Christmas carols and three groups of young dancers from Top Hat Dance Studio entertained the residents while post members Jim Rattigan, Malcolm Kimball, Jim Crocker, Tony Larson and auxiliary member Nancy Crocker served up the birthday cake and punch.

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