Close to Valentine’s Day, I’m always happy to hear from Cathy Dickinson, wife of Pastor Fred Dickinson of the East Bangor Community Church.

That’s because several years ago, members of that fine church community came to the rescue of some very disappointed youngsters who were unable to attend a popular local Father-Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance because it was sold out, and 100 names were on the waiting list!

To ease that disappointment, the Dickinsons quickly rounded up family, friends and church members who played host to a dance to accommodate those unable to attend the larger function.

That unexpected tradition continues.

The East Bangor Community Church will hold a Family Valentine’s Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at the church on the corner of Pushaw and Church roads in Bangor.

Admission is by donation, “and we will have everything” the bigger dances have, Cathy Dickinson promised.

“We’ll have a disc jockey, refreshments, door prizes, decorations and pictures; everything you will find elsewhere, minus the confusion and noise!

“This is an event for the whole family,” she said of the dance she hopes will appeal to everyone. “We’d love to have members of the public. It’s fun for everyone so, come, and bring the kids!”

If you have questions, or need more information, call Dickinson at 947-3808.

Cindy Greenacre called with a last-minute reminder that Basket Bingo, to benefit Hampden Academy Project Graduation 2003, is 1-4 p.m. today in the academy’s old gymnasium.

Admission is $10 for 15 games, with a 300-ticket maximum.

Tickets will be available at the door, and doors open at noon.

Laurie Fogelman of The Next Step invites you to the 10th annual Chocolate Feast and Silent Auction from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the White Birches Restaurant in Ellsworth.

Dozens of items donated by local businesses and artists will be available for bidding, and a delicious variety of chocolate desserts will be offered for sampling, along with fresh fruit, cheese, crackers and hot beverages.

Admission is just $5 per person, and all proceeds benefit The Next Step Domestic Violence Project of Hancock County.

For more information about this event or the services provided by The Next Step, call 667-0176.

A Mid-Winter Forms Championship for Martial Arts Schools in northern and central Maine will benefit the Maine Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The championship begins with registration at 9 a.m. and competition at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town.

To participate, competitors either pay a $35 entry fee or raise money for MDA.

Medals and certificates will be awarded in various event categories.

Incentives will be awarded to fund-raisers exceeding a certain amount; a special plaque will be presented the top fund-raiser; and a Traveling Event Trophy, now held by Pelletier’s Karate-Do of Lewiston, will be awarded the school whose students raise the most money for MDA.

Martial Arts Schools, or students, who want to participate, should call Glenn Kennedy at Eastern Maine School of Self Defense, 990-9330, or Kim Taylor at MDA, 878-3749.

Hermon Middle School eighth-grader Justin Stubbs has been accepted as a Maine People to People student ambassador this summer in Britain and Ireland.

Tuition for the 21-day program is $4,800, which the ambassadors must raise themselves.

The tuition, which covers transportation, accommodations, meals and educational activities, is due by Thursday, May 1.

If you can help Justin represent Maine in Europe this summer, make a check payable to People to People Student Ambassador Program and send it to him at 2666 Union St., Hermon 04401.

Justin thanks you, in advance, for your consideration and support.

Tom Fodor, divisional development director of The Salvation Army of Northern New England Division, has announced that The Salvation Army Red Kettle has been joined by “a 21st century companion” for those who want to help support the work of The Salvation Army.

Donations from people living in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont can now be processed through its Web site, www.servingnewengland.org, which features a Donor Community button that also connects donors to the latest news, special events and volunteer opportunities.

For more information about the Web site, call Fodor at 774-6304.

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