Pupils at Gateway Elementary School in Van Buren, their families and friends, are working hard to raise money for new playground equipment.

Brenda Deveau of the Gateway Elementary Playground Equipment Project writes that one of the fund-raisers is collecting used toner and inkjet cartridges and used cell phones, which can be turned into points toward cash for playground equipment through a recycling program of the Funding Factory, which is based in Erie, Pa.

Since fall 2001 when this fund-raiser began, “we have earned a total of $439.20,” she wrote. “Our greatest contributor is the Katahdin Bank of Van Buren and its local branches. They have gone way out of their way to help us.”

Deveau is requesting individuals or businesses to adopt the Gateway Elementary School for this recycling project and wants you to know your participation would be greatly appreciated.

If you can help Gateway get new playground equipment, or want more information about this or other fund-raisers, call Deveau at 868-5469, fax her at 868-2277 or e-mail her at dandev@nci3.net.

Former Bangor Daily News colleague Christina Diebold called to remind people over age 50 that Penobscot Valley Senior College is hosting an open house from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in the lobby of Jenness Hall on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

The purpose of the open house is to provide information about courses that will be offered this spring, from March 7 through April 11.

Madeleine Freeman is chairwoman of the Curriculum Committee.

Diebold reports Freeman’s committee will offer 10 courses during the spring session, including “Health Care Then and Now” featuring 14 presenters, and another course focusing on the Hudson Museum.

For more information, you can leave a message at 581-1947 or log onto www.mainecenteronaging.org and click on Senior College.

People responsible for fund raising, proposal writing and-or funding research for educational organizations or institutions are invited to attend a “Meet the Funders” program from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the William S. Cohen Community Center on Town Farm Road in Hallowell.

Sponsored by the Maine Philanthropy Center, the theme is “Improving Educational Achievement & Opportunities.”

Moderated by Maine Community Foundation Vice President Meredith Jones, panelists include Wendy Ault, executive director of MELMAC Education Foundation; Jim Christie, director of community relations, northern region, MBNA; trustee William Clough of the Betterment Fund; Nellie Mae Education Foundation director of grants management, Gene Lee; and Fleet community relations manager, Cary Olson.

Admission is $10 for MPC members and $20 for nonmembers.

Space is limited, and the registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 14.

To register, visit www.me-grants.org/register.html or contact Michelle Fontaine, 780-5039, or mgic@megrants.org.

Laura Salisbury of Otis called to report the caring residents of that community will hold another fund-raiser to help one of their own.

A benefit spaghetti and salad bar dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Beech Hill School in Otis.

This dinner is to assist with expenses being incurred by Annette Kidder Cooper, who has cancer.

The wife of Larry Cooper and mother of three, Annette Cooper formerly worked at the Otis General Store.

Admission is by donation, and all are welcome to attend.

Although obituaries might not routinely be something one would suggest as “recommended reading,” I recommend that anyone who wants to learn about the last half-century history of health and other services for Maine people, particularly eastern Maine women and children, read the obituary of Catherine “Kay” Cutler, which appeared in our paper on Friday, Feb. 7.

Kay Cutler was a remarkable woman whose foresight, inspiration and leadership helped bring to the forefront awareness of and needed services for significant health, living and career issues, with an emphasis on improving the lives of women and families.

A former Bangor resident, Kay was 89 when she died Feb. 5 in Portland.

She was a most gracious and giving woman, amazingly unfazed and undaunted by any task she undertook.

I consider myself fortunate to have known her and witnessed the results of her work that affected, and changed, so many lives.

To her family and friends, I offer my sincere condolences.

For her truly remarkable career of volunteer service to the people of Maine, I am extremely grateful.

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