Academy seeks alumni willing to share memories

This is one request for volunteers you hope receives a rousing response from some very special people: those natural storytellers with wonderful memories to share!

Hampden Academy principal Ruey Yehle wrote me recently about the school’s yearlong 200th anniversary celebration, which will be kicked off with a variety of activities beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, March 7, in the academy’s John Skehan Center.

With the Hampden Academy Jazz Band entertaining as you arrive, Yehle wrote, “a variety of stations will be set up around the gym,” including a table with all the academy yearbooks since 1921, a continuously playing video of the beginnings of Hampden Academy, a place to register for an alumni association, and a student-created display of pictures of the old academy.

“We are most excited about our plan to have tables specifically set up for those who would be willing to sit and tell stories about the old days,” Yehle wrote of those who have attended the academy since the 1930s.

Current students will take photos and videotape some of that activity and identify graduates “who will, eventually, help us publish a book of stories,” he said.

So HA alumni, here’s a wonderful opportunity to relive your days at the academy, and have it recorded for posterity.

At this anniversary celebration kickoff, Hampden Academy-related items will be sold, including bronzes of the Hampden Academy Bronco created by alumnus Forrest “Toby” Hart, prints of the old academy building, Bronco and Old Academy cups and Fernwood collectibles, and HA note cards.

All profits will benefit a fund for the restoration and maintenance of the old academy building.

“We hope to have a variety of speakers and events from March, 2003 to a final celebration in March 2004,” Yehle wrote. “Interested people can contact us at Hampden Academy, 862-3791.”

Senior Spectrum’s William S. Cohen Center is participating in the Good Shepherd Food Bank-Sandy River Challenge now through the end of April.

The center has pledged to raise $1,000 in donations to purchase food for its Nutrition and Meals on Wheels program, which will be matched by the challenge grant.

To help with that effort, Senior Spectrum is holding a “Valentine’s Evening Dinner to Remember” from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at the Cohen Center, Town Farm Road, Hallowell.

Beef stroganoff, French-sauteed flounder or chicken piccata are your entree choices for the three-course meal prepared by chef Mike Flynn, with entertainment provided by Elaine Bender.

Tickets are $15 each.

To make your reservation, call 626-7777 or toll-free (800) 639-1553.

Call it breakfast or call it brunch. Either way, members of the Fort Kent Knights of Columbus are offering area residents a chance to take a loved one out to eat from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Frenchville Road in Fort Kent.

Proceeds from the post-Valentine’s Day fund-raiser will benefit the effort of Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent to raise money for new cardiac monitors for its intensive care unit, emergency room and telemetry.

The new system is expected to cost $175,000 and the Knights are one of many area organizations and businesses helping in that effort.

Working with NMMC nurses to ensure this is a “healthy heart” meal, the menu will include ham, home fries, low-fat bacon, eggs, muffins, oatmeal, pancakes, French toast, cheese omelets, beans, dry cereal, toast and juices.

NMMC medical staff will assist with serving and cleanup, and “Key-noh Petticoats,” the hospital’s resident clown, will join members of the child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit to offer activities in the children’s corner while adult diners visit with friends and neighbors.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children and are available from any member of the Fort Kent Knights of Columbus at the NMMC switchboard, Madawaska Outpatient Center and Acadia Family Practice Center.

The Winterport Women’s Club is accepting donations for its community auction, which will be held Friday, March 21, at Wagner Middle School in Winterport.

Call auction chairwoman Kathy White, 223-5746, or Judy Souder, 223-4627, to make your contribution.

If there is no answer, leave a message and your call will be returned.

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