One aspect of living the rural life that continually amazes and pleases me is the quality of young artists who live among us.

One of the requests of my late editor, Bud Leavitt, when I worked on the Bangor Daily News sports desk was that I visit every high school in our circulation area.

I am so glad he asked me to do that, because I learned a great deal not only about the schools’ athletic departments and facilities but also about the students who attend them.

One of the more memorable aspects of those visits, whenever I stepped into a classroom or hallway, was the display of student artwork.

I am sorry more of our young people do not pursue their talents in the arts but I know it is not always the economically prudent course to follow.

But those wonderful young artists are out there and District 1 Maine Federation of Women’s Clubs is offering you an opportunity, without charge, to view the artwork of students from that area.

District 1 president Minnie McCormick of Dover-Foxcroft reports that students attending Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft, Penquis Valley High School in Milo, Katahdin High School in Sherman Station and Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford will display their work for judging from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 30, in the Milo Town Hall Arts Center.

Earlier in the year, four entries from each school were selected, and the four winners from this contest will represent MFWC District 1 during its Spring Convention May 16-17 in Bar Harbor.

The clubs represented in District 1 are Cosmopolitan and Miosac of Dover-Foxcroft, Pamola of Patten, and the Sherman Station Women’s Club.

Co-chairwomen of the event are Cosmopolitan Club member Judi Walter of Sebec Village and member-at-large Merna Dunham of Milo.

For those who are not familiar with the Milo Town Hall Arts Center, that effort was launched in May 2001 by Three Rivers Kiwanis Club for use by students in SAD 41 as well as for the general public.

This is the second year for this contest and, McCormick said, district members “are hoping for a good turnout.”

District members appreciate the fact they are able to host this show at the Milo Town Hall Arts Center and welcome and encourage members of the public to come see the artwork as well as get a look at the new facility.

Don’t despair if you didn’t get around to ordering your bouquet of fresh daffodils, which will be delivered this week as part of the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days campaign.

Bill Knight of Bradford and members of the Penobscot Voiture Local 427 of the 40-8 of the American Legion will sell ACS daffodil bouquets during regular business hours Wednesday, March 26, Thursday, March 27, and Friday, March 28, at Marden’s in Brewer and Sam’s Club in Bangor.

Also, you can purchase them Thursday, March 27, through Saturday, March 29, at local Shop ‘n Save stores.

The cost of the 10-flower bouquet is a $6 donation to ACS.

Funds raised during Daffodil Days support ACS programs and services such as Road to Recovery, Look Good … Feel Better, Reach to Recovery and Man to Man.

For more information call (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Amy Lorenzo of the Hampden Children’s Day Committee reports its March Bowlathon to raise funds for that event “was a huge success,” with 13 teams raising nearly $4,500.

Rollie Russell of PDQ Door was the individual male winner, and Terry Hunt of Town & Country Realtors the female winner.

PDQ Door won the team-scoring category, and McK’s Variety had the highest team pledge total.

Ron McKinnon of McK’s Variety had the highest male pledge total and Michele Beaney of TDS Telecom the highest female pledge total.

In addition to the above businesses, the Children Day Committee extends its thanks for the support of Sunrise Glass, Graves’ Shop ‘n

Save, Hampden Wellness Committee and Coldbrook Landscaping.

For prize donations, the committee thanks Qwik Stop Video, R&K Variety, Nicky’s Cruisin’ Diner and Sunrise Glass.

Lorenzo extends a special thanks to the owners of Sports Arena (formerly Heritage Bowling Center on Outer Hammond Street) in Bangor for use of its facilities and for prize donations.

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