Cancer survivors to lead Relay for Life event

Good weather would be most welcome for those participating in this weekend’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in Old Town and Calais, but I know there will be enough faith, hope and love out there to keep everyone warm.

Jae Libby-Folster of Enfield and Lisa Hatch of Hampden, both breast cancer survivors, are serving as honorary co-chairwomen of Old Town Relay and will lead the Survivor’s Lap beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Old Town High School track.

Both women have had extraordinary experiences as cancer survivors.

Libby-Folster, 27, was diagnosed in February with Paget’s disease of the nipple, which is such a rare form of cancer that it accounts for only 1 percent of all breast cancers, and is comparable to the rate at which men are diagnosed with breast cancer.

She had a mastectomy in March, and the positive attitude for which she is known will certainly be evident as she leads the Survivor’s Lap.

Hatch was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and her father with the same disease two years ago. She lost a sister and best friend to cancer last year, and her brother was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Among those whom Hatch will lead in the Survivor’s Lap will be members of her own family.

With 125 cancer survivors expected to participate, more are welcome.

Call 989-0332 to sign up.

In Calais, in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of those who have died from the disease, luminaria candles will be lighted at 10 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Washington County Technical College.

The candles can be purchased up to the day of the event by calling 454-0327.

The Calais Relay is an 18-hour event, and the Relay for Life in Old Town is a 24-hour event with a fund-raising goal of $125,000.

Both Relays, as well as the 10 others taking place in Maine this month, bring together teams from businesses, schools, churches, families and friends for a fun night of walking or running around a track to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Karen Higgins reports the annual Phillips-Strickland House Yard Sale is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 17, in the Phillips-Strickland parking lot off York Street in Bangor.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the PSH Activity Department.

Norris Nickerson of Anah Temple Shrine called to remind readers the Shrine’s annual free child screening clinics are 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 17, at six Eastern Maine locations.

“The screenings are for any child under the age of 18 whom we can help with orthopedic difficulties, spina bifida or burn scars,” he said. “What we want to emphasize is that those we can help all receive free care from the Shriner’s Hospital.”

The clinic sites are: Anah Temple Shrine, 586 Main St., Bangor; Horizons Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Suite 9, 140 Academy St., Presque Isle; Down East Community Hospital, McBride Building, Machias; Waldo County Shrine Club, Northport Avenue, Belfast; Calais Regional Hospital and Penquis Orthopedics, Dr. Richard Swett, 43 Dwelley St., Dover-Foxcroft.

Accompanying adults should bring necessary paperwork, including a birth certificate, immunization record, divorce decree, adoption papers and custody or guardianship orders.

Leon and Audrey Higgins of Bangor are co-chairing the 100th anniversary celebration of Brewer First United Methodist Church.

They wrote to notify and invite any and all who are interested, have attended or have been a part of the church to join that celebration, which begins with the worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18, at the church, 40 South Main St.

The Rev. Dr. George E. Curtiss III will lead the celebration, which will include a message from New England United Methodist Conference Bishop Susan Wolfe Hassinger and attendance by former pastors the Revs. David W. Bell, Thomas R. Merrill and Howard E. Benson.

The church is preparing a new history for the celebration, which will be available at the service.

The history includes a list of articles sealed in the cornerstone, photos of former members and pastors, and remembrances written by longtime church members.

Kathy Harmon of Cityside Yarn Co. reports the next meeting of Hearts, Hands and Hats, a group of knitters who make “colorful and cozy chemo caps” for someone undergoing chemotherapy, is 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Cityside Yarn, 81 Main St., Bangor.

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