Right now, according to Angela Bilodeau of the American Red Cross Blood Services New England Region in Bangor, the center’s blood supply is “critical for five of the eight blood types, and critical means a half day’s supply,” she explained.

That is why it is so important you mark your calendar and plan to be one of the donors during the 12th annual M*A*S*H Blood Drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Bangor Civic Center.

Because of the critical state of the blood center’s supply, Bilodeau said, “we’re asking everybody to, please, take an hour or so, and come donate.”

The goal is to collect 300 units of blood during this drive.

If it helps get you there, know that you can depend, once again, upon receiving a M*A*S*H T-shirt and Domino’s pizza.

But you will find even more to entice you to participate in this particular drive.

Bilodeau said a record number of merchants have agreed to support the event, giving you many chances to win a multitude of gifts.

Gift certificates for items, meals, rooms and more are being offered by Holiday Inn Odlin Road, the Bangor Lumberjacks, Bangor Ski Rack, Bangor Municipal Golf Course, The Grasshopper Shop, Bagel Central, Epi’s, Curves and Nicky’s Diner.

You might win something from Mr. Paperback, Dysart’s, Sea Dog Brewing Co., Rebecca’s, Subway, Miller’s Restaurant or Mr. Quick.

Or you might win a gift certificate from Fairmount Market, The Coffee Pot, Daigle Oil Co., Chapel Hill Floral, Applebee’s, Epic Sports, the Bangor Mall or Sprague’s Nursery and Garden Center.

In any event, just donating blood will make you a winner in the eyes of those who desperately need what you have to give – the gift of life!

Bilodeau added WKIT-FM will be doing a live remote broadcast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and that hot dogs have been added to the menu.

Remember, too, the civic center is air conditioned, so you’ll be giving in comfort.

If you’ve never been part of a M*A*S*H blood drive before, this is the year to start.

Don’t forget that reservations are necessary for the Elm Street Congregational Church sixth annual Dinner Theatre, the comedy “Just Desserts,” which begins at 5:30 p.m. both Friday, July 11, and Sunday, July 13, at the church in Bucksport.

Call the church office at 469-3333, or Nancy Bourgon, 469-3328, to reserve your spot.

Young children, who would like to find out what it was like to live “way back when,” and adults who enjoy taking a step back in time won’t want to miss “Living History Days” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum on Route 178 in Bradley.

Leonard’s Mills becomes an active 18th and 19th century community this weekend as volunteers work just as hard as our predecessors did at blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, cooking bean-hole beans and making reflector oven biscuits, as well as making their own candles, shakes and pottery.

Admission to “Living History Days” is $7 for adults and $2 for children age 12 and under, and free for MFLM members. Located between Milford and Brewer, Leonard’s Mills has arrangements for the handicapped, and more information can be obtained by calling 581-2871.

Anita McGarry of Bangor reports that members of the Heart of Maine Chorus of Sweet Adelines International hope you will visit their Super Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at 212 Silk St. in Brewer.

Your purchases will help the chorus keep on singing and, if you wish, you can sing along, too.

Friends of late Palmyra pilot Ron Curtis, who was killed in a plane crash last month, are doing what they can to help his family.

His wife and four children survive Curtis, who was 44 at the time of his death.

Fellow aviator and close friend Charles Cianchette has established a college fund for the Curtis children.

Autumn and Caleb attend the University of Southern Maine where she is in pre-medicine and he is studying business. Micah is a junior at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, and Ethan attends Palmyra Elementary School.

Contributions to the fund can be mailed to the Curtis Family Education Fund, c/o Peoples, P.O. Box 545, Pittsfield 04967.

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