Maine country music stars to aid Franklin couple

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Some of the top award winners in the Maine Country Music Association are taking to the highway this weekend, at their own expense, to help a couple who recently lost their home to fire.

East Orland-based WERU-FM country radio host Tommy Dean “and my WERU buddy, John Hillman-Waters,” will be masters of ceremonies for the Country Music Benefit for Scott and Linda Griffin of Franklin, Dean told me.

The benefit for the Griffins will be held 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at American Legion Post 207 on Route 3 in Trenton, “just past Wal-Mart,” Dean said.

In an early-morning fire on Wednesday, Dec. 31, the 115-year-old house the Griffins have called home for 34 years burned to the ground. The property also housed their trucking business, Dean said.

Dean is organizing the event for a couple he considers among the most civic-minded residents of the area.

For years, Dean and his wife have conducted the Christmas is for Kids program and for many of those years, he explained, Linda Griffin has been helping them with it.

“Last year, we raised $42,500, and all profits were donated to the KISS 94 FM Christmas is for Kids program,” Dean said.

Part of that donation included money raised from Linda Griffin’s sales of teddy bears.

She collects them throughout the year to sell for this fund-raiser and as a result is known to many as the “teddy bear lady.”

“The American Legion is donating the hall” for the benefit concert, Dean added. “It’s a beautiful facility. The sound is wonderful for music.”

And the entertainers are sure to please.

Participating in the benefit will be Maine country music star Florita of Pownal, Dean said, and making the long trip up from southern Maine will be 9-year-old Brian Wardwell of Limerick, who is already making headlines in the country music field.

“Doc” Morrill of Greenfield, whose credits go back to the ’50s, and the Curly O’Brien Show, will appear with the Down Home Country Band.

You will also enjoy the “Downeast Gentleman,” Gary Mitchell of Ellsworth, and the very popular Rockland duo of Everard Dodge and Roseanna Rogers.

The Griffins, according to Dean, are currently staying with relatives.

But, he assures me, they are very positive people, and not about to let this difficult situation get them down.

“Linda’s spirits are always up,” Dean said. “She told me, ‘We’ll get along.'”

And with a little help from their friends and community members, they certainly will.

The benefit includes “raffles, a 50-50, a small auction, food for sale, and a lot of surprises,” Dean said. “After all, it’s all about Linda and Scott. I can’t stress that enough.”

Admission is by cash donation.

If you are unable to attend, you can help the Griffins by mailing a donation to The Griffin Fund, First National Bank of Bar Harbor, 102 Main St., Bar Harbor 04609.

More information is also available at www.mainecountrymusic.com.

Skiers are invited to participate in the fifth annual Charity Challenge to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley.

The event includes the morning ski challenge, a race arena challenge, and live and silent auctions featuring items from many famous individuals.

The goal for this year’s challenge is $66,000.

Celebrity participants in the race arena challenge, which the skiing public is invited to join, include former Gov. Angus King and former Red Sox baseball star Jim Lonborg.

For more information, call Martha Bradley, 797-7130, or visit sugarloaf.com/charitychallenge.

Want to think about something to help warm up your insides?

Maybe just making plans to participate in the Bangor Garden Club’s annual trip to the Boston Flower Show will help.

This year’s trip is Tuesday, March 16, and the theme of the show is “Deeply Rooted.”

Tickets, including transportation, admission to the show and gratuity, are $60 each, but meals will be on your own.

The bus leaves at 6:30 a.m. that day, from the Broadway Shopping Center in Bangor, and returns at approximately 9:30 that evening to the same site.

A coffee stop, plus a 5 p.m. dinner stop at Yoken’s in New Hampshire, are on the itinerary, but snacks or a bag lunch are also recommended for those making the trip.

To make your reservation, call Caroline Tully at 945-3807.

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