After reading about all the fun that many brave individuals had jumping into the frigid waters of Passamaquoddy Bay recently to help Washington County Community College raise nearly $35,000 for Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, perhaps you’d like to try something similar for another worthy cause.

Well, the opportunity is closer than you think.

On behalf of the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club, board member Pam Colson Power of Veazie invites you to participate in the first Polar Bear Dip at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the parking lot of the Community Building on Indian Island.

Colson Power tells me that this is a snow-banked, man-made pool and that, for your added assurance, the sponsors “will have lots of EMTs there” to ensure your safety.

Participants are asked to collect pledges and jump in, or make a pledge for one of the PNBGC staff members who have agreed to take the plunge for the kids.

All proceeds will go directly to support youth programs of the club, and those who dare to participate will receive a free T-shirt.

At the very least, it is hoped many of you will not only offer your financial support, but will also attend and cheer on those hardy folks who have decided it’s not too cold in February to jump into water surrounded by a bank of ice!

To participate, or to make a pledge, call PNBGC director Carla Fearon at 817-7355.

I’m sure I don’t need to remind area snowmobile enthusiasts that one of the most successful ride-ins is this weekend. But if you’re visiting here and looking for something worthwhile to do, this is it.

Since 1974, the Pine Tree Camp Snowmobile Ride-In has raised more than $2.7 million to support the summer camp for children and adults with disabilities, located in Rome.

Registration for the Ride-In is 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Sebasticook Valley Community Center on North Street in Newport.

The Annual Ride-In Auction begins with a preview at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by the live auction at 7 p.m. at the center.

Once again, auctioneer Pam Brooks has volunteered her services for this event.

An “All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet” is 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Hungry Hollow ’76ers Snowmobile Club on Horseback Road in Levant, off ITS 84. The cost is $4.50 for adults and $2.50 for children.

Registration for Radar Runs on Sebasticook Lake begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, with the races starting at 9 a.m.

The Q106.5 Celebrity Egg Ride begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in Levant and ends at the Community Center in Newport.

A chicken barbecue, plus hot dogs, will be available for $5 per person from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the community center parking lot, and the Ride-in Queen and Princess Pageant runs are 1-3 p.m. inside the center.

Snowmobiles will parade through downtown Newport starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, and a public supper will be served 4-6 p.m. at the center.

Fireworks over Sebasticook Lake begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by the annual Awards Ceremony and Toteboard Tally at 8 p.m. at the community center.

Closing out the event is the 5th annual Pancake Breakfast for Pine Tree Camp from 7 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Meridian Splendor Lodge on Route 7 in Newport.

For more information, call Harvey Chesley, 443-3341.

Twelve members of the Hurricane Swim Club, coached by John Williams of Clifton and based at Husson College in Bangor, have qualified for the YWCA Junior-Senior National Championships April 1-4 in Charlotte, N.C.

To help raise funds for that trip, swim club members and their supporters are conducting a Bottle Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Smokey’s Redemption Center, 204 Union St. in Bangor.

To make a donation, all you need to do is drop off your returnables at Smokey’s and state that they are for the HSC.

Additionally, the swimmers and their supporters will be collecting returnables in some neighborhoods throughout Bangor, Brewer and Orono, hoping, as Eileen Williams so honestly described, that they will find bottles aplenty since this fund raiser directly “follows Super Bowl weekend.”

If you would prefer to make a direct donation to help these swimmers compete in the nationals, you can mail a check to Hurricane Swim Club, P.O. Box 50, Bangor 04402-0050.

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