What a pleasure to hear from Marilyn Dean of Presque Isle, who says that community is going to host another Presque Isle Reads program.

“We decided to hold a second annual P.I. Reads,” she informed me, “but for a month this time and not six weeks.”

And the month is March, so you’d better get ready to read.

This year’s theme will be dog sledding, Dean wrote.

Several books on the general topic of dog sledding have been chosen, including “Alone Across the Arctic,” by Pam Flowers and “Winter Dance,” by Gary Paulsen, as well as mystery stories.

Among those will be “Death on the Iditarod Trail” and “Dead North” by Alaskan author Sue Henry; “White Fang” by Jack London “and a variety of nonfiction books related to dog sledding, including “Siberian Huskies for Dummies,” Dean added.

Books on this subject will also be available in the children’s section of Turner Memorial Library.

The Presque Isle Reads program is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays in March at the library on Second Street in Presque Isle.

Dr. Nicholas Pesut, a veterinarian and 12-year volunteer for the Can-Am Sled Dog Races, will discuss his experiences at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at the library.

Dr. William Bergan will address life in a remote Alaskan village at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at the library.

At noon that day, Dr. Ken Petress will discuss Iditarod dog sled racing.

For this presentation, you are encouraged to bring a bag lunch.

Pam Flowers will discuss her book at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at the library, and “recreational musher and skijoyer” Jane Sutherland will show her sled dogs at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at the library.

Presque Isle High School Librarian Gretchen Asam will lead a book discussion on the Henry mysteries at noon that day.

Once again, you should bring your own lunch.

Interested readers should register during the first week of March at the library.

Dean encourages you to come in, sign up, get your “2004 P.I. Reads button and a list of what is going on.”

“Come one, come all,” she wrote, and be part of Presque Isle Reads.

To celebrate Leap Day 2004, and to benefit the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Xiao-Lu Li will donate his services for a rare performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 29, at the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center at Husson College in Bangor.

Performing in the recital with Maestro Li; on violin, will be pianist Phillip Silver and cellist Noreen Silver.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth.

They can be reserved by calling the BSO box office at (800) 639-3221 or 942-5555.

More information is available at bangorsymphony.com.

Congratulations to Jennifer Becker of Old Town, who was the winner of the Junior League of Bangor’s first King or Queen for a Year raffle fund-raiser.

As reigning queen, Becker receives $5,000 worth of prizes throughout 2004.

On behalf of the league, president Mary Marin Lyon thanks “the individuals and businesses who supported” this new fund-raiser “and made it a success.”

An organization of women working to make a positive impact in their community, the league urges women interested in gaining new skills and serving their community to call 990-2436 for more information.

“From Away: Exploring Bangor’s Cultural Heritage,” the current exhibit of the Bangor Museum and Center for History, takes a new twist with the presentation of the first program in the Bangor Savings Bank Film Series.

“Avalon” will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 29, at the Museum, 6 State St. in Bangor.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling BMCH at 942-1900.

The film is being presented in conjunction with the River City Cinema Society. It relates the story of a Russian family’s journey to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.

It was written and directed by Barry Levinson.

“From Away” will remain in the museum until the end of March.

Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon-4 p.m. Saturdays.

Eighth-grader Krista McCormick of Washington Manor Middle School in San Leandro, Calif., wants information to plan “a vacation” in Maine.

She would appreciate “information or memorabilia” about family activities, historical sites and “any unique artifacts” that make Maine special.

Her address is WMMS c/o Schulte, 1170 Fargo Ave., San Leandro, CA 94579.

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