What a pleasure it was to learn that yet another Maine high school graduate is competing Monday, April 19, in the Boston Marathon, and for yet another most-worthy cause!

I thank Susan Chessa of Milo for calling to tell me that she and her husband, Richard Chessa, are understandably proud that their daughter, Barany Chessa of Norwood, Mass., is running “the Boston” to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

A Penquis Valley High School graduate, Barany Chessa played four years of soccer, basketball and softball at the Milo school and played those same sports for another four years at Thomas College in Waterville.

Her mother wrote she “continues to play soccer and softball on league teams.”

This is Barany Chessa’s second Boston Marathon.

Running last year, she completed the course in 4 hours 32 minutes, her mother wrote, adding that, “this year, we will be there when she crosses the finish line.”

The parents missed that celebration last year, because Richard was recovering from major surgery.

In a letter to friends and family, Barany Chessa wrote “everything you ever needed to know about yourself, you can learn in 26.2 miles.”

She added her “first marathon ever” was an “amazing and indescribable” experience, and that, while she was doing what she loved, she also was happy to be raising money for CF.

She explained that there currently is no cure for CF, which affects about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

“I was more than happy to do whatever I could to raise money for this charity,” she wrote of being asked to run for CF last year.

In her letter, she explained that CF is a genetic disease “caused by a defective gene that causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.”

The disease, she added, “affects a family that I have grown to love,” and whom she considers her “Boston family.”

Susan Chessa wrote her daughter “would appreciate any donations for this foundation.”

“If people are unable to contribute, she asks for everyone to keep her in their thoughts and to pray for all the adults and children with this disease.”

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Suite 104, 220 North Main St., Natick, MA 01760.

Old Town and Orono volunteers will call local residents between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, March 13, during the annual Phone-a-Thon to benefit The Animal Orphanage on Airport Road in Old Town.

Kay Hyatt, vice president of the shelter, reports the event is conducted with the assistance of MBNA, and volunteers will ask for pledges to support the shelter’s spay-neuter fund.

If you wish to donate and are not contacted, call 866-0753, which is a designed fund-raising line, or mail a contribution to The Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 6565, Orono 04473.

The no-kill shelter, founded in 1990, follows a 100 percent spay-neuter policy.

It provides care and medical services for stray and abandoned dogs and cats from Old Town and Orono, and seeks to place them in suitable adoptive homes.

With a little “Luck of the Irish,” it’s an All You Can Eat supper from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Veazie Congregational Church.

Church member Lucille Carden reports the meal ($6 for adults and $3 for children) consists of beans, hot dogs, casseroles, brown bread, rolls, coleslaw and delicious desserts.

With festive St. Patrick’s Day decorations all around, you will listen to recorded Irish music while you dine and, maybe, have your name drawn for the apple-pie door prize!

Members of the Church of Universal Fellowship invite you to a St. Patrick’s Celebration Buffet Supper, for a most-worthy cause, at 6 p.m. Monday, March 15, at the church on Main Street in Orono.

Hosted by members of the church’s ways and means committee, tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.

All proceeds will benefit Crossroads Ministries of Old Town to assist with that organization’s purchase of the former Penobscot Times Building, according to CUF member Anne Hathaway.

She wrote that a cappella entertainment will be provided by four young, male singers: Danny Williams, Jon Hawley, Todd Lake and Mark Phillips.

Their presentation will include Irish tunes, and conclude with the Irish Prayer.

Call 866-3131 as soon as possible for tickets.

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