The staff of Living Innovations Support Services invites members of the public to learn about this new area agency during an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 2, at 118 Moosehead Trail in Newport.

For those unfamiliar with that location, agency director Sandi Macomber reports it is “right next door to Maine Choice Realty.”

At the open house, you will to learn how you can work with this agency that provides “support to individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes and in their communities,” Macomber wrote.

The agency originated in New Hampshire eight years ago with offices in Salem, Greenland and Portsmouth. It expanded to Maine with offices in Saco, Lewiston and now Newport, Macomber explained.

The service is seeking what Macomber describes as “direct support professionals to work in the consumer’s home.

“Some of the consumers live with their families,” she explained. “Some live in their own apartments, and some need live-in homes we qualify as host families.”

Families who would “open their homes to an adult with developmental disabilities” also are sought, Macomber said.

The agency will provide support staff, training, a stipend and respite for qualifying families.

For those applicants, a background check, home assessment, water test and a safety assessment are required.

Once a family is qualified, the agency will work to match the family with the most appropriate individual “so that both the individual and the host family are satisfied,” Macomber added.

She invites the public to “stop by anytime” during the open house “to meet the staff, see the new office and learn about the services we provide.”

For information, call Macomber at 368-5885.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the final program of the Bangor Museum and Center for History exhibit, “From Away: Exploring Bangor’s Cultural Heritage,” features University of Southern Maine associate professor of history Dr. Eileen Eagan at 5 p.m. Monday, March 29, at the museum, 6 State St.

Her topic is “From Galway To Gorham’s Corner: Irish Women Migrate to Maine.”

Admission is free.

The exhibit closes Wednesday, March 31.

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

For information, call 942-1900.

The cast and crew composed of approximately 75 pupils at Reeds Brook Middle School invite the public to see its production of “The Great All-American Musical Disaster” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, and Friday, April 2, at the school on Main Road South in Hampden.

The two-act play is co-directed by drama teacher Karyn St. Louis Field and actor Zachary Field.

Tickets are $4 each, and can be purchased at the school or at the door.

Judy Drew of Corinna is team captain for Curves of Newport’s 2004 Multiple Sclerosis Walk, which is from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, April 18, in Pittsfield.

Drew is seeking participants for the four-mile event, but she explained that those who support this cause do not actually have to walk the four miles.

In fact, because she suffers from an “MS-like condition,” she said, “I’d be ecstatic to see if I can walk four miles.”

Participants can “walk, collect pledges, or use their imagination” to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Drew said.

One acquaintance “is having a bake sale, because she can’t walk at all,” Drew explained.

Individuals can call Drew at 278-2255 for information about participating in the fund-raiser.

Steve, Lynn, Jason and Cal Leighton of Hampden thank “all of our wonderful family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances for your support during Steve’s battle with brain cancer,” they wrote.

The family extends “special thanks” to Albie and Linda Valcourt “for planning a fantastic benefit supper and dance.”

That event, which came together in a very few days and was held the last Saturday in February, was a tremendous financial success, I was told, thanks to the unbridled generosity of all who attended.

The Leighton family is also grateful for the efforts of Perry Boudreau, Jon Fearon, Mike and Jennie Anderson, Bob and Carol Jankowski “and any others we may have missed.”

The Leightons want you to know “that night was very special to all of us, and the outpouring of love and caring will never be forgotten.

“That love and support, along with the many cards and well wishes, will get us through this difficult time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

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