One August day two years ago, Cynthia Frey of Dixmont received the news no parent ever wants to hear.

Her daughter, 17-year-old Laura Frey, died in an automobile accident while driving to hockey camp at the University of Maine in Orono.

“When I felt ready to attend a support group for grieving parents,” Cynthia Frey wrote, “I was saddened that none were available, outside of hospice, in my area.”

Since April 2003, however, she has been attending support groups in Corinna, Athens, “and the newly formed group at Acadia Hospital” in Bangor, she wrote.

Frey also helped organize The Compassionate Friends group at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft.

And while those “drop-in groups have provided some support,” she explained, “I felt I needed more from such meetings.”

After researching the organization of support groups, receiving guidance from a grief counselor and the encouragement of her family and pastor, she organized Kindred Spirits.

The goal of this group “is to bring parents together who are grieving the loss of a child.”

Kindred Spirits will meet for six 90-minute sessions, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., twice a month, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 14, at East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road in Orrington.

There is no charge to attend the meetings, which Frey hopes will provide other parents in her situation “a safe, caring environment in which to work with their grief.”

She notes on the brochure that “our grief is painful, long-standing and often done in isolation.”

It is her hope that this group will be able to help provide emotional, physical and spiritual support in a safe, nonjudgmental environment; bring comfort, understanding and hope to the grief process; and help parents learn ways to cope with their grief by sharing ideas, resources and companionships.

To register or receive further information, call Frey at 234-2505, or EOCC, 825-3404.

Many activities precede the Komen Maine Race for the Cure 5K Run-Walk and 1K Fun Run-Walk, Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Bangor Waterfront. Preregistrations are being taken at the Bangor Mall next to the Filene’s entrance.

Preregistration times and dates are 4-8 p.m. today through Thursday, Sept. 9; noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11; 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16; and 4-7 p.m., both Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 18.

Additionally, a race volunteer reception-orientation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Four Points Sheraton at Bangor International Airport.

Race chair Nichi Farnham of Bangor invites all past, present and future volunteers to attend.

Three years ago, when Livingston Taylor performed in Brewer, that event was sold out, reports Rich Kimball, Brewer Middle School coordinator.

Taylor returns in concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the school, 5 Somerset St. in Brewer.

Tickets are $15, available in advance at The Grasshopper Shop in downtown Bangor “or at the door while they last,” Kimball said.

All proceeds benefit Brewer Youth Theater programs.

“He doesn’t play much in Maine these days,” Kimball said of Taylor and, since the previous appearance sold out, Kimball suggests fans “would be well-advised to get their tickets early.”

The singer-songwriter and younger brother of musician James Taylor “recently appeared on ABC-TV in ‘The View,’ and puts on a great show,” Kimball added.

On behalf of Beth Israel Synagogue, Louise Small invites you to a Mini-Golf Fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Island Green Golf Center in Holden.

The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 26.

Prepaid admission is $5.50 for adults, $5 for children, $19 for a family of four and $4 for an extra child.

At the door, prices are $6 for adults and $5.50 for children.

Besides minigolf, which is an activity appealing to everyone from preschool children to grandparents, the event will include face painting, refreshments and more.

Call Small at 866-3644 for tickets. She asks you “leave your name and number, and a Beth Israel member will contact you.”

Before going on vacation, I wrote about the First United Methodist Church Silent Auction-Dessert Social Fund-raiser, which is 7:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the church on Essex Street in Bangor.

Donations for that auction are being sought but, unfortunately, I was provided the wrong number to call for information.

If you have items to contribute, call Deb Christensen at 945-9567.

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