Penobscot Theatre Guild has entrusted the success of a first fund-raiser of this type to the right person.

Nancy Ziegenbein of Bangor, our resident expert on coach trips for local nonprofits, reports PTG is hosting a bus trip to Portland Stage, where attendees will enjoy the world premier performance of the new play “Almost Maine.”

The bus leaves at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, from the park and ride lot opposite Ramada Inn in Bangor.

Written by Maine author John Cariani, Ziegenbein said the tale is about Aroostook County.

“It’s a quirky love story, full of humor and hope, and it’s going to Broadway next year, so it certainly would be interesting to see it first in Maine,” she said.

The cost is $95 per person, which includes transportation, the matinee performance at 4 p.m. and dinner at Village Cafe.

“This is a shorter trip, so people who are not so excited about being gone from early in the morning to late in the evening might find it more appealing,” Ziegenbein added.

Ziegenbein, who is making great strides recovering from a serious stroke and subsequent medical problems, wants readers to know “all these places are handicapped-accessible, including the coach.”

To make your reservation, call her at 947-7965.

Ziegenbein also said seats are still available for the Wellesley College Alumnae of Eastern Maine fifth annual fall Fund-raising Coach Trip – the Canterbury Shaker Village-Lake Winnipesaukee Cruise – Sunday, Oct. 17.

The cost is $119 per person.

Proceeds benefit Wellesley’s Aid-Blind Fund, she explained, for students admitted to Wellesley before it is known how much aid each will require. Raised funds also will further the Students’ Aid Fund, for such things as emergency trips home.

For this trip as well, call the above number.

Harris Drug Store owner Gus Harris of Greenville is offering a delicious opportunity to help raise the $1 million needed to complete the long-awaited $2 million capital campaign for improvements to the Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.

From 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, Harris will scoop free Gifford’s ice cream at his store, in exchange for your donation to the C.A. Dean Capital Campaign.

The campaign is raising funds for a new medical facility for the hospital and to help meet the changing health care needs of area residents.

For more information about the event, call the store at 695-2921.

For more information about the campaign, call the campaign office at 695-5237.

Tickets will be available at the door for the Brewer High School Project Graduation 2005’s Longaberger Basket Bingo at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

Admission for the games is $10 per person, with additional games and drawings for those who want to participate.

For information, call Amy Williams at 827-7149.

Arlene Newey of Golden Harvest Grange No. 33 invites you to its annual Craft Fair 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Grange Hall, Route 2 in Carmel.

Lunch will be available.

For more information, call Newey at 848-3052.

Emmy Award-winning entertainer Bill Chinnock of Yarmouth and singer Janice Pendarvise of New York City will sing hymns at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Milo Full Gospel Mission on High Street.

Chinnock reports the duo is “hoping for financial donations” to enable its 90-year-old minister, Ida Kerr, “to keep her mission open through the winter months.”

For more information, call Kerr at 943-2253.

Melissa Ladenheim reports the Bangor Fiber Arts Guild “promotes interest in the fiber arts by providing opportunities for knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers” of all abilities “to share talents and learn from each other.”

Anyone is welcome to join this community service organization. There is no membership fee.

Meetings are 6-8 p.m. the second Monday of every month at Cityside Yarn Co., 81 Main St., Bangor.

The next program is a pattern and materials swap Monday, Oct. 11, followed by a sock clinic, Monday, Nov. 8, and a Happy Holidays yarn swap, Monday, Dec. 6.

For more information, call Cityside at 990-1455.

My apologies to Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s 13-year-old guest pianist Ji-Yong for his name appearing misspelled as Ji-Young in my column on Thursday, Oct. 7.

I was careful to type his name correctly but, unfortunately, didn’t think to disengage my computer’s autocorrect function that changes “Yong” to “Young” in anything I type.

I have now deleted that particular autocorrect!

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