Well-known Blue Hill businessman Tom Smith, 43, owner of Blue Hill Accounting, is very ill and needs a liver transplant.

Smith and his wife, Marilyn, have a daughter, Erika, who is a college senior.

The family has incurred a “severe financial hardship as a result” of his illness, according to John Ward, music director for First Congregational Church of Blue Hill.

To help Smith and his family through this difficult time, a benefit concert is being held at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church in Blue Hill.

“It is hoped that this concert will raise some money but, more importantly,” Ward wrote, “will raise consciousness in the community about Tom’s need, and to demonstrate the community’s emotional support for Tom and his family.”

Ward wrote that the concert would include “about 15 acts involving about 25 performers who are donating their services” at the fund-raiser “for our friend and neighbor.”

The eclectic mix of music includes folk, country, contemporary, jazz, classical, tango and traditional instrumental.

And it will be an eclectic mix of musicians as well, with performers ranging from age 8 to 92, and hailing from as far away as Orono and Camden.

Admission will be by donation, and all proceeds will benefit Smith’s medical fund.

If you wish to make a donation and are unable to attend the concert, donations can be mailed to the National Foundation for Transplants, P.O. Box 1177, Blue Hill 04614.

In the memo line, write Tom C. Smith.

If you see her along the highway, be sure to give her a wave and toot your horn in encouragement for Brenda Davis, executive director of Cross Roads Ministries in Old Town, who is in the midst of her third annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking Tour.

Davis began her trek in Old Town on Oct. 28.

She is expected to cover nearly 700 miles and visit 46 communities throughout the state, concluding the fund-raiser at Penobscot County Credit Union in Old Town on Nov. 20.

In addition to raising funds, Davis is walking to increase awareness about the hunger problem in Maine.

She chose to walk this month because November has been declared Ending Hunger Month in Maine.

Maine Credit Union League’s Campaign for Ending Hunger presented Davis $500 at the beginning of her walk, and the campaign has pledged to contribute more than $8,500 to the Walking Tour.

In its first two years, Maine’s credit unions have donated more than $14,000 of the $19,000 raised during the walk.

For more information about this event, call Jon Paradise at MCUL, 773-5671, ext. 273, or e-mail jparadise@mainecul.org.

On behalf of the members of East Orrington Congregational Church, Mona Spain of Bucksport invites you to “come and do your Christmas shopping early” by attending its Gingerbread Christmas Fair this weekend.

The fund-raiser starts with the craft fair and a fresh lobster roll-chowder supper, with brownie sundaes for dessert, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church, located at 38 Johnson Mill Road.

The cost of the meal is $10, but for those who forgo seafood and prefer only corn chowder, sandwiches and dessert, the cost is $8.

The craft fair continues the next day, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Because I wouldn’t want an unsuspecting person to be inundated with postcards, I double-checked this request by phone and by e-mail, and it is legitimate.

Patricia Schoenherr of Dearborn Heights, Mich., wrote that “due to an accident, I am permanently disabled as well as homebound, and collect postcards from all over the world.”

She would like our readers to send her postcards and to e-mail her as well.

She added that “I do not mind getting lots of mail.

“It would mean so much to get something” from residents of the Pine Tree State, she wrote.

You can send postcards to her at 5320 Michael St., Dearborn Heights, MI 48125, or e-mail imcraftypatty@aol.com.

Remember that today is Election Day.

Please be sure to vote.

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