The eighth annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity is Saturday, Jan. 29, in Greenville.

Nancy Craven of Bangor wrote to me recently to remind “sponsors, riders and everyone involved” in the event “that time is creeping up, and anyone who hasn’t sent in their sponsorships-riders brochure should think about doing so” as soon as possible.

She explained that the riders list is growing daily, and that only 500 sleds can participate.

Craven reported many “new and old sponsors are on board, and we look forward to doing as well as last year” when the fund-raiser, featuring Maine’s only NASCAR Nextel Cup driver, raised $253,000.

Nancy Craven hopes that “with everyone’s help and support” that amount will be surpassed this year.

The charities benefiting from this popular wintertime ride, in which Ricky Craven participates, are Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare, Give Kids the World, The Marrow Foundation, the Travis Roy Foundation, and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine.

The rider’s fee is $125 per person.

“It’s a fun, rewarding and exciting day, giving Ricky the opportunity to come home, enjoy the ride, his fans, and representing the five charities he supports,” his mother wrote.

For information, call her at 941-9364; Ricky’s sister Lauri Matheson at 990-3202; or e-mail rcmnorth@acadia.net.

Nancy Craven extends “special thanks to everyone who volunteers” for this event.

“We appreciate you all.”

Betty Jean Maybury of Brewer, a member of the Bangor Business and Professional Women’s Club and its local Scholarship Committee, reminds young Maine women that three scholarships are awarded annually through the BPW-Maine Foundation scholarship program.

Applications for those scholarships must be received by Wednesday, April 20, 2005, to be considered for the 2005-06 school year.

Each scholarship provides $1,200 for school expenses.

Applications for the Rachel E. Lemieux Youth Scholarship are available at area high school guidance offices, or from the local BPW scholarship chairwoman.

Applications for the other two scholarships are available at the financial aid offices of Maine colleges or from the local BPW scholarship chairwoman.

Those scholarships are the Continuing Education Scholarship, awarded to a woman whose postsecondary education is in progress, and the Career Advancement Scholarship, awarded to a woman age 30 or older enrolled in an accredited college or training program of study.

The local BPW scholarship chairwoman is Julie Antworth, 1453 Union St., Bangor 04401.

Her telephone number is 947-4915.

Erin Rice of Pine Tree Society Kids Project adaptive equipment program reports PTS is hosting Volunteer Upholsterer Training from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at PTS, 149 Front St. in Bath.

“This training will cover everything you need to know,” she wrote of preparing items for the program such as sewing cushions and straps for adaptive chairs.

To register or receive information, contact Betsy Grossman, 443-3341, ext. 112, or e-mail kidsproject@pinetreesociety.org.

Dana Forrest Kennedy wrote that members of the Milbridge-Cherryfield Rotary Club are gathering pine cones in preparation for their annual fund-raiser, a balsam Christmas wreath sale.

The wreaths are $18 each and can be purchased directly from Roberts Downeast Wreaths, 546-2955, or from any member of that Rotary Club.

Proceeds benefit the $1,000 scholarship the Rotary awards annually to a high school senior planning to attend college, two annual youth merit awards and local projects such as Riverside Park.

Elizabeth Whitney of the Trenton Historical Society wrote to thank those who helped with two recent fund-raisers that netted more than $400.

She also extends a “special thank you” to attorney Michael Ross of Trenton “for volunteering his professional time to help us draw up the legal paperwork to establish an endowment fund” for the purpose of helping “us find a home of our own,” she wrote.

THS meetings are now conducted at the elementary school.

Other fund-raisers for THS include its second annual Thanksgiving Raffle, which offers three food gift certificates of $75, $50 and $25, donated by Kim Murphy, owner of Trenton Marketplace.

Raffle tickets can be obtained by calling Whitney at 667-2045 or Dot Young at 667-2309, or by e-mailing trenton

history@yahoo.com.

The drawing is Sunday, Nov. 21, at Trenton Marketplace.

The THS calendar, featuring historic pictures related to the town of Trenton “should be available” at the end of this month, Whitney wrote.

The calendars are $10 each, and can be obtained by calling Whitney or Young, or through the e-mail address.

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