Applications for a wonderful summer opportunity for people with disabilities will be available starting Jan. 1. Erin Rice of the Pine Tree Society hopes anyone who is eligible for this program will apply.

“Pine Tree Camp is preparing for its 60th season of providing an extraordinary summer camp experience to Maine children and adults with disabilities,” Rice wrote, adding: “Please help us spread the word about Pine Tree Camp to people who could benefit from the program.”

Located on the shore of North Pond in Rome, the facility began in 1945 as a way to provide a summer therapy program for children with disabilities, according to information provided by Rice.

PTC has since become an innovative, barrier-free environment that offers fully accessible recreation to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Its 250 acres include 34 buildings and two miles of accessible nature trails.

The camp welcomes nearly 500 people each summer.

And while the tuition is $1,400, PTC opens it doors to anyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Throughout the year, PTS raises money for tuition assistance for campers and their families to continue the tradition of its Open Door Policy.

For details, parents, guardians and service providers for children and adults with disabilities who could benefit from this experience should request an application as soon as they are available.

For more information, call 443-3341 or www.pinetree

society.org.

Bangor Public Library Director Barbara McDade invites you to participate in its fourth annual Bangor Reads program during January.

This year, one book, by our most famous local author, is the Bangor Reads theme: “On Writing” by Stephen King.

McDade wants you to know that she believes this book is “a special gift.”

Not only does King “share his insights on writing, but he shares his life with us as well, and it is an inspirational tale,” she reports.

Bangor Reads begins with Make A Book for school-age children at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The remaining program includes a discussion of “On Writing” at noon Thursday, Jan 6; Stephen King’s Bangor, 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8; Write a Book, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8; Make a Book, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11; Artists Making a Book, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 11; and a book discussion, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13.

Stephen King as a Writer is 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15; Making a Book, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18; Journey as a Writer, 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22; and Make a Book, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 25.

An artists presentation is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25; book discussion, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27; and creative writing and writing in Maine, 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan 29.

Individuals participating in these programs include Dianna Christakos, Ryan King, Stu Tinker, Jan Lima, Jan Owen, Walter Tisdale, Kathleen Ellis and Burton Hatlen.

Also participating are Nancy Leavitt, Sandy Phippen, Janet Chapman and Margery Irvine.

For complete details and information, call the library at 947-8336, ext. 139, or visit the library at 145 Harlow St.

Ten people already have registered, but 10 more are needed for SAD 47 Adult Education to offer an AARP driver’s training course in Dexter.

That course is planned for the spring 2005 semester, reports Rita Ilseman, and she wants readers to know that people of “all ages are welcome” to take the course.

The $10 fee is payable to AARP, and insurance discounts will be available for qualified participants.

The course will be taught in two four-hour sessions, and successful completion is based on self-evaluation, Ilseman said.

“Some people wonder if there is a test,” she said. “But there is no pass or fail.”

Course dates will be announced once the class is filled.

To register or receive more information, call Ilseman, 924-7674; e-mail rilseman@

msad46.org, or write her at SAD 46 Adult Education, 12 Abbott Hill Road, Dexter 04930.

Visitors to the University of Maine campus in Orono might want to take in the new exhibit at the university’s Carnegie Hall galleries.

Now through Feb. 3, more than 20 students are exhibiting up to 50 pieces of work as part of a senior year honors project.

The show is titled “Sense Is” to represent the students’ best efforts in creating and coordinating a gallery show that is co-chaired by student Celena Grover of Bangor.

For gallery hours and directions to Carnegie Hall, call the UMaine art department, 581-3245.

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