As 2004 draws to a close, many people recall the kindness, assistance, financial contributions, donations of necessary items and help of others that made this year a special one for them.

For example, Dawn Dunphy of Hampden extends a thank-you to the Hampden Children’s Day Committee 2004 for that special summer event.

“Though some parents didn’t like the rain,” Dunphy wrote, “the children loved the chance to play in the rain while sliding through the bounce house obstacle course, watching the Orrington Matsumura-Seito karate demonstration, the Hermon dancers, the juggler, having their faces painted and playing the games.”

Dunphy added that the “fireworks were excellent” and her daughter said that “she had the most fun of all the years” of Hampden Children’s Day.

Rudy and Jeanette Larez, Mavis Mahar, Wendy Hosford, George Bryant Jr. and Larry Giles, residents of Hope Manor, wrote one letter, and Jon and Marie Ford another, all thanking the anonymous donor for providing funds for the Eddington barbecue held mid-August in that community.

That “generous citizen,” the Hope Manor residents wrote, “paid for a great day of food, fun and entertainment for all the citizens of the Eddington community.”

For the Fords, “the food and entertainment were great,” they wrote, “but the re-acquaintance with old friends and neighbors was priceless.”

Late last summer, Paul Jones of Ridgway, Ill., completed a 160-page book, “The Forgotten Boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Who Enlisted as Boys and Were Discharged Men.”

He was able to write that book, he explained, thanks to responses he received from still-living veterans who served in the CCC during the Great Depression, 1930-1941.

“I had requested their nostalgic memories of their experiences during their enlistment,” he wrote, requesting they tell all: “The good, the bad, the ugly.”

From where they worked to the tools they used and how their $1-a-day pay helped their families, Jones wanted to learn all he could about that period in their lives.

He was especially interested “how training, under Army regulations, primed them for quick promotions in their military service in World War II a few years later.”

Jones reported that from the responses he “found all considered that their time spent in the CCC was one of their greatest periods of life. All revered their service and would do it all over again.”

I spoke with Jones this week, and he told me more than 500 copies of the book have been sold.

The cost is $14.95, postpaid, or two for $25, and you can obtain one by calling Jones at (618) 272-3031 or writing him at P.O. Box 608, Ridgway, IL 62979.

On behalf of the Clifton library committee, Penny Peasley thanks “the ladies from Clifton and Eddington” who baked for an October sale to benefit the committee.

She said about 50 people were called upon to support the event, which they did.

The bakers “did it gladly, they delivered, and we really appreciated it,” Peasley said, adding that they were pleased with the turnout, as well.

Lynda Taplin of Newburgh recently lost her father who, she said, “lived a full and long life of nearly 93 years.”

Taplin wrote that she “will be forever grateful to the loving and compassionate staff at Dirigo Pines in Orono” who “became family to Dad and to my family, and brought laughter and love to Dad’s last days.”

She recognizes the staff for being “in tune with what is important” by treating the residents “with respect and compassion.”

“There is a peacefulness, there, that is felt as soon as you walk in the door,” and you are greeted with smiles “as if you are long-lost family.”

Taplin wants others to know, “if you are unable to care for a loved one at home, there is a place that cares and will help you. You will have peace of mind.”

Roxanne Lee of the Fall Jubilee Committee extends thanks to Friends of Fourteenth Street School in Bangor “for your generous contributions to our family fun event.”

“Your contribution helped make our Fall Jubilee celebration a big success,” she wrote, adding her thanks for everyone’s support of the school and its pupils.

Eva Gonya thanks members of the American Legion, VFW, DAV and Elks who honored veterans and spouses of the Katahdin area last fall with the buffet and revue at the Elks Hall in Millinocket.

“Besides the delicious food, the entertainment was excellent,” she wrote. “It brought back many wonderful memories.”

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