Once again, the Intensive English Institute at the University of Maine in Orono is hosting Japanese students for a three-week program, and families are needed to open their homes to the visitors.

Instructor and program development specialist Carrie Blouin reports that the students, who attend Hirosaki University in northern Japan, will be in our area from Sunday, Feb. 20, through Friday, March 11.

The students will be in classes every day during the week at the university, and will take one weekend trip to Quebec.

Each host family receives $440 to help defray expenses for their guest’s food, transportation and entertainment.

Blouin said the program, which UMaine has hosted for several years, has always been successful, and she hopes that you will consider being a part of this exciting, bicultural experience.

The students are eager to practice their English skills and to learn about American culture firsthand by living with a local family, and you will be able to learn much about Japan from them.

If your family is interested in participating in this program, call Chris Mares at 581-3895.

According to a release form the Castine Arts Association, its first Fiber Day last year was so well received and so well attended, CAA has decided to repeat the event and extend it by two hours.

The CAA’s second Fiber Day is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, on both floors of Emerson Hall, which is Castine’s town hall, located on Court Street.

Originated by Peggy Rogers, the event is under the direction this year of two of last year’s participants, Vicki Sheridan, who demonstrated floor cloth painting, and Deborah Pulliam, who demonstrated hand spinning.

The event is open to the public at no charge, and features vendor tables offering tools, books and materials for many of the crafts that will be demonstrated.

For those who wonder what they will find there, well, here’s the list. Planners are expecting demonstrations of spinning, felt-making, knitting, hooked rugs, painted floor cloths, crewel embroidery and needlepoint.

You will also find individuals demonstrating quilting, weaving, cross stitch, papermaking, sewing and tailoring.

Some crafters will offer hands-on demonstrations, and organizers hope as many people as possible will attend and take advantage of this free opportunity to discover a new craft.

Thinking ahead toward spring and the concern that brings pet overpopulation, the caring members of P.E.T.S. – Prevent Euthanasia Through Sterilization – have begun fund raising to help provide spaying and neutering assistance this year.

A nonprofit organization founded by a group of women in the Dover-Foxcroft/Dexter-Milo/Guilford area, P.E.T.S. gives financial assistance to families and individuals who qualify for reduced costs for spaying and neutering their pets.

The latest fund-raiser is a spring raffle with a $1,000 goal.

The grand prize is a getaway for two at the Bar Harbor Motel, and the second prize is a framed acrylic wildlife painting by local artist Suzette East.

Tickets are available at Cup and Easel on Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft and from P.E.T.S. volunteers. The drawing coincides with tax day: Friday, April 15.

With its Community Project to spay and neuter companion animals in a poor neighborhood more than half complete, P.E.T.S. members thank everyone for their support, especially the staff of Foxcroft Veterinary in Dover-Foxcroft.

To contribute to, or receive more information about P.E.T.S., call Sue Slate, 379-2809; Phyllis Dyer, 564-8092 or Sally Sue Pearson, 876-2757.

Although this event does not take place until the end of the month, members of the Marine Corps League, Greater Bangor Area Detachment 1151, request that you purchase tickets in advance, so they will be sure to have enough food available.

The detachment is hosting a supper from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at Apostolic Lighthouse Church, 517 Hammond St. in Bangor. Tickets are $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children under age 12, and can be obtained by calling 945-5975.

Proceeds will benefit programs of the Marine Corps League such as Toys for Tots.

Detachment 1151 received its charter in December 2003 and meets at 1 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road. The league includes active, reserve and retired Marines and Navy corpsmen who served in the Fleet Marine Force. Membership is open to those who have been honorably discharged.

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