One of the best ways to beat midwinter cabin fever is by attending the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 2005 New England Spring Flower Show, popularly known as the Boston Flower Show.

That opportunity is available to you courtesy of the Bangor Garden Club, which, for the second year in a row, is sponsoring two buses for this most enjoyable day trip to Boston.

The buses leave at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, from the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center in Bangor, and will stop in Newport and Waterville.

The buses return at approximately 10:30 that evening to Bangor.

The cost is $65 per person, and includes coach fare and your ticket to the show.

BGC vice president Caroline Tulley of Bangor reported your enthusiasm for attending the show was such last year that it was necessary to add a second bus, “and we still had a waiting list after 108 people went,” she said.

And that is why organizers decided to book two buses from the start this year.

“We’re thrilled to have reservations coming in already from all over,” Tulley said.

To attend the show, reservations need to be made by Friday, March 4, and you can do so by calling Tulley at 945-3807.

The theme of the 2005 New England Spring Flower Show is “A Fresh Perspective,” and it features not only what is described as a colorful garden wonderland, but free lectures and demonstrations as well.

And here’s a thoughtful idea that can’t be beat: If there is someone you care about who you think might need this very special “spring break,” you can send him to the show by purchasing a gift certificate.

Tulley is hoping to fill the two buses, and urges you to make those reservations, for yourself or someone else, as soon as possible.

“More people need to go to Boston to see this beautiful event,” she said.

On behalf of North Star Lodge No. 22, F. & A.M. of Bangor, Sterling Dymond III invites you to attend its annual Black History Month Program.

The evening begins with a 5 p.m. social hour followed by a potluck supper at 6 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the lodge, 1192 Ohio St. in Bangor.

Those attending the supper are asked to bring a dish to share, and members of the public are invited to participate in the program.

For more information, call Dymond at 942-3148.

Want to learn the basics of scrapbooking and help United Cerebral Palsy of Maine at the same time?

Karen Page invites you to attend a Fun & Easy Scrapbooking Class to benefit UCP of Maine from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, in the UCP Conference Room at Evergreen Woods, 700 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor.

Admission is a $10 donation, and refreshments will be served. You will receive a free gift and be eligible to win a door prize at the end of the class.

To enroll, call Page at 942-1443 by Monday, Feb. 21.

Deb Pickering, RNC and an American Heart Association volunteer, hopes area women circled their calendars for the 2005 Go Red For Women Conference 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

Presented by AHA and sponsored by Affiliated Pharmacy Services, the event begins with registration and free health screenings at 8 a.m.

The conference is an opportunity to learn whether you or a loved one is at risk from heart disease or stroke.

According to the AHA Web site, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, and nearly twice as many American women die of heart disease and stroke each year as from all forms of cancer combined.

The daylong conference features speakers and inspirational presentations designed to help you lead a long and “heart-healthy” life.

General registration is $20 and $40 for health-care professionals seeking continuing education credits, but there is no charge to visit the vendor area.

Because seating is limited, you must call (800) 937-0944 or e-mail susan.conklin@heart.org to obtain a registration form.

Inez Boyd and many others want to know when the Brewer Hometown Band is hosting its Cool Cafe.

That special event is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Brewer Auditorium, using the Wilson Street entrance.

Somehow, my computer and I erased that information from Thursday’s column!

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