Their bags are packed and they’re ready to go, but they still have some more fund-raising to do before flying off on their grand adventure.

Fourteen Brooksville Elementary School pupils, trip leader Nada Lepper and their chaperones fly out of Bangor International Airport at 5:45 a.m. Thursday, March 3, for their “North to Alaska: Iditarod 2005 Education on the Trail” trip of a lifetime.

“We have our last fund-raiser this Saturday,” Lepper said on Monday during school vacation week. “We have three days of school next week, and then we go.”

But, before that special day, the youngsters and their supporters will be welcoming you to a Pancake Breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Brooksville Community Center.

“The kids will be serving and helping,” Lepper said of the fund-raiser, which she described as “really a buffet because we have everything: eggs, cinnamon rolls, baked beans, French toast, home fries, bacon and sausage.”

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. You’re sure to find something delicious for breakfast, no matter what you like.

And while most of the funds needed to make the trip have been raised, Lepper explained the group is now working on raising enough money to cover any unexpected expenses, which she is sure they will have.

Everyone is very excited about the trip, she said.

Even during vacation, the youngsters have been meeting, getting their gear in order and running through their checklists to make sure they have everything they need.

What will be fun for those of you who have helped support this unique experience for these youngsters is that you can follow the pupils on their trip through the Internet.

“We have a Web site, and our plan is to post photos and daily updates,” Lepper said.

To check on their progress, visit www.brooksville.u93.k12.me.us that takes you to the Brooksville Elementary School home page.

Scroll down and then click on North to Alaska.

I extend best wishes for success to members of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge who will attempt to set another record for contributions to the Elks National Foundation during their banquet and pledge night beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the lodge in Skowhegan.

This lodge raised nearly $20,000 last year for its scholarships, veterans’ services, youth activities and senior programs, of which $5,500 was collected at the banquet.

Roberta Alley of Skowhegan is the local chairman for the Elks National Foundation as well as the lodge’s second vice president.

More information about the banquet can be obtained from club manager Harry Kagdis, 474-4111.

Amy Lorenzo and members of the Hampden Children’s Day Committee are preparing for the Children’s Day Bowl-a-Thon, which begins with registration at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at the Sports Arena, Outer Hammond Street in Hermon.

Funds raised will help support the 26th annual Hampden Children’s Day 2005.

The committee invites you to form a team and participate in this event.

It will provide lane and shoe rentals and you will have the opportunity to win one or more prizes.

A minimum of $25 in pledges per team member is requested, or $100 per team.

If you want to participate, or would like more information, call Lorenzo at 862-5522 or Don Darling at 947-2866.

Amber Lovell of the American Cancer Society in Topsham reports the third annual Great American Weigh In is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at the Weight Watchers Center off Griffin Road at the Airport Mall in Bangor.

Attendees receive a free private weigh-in and body mass index, or BMI, calculation, as well as information about whether your BMI is within a healthy range.

To help orient you if you’ve not visited Weight Watchers before, Airport Mall is located on the corner of Union Street and Griffin Road.

The Weight Watchers entrance is off Griffin Road outside next to the mall entrance that takes you into Fashion Bug. You cannot enter Weight Watchers from inside the Airport Mall.

For more information about the Great American Weigh In, call (800) 651-6000.

The Orono American Legion needs a band or group to provide “live and loud music” for its Memorial Day Parade,” wrote Marlene Doucette.

If you can help, call Doucette at 866-2597, or Randy Adkins at 866-5603 or 866-7103.

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