Some very special “green-thumb” people are being sought as participants in the 15th annual Bangor Garden Show, which is April 8-10 at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center.

Jan Cox of Brewer wrote that part of the Bangor Garden Show, sponsored by Keep Bangor Beautiful, includes a Standard Flower Show, sponsored by the Penobscot District Garden Clubs, and that the chairwoman of that show, Sally Mowbray, is seeking exhibitors in the horticulture division.

Cox said this is “always the least-filled of all the categories” in the Standard Flower Show, and she urges people to cut samples to help fill the division.

Cox listed the rules of this division as follows: All fresh (live) plant material with no treated material.

Container-grown and multiple plantings must have been in the exhibitor’s possession for at least 90 days.

Entries must be named by genus and species.

More than one entry per person is possible, and double potting is permitted.

No hanging plants can be entered.

Within the division are the following sections: Section A, container-grown for foliage; Section B, container-grown for flowers; Section C, combination plantings; Section D, mother and daughter; Section E, forced branches; and Section F, evergreen branches.

For complete details about entering, call division consultant Sonia Cianchette at 368-5972, e-mail caddy@gwi.net, or call Mowbray, 368-5652; Carol Smith, 989-1083 or Gerry Kearns-Makhlouf, 942-1152.

The annual Penobscot Branch of the American Association of University Women Used Book Sale is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Church of Universal Fellowship on Main Street in Orono.

There is no admission, but early birds can browse from 8 to 9 a.m. for a $5 fee.

Bangor Daily News writer and Hampden author Ardeana Hamlin will be there with copies of her new book, “A Dream of Paris,” and chef Peggy Hallee is, once again, heading up the snack bar.

Fran Haines is in charge of presale events; former Penobscot Branch AAUW president, Kate Scott, is coordinating the sale activities; and Phyllis Borns will be calling the shots in the kitchen.

The sale features used books for adults and children, some French and German books, light lunches and the snack bar.

Book donations can be left during regular library hours at the Orono Public Library, or brought between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, through Friday, April 8, to the side entrance of the church on Juniper Street.

For more information, call 945-6711.

Candy Eaton, program director of Hancock County Children’s Council, reminds readers that “Safe Children and Healthy Families are a Shared Responsibility” is the theme of the 2005 National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

She points out that Maine Children’s Trust recently provided financial support to HCCC for its Family Resource Center and its Baby Think It Over program, and wants you to know that you can help MCT continue that support when you file your state income tax return.

You can make a tax-deductible contribution to MCT by checking off a box on Schedule CP of your 2004 Maine income tax form.

Eaton reports it has been shown that, for every $1 invested in prevention of child abuse and neglect, more than $7 is saved in intervention and treatment costs.

Your contribution can make a difference.

Planning has begun for this summer’s Carmel Days set for Saturday, Aug 6, with a rain date of Sunday, Aug. 7.

Heather Babcock e-mailed that anyone planning to have a booth should contact her at 848-5492 or Mary McEwen at 848-7993.

“We are planning for a bigger event this year, and it’s very important that we organize as early as possible,” Babcock said.

“Also, if anyone has any ideas for Carmel Days 2005, or would like to volunteer to help, it would be great.”

This year’s theme is Hawaiian, “so get your hula skirts ready,” she suggests.

And, Babcock added, if there is enough interest, an adult co-ed softball tournament will be scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 7.

Organizers are in the process of raising funds for Carmel Days, and they “would love to have a business step up as a corporate sponsor,” Babcock wrote, adding that “any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

“It takes a lot of money to fund this great family, community togetherness day.”

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