Everyone associated with Center Drive Middle School in Orrington must be bursting with pride at the success of its Destination ImagiNation team, which won the state title and is competing in the Global Finals May 25-28 in Knoxville, Tenn.

This program is just 2 years old, coach Trish Ortiz told me.

“Last year we finished third in the regional finals and this year we won the state.”

She believes the team making it to the global finals “in just two years is really great.”

The team consists of eighth-grader Becca Hanks, sixth-graders Aaron Ortiz (her son), Megan Doane, Michael Hambrock and Sam Doughty, and the coach’s daughter, fourth-grader Ashton Ortiz.

The program they chose is “Live it’s RaDIo” (spelled to emphasize the DI) which, the coach said, has them developing “an old-time radio show, which none of them had any idea about, so they listened to old ones online.”

The kids chose to do a “mystery, a cliffhanger,” she said, “and they even have a commercial break that has to have a product with an outrageous claim” for something that, back in 1948, would not have been available.

They chose to promote a “nuclear oven” with a jingle that asks, “does your food cook slow?”

For sound effects they tap dance, have a slamming door run by a mousetrap and change their voices, among other things.

The pupils need to raise $6,000 to get them to Tennessee, and they’ve already had quite a few fund-raisers.

Next on the schedule is a spaghetti dinner with pie and a silent auction at 6 p.m. Friday, May 6, at CDS.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children and a maximum of $15 for a family.

JR Redemption Center in Brewer is conducting a collection, and all you have to do is make sure they know your returnables are meant for the CDS DI team.

Through May 12, Geaghan’s Pub in Bangor is accepting coupons given out at the school so that 20 percent of your purchase will benefit the team and, on Wednesday, May 18, Ortiz said, Pizzaria Uno Chicago Bar and Grill will host a benefit for the team.

A cash raffle is also under way, to be drawn on Friday, May 20. The grand prize is $200, second prize $100 and third prize $50. To purchase tickets, call Ortiz at 825-3773.

Finally, any donation is tax-deductible, the coach said, and would be gratefully accepted.

You can send contributions to the CDS DI Team, c/o Trish Ortiz, 39 Deer Run Drive, Orrington 04474.

The Bangor Daily News received this thoughtful note from sculptor Forest and Susan Hart of Monroe, who lost their home and life’s work to fire on April 18.

“It is very difficult to express our feelings of love and gratitude to the people for their overwhelming compassion and support after our recent fire. We have been stripped of all tangible possessions, but we still have big dreams and each other. The lessons of life come to us in mysterious and unsettling ways, and we are very fortunate to have a second chance. Blessings to all who share in life’s greatest rewards of love and compassion.

“Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Hugs.”

It’s nice to learn something new every day, such as this information provided by Josh Torrance, executive director of Woodlawn Museum in Ellsworth.

He reports that Woodlawn, which includes a house museum and 180-acre public park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is considered by “leading museum professionals” as “one of the premier historic estates in the world.”

And during May, he wrote, Maine residents are admitted for half price.

This year’s “Fun and Games” theme will be reflected in all Woodlawn activities and events.

Historic games from the museum collection are displayed throughout the buildings, and the mansion’s middle kitchen features a pingpong table as seen in photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The museum is open 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday in May, with tours starting on the hour.

June’s schedule is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

To arrange a tour or receive more information, call 667-8671 or visit www.woodlawnmuseum.org.

Torrance also reminds you that school and group tours “are very much welcomed” at the museum on Route 172, the Surry Road, in Ellsworth.

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