Thanks to the efforts of Hermon resident Lisa Rancourt, people in eastern Maine now have the opportunity to host an international exchange student through EF Foundation.

The government-approved exchange program, which already has students placed in southern Maine homes, this year will have one student at Hermon High School.

The mission of Education First, according to its Web site, is “global understanding through international exchange.”

Rancourt has firsthand knowledge about the benefits and opportunities of an international education.

Her parents are from Maine and her father worked for a shipping company, yet she grew up and was educated in Norway and Belgium.

Her husband “did an exchange year,” she said, and she is an AmeriCorps-VISTA volunteer.

Rancourt is still seeking host families for Hermon High School and Brewer High School.

And while it may seem too close to the school year to consider hosting a student, interested families could begin hosting the second semester in January.

Rancourt researched several international exchange programs before signing on with EF.

She chose this organization “because it has a lot of scholarships for students of modest means to come to the U.S.,” she said, “and the fact that they come with good English-speaking skills.

“They also come with their own health insurance and spending money. All we ask is for the host families to provide room and board and involve the students in their family activities.”

Rancourt believes EF “is a great program,” and said “it is very big in southern Maine.”

She also considers it “very personal, because we can e-mail the students before they come and the family is able to get involved with the student before the visit.”

In her position as an EF representative, Rancourt, who has a background in social work, will serve directly as liaison for the school, the foundation and the host families.

She also provides orientation and training for families throughout the year, and assists with recreational opportunities. She also offers counseling if any problems should arise.

Anyone interested in learning more about EF can e-mail rancourtl@hermon.net; call her at 299-6443 or call EF at (800) 44SHARE.

The second Faculty Chamber Concert of the SummerKeys’ Mary Potterton Memorial Concerts is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Lubec Congregational Christian Church.

Returning for their second appearance this summer will be Anna Maria Baeza, Gregory Biss, Winslow Browning, Biana Cvetkovic and Suzanne Gilchrest.

Joining them this week is the school and concert series founder and director, pianist Bruce Potterton.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted and reservation information for the concert boat from Eastport to Lubec can be obtained by calling 853-2500.

Cheryl Murphy of Hermon, who participated in the Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day July 8-10, wrote in her thank-you letter to supporters that she completed the 60-mile event with “only two blisters … and a few sore muscles.”

“But,” she added, “all in all, it was the best experience I have ever had.”

Murphy and her teammate, Ann Beaurivage of Ware, N.H., were among 1,300 individuals walking from Nashua, N.H., to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Murphy wrote of her gratitude, not only for those who helped her raise $2,300 to participate in the event, but her appreciation of the people along the way who “came out of their homes, at 7 a.m., to cheer us on and thank us for walking.”

She was grateful for their offers of candy, cool pops and cookies, but even more she appreciated the “extra bit of encouragement to keep on walking” as she passed by.

Murphy and Beaurivage finished “about 300” in the field of walkers, who raised more than $3.7 million for the Komen Foundation and NPT Fund.

Donations are now being accepted for the silent auction that is part of the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the Maine Alzheimer’s Association, planned for 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Bangor Elks Club, 108 Odlin Road.

Sponsored by Westgate Manor of Bangor, Kristie Miner reports admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children 10 and under.

Organizers are seeking new or used items in good condition, with the exception of clothing.

If you have items to donate, call Sandy Inman at 942-7336.

And be sure to mark your calendar for this important fundraiser.

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