Small town, small school, it matters not when it comes to helping others. That’s the word from new Woodland Elementary School principal Larry Worcester in describing an idea two eighth-graders approached him with, which has really taken off in the communities served by that Aroostook County school.

Emily Anderson and Dayna Michaud approached Worcester a while ago and suggested their school host an event to benefit the work of the American Red Cross and its emergency relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina that affected hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

“It was their idea,” Worcester said.

“They came up with it,” he said of the girls’ request.

The result is a spaghetti supper from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Woodland Elementary School.

Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 5 and under.

“All of the items have been donated,” Worcester said. “The response has been incredible. People have donated spaghetti, salad, rolls, desserts, hamburger for the spaghetti; just everything.”

And he said, there will be entertainment, too.

“We have a musical group coming from Canada called, I think, the Swedish Meatballs. And there may even be some Celtic dancing.”

For those who might not be able to attend the benefit but who would like to help these young people help others, you can mail a check made out to WES with Hurricane Relief in the memo line and mail it to WES, 844 Woodland Center Road, Woodland 04736.

“We’re a small school in a small town with a big thought,” Worcester said with pride. “Everybody here has come out to help. They’ve been very supportive.”

A yard sale to benefit Central High School Project Graduation 2006 is 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 24, on the front lawn on CHS on Main Street in Corinth.

If it rains, the sale will be held inside the school.

All proceeds help fund the Class of 2006 celebratory event.

From Bridget Wakely we learn that River City Therapy & Wellness is conducting a benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Proceeds from all appointments between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Saturday Sept. 24, at River City Therapy & Wellness, 268 State St. in Bangor, will benefit The Salvation Army to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the storm.

Appointment choices include massage therapy, facials, Pilates classes, Reiki and hair styling.

For information, or to make an appointment, call 990-0188.

Alice-Jean Robinson emailed that members of the 150-year-old St. Anne’s Episcopal Church will host their Annual Applefest Celebration beginning with breakfast at 7 a.m. and concluding with raffle drawings at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept 24, at the church, 29 Church St., Calais.

This year’s theme is the local Food Pantry, she said in asking those who attend to bring an item for the Food Pantry.

And while the church membership is small, she wrote “we are blessed” by those in the area who help support the church’s outreach work that includes an orphanage in Iraq; the Food Pantry, hospice and community health, and providing a meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous and Girl Scouts.

Applefest includes children’s games, crafts, books, food and an “applemart,” with all things apple.

Your attendance will “help us maintain this beautiful, historic church,” Robinson wrote.

A popular event of The Animal Orphanage of Old Town is the Blessing of the Animals & Fun Dog Show, which begins with the Blessing of the Animals at noon and the Fun Dog Show at 1 p.m., rain or shine, Sunday, Sept. 25, at Old Town-Orono YMCA.

There is no fee for the blessing, but there is a $1 fee per class to enter the show.

Other features of the event include sale of refreshments, supplies, Animal Orphanage merchandise, and a raffle for an Old Town Otter kayak and other items.

Also, Animal Orphanage President Bobbie Fowler wants readers to know that, now through Saturday, Oct. 15, The Animal Orphanage will be collecting leashes, collars, dog toys, cat toys, and sunscreen and sunblock for volunteers who are helping with a pet rescue mission through Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Mississippi.

Fowler wrote donations for animals and their friends can be sent to The Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 565, Orono 04473, or brought to The Animal Orphanage on Airport Road in Old Town.

For more information, call 827-8777.

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