Have you ever made a scarecrow? Would you like to try? You just might win a prize.

Jo Andrews reports the Brooksville Parents-Teachers-Friends Association is hosting a Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Brooksville Elementary School, and one of the features is a scarecrow contest.

Andrews said the contest rules are simple.

There is no admission fee to enter; the contest is open to all ages; you must name the scarecrows; you must try to make the scarecrows as weatherproof as possible, because they will be outside; the scarecrows need to be free-standing, because there will be nothing to support them; for setup, the scarecrows must be brought between 2 and 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, to BES; and the scarecrows will be on display through Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the school.

Festival attendees will be the scarecrow contest judges.

First, second and third prizes will be awarded, and the winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the end of the festival.

Andrews promises the festival will offer “great food, fun, and games for all ages,” and it is the expectations of planners that raffles will be available.

All money raised during this event will benefit the BES Playground Equipment Fund, and any and all donations to that fund will be gratefully accepted.

Jen Chase is the chairwoman of the BES Fall Festival and, if you need more information, you are welcome to call her at 326-8751.

For more information about the scarecrow contest, call Andrews at 326-4874.

And one more note: Immediately after the BES Fall Festival, from 2 to 4 p.m. that day at the school, you are invited to enjoy a Steel Drum Concert featuring the Rhythm Rockets and Planet Pan.

I am pleased to pass along results of the recent Community Radio WERU-FM Katrina Relief Pledge Day broadcast for the Maine Plan for Displaced Americans, a grass-roots, Portland-based effort to help families who lost their homes during Hurricane Katrina.

WERU Development Director Denis Howard wrote “the goal of the campaign is to identify and help three families of limited financial means … move to Maine … and rebuild their lives in the Pine Tree State.”

He extends thanks for the “generosity and community spirit of WERU’s listeners,” whose response during the daylong broadcast generated $6,500 to directly benefit MPDA.

On behalf of the WERU board of directors and staff, Howard thanks “everyone who made a financial pledge or volunteered to answer telephones” during the broadcast.

And, he reminds you, contributions are still being accepted.

Checks can be sent to the WERU Katrina Fund, P.O. Box 170, East Orland 04431.

In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kim Griffin, owner of three local Curves facilities, has announced these exercise establishments not only will be offering informational displays during the month but, during the week of Oct. 10-15, will waive the annual membership fee of $149 for anyone with proof of a having had a mammogram in the last 12 months.

Griffin stated in a release that, in addition to working with members on exercise and fitness, “we work with them on wellness,” which she describes as women “taking responsibility for their bodies and their lives.”

Information about these Curves breast cancer awareness programs can be obtained by calling Curves in Brewer at 989-3733, Bucksport, 469-3900, or Hampden, 862-6746.

Here’s one last reminder that advance tickets for the 30th St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary Fashion Show at noon Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Bangor Civic Center, are $25 and are available at Patrick’s Hallmark in the Broadway Shopping Center, by calling SJH, 262-1740, or Marie Demaso, 947-5700.

Tickets at the door are $30.

And, I’m happy to report Jon Small of WABI-TV Channel 5 will be the fourth celebrity model-commentator for this event, joining local television personalities Donna Gormley, Steve McKay and Catherine Pegram.

Michael Murphy of Bangor wrote a heart-felt letter to the BDN expressing thanks to members of the Bangor Lions Club for providing him with new eyeglasses, something he could not, otherwise, afford.

“I am proud to live in Bangor, Maine, with the Lions Club,” Murphy wrote in thanking the organization and the family of the late Abe Miller “for your wonderful gift” in Miller’s name.

Murphy added “it’s nice to be able to read without cheap glasses bought at a store.”

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