Get ready to climb aboard for the 2005 Connolly’s Haunted Hayride, 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Connolly residence, 67 Garland Road in Corinth.

Patrick Connolly called to announce with understandable pride that this is the third annual hayride his family has sponsored to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event that is held each May at the Old Town High School track.

“The first year, we raised just $246,” Connolly said.

But last year, the family was able to raise $1,000, and the goal this year is to surpass that mark.

“We’re looking for lots of folks to come out and have a good time,” Connolly said. “We will have a couple of kiddie rides this year for them to enjoy while they are waiting,” and fried dough and beverages will be available for purchase.

Admission for this hauntingly fun-filled fall event is just $4 per person, and all proceeds benefit the ACS Relay for Life campaign.

For those who were unable to attend the ceremony earlier this month at Husson College honoring recipients of the 2 Those Who Care Awards, the special event will be televised at 8 tonight on WLBZ Channel 2.

I congratulate this year’s honorees: Margery Brown, Cherryfield; Arthur Comstock, Orono; Roberta “Bobbie” Fowler, Old Town; Eloise Griffin, Hermon; Earle Hannigan, Holden; and Catherine “Kay” Lebowitz, Bangor, the John W. Coombs Award recipient.

Additionally, the Agency of Distinction 2 Those Who Care Award was presented to the representatives of the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition.

The 2 Those Who Care Awards was developed by WLBZ 2 in partnership with United Way of Eastern Maine, and is sponsored by Merrill Bank and Webber Energy Fuels.

Admission is $6 to attend the Sangerville Fire Ladies Auxiliary’s adults-only Halloween dance. Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Sangerville town hall.

Steve Pratt, aka The Music Maker, will get you dancing at 9 p.m.

This fire department fundraiser will include a 50/50 contest, door prizes and costume contests.

Those who plan to attend should bring their own beverages.

Ann Brewster will demonstrate wreath-making and potpourri-making during the St. Croix International Garden Club meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Perry Congregational Church on Route 1.

For information, call Joan Edwards at 726-9664.

Interested in translation and interpretation?

If so, you are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Association of Maine Interpreters and Translators, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, in the Brown Conference Room at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

The Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging and local affiliates, including Eastern Agency on Aging in Bangor, are offering a free caregiver advocacy training program from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

The seminar will be facilitated by nationally recognized training team of Janice Jackson and Angela Heath. Lunch is included.

The goal of the program is to help recent, present and future caregivers gain advocacy skills, helpful tools, and strategies for assisting the elderly with challenges they are facing, ranging from day-to-day concerns to advocacy on public policy issues.

Space is limited for this very important training program, so if you want to participate, respond right away. To register and receive information, call Kelly Hamrick at EAA, (800) 432-7812.

Nancy Craven wrote to remind readers – especially snowmobile enthusiasts – that now is the time to register for the ninth annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity, 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, beginning at Greenville High School on Route 15.

Nancy reports “the rider’s list is growing higher each day, and the shut-off point is 500 sleds.”

Last year, $185,000 was raised for its five charities: Give Kids the World, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Travis Roy Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network and the Marrow Foundation. In its nine years, the event has raised more than $1 million for these charities.

Craven said that while the volunteers and committee members who “give their time, expense and energy to bring about a successful, rewarding and fun day” are too numerous to mention, she extends a sincere, “special thanks to everyone who volunteers” for this wonderful fundraiser.

To register, visit www.rickycraven.com or call Nancy Craven, 941-9364, or Lauri Matheson, 990-3202.

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