Ellsworth attorney Ferdinand “Andy” Slater is serving a year’s tour of duty in Iraq while paralegal Cindi Swazey keeps his office up and running.

The two are in daily e-mail contact, and Capt. Slater also recently e-mailed the BDN with a request to help young children in that war-torn country.

In a letter Swazey wrote to Slater’s colleagues, she reminded them that “since child protective cases were his love, he is looking for ways to help the Iraqi children in the community where he is serving.”

Slater e-mailed that the youngsters need basics like pencils, erasers and paper, but also would welcome items such as raincoats, for their long rainy season, and toys.

Items that should not be included, for fear of putting children in harm’s way, “are any items that are too American,” including anything “red, white and blue or with the American flag on it, or any toy weapons.”

The local VFW has agreed to cover the costs of shipping your contributions, and Swazey would be happy to have you call her and arrange for your donations to be picked up.

You can reach Swazey at 667-0076 or drop your donations off at the office, 49 Church St. in Ellsworth. Anything you donate will be most welcome.

“We are trying to brighten up the lives of the children caught in the middle of the situation in Iraq,” Slater explained, hoping you can help him provide “as much help as we can, for as long as we can, while I’m here.”

If you don’t already have plans, you can attend the John Bapst Swing Dance from 7 to 11 tonight at John Bapst Memorial High School Auditorium on Broadway in Bangor.

Free dance lessons, with members of Back Door Dance Studio of Eddington, will be available from 7 to 8 p.m. as you prepare to dance to the music of the John Bapst Jazz Band, Woody Woodman and his band, and the Hampden Academy Jazz Band.

Admission is $5.

Wayne Melanson, volunteer coordinator for Hospice of Eastern Maine, encourages readers to participate in the organization’s 11th annual Thanksgiving Celebrity Bake Sale, which is 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, outside Mason Auditorium on the second floor of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

“Area bakers are invited to contribute homemade breads, rolls, pies, cookies and brownies,” he wrote.

Your contributions for this event, which benefits the programs and services of Hospice of Eastern Maine, should be delivered between 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, or between 7:30 and 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, to the chaplain’s desk on the second floor of EMMC.

You are also asked to provide nonreturnable containers, and be sure to include your name and address so HOEM can properly thank you for your support.

And, of course, everyone is encouraged to come to the sale and take home some Thanksgiving desserts.

Members of the Caribou Kiwanis Club believe senior citizens should not be alone on Thanksgiving, and that means senior singles or senior couples.

That is why, Kiwanian Jeff Franklin reports, the Caribou Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, in the cafeteria at Cary Medical Center in Caribou.

There is no charge to attend this special community celebration of Thanksgiving.

Support is being sought by Carol Lackedy for the first Rock-A-Thon, Let’s Rock to Benefit Children’s Miracle Network, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the lawn and garden center at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Brewer.

Lackedy urges you to start collecting pledges, and reminds you that every $25 raised entitles you to a $5 Wal-Mart gift card and having your name entered in hourly drawings, one time, for each $25 you raise.

Prizes will also be awarded the top three participants, and everyone receives certificates, goody bags, lunch, snacks and beverages.

Lackedy also needs extra rocking chairs, and talented individuals to entertain the rockers.

Pledge forms must be turned in no later than Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Wal-Mart service desk.

For more information about this CMN fundraiser, call Wal-Mart at 989-5068 and ask to speak with Lackedy, or call her at 299-5186.

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