Recently, I spoke with teacher Beverly Johnston of Hancock Grammar School, who is the contact person for a schoolwide holiday giving project titled “Coins for Katrina’s Kids.”

Johnson explained that HGS “has matched with another Hancock County school, except that this one is located in Mississippi and was devastated by Hurricane Katrina,” she said.

“We are collecting coins and any other donations that people give us, and any donation will be matched at the other school’s end by John Hancock Insurance Company,” she said, “so we are trying to get as many donations as we can.”

The coin collection began Monday, Nov. 28, and continues through Friday, Dec. 16, so that these young people can get their donation to their peers from Hancock North Central Elementary School in Pass Christian, Miss., before the holidays.

In addition to collecting coins and donations, pupils are hoping to establish a school letter-writing project exchange.

Originally, Johnston explained, “we thought about sending things,” but representatives of the two schools have been in close contact “and we learned what they really need is money so they can start replacing things that were destroyed.”

Johnston said everything from school uniforms to musical instruments “are all gone.”

In addition to collecting their own coins in an attempt to reach out to others whose lives have been so severely disrupted by this disaster, HGS pupils hope Hancock County, Maine, business owners and residents will join them and help make a sizable donation to pupils and staff of their new “sister school.”

Donations can be made by sending a check to HGS Katrina Fund, Hancock Grammar School, P.O. Box 37, Hancock 04640.

If you have questions about his project, you are welcome to call Johnston at 422-6231 or e-mail bev@hgs.u92.k12.me.us.

On behalf of the Old Town Parks and Rec Youth Theatre Program, Stephanie Erb hopes you will enjoy attending “A Musical Review” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, and Friday, Dec. 9, at Leonard Middle School in Old Town.

Erb wrote the young people “have worked so hard to put this together” that they would really appreciate having you see the results of all their efforts.

The program features, among others, songs from such favorites as “Grease,” “Cinderella,” “Mamma Mia,” “Aida,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Chicago.”

The production is directed by Barb Seymour, choreographed by Erb and costumed by Rachel Seymour.

Admission is just $5 per person, and tickets are available at the door.

Becky Walker, program director for the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, invites area residents and visitors to attend the 14th annual Festival of Trees the YMCA is hosting during regular business hours beginning Friday, Dec. 9, and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 11, at the YMCA, 48 Park St. in Dover-Foxcroft.

One of the highlights of this event is a Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the YMCA.

That event features The Tapestry of Music Hand Bell Choir of Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, The Notables of SAD 41 and children from Pooh Corner Preschool.

Refreshments will be available after the concert.

Walker reminds you that tree setup, by members of local organizations and businesses throughout the area, is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the YMCA.

You can obtain raffle tickets for a drawing Thursday, Dec. 15, that features items such as a $25 gift certificate from Smith’s Tree Farm, a 5-foot wooden Christmas tree with white lights courtesy of Hoyt Fairbrother, and a spindle back wooden storage bench donated by Jeff Merrill.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and are available at the YMCA. Proceeds benefit programs of the organization.

Noelle Richard is a member of the Hampden Academy Class of 2000 Reunion Committee.

She wrote me those classmates are “gearing up for an informal fifth-year reunion” which comes at a wonderfully appropriate time.

That event is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 26, at Club Gemini on Harlow Street in Bangor, and Richard wrote the alums are hoping that “during the holidays, more of our classmates will be in town and able to attend.”

Therefore, Richard requests any member of the HA Class of 2000 (or their parents or those who are in contact with them) e-mail classof2000ha@hotmail.com or call 478-3563 for more information.

Richard reports the committee thus far has located “about a third of our classmates,” but they’re hoping they will see even more of them the day after Christmas.

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