One of the neatest amateur performances around is the annual production of the Y-Players, directed by Pam Martin of Brewer.

For those unfamiliar with this group that raises funds for programs of the Bangor Y (which is now the combined Bangor YMCA and Bangor-Brewer YWCA), these are senior actors and musicians whose marvelous antics make you laugh so hard your sides hurt.

Martin, who’s still going strong after 22 years with the group, e-mailed last week to report the Y-Players are “starting up again … and we’re looking to recruit some of that ol’ raw senior talent out there.”

The Y-Players rehearse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bangor Y on Second Street.

She added that many in the audience tell her “they would like to join us but, by the time we start up again, they have forgotten,” so she “decided anyone who walks into our meeting, I’ll make the STAR!”

This year’s May production is “The Grand Ol’ Opry, Y-Player style,” she wrote.

“Anna Wareing is 93 years old, and she’s playing the ‘git-tar’ and ‘uke’ in the new show.”

Through 15 shows last year, the Y-Players raised “a good amount” for the Y’s Encore and Senior programs. Only a donation is requested to see the performances.

Last year, they performed at local nursing homes, the Old Town Museum, Togus Veterans Center and the Maine Veterans Home.

“They all loved our Disney Princesses 30 Years Later,” Martin wrote of the 2005 productions.

“Some of the residents are still talking about us,” she added.

Recruiting continues throughout January.

“Just drop in,” Martin urged.

“If’n you got no talent but a lot of ambition, I’m tellin’ ya, I’ll make you a STAR!”

If you are interested in being a Y-Player, stop by during one of the rehearsals, call the Y on Second Street, 941-2808, or call Martin at 989-5442.

This is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month, e-mailed Abigail Densmore of Penquis Community Action Program in Bangor.

“The Penobscot Breast and Cervical Coalition, in coordination with the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program is encouraging all physicians to remind their patients to get their annual exams,” she said.

Densmore reported that, “according to the Maine Cancer Registry, the incidence of invasive cervical cancer in Maine is slightly higher than national rates” and that, in 2002, 17 of 51 women diagnosed with cervical cancer died of the disease.

Throughout the month, the Penobscot coalition “will have Cervical Cancer Awareness Videos available to borrow for public education purposes,” Densmore wrote of the videos, “which stress the importance of prevention and early detection.”

Copies of the videos are available for pickup at the Penquis CAP office in Bangor.

For more information or to reserve your copy call 973-3615.

Kim Goding of the Maine Commission for Community Service has reported that the governor’s office, MCCS and Maine Volunteer Connection is accepting nominations for the 18th annual Governor’s Service Awards, which will be announced by Gov. John Baldacci during a special ceremony on Monday, April 24, in the state Capitol.

Nominations for this prestigious award must be received by Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The nine award categories recognize individuals, businesses, groups and organizations: Volunteer of the Year; Youth Volunteer of the Year; Small Business Volunteerism Award, for businesses with fewer than 100 employees, and Corporate Volunteerism Award, for businesses with more than 100 employees; Outstanding Nonprofit, for 501(c3) organizations; Excellence in Volunteer Administration; National Service Volunteer Awards; Outstanding Volunteers in a Public Sector Program; and Roll of Honor, for volunteers donating more than 500 hours of service.

Nominations for the 2006 awards can be made by members of the public or an entity may nominate itself, Goding said.

Official nomination forms, category listings, criteria and procedures are available at VolunteerMaine.org, or can be obtained by calling 287-8933.

Postmarked no later than Feb. 15, your nomination should be sent, by standard mail to Governor’s Service Awards, c/o Maine Volunteer Connection, P.O. Box 372, Augusta 04332.

Last year, I had the honor of assisting in the presentation of these awards.

I am well aware there are many, many deserving individuals, organizations and businesses in eastern Maine that should receive recognition such as this.

I strongly urge you to consider submitting a nomination to honor those who give so much to help make life better for everyone living in our part of the state.

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