Last summer, the Maine chapter of Children’s International Summer Villages “hosted another international village in Old Town,” wrote chapter president Penny Lamhut. “It was a wonderful success. The programs are a wonderful opportunity to expand the minds and experiences of our youth.”

CISV, she continued, “offers international and local programs that foster global friendships and cross-cultural understanding.”

This is an “independent, nonprofit, nonpolitical, worldwide volunteer organization that promotes peaceful solutions to global problems. It is dedicated to making a world of difference, and committed to the personal safety and welfare of all participants in its programs.”

The Maine Chapter of CISV is recruiting children and leaders for its 2006 summer program, and they hope you will join them in this grand adventure.

The deadline has been extended for CISV applications so that you may apply.

The programs consist of Villages, which are four-week programs for 11-year-olds with delegations of two boys and two girls and an adult leader from 12 nations.

The Villages are from July 7 to Aug. 3 in Mexico City and July 8-28 in Tampere, Finland, and leaders are needed for both delegations, Lamhut said.

Interchange is a cultural exchange for boys and girls 13-14 who spend two weeks with CISV peers and families in Norway, followed by the Norwegian CISV interchange delegates spending two weeks in Maine.

The exchange occurs in July, and a leader is needed to accompany the U. S. delegation.

If you are interested and able to participate in this educational opportunity, call Lamhut at 990-3506 or 942-3448, or e-mail plamhut@adelphia.net.

To learn more about CISV, visit www.cisvusa.org.

Spruce Run, the domestic violence agency serving Penobscot County, is offering its Connections and Change Education Group, a 10-week program beginning Monday, Jan. 23, and continuing through March.

The sessions include information about types and causes of abuse, connections between gender roles and abuse, women and anger, healthful relationships and freedom.

An evening Support Group is also available, and children’s groups, or child care assistance, can be arranged for all groups.

For more information, call (800) 863-9909 or 945-5102.

The public is invited to hear David Zelz, a member of the board of the Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon, show slides and discuss Easter Island at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Fields Pond Audubon Center, 216 Fields Pond Road in Holden.

Admission is $5 for Audubon members and $6 for nonmembers.

According to information provided about the event, there are many mysteries about Easter Island from the origins of its inhabitants to how they got there, what happened to the landscape, and why and how they made the tall statues.

Easter Island is considered the most isolated populated place on the planet.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran David Calef was a 17-year-old New Hampshire resident when he enlisted and served in Korea and was wounded in action. He e-mailed to say that he “just discovered the tradition” of the Maine State Society and Worcester Wreath Co. laying Christmas wreaths on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

“I have great respect for those who have served our country and so appreciate the selfless actions of folks like Mr. Worcester and the good people of Harrington,” he wrote in asking to “convey my thanks to them.”

To Rachel Pooler and Janet Pease, their spouses, families and close friends, I extend my sincere condolences on the recent death of their mother, Mabel Wadsworth.

On behalf of the countless women whose lives were, literally, saved through Mabel’s work with family planning, and the countless women whose quality of live was so greatly improved by her dedication and devotion to their health and welfare, I give thanks for the simple fact that she lived, and worked, among us.

From the start, Mabel was a trendsetter who didn’t mind bucking whatever head wind blew her way. For that, those who believe every woman should have access to the best health care available are forever indebted to Mabel Wadsworth.

Through all the work she has done, and all the knowledge she has imparted to others, her name will live on with remembered good will, good intentions, and good health.

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