How wonderful that nearly 200 people turned out last Thursday to meet and greet the inspirational Surry Elementary School teacher Peter Loiselle, who was the featured speaker for week No. 4 of the Healthy Hancock 10-week Lose and Win team challenge program.

Iris Simon reported the 45 teams lost 323 pounds last week, bringing the total pounds lost to date to 1,597.71

Loiselle, you may recall, lost 500 pounds in four years through healthful eating and exercise, thus avoiding gastric bypass surgery.

Receiving the victory stick for averaging the most weight lost during week No. 4 were the Barbells, with Company Moving Together coming in second and Losers at Work, or LAW, in third place.

This week’s meeting will feature Lynn Gatz demonstrating yoga at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Ellsworth Middle School.

Simon urges you to not only note the change in location, but also “to bring a mat or blanket, and wear comfortable clothing,” although she added that “participation is not required.”

Lose and Win is a team challenge based on the book, “The Town That Lost a Ton,” and is sponsored by Healthy Hancock.

Sally Bates of Bangor Center Corp. reports “snow or no snow, it’s a go,” for the third and “biggest Winter Weekend yet,” which is Friday, Feb. 10 through Monday, Feb. 13, in downtown Bangor.

Bates wrote that Winter Weekend co-chairs Terry Delargy of J Group Advertising and Steve Ribble of AMES A/C “have done a great job recruiting participants.”

The event begins with a Friday night dance produced by Fusion Bangor; followed by Saturday and Sunday, with “a host of outdoor and indoor events,” she said.

Winter Weekend closes Monday evening with the Banff Film Festival produced by Epic Sports.

Bates also reports there are “many new activities for kids and adults” ranging from “big wheel races” to “Taste of Bangor” samples from downtown restaurants.

The weekend also includes many favorite returning activities such as horse and carriage rides, a Paul Bunyan look-alike contest, a pancake breakfast Saturday at the Sea Dog Restaurant, a Sunday movie produced by River City Cinema Society and snowshoe and ski demonstrations.

And, Bates added, “for those who prefer to stay inside and learn about something new, Sephone Internet Solutions, Bangor Frameworks and Bangor Museum and Center for History have special programs” that are planned to please all who attend.

For a complete program and schedule, visit www.downtownbangor.com.

People seeking support while trying to lose weight can join a weight management support group which meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays Feb. 14 and 28; March 14 and 28; and April 25 at Cardiac Wellness of Maine, second level of Eastern Maine Medical Center parking garage, next to Vascular Care of Maine in Bangor.

Classes are led by a dietitian and cost $5 each. Call 973-8476 to register.

On behalf of Veazie Congregational Church, Lucille Cardin invites you and your loved ones to a special valentine candlelight dinner from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the church on State Street in that community.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children and features chocolate desserts, music and a door prize.

The church is handicapped accessible.

Elaine Fernald wrote that Ellsworth Garden Club is seeking new members.

If you are interested in learning about the organization and its activities, you can attend its annual valentine dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Sandy’s Restaurant (formerly Hilltop House) in Ellsworth.

“This Dutch treat dinner will be followed by a review of gardening catalogues and a surplus-seed exchange,” she added.

For more information, call Fernald at 244-3085.

From Faye Cosentino we learn that the Brooksville Historical Society is gathering information for a book, “Military Men & Women of Brooksville, ME,” and society members “are asking for your help obtaining information regarding people whose names are on the townhouse list of veterans from this town,” she wrote.

“We have been unable to find anyone who has any knowledge of these people, or their military information,” she added.

BHS would like any available information for Jeannine B. Brown, Korean conflict; Joan M. Burke, Korean conflict; Harold E. Langley, Korean conflict; Werner Schultz, Korean conflict; Russell Tuck, Korean conflict; and Harvey M. Wescott Jr., Vietnam conflict.

Information can be mailed to Cosentino, 980 Coastal Road, Brooksville 04617; called in to her at 326-8681 or e-mailed to her at faye@hypernet.com.

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