Members of the Orono Bicentennial Committee are seeking creative contributions from individuals who are, or were at any time, residents of that college community.

Committee member Mary Anne Eason reports current and former residents, including University of Maine students and staff no matter where they are living, are invited to participate in Orono Creates, which is described as “a bicentennial arts and crafts event for Orono artisans.”

Orono Creates will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, April 29, in the gymnasium of Asa Adams School in Orono.

You are asked to register by Saturday, April 8, by writing Eason at 595 Forest Ave., Orono 04473; e-mailing maeason@eece.Maine.edu or calling her at 941-9727.

The committee will provide tables and access to electricity, but artisans need to provide lights and extension cords, if needed, as well as table coverings.

The committee requests no tents, and wants you to know the gymnasium will open for setup at 8 that morning.

Eason and I discussed the fact that, considering the number of people who have lived in Orono over the years, the entries could overwhelm the committee.

She agreed, but emphasized it is the intent of the committee to get the word out that every artisan who has been associated with Orono in any way is most welcome to participate in this grand celebration.

From Waldo County Healthcare comes word that the Healthy Living Project is offering a Winter Exercise Program for people who want to begin an exercise routine or add variety to their current one.

The program runs from 2 to 3 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, beginning Monday, Feb. 20, at the Waldo County General Hospital Education Center, 118 Northport Avenue in Belfast.

The fee is $4 per class; registration is not required; and the program continues through Monday, April 10.

Monday classes are a level-one exercise class that follows The People with Arthritis Can Exercise, or PACE, program, and individuals with arthritis or fibromyalgia, or who need a basic level exercise class, are encouraged to attend.

Thursday classes will vary, with activities ranging from walking to weights, yoga, tai chi and stretching.

For more information, call instructor and Community Health Improvement coordinator Amy Wagner, 930-2650, or e-mail hlp@wcgh.org.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Al Feero of Bangor reports the Pine Tree Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America is hosting a luncheon beginning with a social hour at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

At the luncheon, the chapter will award Joshua Chamberlain Scholarships to a University of Maine-Orono U. S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps cadet and to an Officer Candidate attending Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.

Active duty or retired officers of the U.S. Armed Forces are invited to attend; reservations are due Tuesday, Feb. 21.

The cost of the luncheon is $17.50 and reservations can be made with Feero by calling 947-5272.

On Dec. 3, I wrote about the difficult financial situation Bangor Humane Society found itself in with contributions down between 50 percent and 60 percent following several natural disasters and other unusual circumstances.

To help ease this financial strain, BHS sent out a mailing informing friends that it needed $100,000 to continue its work.

Board member Jan Kaufman pointed out BHS, the largest shelter in the region, receives no funding from outside sources and depends solely on community support.

Marjorie Phillips of Bangor read the column and, that day, wrote me with a suggestion for holiday gift-giving.

But her letter, for reasons I cannot explain, arrived in my mailbox just the other day!

Phillips’ holiday suggestion, however, is just as thoughtful and important today as it was when she wrote it last December, and is absolutely appropriate for any gift-giving occasion.

“Instead of that ugly necktie, dresser scarf or small trinket,” Phillips wrote at the time, “let’s all send a generous donation to the Humane Society.”

Then she added, “I’ve sent my donation and hope others will do the same. The need is great and is endless.”

Phillips was right then.

She is just as right now.

BHS, which cares for unwanted or abandoned animals from more than 100 communities in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties, does need your help.

Contributions can be mailed to BHS, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor 04401.

For more information, call the Humane Society at 942-8902.

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