Although the first session of NAMI-Bangor’s free, 12-week, education class for families who are coping with mental illness began yesterday, it is not too late to register and enroll.

Nancy Grimes of Winterport, speaking for the local chapter of the National Association for the Mentally Ill, told me that applications for the class will be accepted through next Wednesday, March 8.

The 12-week Family Education Class will be conducted from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through May 17, at Acadia Hospital on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor.

According to information provided by NAMI-Bangor, about 185 families in our area have been aided by this class, which focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar and depressive disorders, anxiety and obsessive illnesses.

Taught by NAMI-trained family members with featured guest speakers, all course materials are free.

During the classes, discussions will include family self-care, what local mental health resources are available, the major mental illnesses, the biology of the brain, medications, how to cope with difficult behaviors, and how to handle a crisis.

Other important benefits obtained from attending these classes is finding out that you are not alone in your struggle, and that others have experienced the same, or similar, difficulties.

To register, call Grimes at 223-5686.

I invite you to join me in wishing the happiest of birthdays to Vaun Phillips who is, today, 103 years old.

A member of Old Town-Riverside Grange #273 and recognized on her centennial as the oldest resident of Orono, Phillips now lives with her sister-in-law, Doris Phillips, in Hermon.

Cards and best wishes for this very special Happy Birthday can be sent to Vaun Phillips, c/o Doris Phillips, 259 Annis Road, Hermon 04412.

Heaten Oil Co. hosts a Benefit Silent Auction and Comedy Night for Mainers Helping Mainers at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Spectacular Event Center, Griffin Road in Bangor.

The auction begins at 6 p.m. and the entertainment at 8 p.m.

Admission is $15.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling Heaten Oil, 990-1773.

Jon Falk reports a date change for the annual Membership Meeting of PICA, Peace through Interamerican Community Action.

That meeting is now from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, 170 Park St. in Bangor.

Falk invites you to “join us and help determine our priorities and direction for the next year.”

Sandy LaVersa, owner of Bangor Curves, announces now through Saturday, March 11, Curves of Bangor, Newport, Old Town, Brewer, Hampden and Bucksport are participating in the Curves Food Drive to benefit local food banks.

Last year’s national drive collected 10.6 million pounds of food for local communities throughout the world.

LaVersa reports local Curves will waive regular service fees for any new member bringing in a bag of nonperishable groceries and joining Curves now through March 11.

Members of the public who want to participate can drop off nonperishable food items, during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday, throughout the month of March, at any Curves location.

Curves are located at 627 Broadway Plaza and 1179 Hammond St. in Bangor; 153 Main St., Brewer; 496 Stillwater Ave., Old Town; 83 Main Road, Hampden; 124 U.S. Route 1, Bucksport and 19 Moosehead Trail, Newport.

Members of Bangor High School Class of 1981 are making plans for their 25th reunion on Saturday, July 8.

Information about the reunion will be mailed in March, but organizers are still seeking several “missing classmates.”

Among the “missing” are Paige Anderson, John T. Brown, Tammy Bull Raymond, Susan Cyr Hall, Holly Day, Mona Dow, Kathy Garcia Zimmerman, Jody Gray, Terri Guay Spofford, Margaret McCarthy and Kevin Murray.

Also, Edward Richardson, Kelly Richardson, John Romkey, Terry Spellman, Mary Spencer, Lisa Walker and Elizabeth Young.

If you have information about any of these individuals, or would like to help with the planning, you are asked to write Lee Blanchard Jack, 80 Olive St., Bangor 04401, or e-mail Lmjbhs81@aol.com.

Alex of Gifford, Ill., wrote that his “fourth-grade class … is studying the United States. We would like your help.”

Alex requests readers “to send us postcards or letters telling us about” our state.

He thanks you, in advance, for your help, and requests you “please send the information” to Fourth Grade U.S.A. Project, Gifford Grade School #188, P.O. Box 70, Gifford, Ill., 61847.

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