The public is invited to attend the annual Taste-I-Val from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Calais American Legion Hall on Calais Avenue.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children age 12 and under, and all proceeds benefit the St. Croix No. 1 Firehouse Restoration Project.

Tickets are available at the Boston Shoe Store, Shop ‘n Save and My Favorite Things, all in Calais.

“A new aspect, this year,” said event chairman Vicki Farrell, “is that we’re having a pinata for children.”

Farrell said that the Taste-I-Val offers “a taste of international and cultural dishes” prepared by “local volunteer cooks,” and that about 30 different selections will be available.

And the entertainment is special, too, featuring the group Keltic Schmeltic, which, Farrell said, plays “a mixture of Celtic and folk music.”

“It’s sure to be a great time, and it gets better every year.”

For about 18 months, members of the St. Croix No. 1 Firehouse committee have been working to raise money to restore the 1874 building, which was recently turned over to the city.

It is estimated the cost to repair the building, which has fallen into disrepair, will be $132,500.

It is hoped that with work the red brick structure on Church Street, next to the City Building, can be turned into a community center and fire museum.

If you would like more information about this event or this special project, Farrell invites you to call her at work, 454-2211, or at home, 454-7624.

Women’s Health Issues is the subject of a three-part educational series offered by Waldo County General Hospital and Waldo Community Action Partners.

All programs will be held at the WCGH Education Center, 118 Northport Ave. in Belfast.

The first program, with Dr. Nancy Webb, is “An Overview of Breast Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment,” from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, April 3.

The second program, with Dr. Carl Pillitteri, is “Overview of Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment,” from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 11.

The final program, “Obtaining Assistance for Medical Screenings,” is 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, in recognition of Cover the Uninsured Week.

WCGH and WCAP representatives will discuss what funds are available for qualifying community members to obtain medical services.

Transportation for the April 3 and 11 programs will be provided.

Pickup locations are the Liberty town office parking lot, Lincolnville town office, Stockton Springs town office, and the parking lot across from the Varney Building in Brooks.

Call 338-2500 to make transportation arrangements. For more information about the programs, call 930-2578 or 338-6205.

The Piscataquis Regional YMCA annual 10/100 Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft.

Entertainment will be provided by The Noteables and Foxcroft Academy students.

The evening includes a silent auction and a display of the work of the Reverse Painting on Glass artists.

Tickets are $100 for two, and your ticket is automatically entered into the 10/100 drawing in which 10 tickets will be drawn at the end of the evening with the winners receiving $100 each.

For more information, call PRYMCA at 564-7111.

Gary Metilly of Milo called this week “to say thanks to everybody for their wonderful generosity. It’s been tremendously overwhelming,” he said.

Metilly, his wife, Nancy, who is pregnant, and their 11 children lost nearly everything when a fire earlier this month consumed their uninsured mobile home and an addition.

“Our spirits are good,” he said.

“We’re trying to get settled into our temporary life. Really, the strength is from above. We’re trusting and walking.”

Metilly said that, thanks to the generosity of others, “we can put in a foundation for our house, and we have house designs being worked on.”

He is extremely grateful to everyone, and members of every organization, who have made donations to help the family, and would also like to get in touch with the contractor in Gray who offered to help.

“I lost his information,” Metilly said of the man he recalls as Mike, “but he could call me at 943-3402.”

The family especially appreciates the assistance offered by Ed Treworgy and Carolyn Dillon, and expresses their heartfelt thanks “to so many hundreds who responded” to their need.

Contributions for the family can be made at Maine Savings Credit Union on Park Street in Milo.

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