Congratulations and a hearty, healthy “well-done” to everyone who participated in the 10-week Healthy Hancock Lose and Win program based on the book, “The Town that Lost a Ton.”

The success of this year’s program was celebrated last week, with team members and guests gathering at Ellsworth Middle School.

There they were greeted by members of the Ellsworth High School Key Club dressed “in vegetable costumes,” reported Iris Simon of Healthy Hancock, and entertained by the Ellsworth High School Jazz Band.

However, rather than being the “Town that Lost a Ton,” Simon reports it is “the county that lost a bounty,” with a grand total of 2,630.65 pounds lost by 374 participants.

The Healthy Weights of Hannaford in Ellsworth, captained by Mike Willard, took home top honors for losing an average of 14.9 pounds per member.

The Inn-Credible Shrinking Women of Deer Isle, captained by Kelly McDonald, was second and Divas in Disguise, with captain Polly Young, finished third.

Teams in Stonington-Deer Isle lost 330.35 pounds, and teams at Hannaford in Ellsworth lost 244.5 pounds.

Simon added that 12 participants were recognized for having lost 20 pounds during the 10 weeks, and that the committee is already planning for Lose and Win 2007.

You are invited to learn how you can protect your heart by attending an open house hosted by Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine, 4-7 p.m. today at CWM on the second floor of the EMMC parking garage.

Free, heart-healthy food samples, free recipes, tours and information will be offered.

CWM offers outpatient cardiac rehab; classes for patients and the community; and houses the Cardiovascular Learning Center.

Applications are now available for bakers wishing to enter the Eastern Maine Community College Friends of the Library Books2Eat fundraiser which is 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, at Rangeley Hall on the Bangor campus.

This is your opportunity to, literally, cook a book, and prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, with professional entries auctioned to benefit EMCC Friends of the Library.

Attendees will enjoy high tea served by students of the EMCC culinary arts program, and you have the opportunity to vote on your favorite edible book.

Admission is free with the entry of an edible book, or $10 for general admission and $5 for students. To obtain your Books2Eat entry form, call 974-4640.

Comedian Bob Marley is appearing in a fundraiser to benefit Hampden Academy Class of 2006 Project Graduation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in the academy’s Skehan Gymnasium.

Tickets are available from any member of the HA senior class or by calling 862-3394.

Orders must be received by Saturday, April 15, for those who wish to take advantage of the Orono Bicentennial Plant Sale.

A selection of 10 perennials, chosen for their historical significance, are being offered at a substantial discount to help ensure a colorful appearance for Orono’s bicentennial celebration.

Local plant experts Alma Otto and Chris Dorion have provided a list of heirloom plants that were found in the area in the early 1800s.

Plant brochures and order forms are available in Orono at Park’s Hardware, the Orono town office, Orono Public Library, The Store-Ampersand and Orono Pharmacy. Plants will be distributed in mid-May, and all proceeds benefit Orono’s bicentennial festivities. For more information, call Lisa Colburn, 866-3861, or visit www.orono2006.com.

In a recent letter to the Bangor Daily News, George Swanson of Manset wrote that “people on Mt. Desert Island and in Downeast Maine lavished affection and assistance on my wife, Katrina, and me, during her 16-month final illness. We were so very blessed. I am still.”

The Rev. Katrina Swanson was one of the first women to be ordained an Episcopal priest. She was 70 when she died last August.

And now her husband has “yet another kindness” to ask, he wrote.

“People are coming from all over the country for a memorial weekend for her, this summer,” he explained.

The event is scheduled for July 27-30 in Bar Harbor.

Swanson wonders if you would “consider offering a room to one or two of these visitors,” and if you would, that you call him at 244-0579 or e-mail george@gsbanjo.com.

“The theme of the weekend is Liberty and Justice for Women,” Swanson continued.

“Everyone is welcome to the various events that will be listed on her Web site,” which is katrinasdream.org.

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