Even though it was damp and dreary outside one week ago today, it was warm and welcoming inside two of our most important buildings in Augusta: the State House and the residence of our governor and family, the Blaine House.

In the morning, at the State House, Gov. John Baldacci presented the 2006 Governor’s Service Awards to individuals and organizations, assisted by emcees Irv Marsters and Donna Gormely.

It is a pleasure to extend sincere congratulations to this year’s award winners. They include Volunteer of the Year Edward Girvin, Islesboro; Youth Volunteer of the Year Peter Christensen, Bangor; National Service Volunteer Award winner Alfred Brooks, Robbinston; Outstanding Public Sector Volunteer Thomas Elliot, Jr., West Bath; Small Business Volunteerism Award winner Steve Elliott and staff of NewLand Nursery & Florist, Ellsworth; Corporate Volunteerism Award winner Hannaford of Gardiner; and the tied winners of the Outstanding Nonprofit Volunteer Award, Youthlinks of Rockland and United Mid-Coast Charities of Camden.

In the afternoon, Irv and I emceed the 2006 Governor’s Service Awards Roll of Honor Blaine House Tea, where more than 130 of the 320 honorees gathered to celebrate recognition of their more than 500 individual hours of service to their communities.

CarolAnne Dube, vice-chair of the Maine Commission for Community Service, then introduced our very special hostess, first lady Karen Baldacci, who made everyone feel at home in what she considers “the people’s house,” encouraging them to tour and enjoy their stay.

During her brief address, she commented on the remarkable fact that while approximately 28 percent of Americans volunteer nationally, 64 percent of Mainers willing give of their time to help their neighbors.

The first lady then read the Roll of Honor of those in attendance and had them stand to be recognized.All of the day’s activities for this event were graciously sponsored by Sam’s Clubs of Bangor and Augusta.

The 28th annual American Cancer Society Living With Cancer Conference will run from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the Augusta Civic Center.

The keynote speaker is former Gov. Angus King, who was appointed in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to serve on a national commission studying how to reduce the costs of Medicaid.

Cancer patients, family members, friends, and medical professionals are invited to attend the conference, which has as its theme, “One Day…Your Issues,” with a focus on personal, medical and advocacy topics.

To register for the conference, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345.

Becky Rivers reports area artists can still enter up to two works in the 26th annual Open Juried Art Show hosted by the Bangor Art Society, by bringing their work from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 6, to the Bangor Public Library on Harlow Street.

Judging begins at noon, and cash prizes totaling $2,300 will be awarded. The entry fee for artists who pre-register is $25 or $30 on the day of the judging.

To receive an application or more information, call Rivers at 338-4463 or e-mail legetch@

adelphia.net.

Nancy Grant of Orono wrote that AFS Intercultural Programs, “the leading international student exchange program for more than 50 years,” is seeking families to host an AFS student for the 2006-07 school year.

“Your family can experience the world without ever leaving home,” she wrote. “When you share your home with an AFS student, your entire family will gain in friendship, love and learning.”

The students, 15-18, are “carefully screened in their home countries,” she explained, are fully insured, have their own spending money and “are oriented and supported locally.”

To learn more about becoming an AFS family, call Grant at 866-4542.

In other AFS news, Grant invites you to enjoy a “gourmet, catered dinner presented with an international flair” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in Rangeley Hall at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.

Chef Mark Janicki and his students will prepare and serve the meal, and area performers and AFS students will entertain with songs, monologues, dancing and instrumentals.

The cost is $35 per person.

Proceeds will be used to help defray costs of students participating in an AFS exchange, and to meet special expenses of those spending a year at Orono High School.

To make reservations, call Grant at 866-4542.

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