Recently I received a letter from Victoria Oakes of Rangeley describing a very special family-oriented fundraiser she hopes will attract motorcycle enthusiasts and those interested in diabetes awareness.

An insulin-dependent diabetic for 34 years, Oakes is a member of Bikers Against Diabetes, an organization raising funds for “research to find a cure for diabetes” through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or JDRF, she explained. Oakes was diagnosed with diabetes at age 15.

The third annual Bikers Against Diabetes Coastal Ride begins, rain or shine, at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Elks Lodge on Rankin Street in Rockland.

“Our event draws motorcyclists from all over Maine, advocating to make a difference,” Oakes wrote.

The registration donation is $35 for the driver and $15 for the rider.

Participants receive a BAD Ride 2006 T-shirt, a raffle-stop destination map for prizes and lunch with musical entertainment. The top five fundraisers receive 25 pounds of fresh Maine lobster.

Jon and Pam Paquette of South Thomaston, parents of 13-year-old, insulin-dependent Jake Paquette, are coordinating this year’s ride. Jake is the benefit’s youth chairman.

Because Oakes can no longer drive due to complications of diabetes, she rides in the event, which, in the last two years, has raised $21,000 for the American Diabetes Association.

“This year,” Oakes wrote, “all proceeds are designated for the JDRF right here in Maine.”

The organizers are seeking bikers, riders and rider sponsors, and business owners to donate merchandise or gift certificates for the raffles.

Volunteers are needed to help spread the word by handing out posters, sponsoring a mile marker or just lending a hand.

And there is a need for bikers willing to take passengers who have raised money but do not drive.

Inquiries or contributions can be made at www.bikersagainstdiabetes.me.com, by writing Oakes at P.O. Box 1236, Rangeley 04257, calling her at 864-2658, or e-mailing badcommittee@verizon.net.

You can also write Jon and Pam Paquette, P.O. Box 2, South Thomaston 04858; call 594-5254 or e-mail jopake@midcoast.com.

A Good Old-Fashioned Franco-American Soiree, featuring The Silvertones, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Old Town.

Admission is $10 for the event sponsored by the Franco-American Resource Opportunity Group, the student group of the Franco-American Center at the University of Maine in Orono.

Proceeds will benefit Franco-American scholarships.

For more information, call Lisa Michaud, 581-3789; Bob Foley, 827-4866; or Bo Ryan, 866-2069.

The Waldo County General Hospital Diabetes Education Program is hosting an open house 2-4 p.m. Monday, June 19, at its new office in the Waldo County Community Healthcare Services building, 119 Northport Ave., Belfast.

In addition to touring the facility, you are invited to learn more about the Diabetes Self-Management Training program offered to DEP participants and take advantage of free blood sugar screenings.

The next Eat-Out to benefit The Howard Foundation is 3:30-10 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the Texas Roadhouse, 504 Stillwater Ave. in Bangor.

A percentage of the receipts during those hours will benefit the foundation’s scholarship fund.

Advance invitations are available from Dan Williams at 942-9319, or knead24u@yahoo.com. Tickets also will be available at the door.

Retired attorney Peter Beckerman of Sidney is chairman of the Waterville High School Class of 1966 40th Reunion, which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Waterville Country Club.

Beckerman requests that interested classmates make out a $20 check to “Class Reunion” and mail it to him at 105 Farm Brook Road, Sidney 04330.

Classmates can also call him at 547-4411 or e-mail pbeckermanlaw@aol.com with your mailing and e-mail addresses, maiden names and phone numbers.

He also requests you pass word along to other classmates, and send him any names and addresses you may have.

For the benefit of readers who are interested in supporting their schools through programs such as collecting soup labels and box tops or recycling ink cartridges and cell phones, we suggest you check with your local schools to see if they are participating in any program, then begin collecting and saving those items for next fall.

We do know that among the items being collected are soup can labels from Campbell’s and cereal box tops from General Mills. Hannaford Helps is another program, and HP Hood also has a program that helps local schools raise funds to supplement their budgets.

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