‘Team Trenton’ to hold cystic fibrosis fundraiser

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Three years ago last March, a supper in Jackman to benefit the family of then 16-month-old Trenton Ellis of Glenburn, who has cystic fibrosis, and to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raised more than $8,000.

Today, Trenton is nearly 4, and his grandparents Bruce and Claire Ellis of Jackman describe him as “a loving child, despite his great challenges” who is “into everything that other kids his age are” and who is “very proud to be a big boy.”

His grandparents want readers to know that “Team Trenton” has organized a 50-mile bike ride for Saturday, June 24, from Jackman to Greenville to raise awareness of the disease and the progress that has been made in its treatment, and to raise “another significant contribution” for the CF Foundation.

“We are pleased to report that it seems that the CF Foundation is putting money that’s raised to very good use,” Claire Ellis wrote.

She gave as examples “two CF developed therapies” that “contributed to the dramatic increase in the median age of survival for people with CF from 32.9 years in 2003 to 35.1 years in 2005,” and noted that your support is needed for these efforts to continue.

You can make a donation to the CF Foundation in support of Team Trenton by sending a check payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in care of Claire Ellis, P.O. Box 213, Jackman 04945 or online at www.cff.org/GreatStrides/ClarieEllis.

If you have questions, call her at 668-2361.

The public is invited to attend the annual St. Croix Amateur Radio Club Field Day from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25, in the parking area and field at Alexander School.

There you will “see amateur radio being put to the test for emergency preparedness communications,” explained Ann Carter.

But, perhaps best of all, you will have the opportunity to make radio contacts under the supervision of a club member.

For more information, call 454-7645.

The Bangor-Brewer Women’s Connection After 5 Club is hosting a buffet 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

Reservations are $12 and must be made by Monday, June 26, by calling 989-5796 or 949-0691.

The guest speaker for this networking session is Dr. Georgia Basko of Lebanon, who will address “Choices, Changes and Challenges: How do we cope?”

Basko is a chiropractor living in a 200-year-old Cape that was featured several years ago in Country Living.

Lucille Gosselin explained the group is a branch of the Bangor-Brewer Christian Women’s Club, which has been in the area more than 50 years.

This group, however, caters to the working woman, which is why it meets after 5 p.m.

Future programs include a spa evening and a business-attire fashion show.

The group is seeking women who would like to be part of the planning committee “and keep this community service going strong,” Gosselin added.

If you are interested or want more information, call either of the numbers above.

Members of the public, especially those interested in the possibility of adopting an older child, are cordially invited to hear Pat O’Brien, founder and executive director of You Gotta Believe! The Older Child Adoption & Permanency Movement Inc., from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

O’Brien’s agency is one of the few placement agencies nationwide that limits its practice to finding permanent homes for teen and pre-teen children in foster care.

Sponsored by Region 3 Children’s Cabinet, serving Washington, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Aroostook counties, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, there is no cost to attend, but space is limited.

You can register by contacting Evelyn Ricker at 561-4158 or e-mailing Evelyn.Ricker@Maine.gov.

My deepest sympathies are extended to the family and close friends of Claire Porter, who died earlier this week at 81.

Claire was a remarkably vibrant woman whose bright, outgoing nature made the world a better place for everyone who knew her, or knew of her.

If her goal in life was to help make others happy, she succeeded beautifully in countless ways.

If her goal in life was overcoming adversity by pulling herself up by her bootstraps, smiling all the while, she was equally successful.

Most of all, she was generous with herself, and for that a grateful community will miss her.

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