With the encouragement and support of the owners of Tail Waggin Training Center in Levant, Paul and Cindy Levasseur of Hampden are trying to raise funds to purchase a service dog for their 10-year-old autistic son.

Michael Levasseur, a fifth-grader at Weatherbee School in Hampden, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Holly, a black Labrador retriever in training at TWTC.

If all goes well, Cindy Levasseur told me, Holly should be ready to join Michael by Christmas, provided the family can raise $5,000 to obtain the dog.

To date, their account contains $900.

“The service dog will be able to help support Michael” with daily living skills, as well as safety, sensory and social issues, his mother explained.

She hopes telling Michael’s story will bring more awareness and insight into the daily challenges faced by those with autism and by their families, and how service dogs can help.

“People need to realize that when they see a child really having a behavior issue in public, there may be a reason for that other than being disobedient,” she wrote.

All too often, strangers have approached Levasseur when her son was “having a meltdown due to his autism-related issues,” and they have not been kind.

“They will say things like, ‘What a brat!’ ‘Could he scream any louder?’ ‘Why don’t you behave?’ And my favorite: ‘What he needs is a good spanking!'”

And then, she added, “there are the looks.”

She knows of other parents with similar experiences and reminds readers “at that point, our focus needs to be on helping him,” not on dealing with others.

Levasseur believes a service dog “will really be a blessing” for her son, providing him “with the support and tools he needs to be able to function, more effectively, and with a little less stress, in our world.”

It is her hope that Holly “will be a bridge between our world and Michael’s.”

If you can help, donations can be made to the Michael Levasseur/Holly account, No. 721140416, at any TD Banknorth location.

Susan Rizza, librarian of the Waldo Peirce Reading Room, has announced its Book and Bake Sale Fundraiser will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Reading Room, located on Main Road South in Frankfort.

“All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the restoration of our Maine History and Genealogy Room,” Rizza explained. “This room will house our Maine and Genealogy Collections, as well as many artifacts of local history.”

Mary Ann Devoe, president of the Orono Health Association, hopes you will mark your calendar and plan to donate during an American Red Cross Blood Drive the association is sponsoring from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Church of Universal Fellowship on Main Street in Orono.

For those who do attend, Devoe wants you to know that “sandwiches and goodies will be served.”

You are invited to attend the Christian Women’s Club luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road, Bangor.

The cost is $10, and reservations must be made no later than Monday, Sept. 11, by calling 989-5796 or 949-0691.

The luncheon features a food sale with relishes, pickles, jams, jellies and breads made from fresh garden produce.

Lucille Gosselin reports the guest musician will be Kaiye Anderson and the guest speaker will be financial adviser Marion Syversen, addressing the subject of “trying to find love in all the wrong places.”

Nancy Porter and Joyce Given invite you to hear The Stewarts in concert 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at First Congregational Church, 274 Katahdin Ave. in Millinocket.

“Come enjoy an exciting evening of Southern-style Gospel music with a distinct country flavor,” they wrote.

A freewill offering will be accepted at the door.

Mazie Hough announces the first in the Women in the Curriculum and Women Studies Program Fall 2006 Lunch Series, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, in Bangor Lounge of Memorial Union on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

Maine Senate President Beth Edmonds will discuss “What’s at Stake for Women in the November Election?” with comments by UMaine political science associate professor Amy Fried.

Nadia Brown entertains for the annual Ladies Tea and Silent Auction at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Veazie Congregational Church, 1404 State St.

Admission is just $4.

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