Although all of us who enjoy outdoor winter activities are hanging our heads at the present time due to lack of the fluffy white stuff, let’s keep a positive attitude and hope for plenty of snow by the end of January, at least, for the 10th annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity.

The 10th anniversary event begins with check-in at 6 a.m., breakfast from 6 to 8 a.m., and the ride at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Greenville High School.

The entry fee, per participant, is a minimum $125 donation.

Craven’s mother, Nancy Craven, who is co-chairwoman of the ride, told me her son is especially excited about this year’s event, and well he should be.

Last year the event raised more than $135,000, and Ricky Craven is hoping the 10th anniversary event will exceed that amount.

According to information Nancy Craven provided, funds raised through sponsorships, participants, donations, the sale of raffle tickets, and other sources have enabled Ricky Craven, in nine years, “to proudly give” more than $1.2 million to the five charities he represents: Children’s Miracle Network, Give Kids the World, The Marrow Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Travis Roy Foundation.

This year’s major sponsors are VIP Parts, Tires & Service; Arctic Cat; and Brake Service & Parts.

Any business owner or individual can become a gold sponsor for a $2,000 minimum donation; a silver sponsor for a $1,000 minimum donation; or a bronze sponsor for a $500 minimum donation.

However, another important funding source, Nancy Craven wrote, “is the raffle tickets. This year’s raffle includes nine prizes, and each ticket is $10.”

The top prize is a 2007 Arctic Cat Z570 snowmobile.

Call 941-9364 or e-mail remnorth@acadia.net for ticket or sponsorship information.

This charity event, held the last Saturday in January each year, receives great support from area business owners, individuals, and public officials and employees.

Breakfast, Nancy Craven wrote, is provided by Craig and Bruce MacDonald of Dunkin’ Donuts in Brewer, Holden and Bucksport. Lunch after the ride is provided by the local Hannaford and is served by the Greenville High School cafeteria staff.

Game wardens, Greenville town staff, school officials, members of the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club, and many other caring individuals all help make this major fundraiser a success, and Nancy and Ricky Craven thank each and every one of you in advance for your support.

If you are unable to participate on the day of the event but want to be part of this fundraiser and help set a new record in 2007, make out a check payable to Ricky Craven Charity Ride and mail it to The Ricky Craven Charity Ride, P.O. Box 2223, Bangor 04402-2223.

Congratulations are extended to members of the newly formed American Legion Auxiliary Argonne Post No. 138, which conducted its first meeting last month in Winterport.

Charlotte Wing, American Legion Auxiliary vice president for Maine, assisted in setting up the new unit and attended the first meeting.

The newly elected officers are President Tammy Higgins, Vice President Rebecca Foley, Secretary-Treasurer Lisa Kingsbury, chaplain the Rev. Suzie Gowie, and Sergeant-at-Arms Sally Clark.

The new auxiliary includes 18 members and four junior members, and anyone interested in becoming a member is invited to call Higgins for more information at 223-2519 or 223-5733.

January is creeping up on us, and Lanie Colson of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems has a Save the Date reminder for a new fundraiser.

Members of Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary are “trying something new, this winter, to raise money for the Rosen Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” Colson wrote of what she describes as “one cool party.”

The first annual Winter Beach Ball begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the Bangor Civic Center.

The event, a “casual affair with a cash bar and light refreshments by Montes International Catering,” will feature the Tony Boffa Band.

Limited tables of 10 are available for $250, and you can reserve tickets now by calling 973-5055.

Individual tickets are $25, and Visa and MasterCard will be accepted.

All proceeds benefit the Rosen NICU at EMMC in Bangor, which serves northern, eastern and central Maine as a referral center for premature infants who require specialized care.

NICU department head Tina Gist reports the funds “will help us expand the NICU and purchase the equipment we need to help care for the 500 babies” admitted each year.

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