One of the area’s most essential support groups needs your help.

Pathfinders: Support for Grieving Children will conduct its 10-week spring 2007 session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Monday, March 12, and continuing through Monday, May 21, at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Essex Street in Bangor.

But the program can’t proceed without caring volunteers to help facilitate those sessions.

As a Pathfinders facilitator, you will be specially trained to meet the needs of grieving children. That special training begins Saturday, Feb. 10.

For more information about becoming a Pathfinders volunteer, or attending its spring session, call Linda Boyle at 973-8269.

Now celebrating its 13th year, the program offers special bereavement support specifically for children and teens, ages 3-18.

To help defray costs of the program, the per-family fee is $50. However, a limited number of scholarships are available for those unable to pay that fee.

The first of January, I wrote about the Cancer Community Center Maine Buddy Program that matches people newly diagnosed with cancer with those who have had similar experiences.

Buddies meet, often by phone, although some meet in person.

Hoping to increase the number of program participants, CCCM Volunteer Services Manager Jani Druck announced a new date for its one-day, free training program for this one-on-one, peer-matching network of cancer survivors.

The training is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in Rangeley Hall at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.

To register, or for more information, call Druck, (877) 774-2200, or e-mail jdruck@Maine.rr.com.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the Penobscot Historical Society’s Annual Valentine Eat Out Mystery Ride beginning when you meet at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Penobscot Elementary School. However, you must call Marilyn Tapley, 326-8231, by Thursday, Feb. 1, if you plan to attend.

Tickets must be purchased by today if you want to attend The Curran Homestead Living History Farm & Museum Fun-Raiser with seatings at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Oriental Jade Restaurant on Bangor Mall Boulevard.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children under 12.

Call Irv Marsters, 945-9311 or fax him at 942-9914; call Karen Marsters, 942-6711, ext. 137; or e-mail irv@bangorlettershop.com.

The Homestead board of directors, including new president John Mugnai of Orrington, will be your servers.

And today is the last day you can drop off valentines to be part of the Valentines for Troops campaign being conducted in our area by Liberty Tax Service.

Robin Case reports you can leave your valentines up to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at her office at 849 Stillwater Ave. in Bangor.

Here’s a reminder that a Spaghetti Supper and Silent Auction to benefit Bruce Dowling and family will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at Holden Elementary School, 590 Main Road.

Admission is by donation.

The silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. Bids close at 7:30 p.m. with the winners announced at 8 p.m.

For more information, call Trish Anderson, 843-5208, or Delores Landry, 989-4059.

A longtime town employee, Dowling suffered a brain aneurysm and heart attack in January.

Heartiest congratulations and best wishes are extended to Clara Campbell Hathaway of Island Falls who is celebrating her 100th birthday.

You are invited to join her as family, friends and area residents honor her during a public celebration including a buffet luncheon at noon, entertainment at 2 p.m. and the cutting of her 100th birthday cake at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the VFW Hall in Island Falls.

According to information provided by Rebecca Drew, this sprightly centenarian “still drives about town, to the post office and library, attends church, and plays bridge once a week.”

Drew added, “It is a pleasure to see this lady about town and to enjoy conversation with her.”

Cards and birthday greetings can be sent to Clara Hathaway, Woodland Heights No. 8, Island Falls 04747.

The Down East Community Hospital Radiology Department is leading an effort to dedicate a stained-glass window in the hospital’s new chapel in memory of Cliff Pennell, a longtime Radiology Department employee who died in December of pancreatic cancer.

Half the $10,000 goal has been reached.

Anyone wishing to honor Pennell by making a donation can call Nikki Phinney, director of clinical services, at 255-0217, or by sending a donation to DEHT, attn. Cliff Pennell Memorial, RR 1, Box 11, Machias 04654.

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