Here is some very gratifying news from Nancy Grimes of Winterport, president of NAMI-Maine, the local chapter of the National Association for the Mentally Ill.

Grimes has announced the formation of the NAMI Piscataquis Family and Friends Support Group, which will conduct its first meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, in the Sebec Room of Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft.

Grimes said NAMI is partnering with the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program to offer this group, which will be led by Beth Ranagan and will meet, on a regular basis, the third and fourth Mondays of each month.

It is perfectly acceptable for families to just show up for the first meeting, but it would be helpful if you called Ranagan at 924-7903 or (800) 464-5767 to sign up.

Grimes, who is very pleased that a support group has finally been organized for this area, will be attending the first meetings to assist with the startup of the program.

She ex-plained that because mental illnesses can often “isolate families through the fears and stigma that surround them,” it is “an exciting venture for NAMI to be able to offer a support group” in a new area, “especially a rural one.”

Second, Grimes announced that NAMI’s free 12-week family education course will be taught from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Feb. 28, and running through May 18, in the Osprey Room of Acadia Hospital in Bangor.

Topics covered in this course include all major mental illnesses, getting better services, family rights, how to communicate during crisis, how illnesses affect each member, updates on medications and brain research, self care, and recovery expectations.

The course is conducted by trained NAMI members. A free textbook is included and guest speakers will participate in the program.

Space is limited for this course, so you are asked to call and register with Grimes at 223-5686 or with Priscilla Haley at 942-3848.

Attention parents and kids who are fans of this performer!

The ever-popular children’s musician Rick Charette will present a collection of his special music at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at Johnston Gymnasium on the campus of Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for this concert that benefits United Cerebral Palsy of Maine’s Camp CaPella program, which offers summer recreational opportunities for children with disabilities.

Tickets are just $8 each. To purchase them or to receive more information about this concert, call Katie Guernsey at 990-2133.

More information about Charette is available at www.rickcharette.com, and more information about this event, and UCP of Maine, is available at www.ucp

ofmaine.org.

The benefit is sponsored by Art Landry Plumbing & Heating, Climo Electric, Eastern Maine Community College, Miller Drug, Creative Digital, Patawa Club, Acadia Mortgage and WBRC Architects-Engineers, and is hosted by UCP and EMCC.

Here’s a reminder from Sally Bates that among the events included in Downtown Bangor’s Winter Weekend is an open mike night from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Union Street Brick Church in Bangor.

Admission is $2, and all ages are invited to participate.

Among the Winter Weekend highlights is the ceremonial lighting of the ice sculpture at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in West Market Square; and a free Audubon Society slide show from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Sea Dog Restaurant along the Bangor waterfront.

For a complete schedule, visit www.downtownbangor.com or call the Sea Dog at 947-8004 or Sparkling Moments Photography at 989-4229.

On behalf of Trail Riders of Today, Paula Leavitt of Troy invites the public to come and enjoy watching a sleigh rally from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Beem Farm on Route 100 in Palmyra.

Food will be available for purchase, and you will have fun watching the horses and drivers go through their rally routines.

Leavitt said the event includes several classes where either the horse or driver will be judged on their performances; a “Currier and Ives” event in which participants “are dressed up in old-fashioned outfits, which is fun,” and horses, sleighs and drivers trying their best to navigate obstacle courses.

“They follow a pattern and are timed,” Leavitt said of this part of the rally.

Much of what transpires is in a field, so the viewing opportunities are good.

There is no admission charge.

Call Amy Beem, 368-5288, for more information.

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