Now that our ground is properly covered by the beautiful white stuff, it should be a most enjoyable winter experience for everyone who wants to be part of the annual snowshoe and cross-country ski outing hosted by The Friends of Sunkhaze Meadows Wildlife Refuge.

Janet Alexander reports you should meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Sunkhaze Meadows Wildlife Refuge office, 1168 Main St. (Route 2) in Old Town for the outing, which is open to the public and members of the Friends group

From the office, Alexander wrote, you all will “carpool or caravan out to the refuge” in Milford.

“If the weather cooperates,” she said, “there’ll be snow activities. If not, we’ll hike.”

She wants to be sure those attending have what they need, which means bringing water and a snack, but Alexander also wants you to “plan to enjoy hot stew and biscuits, coffee and tea provided” to help keep you warm on a winter’s day.

More information about this local winter adventure for nature lovers can be obtained by calling 827-6138, ext. 17.

Eight finalists from across Maine will compete in the 26th annual Bangor Symphony Orchestra Maine High School Concerto Competition at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in Minsky Recital Hall at the University of Maine in Orono.

The snow date is Sunday, Feb. 25.

The competition is free and open to the public.

Selected by a Bangor Symphony Orchestra panel of professional judges from among 17 applicants, the finalists are Kelsey Blumenthal, violin, Cape Elizabeth High School; Casey Jones, violin, Yarmouth High School; Nathan Lesser, violin, John Bapst Memorial High School, Bangor; and Anna Linehan, cello, Bangor High School.

Also Marlene McCarthy, piano, Hall-Dale High School, Farmingdale; Emily Steingart, bassoon, Yarmouth High School; Heather Thomas, violin, home school, Belgrade; and Rachael Townsend, piano, Coastal Christian High School, Waldoboro.

The finalists will compete for the Annas-Cupp Award, the opportunity to perform solo with the BSO in 2008, and other cash prizes.

More information is available at bangorsymphony.com or by calling the BSO box office at 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221.

Music from current hits to classic jazz is featured when Heidi Jai with Jackie Vernon perform for the Emmaus Homeless Shelter Winter Coffee House Series 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at St. Joseph Hall in Ellsworth.

A cup of soup and coffee are available when you meet the local resident artists at this fundraiser for the Emmaus Homeless Shelter.

Tickets are $12 each, $20 for couples and $5 for children, and will be available at the door.

For information, call 469-6771 or 664-0245.

Accounting professor Steven Colburn and University of Maine Business School students are offering free income tax assistance for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, the elderly and students.

The help is available on a first-come, first-served basis from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays in Room 215 of the D.P. Corbett Business Building behind the Maine Center for the Arts on the Orono campus, and from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays in Room 109 of the Corbett building. A story in Tuesday’s State section listed Thursday’s meeting room incorrectly.

You should bring W-2 forms from all employers, forms 1099 for dividends and interest, if applicable, and any other forms or information regarding income, deductions or credits.

The volunteers can download tax forms from the IRS Web site and file returns electronically.

For more information, call Colburn at 581-1982.

From Ruth Dauphinee we learn the Willimantic Civic Association is hosting a Benefit Jam Session at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Willimantic town hall.

The event features the music of the Monson General Jammers, and it benefits the Willimantic Civic Association, which works to help neighbors in need.

Admission is by donation, and refreshments will be provided.

As part of its 2007 Ocean Environment Lecture Series, the Marine Environmental Research Institute invites you to hear Charlie Todd, a wildlife biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Todd will lecture on “The Miraculous Recovery of Maine’s Bald Eagles” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the MERI Center for Marine Studies in Blue Hill.

Before Todd’s presentation, you are invited to a reception and art opening at the MERI Ocean Art Gallery in Blue Hill.

Paintings by Rebekah Raye of East Blue and photography by Bryan Gagner of Sedgwick will be on exhibit.

A portion of the proceeds from any sales of their works will benefit MERI research and education programs.

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