The good people of Stacyville are rallying around a young family to help them through a very difficult time, and you can be part of that effort.

Bradlee Cullins is just 5 years old. He lives in that community with his parents, Charlie and Billie-Jo Cullins, and his sisters, Ashlee and Jazmine.

Recently, little Bradlee was diagnosed with leukemia. He’s undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

It appears that Bradlee’s treatment will be a very lengthy one, possibly taking up to 31/2 years to complete.

To help the family through this process, a spaghetti supper will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Calvary Baptist Church in Stacyville.

Donations will be accepted at the door, and information can be obtained by calling the church at 365-4479.

From church member Karen Rodgerson, I have learned that those who are unable to attend the benefit but would like to help the family can send donations in Bradlee’s name to the church at P.O. Box 239, Stacyville 04777.

How sweet it is for those who attend the 11th annual Maple Festival and Irish Celebration 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at The Curran Homestead, 372 Fields Pond Road in Orrington.

Admission for the general public is $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The admission for members or donors is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

The opportunity to learn how maple sap becomes maple syrup, sample homemade food, take a guided tour of the historic facility and enjoy live Irish music with Jerry Hughes and The Late Edition are all part of the fun and frolic at this special, pre-spring event.

Sincerest congratulations to all participants of the 2007 Healthy Hancock 10-week Lose and Win program.

Iris Simon of Healthy Hancock, the coalition working to improve the health of residents in that county, reports more than 100 people “braved the cold” one night last week to celebrate “and receive a short hula lesson.”

“This program sure does make the winter fly by,” she added.

Participants of Lose and Win 2007 accumulated “an impressive” loss total of 2,645.9 pounds, averaging 7.036 pounds per person, Simon wrote.

The Slim Downs, who have participated in the program since it began three years ago, took first place honors, with the Livin’ Life Large Girls finishing second and the Chunky Monkeys in third place.

The top male loser was a member of the Slim Jims, and the top female loser represented the CMT Dream Team. Meanwhile, a member of Hip Huggers was recognized for also using the 10-week challenge to quit smoking.

“The teams in Deer Isle-Stonington accumulated a total loss of 517.6 pounds,” Simon reported.

“Hannaford in Ellsworth is 189 pounds lighter, and the teams from Jackson Lab [in Bar Harbor] accumulated a loss of 182 pounds.”

Not surprisingly, the Lose and Win committee “will be meeting soon to plan” for its 2008 program and is looking for volunteers to serve with them.

Information is available by visiting www.mainehospital.org and clicking on “Lose and Win 2007.”

Pam Frace of Corinth wrote the Bangor Daily News recently that on Jan. 30, “life as we knew it changed” when her husband, Hampden Academy teacher and John Bapst Memorial High School coach Andy Frace, was injured in a sledding accident in Bangor.

From that moment “up to this point in his recovery,” she continued, “we have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support shown to us.”

Pam Frace extends her thanks to the emergency personnel at the scene, the doctors and staff of Eastern Maine Medical Center trauma center, intensive care unit, staff of the third and fifth floors and “the Acute Rehab for your excellent care.”

The family is grateful to its community, Pastor Cindy Nickerson and members of United Methodist Church in Corinth, families and friends “for all the acts of kindness shown to us.”

Particular thanks are extended to Marcia Diamond, Becky Bunker and Ruey Yehle for organizing a benefit dinner, and the staff, teachers, students and parents of Hampden Academy, John Bapst and Reeds Brook Middle School.

“We could never thank you all enough but know how truly blessed we feel and that you will all hold a special place in our hearts,” she wrote.

“You are all our angels who brought us light during this dark time.”

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