Cynthia Scott, Pine Tree Hospice executive director, sent me information about several activities that staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of the institution have planned, and you will be reading about them here from now through mid-May.

The first of many offerings is its invitation for you to learn about Evergreen, the Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Families Program sponsored by the Maine Charity Fund, Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Project and Hospice Education Institute.

One Evergreen introductory session will be conducted from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the all-purpose room of Nickerson Elementary School in Greenville.

A second session is 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, in the library at Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford.

The third meeting is 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Penquis Valley High School in Milo.

And the final introductory session is 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, May 14, in the library at Dexter Regional High School.

All sessions begin at 5 p.m. with light refreshments and are followed by the one-hour program.

You may call Amy Madigan-Dube at Pine Tree Hospice, 564-4346, for more information and to let the organization know you will be attending one of the sessions.

These introductory meetings are for anyone interested in learning about the Evergreen services and for those who would consider becoming an Evergreen Peer Support volunteer.

Issues to be addressed include children’s grief and the need for such support in this region; the mission of Evergreen and its relationship to Pine Tree Hospice; the Peer Support Model for Bereavement Groups; and how you can become an Evergreen volunteer facilitator.

I hope many people take an interest in Evergreen and the services it offers by attending these introductory meetings.

I believe that such services are not only beneficial, but absolutely essential to the future mental and physical well-being of children who have lost a loved one.

I extend a very happy birthday greeting to Mildred Marden of Searsport, who celebrates her 100th birthday today.

Our newest Maine centenarian will be the honored guest during an open house in recognition of this momentous occasion from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Masonic-Odd Fellows Hall on Main Street in Searsport.

Gary Lowe, secretary of Granite Grange, wrote, “We invite all her family, friends and neighbors to come and celebrate this great day for her.

“Mildred is still very active, and attends Grange and the Rebecca’s regularly,” he added.

“Come visit and enjoy the refreshments.”

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Kim Roberts-Fer, executive director of Rape Response Services in Bangor, reminds us, and we will continue to remind you of events connected with that organization throughout the month.

The mission of Rape Response Services is “to end sexual violence in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties through prevention, intervention, support, education, training and advocacy.”

To help support the work of Rape Response, you are invited to attend Hope and Healing: An Evening of Live Music, sponsored by DADGAD Coffee House.

Hope and Healing is 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at the Keith Anderson Community Center on Bennoch Road in Orono.

The suggested $5 donation includes desserts and nonalcoholic beverages.

Roberts-Fer also wants you to know that, this month, you can shop online and support Rape Response through ESTY.com, which is an “online community of independent artists” from around the globe who sell handcrafted items.

More than two dozen artists have contributed more than 90 “unique selections of jewelry, quilts, body products, stained glass and other crafts” for online purchase, she explained, and a percentage of the sales from these “Hope and Healing” items will benefit Rape Response Services.

Links to these one-of-a-kind, handmade works, with new items being added daily, can be found at the Rape Response Web site at www.raperesponseservices.org or at www.esty.com under “hopeandhealing.”

Since she provided no last name, let’s hope the U.S. Postal Service will deliver responses to this request from Samantha S.

“I am a fifth-grader from Morris Plains, N.J., doing a report on your terrific state [of] Maine,” Samantha wrote.

“I would really appreciate it if you can please send information on your state” including “anything like postcards, coins, brochures or facts.”

Samantha added that she “would really like [it] if you can do this for my report,” and she thanks you “for your help and time.”

Maine information can be sent to Samantha S. at 12 Walsh Way, Morris Plains, N.J. 07950.

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