Today will be a memorable and meaningful day for Phil Gerow of Milo.

A former Bangor Daily News correspondent who, before retiring, taught 40 years and also served 20 years with the Maine Army National Guard, Gerow will participate in the 17th annual 3.1-mile noncompetitive walk fundraiser hosted by Mayo Regional Hospital’s Heartwise Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

The Heartwise Walk for Life begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m. today at Piscataquis Regional YMCA in Dover-Foxcroft, where it also ends.

The goal is to raise $13,000 to help fund medical equipment needs for the program.

Heartwise director Judith Gerrish reminds readers that “Cardiovascular disease is America’s number one killer, claiming more than 40 percent of American deaths, annually.

“In Maine, 38 percent of all deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, killing one out of every 2.7 people,” she wrote, adding “heart disease is the leading cause of death, and disability, for both men and women.”

Those are facts Gerow knows well. Three times he has been a patient in the cardiac unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, he told me, “and the last time, a year ago, I had a triple bypass.”

Since 1998, Gerow has participated in this fundraiser but he said today’s event is “probably going to be my final year,” since he and his wife are planning a move to Portland to be nearer to their three daughters and families.

To help make this event successful for the man whose favorite hobby is cake-making, Gerow is asking his former co-workers, students and Guard members “to help me meet my goal of raising $5,000” for this walk.

To assist in his raising that amount, donations can be made out to Heartwise and mailed to him at 8 Chase Hill, Milo 04463, or sent in his honor to Mayo Regional Hospital-Heartwise, 897 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft 04426.

The Rev. Sue Lederhouse invites you to participate in the Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, at St. James’ Episcopal Church on the corner of Center and Main streets in Old Town.

“Pets of all kinds, large and small, with their owners, are invited to gather for prayers outside, weather permitting, followed by a procession into the Church for an individual blessing,” she wrote of the “annual event held in conjunction with the Feast of St. Francis,” celebrating “all creatures, great and small.”

Refreshments for all will be offered after the service, and everyone is welcome.

For information, call 827-6950.

The Atlantic Brewing Co. of Bar Harbor has announced it is hosting a War Canoe & Belt Sander Race beginning with the canoe race at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, at Long Pond on Mount Desert Island.

The entry fee for the canoe race is $20, and is followed by a barbecue dinner and the belt sander races at the brewery.

Information is available by calling Doug Maffucci, 288-2337, or e-mailing Tammy Kelley, tammykwh20w@hotmail.com.

Proceeds benefit the Muir Fund for Cancer Research.

Melissa Gaspar reports the Skowhegan Free Public Library is hosting an Antiques Appraisal Fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at 9 Elm St. in Skowhegan.

Featuring appraisals by Kaja Veilleux and John Bottero in their Thomaston Place Auction Galleries Mobile Appraisal Coach, the suggested donation is $5 per item or $20 for five items.

If your item is too large to bring with you, detailed photographs can be used to determine approximate value, Gaspar said.

Members of the Library Renovation Committee will sell hot dogs, pretzels, coffee, cocoa and other refreshments, and some used books will be on sale.

All proceeds benefit the Library Renovation Project, and information can be obtained by calling Gaspar at 474-9072.

Janelle Wuoristo reports Maine Kids and Kin, a program of Families and Children Together, is hosting a free seminar, “Resilient Families: Overcoming Histories of Substance Abuse,” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at FACT, 304 Hancock St., Bangor.

The seminar is for grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relative caregivers raising children affected by substance abuse. Free on-site child care will be available.

The sessions will cover issues and challenges related to substance abuse, families and how to support healthy child development.

For information or to register and reserve space for child care, call Wuoristo at 866-298-0896 or 941-2347, or e-mail jwuoristo@mainekids-kin.org, by Monday, Oct. 8.

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