I recently heard, once again, from Debbie McLain of the Downeast Equine & Large Animal Society in Cherryfield, who offered this helpful reminder for our readers, especially those of you who are animal lovers.

McLain wrote to remind you that Nov. 4-10 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

And while “the word has gotten out that we are here,” she wrote of this particular, large-animal shelter, “we still need the ongoing support of people who care about all animals.”

Downeast Equine & Large Animal Society is “still in need of financial help to support the animals in our care,” McLain wrote, adding that she believes this special week “would be a good time to remind the public about the work that all animal shelters do.

“Our job is never easy, whether a shelter deals with dogs and cats, or with the larger farm animals like we do.”

For all animal shelters, she wrote, “there is never too much support.”

McLain went on to point out that “most shelters, ours included, need the help of volunteers for many of the day-to-day activities and care.”

McLain concluded her request for your support with this reminder: “If anyone thinks that they could help in any way, I don’t know of too many shelters that would say no.”

If you want to help this particular shelter, send your donations to Downeast Equine & Large Animal Society, P.O. Box 485, Cherryfield 04622.

If you can volunteer, or want to offer help in any other way, call McLain at 638-3005.

Sandra Gordon reports that a crafts group, which meets to create tray favors for patients of Waldo County General Hospital who are hospitalized during a holiday, meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today, in the WCGH Education Center, 118 Northport Ave. in Belfast, and they can certainly use your help.

Gordon urges any community member who can, to “stop by for a cup of coffee and crafting,” and also wants you to know while craft supplies are provided, “extra hot glue guns are always helpful.”

This month, the group is working with a Thanksgiving theme.

If you have questions or want to assist in the future, call Connie Woitowitz at 930-2677.

Want to learn to square dance?

If so, Peter and Sandy Burke and members of the Levi Rounders Square Dance Club invite you to join them for your first, free lesson, from 6:30 to 9:30 tonight, at the Lynde Masonic Hall in Hermon, which they wrote, is “near the only traffic light in town.”

They suggest casual clothes and sneakers, and want you to know that ladies “can forget the petticoats” and even that “two left feet” are helpful.

The first lesson “is always free,” they wrote, but lessons are $5 each after that. The next lessons will be the same time on Monday, Nov. 12, and Monday, Nov. 19, at the same site.

Regular square dances are the second Saturday of each month at Hermon Elementary School.

The Burkes wrote that the group is especially eager “to inform the baby boomers and empty-nesters about the benefits of square dancing as a healthy, fun exercise,” but they remind you that “all others are welcome, too.”

They believe square dancing is a terrific workout that can relieve stress, be mentally stimulating and is not only beneficial to improving your health, but also will help you meet new friends and enjoy greater social activity.

If you have questions, be sure to call them at 843-6072.

Now through Sunday, Nov. 11, at all Burlington Coat Factory locations, its national “One Warm Coat Drive” is being conducted with the assistance of various local nonprofit service organizations.

Here in Bangor, those warm coats for men, women and children can be dropped off in boxes at the Burlington Coat Factory Store, 229 Springer Drive.

Those donated coats, Sarah Miller of Manna Inc., told me, will then be distributed by Manna to those in need in our area.

Members of the Orono Garden Club want you to know that everyone is welcome, and there is no admission charge, to hear University of Maine assistant professor of horticulture, Stephanie Burnett, address, “The Effects of Climate Change on Maine Gardens.”

Burnett will discuss this subject at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 7, at Birch Street School in Orono.

Her speech is part of the Climate Change Series sponsored by the OGC.

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