Whatever parents and guardians of Bangor schoolchildren in grades three through six have planned for tomorrow night, it should include taking their kids to sign up for a free, summer opportunity of a lifetime.

Program director Sara Yasner reports that, weather permitting, the United Way of Eastern Maine’s Camp Fair is from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Bangor Civic Center.

The snow date is the same time Thursday, Feb. 28, Yasner wrote.

“Anyone with an interest in learning more about Maine summer camp programs is encouraged to attend,” Yasner added, especially encouraging families with Bangor public school system children who are eligible for this special opportunity.

Eligible children can receive a camp scholarship of up to $400 if they are in the third grade, up to $800 for fourth-graders and up to $1,000 for fifth- and six-graders to attend any of the Maine summer camps listed in the 2008 Camp Bangor Directory.

The main eligibility requirement is that the enrolling child must meet good citizenship guidelines and volunteers in the community.

More than 100 camping experiences are offered, and program details will be available, online, in mid-March at www.unitedwayem.org.

Also in mid-March, hard copies of the 2008 program will be available for Bangor schoolchildren in grades three through six through the schools they attend.

In the meantime, attend the fair, decide what is best for your child, and start making plans for one terrific, exciting summer.

Camp Bangor is funded by the Libra Foundation, a private foundation established by late philanthropist Elizabeth Noyes.

For more information about programs and services of United Way of Eastern Maine, call 941-2800 or visit www.unitedwayem.org.

Ella Waitt of Hampden wrote that “the past has caught up with us,” in regard to the fact that the late Dr. Edith Patch, known as “Maine’s Bug Lady,” was a former member of the Bangor Nature Club.

Waitt invites members, prospective members and guests to attend a BNC meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at First Congregational Church, 35 Church St., in Brewer.

Mary Bird, chairman of The Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch, will speak about Maine’s Bug Lady and address the restoration of the Patch Farm in Orono as well as talk about Patch’s work with BNC while she was a member of that club.

Iris Simon is back with the latest update on the Hancock County Lose and Win Program, reporting that participants have accumulated a loss of 1,156.95 pounds, with four weeks remaining in the 10-week program.

The program is based on the book “The Town That Lost a Ton.”

Recent weekly weight-loss winners were “Just the Two of Us,” followed by “The Bodacious Babes” and “The Cream Puffs.”

“Just the Two of Us” and “The Coastal Medtech Dream Team” shared the award for most minutes of physical activity during the week.

Chef Cheryl Wixson will be the guest speaker at the meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Sunset Parish House for Deer Isle-Stonington participants; while line dancing will be the activity for the Thursday, Feb. 14, gathering of Ellsworth participants.

A postponed meeting for the Deer Isle-Stonington group, featuring teacher Pete Loiselle’s inspirational story about his great weight loss, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Stonington Opera House. More information about that meeting is available by calling Meredith Gray at the Healthy Island Project, 348-6332.

A complete schedule of events, and information about the program, is available at www.mainehospital.org or by calling Health-Link at 667-2474.

According to a press release by the March of Dimes, its premier fundraiser has a new name.

WalkAmerica has been renamed March for Babies.

“The name of our event has changed, but our mission stays the same, working towards the day when every baby is born healthy,” said 2008 March of Dimes chair Cynthia Bridgham.

“We hope the new name will bring more people on board to help make that day a reality.”

March for Babies walks are conducted throughout Maine during April and May and, the release states last year more than 3,000 Maine residents raised more than $600,000 to “support programs in education, research, community grants and the flagship Neonatal Intensive Care Unity Family Support program.”

The March of Dimes’ mission priority is “to fight the growing crisis of prematurity,” Bridgham said.

Interested walkers and donors can visit marchforbabies.org or call 800-525-9255 to register as a team or an individual.

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