Many people obviously care deeply about Janice Ann Rines of Newburgh, because I have heard from several who want readers to know this “remarkable, caring and compassionate woman who has helped many patients at CancerCare of Maine” for more than eight years as a patient service representative, is now facing surgery and treatment for lung cancer.

Friends and co-workers of Rines’ (who also worked in the billing department of Wickes Lumber for many years) are planning a benefit dinner-silent and live auction for Jan Rines with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Newburgh School.

Families are welcome, and donations will be greatly appreciated to help defray costs that will be incurred by transportation, lodging and medical expenses as Rines progresses through treatment.

Jan and her husband, Dennis Rines, have two children and two grandchildren.

According to the information I have received, Jan Rines “has been active in many fundraising events to help cancer patients in need of assistance.”

Now, the tables are turned. Unable to work since November, it is Rines who needs your kind and generous support.

Organizers of the benefit are seeking donations of everything from food to auction items.

If you can help in any way or if you are unable to attend and want to make a donation and need information, call Hilari Simmons, 949-4063; Karen Marsters, 478-5578; Elizabeth Rines Dean, 944-5766 or Deanna Thurston, 852-1337.

By way of Ro Le Gasse, director of Caring Connections for the Bangor YMCA, we learn the University of Maine athletic department and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association are inviting the public to participate in the Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Day by attending the UMaine women’s basketball game with Stony Brook at noon Saturday, Feb. 16, at Alfond Arena on the Orono campus.

Groups of 20 or more people who want to take part in this breast cancer awareness event can receive a discounted ticket price of $5 a ticket by calling 581-BEAR.

For information about this event, call Brandi Rideout at UMaine, 581-1828.

The first in a series of fundraisers to support the fourth annual Margaretta Day Festival on Saturday, June 21, in Machias, is coming right up, reports Val Atwood.

A Margaretta Day Festival benefit spaghetti supper begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Holy Name Parish Hall on Broadway in Machias.

The admission is just $6 a person.

Atwood e-mailed that future fundraisers include a chowder supper in mid-April, “a repeat of the very successful Mother and Daughter Tea in May,” a reception for the introduction of the book “Machias Patriots and the Margaretta,” written for the Machias Historical Society by the late Leonard Hooper, and “the very popular Jail Day” planned for Friday, June 13.

The Margaretta Day Festival is conducted in recognition of the first naval battle of the American Revolution.

What’s for Suppa? Food Pantry secretary Beth Lambert invites you to attend “On Stage in Mariaville,” a coffeehouse to benefit the pantry beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Mariaville Grange Hall.

“The musical lineup includes guitarist Phil Kell, singer-songwriters Larry and Leslie Latour and the guitarist-drummer duo Timbered Lake,” Lambert wrote.

The cover charge is $5 for adults, $1 for young people under 14.

Free coffee and cider will be served, and you can purchase pies and desserts to accompany your beverage.

For complete musical information, Lambert wants attendees to know that Kell “does a lot of finger-picking, the Latours play a variety” of music “from Appalachian to alternative,” and that “Timbered Lake celebrates nature doing original tunes.”

And I would suggest if you do plan to attend that you get there early.

“The first coffeehouse was a great success, filling the house,” Lambert wrote.

“We’re having another by popular demand!”

Mary Bird e-mailed that because of the weather, the lecture about late BDN columnist “Brownie” Schrumpf, to be presented by historian and author Karen Tolstrup, which was planned for Feb. 10, has been rescheduled.

Tolstrup now will discuss her book about Brownie, “If Maine Had a Queen,” 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, in the dining room at Dirigo Pines on Alumni Drive in Orono.

For information, call Bird at 866-2578 or e-mail mary.bird@umit.Maine.edu.

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