Anyone who loves chili is invited to sample the delicious results of the Chili Challenge, which is part of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s 25th Home, Garden and Recreation Show.

The show is 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, April 19, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at The Forum in Presque Isle. Admission is $3 and free for children 12 and under.

Penny McHatten wrote she is one of 32 people who are part of Team Mojo, captained by Melanie Stewart, who are participating in Trek Across Maine, a 180-mile, three-day fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Maine, June 13-15, from Sunday River to Belfast.

Each cyclist must raise $500 to take part, but because these good County folk “don’t want to overtax the generosity of our local population” to raise the $16,000 they collectively need, McHatten explained, they are hosting the Chili Challenge to help raise those funds.

The Trek Across Maine riders contacted local business owners, law firms and other organizations requesting that they participate in the Chili Challenge for an entry fee of $30 per team, with the judging for the Chili Challenge being conducted Saturday, April 19.

“After determining the winners,” McHatten said, “the chili will be sold to the general public either by sampler plate or bowl for a donation of $5” to the ALA.

As an aside, McHatten wrote that “we attempted to incorporate the motto” of the ALA “that ‘when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters’ and, when you taste some of these entries, I am thinking that nothing else will matter!”

However, McHatten wrote, while “our goal is to meet the minimum requirements for fundraising,” it is “also to prove to the ‘other Maine’ that there is energy and efficiency north of Bangor!”

And, yes, they are still waiting for those 5-foot snowbanks to melt so they can get out and ride.

If you cannot attend the show and enjoy the chili but do want to help this team from Aroostook County meet its fundraising goal, you can send a check payable to ALA of Maine and mail it to Team Mojo, 719 Main St., Presque Isle 04769.

For information, call 760-9500.

Roger George called to invite the public to enjoy the Black Bear Men’s Chorus’ spring concert.

Directed by Danny Williams, the singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Minsky Concert Hall at the University of Maine in Orono.

The admission fee is $6.

Christine Towne has announced that Virtues Hair and Skin Salon is hosting a Cut-A-Thon in recognition of Clean Ocean Action Earth Month.

Anyone who visits Virtues between 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at 220 Union St. in Bangor will receive a haircut for $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Aveda Clean Ocean Action campaign.

According to its Web site, Clean Ocean Action is “a leading national and regional voice working to protect waterways using science, law, research, education and citizen action.”

Individuals of all ages are welcome to participate in this event, and information about the Cut-A-Thon can be obtained by calling Virtues at 945-6500.

La Leche League of Greater Bangor leader Melanie Kollman of Bangor called to announce that the league is sponsoring the Breast Feeding Cafe, which is part of an international La Leche League program.

These informal gatherings, Kollman explained, are an occasion where “breast-feeding moms and families can drop in and talk about breast-feeding, any concerns they may have, or just to meet other breast-feeding moms.”

Kollman said Sonya Eldridge “has graciously offered to host our gatherings,” which will begin at 10 a.m. the third Monday of each month, beginning Monday, April 21, at Bagel Central, 33 Central St. in Bangor.

If you have questions or want more information, call Kollman at 942-2362.

In 1958-59, Louis Hilliard was in the U.S. Air Force and stationed at Dow Air Base.

He would like to hear from old friends he met during that time.

If you are one of those friends, you can write to him at P.O. Box 1742, Ocean Shores, Wash. 98569-1742, or call him at 360-289-0337.

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