The top five gold medalists who participated in the statewide SkillsUSA Competition last month in Bangor are making plans to participate in the national competition in June in Kansas City, Mo., reports Ned Blackmere.

To get there, however, the community needs to help the medalists raise $12,000.

One of the ways you can contribute to that effort is by attending a community dinner and silent auction, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Penobscot Job Corps, 1375 Union St., Bangor.

Admission is $8 for this event, which features delicious food prepared by Job Corps culinary students and the auction, which includes “a beautiful set of Adirondack chairs” made by the carpentry students, Blackmere wrote.

“Our welding students are surprising us with a sculpture, and area businesses and individuals” have made donations to help “make this silent

auction a great fundraiser.”

To make a reservation, or if you have questions about how you can help these students compete in this event, call Renae Muscatelle at 990-3000, ext. 268, or e-mail Muscatell.Renae@jobcorps.org.

For more information about the SkillsUSA competition, visit http:/www.skillsusa.org/index.shtml.

Blackmere wrote that, in addition to the skills these students are learning, they also have “made significant contributions to the community,” with their efforts to help organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Manna Ministries, the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, March of Dimes and the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

The Job Corps students also play “a significant role” every year as hosts for the Senior Little League World Series, Blackmere added.

“Now they need your support.”

Vicki Vroom, race director for the Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby, reminds parents and youngsters that the registration deadline for entering the June 7 event in Bangor, is Wednesday, April 30.

The 13th annual Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby is open to boys and girls ages 8-17. The registration fee is $35.

Registration information is available by calling Bangor Parks and Recreation Department at 992-4490 or online at www.emsbd.org.

Vroom also requests that anyone willing and able to be a financial sponsor, to donate prizes or to volunteer at the derby call Bangor Parks at the same number.

“Our 2007 Bangor race received one of four Outstanding Race City Awards at the All-American Soap Box Derby race, last summer, in Ohio,” Vroom reminds readers, while asking that you “get involved in one of the best race cities in the country!”

Catherine Haskell of Bangor Region Junior Achievement wants the pubic to know you are invited to attend the BRJA second annual benefit tasting and auction at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

The honorary master of ceremonies is Maine comedian Clyde Folsom.

Tasting participants include several area restaurateurs, and silent and live auction items are multiple and varied, ranging from tours to athletic events.

Tickets are $15, or $100 for a table for eight, and are available by calling Bangor Letter Shop at 945-9311, visiting the shop at 99 Washington St., or at the door.

All proceeds benefit BRJA classes.

Irv Marsters e-mailed the third annual UMaine Alumni Black Bear online auction, “with dozens of Maine-made, quality items,” closes Thursday, May 1.

Marsters suggests you visit www.mainealumni.org and click on the auction link.

Inez Segien of Eastport wonders whether local seniors, 60-plus, “have the Cabin Fever blues”?

If so, Segien invites you to “join us for a Pizza Party and Free Bingo at 5 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Eastport Senior Center on Board Street. There is a small charge, $3, for the pizza and beverage,” she said, “but the bingo is free.”

To register, so there will be enough pizza, call site manager Persis Mooers, at 853-2364, or drop in at the center.

“It should be a good time,” Segien added.

Here’s a “heads up” from Kelly Cochrane that the Bar Harbor Merchants Association second annual Sale’abration-Community Street Sale is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in Bar Harbor.

“The sale is open to island businesses, and residents, with something to sell,” Cochrane wrote. The per-table fee is $30 for businesses, $15 for individuals, and that covers newspaper and radio advertising, an 8-foot table in a convenient, downtown location, “and the chance to spring clean, community style,” she added.

Table registration closes Monday, May 5.

For more information, and to obtain registration forms, visit www.barharbormerchants.com.

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