Every once in a while, a piece of mail comes my way that just makes me chuckle.

As soon as I read the note from Sandra Beal, I called and told her I knew exactly what she was looking for.

“Would anyone know where I could purchase a swag lamp?” she asked.

I told her I don’t, because I’ve been searching for one for nearly 10 years.

For readers unfamiliar with a swag lamp, it is “one that can be plugged into an outlet and hung from a ceiling hook over a table,” Beal explained. The lamp resembles an upside-down basket.

Beal wrote that her mother-in-law “bought me one a long time ago at a home party where they were sold, and I loved it. I no longer have it and have searched for one everywhere. Any help would be appreciated.”

If you have swag lamp information, call her at 259-2011, or write her at 2305 Cutler Road, Cutler 04626.

Of course, there is a bit more to my side of the story, and I thank Sandra for the help she offered.

Her suggestion may actually cause me to cease my search to replace the swag lamp we already have at our summer place. It’s rather old, and I thought it needed to be updated. But Sandra suggested I paint it white and see what happens, which I will happily do!

The 230,000 members of the National Association of Letter Carriers ask you to participate in Stamp Out Hunger, their 16th food drive, Saturday, May 10, by leaving nonperishable food items from canned soup to pasta beside your mailbox that day.

Tom Rizzo, district communications coordinator for the U.S. Postal Service in Portland, reports that this “effort is the nation’s largest single-day food drive” and that it has “collected more than 836 million pounds of food since its inception in 1993.”

Food items left by your mailbox will be picked up by letter carriers on their daily rounds and delivered to a distribution site in your area.

Kelly Cochrane reminds you the Bar Harbor Merchants Association’s second annual Sale’abration-Community Street Sale is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in Bar Harbor.

Open to island businesses and residents, you will find tables on Main, Mount Desert and Cottage streets and on Kennebec Place, all in Bar Harbor.

Proceeds from table fees of $30 for businesses and $15 for individuals benefit the Bar Harbor Food Pantry.

The rain date for this event is Saturday, May 17.

Friends, family, neighbors and community members invite you to a benefit dinner and silent auction for popular area mechanic Bob Brassbridge, who has leukemia.

The fundraiser is 12:30-4 p.m. – with the silent auction ending at 3 p.m. – Saturday, May 10, at the Searsport Lions Club on Prospect Street.

The meal cost is $10 a plate, and all proceeds will help defray Brassbridge’s health care expenses.

Any donations will be greatly appreciated.

If you cannot attend but want to help the family during this difficult time, you can send your contribution to Helen Brassbridge in care of Lori Brassbridge, 239 Marsh Stream Road, Frankfort 04438.

For information, call Lori Brassbridge at 525-4467.

Members of Back Door Dance Co. will provide free dance lessons, and disc jockey Mike Dow will play music you can dance or tap your toes at Dance May-nia from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Muddy Rudder in Brewer.

Tickets are available for this event to benefit the Penquis Breast and Cervical Health program, reports Penquis community relations manager Jennifer Brooks.

Tickets are $15 each, two for $25 or $100 for a table for eight and may be reserved by calling 974-2402 or at www.penquis.org.

The event, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, Sutherland Weston Communications, HRH Insurance at St. Joseph Healthcare, includes appetizers and drink specials served by the Muddy Rudder.

My sincere condolences are extended to Geri Halkett of Bangor after the recent death of her husband, Jim Halkett.

When I picture this couple, I find myself remembering being greeted by companionable smiles, and I am sure it is comforting to all who know and love them that while Jim’s smile is no longer physically present, it is permanently reflected on Geri’s face.

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