Although it is a busy weekend, friends hope you will join them in supporting Charleston native Joanne True, who is going through a very difficult time.

Patti Sprague told me that True, who lost her husband in December, recently was diagnosed with cancer.

To help with some of her financial needs, a benefit supper for Joanne True will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Charleston United Baptist Church.

If you are unable to attend, would like more information, or want to help in another way, drop by the church, Sprague said, or call her at 285-7041.

Diane Bartley reports maps for the third annual townwide yard sale at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in Greenville, will be available at the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce office and at DKB’s on the corner of Pleasant and Shaw streets.

Janet Bourne of the Northern and Southern New England Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation reports the 1-mile and 3-mile arthritis walk begins with registration at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at William S. Cohen School on Garland Street in Bangor.

For information, call 800-639-2113 or e-mail info.nne@arthritis.org.

Awards will be presented for most funds raised and the largest team.

AmeriCorps VISTA member Anitra LaRoche is coordinating the second annual Hancock County early childhood fair, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday May 17, at Knowlton School in Ellsworth.

LaRoche reports the rain or shine event “is a fun, hands-on, way” for children up to 5 years old, and their families to play together “while learning about area resources and other topics pertaining to early childhood.”

For more information, call her at 667-5304, ext. 257.

Glory Christian Book Store will hold a bake sale at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the store near the cinemas in the Maine Coast Mall in Ellsworth.

Geneva Frost reports that the event benefits the Hancock County Habitat House in Otis being built for the family of Nicholas Hovey, who has cystic fibrosis.

Author Cindy Zompetti will sign copies of her new book, “Cradle My Heart,” and 5 percent of the sales will be donated to the project.

Even if you didn’t register for the first Midcoast Maine Women’s Health Conference, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast, you still can “connect with other women while enjoying a fun, stress-free day and celebrating women’s health,” for just $10, reports Toni Mailloux.

She invites you to hear storyteller Jen Armstrong at 10:30 a.m. or enjoy Inanna Sisters in Rhythm, an African drumming and vocal group at 4 p.m.

For information, visit www.midcoastwomenshealth.com.

Jeri Cole e-mailed that the Cash for Clothes Sale, from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, at the American Legion Hall on the corner of Pearl and John streets in Camden, will feature spring and summer items.

The sale benefits the Coastal Workshop in Camden “and is a great way to get gently used, quality clothing at an inexpensive price,” Cole wrote.

This year, she added, the sale includes “huge lots” of quality children’s clothing donated to Coastal Workshop, for the sale, by Bear Essentials, a children’s clothing resale shop.

Bill Burke of the 2008 Hampden Project Graduation committee e-mailed that students have been practicing for five weeks, with members of Back Door Dance Studio of Eddington, for “Dancing Like the Stars” at 7 both nights, Saturday, May 17, and Saturday, May 24, in the Hampden Academy gymnasium.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors.

Burke reports the format is the same as the television show, “Dancing with the Stars,” with the “judges scoring and then the audience” voting for favorites at a dollar a vote.

“It is very entertaining and great fundraiser,” he wrote. “The dancers are having a great time learning.”

Refreshments will be available.

Members of New Renaissance Singers present “A Night at the Opera,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at First Congregational Church, 35 Church St., Brewer.

Directed by Laura Estey and accompanied by Dora Rexrode, the performance includes opera choruses and arias; a raffle of opera-themed basket of goodies; and a reception with the singers after the presentation.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

For more information about this group, visit www.nrsingers.com or call 989-6535.

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