More dippers are encouraged to join our own hearty, caring and slightly foolish Bangor Daily News staffers Jeff Strout, John Holyoke, Diana Graettinger and Aimee Dolloff when they brave the frigid waters of Passamaquoddy Bay to raise money for Ronald McDonald House of Bangor.

The fifth annual Polar Bear Dip begins at noon Friday, Jan. 28, at Pleasant Point on Route 190 in Perry.

Sponsored by the Washington County Community College Student Senate, prospective dippers can call senate president Desiree Smith at 454-1094 or visit the school’s Web site, www.wccc.me.edu, to view a pledge sheet.

Tess Ftorek, who had a hand in getting this event off the ground a few years ago, wrote that dippers raising at least $75 in pledges receive a commemorative blanket, which will come in handy after the dip.

Ftorek added that, last year, dippers came from all over the state for this “fun and crazy event” and helped raise $35,000 for Ronald McDonald House.

“It’s declared the biggest beach party of the year,” she added, proudly reporting more than “200 brave souls dipped” and more than 2,000 watched last year.

“We have bonfires, hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee and chili on hand, plus changing trailers for the dippers.”

The theme this year is Cinco de Mayo, so sombreros and serapes are acceptable, and the fun continues through the evening with a dance featuring Home Brew of Lubec at La Sardina Loca in Eastport.

Donations need to be in the hands of Smith by Friday, Jan. 28, and checks should be made payable to Ronald McDonald House.

Although the weather forced cancellation of Healthy Hancock’s Week No. 3 program, that didn’t stop those determined people from continuing their efforts to Lose and Win.

Iris Simon reports Mount Desert Island Hospital employees, The Downsizers 11, were the winners of the Week No. 3 Victory Stick, and the remaining top-losing teams were FIT – Finally I’m Thin, The Weight We Were, Shape Shifters, Cute Motivated Tubbies, Lobster Pounders and Just you Weight.

University of Maine professor emerita Katherine Musgrave will discuss portion control and finding the right balance between the amount you eat to the amount you exercise at the next meeting, which is 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at The Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth.

Simon reports the physical activity for Week No. 4 is line dancing, presented by Health Link.

General admission is $2, free for wearers of Lose and Win buttons.

The public is invited.

After the program, at 7:30 p.m., The Grand is featuring a special viewing of the film, “Super Size Me.”

General admission is $6.

Tickets are $5 for seniors, children and Grand members, and Lose and Win button-wearing participants will be admitted for $3.

Sounds to me like this program is more than just a healthful one, it’s a fun one, too!

A spaghetti supper to benefit tsunami relief efforts is 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Old Town United Methodist Church, 744 Stillwater Ave.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under, free for youngsters 4 and under or $15 per family.

Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 76, Girl Scout Troops 228 and 152, Cub Scout Troop 76, and the OTUMC Outreach Committee, tickets are available from any members of those organizations, and can be purchased at the door.

For more information, call Marty Yates, 827-5812, or the church, 827-3559.

This sounds really interesting, especially in the dead of winter!

Audrey Peasley of Brooksville reports the Penobscot Historical Society is planning a Mystery Ride and Valentine Supper “for all who would like to come” on Saturday, Feb. 12.

If I could tell you where, I would. But that’s part of the “mystery.”

However, if you do want to take part in this intriguing event, you must call Marilyn Tapley, 326-8231, before Monday, Jan. 31.

Peasley urges, “Come one, come all. Just call.”

Reserved tickets are now on sale for the Charles O. Howard Memorial Foundation benefit auction, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Hammond Street Congregational Church in Bangor.

The event benefits the foundation’s efforts toward the elimination of discrimination in the Bangor area.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by calling 942-9310.

The foundation is also accepting donations of goods and services for the auction.

Donations can be made by calling the number above.

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