For 29 years, the Madison-Anson Chamber of Commerce has coordinated activities for Madison-Anson Days, which this year will be Aug. 25-28.

Now, however, the Chamber is turning over the reins of this festive community event “to a younger generation,” committee member Tina Greenlaw of Madison told me.

The new Madison-Anson Days Committee is hosting a Dinner and Dance to help raise funds for this project, with dinner served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday Feb. 26, at the VFW Hall on Preble Avenue in Madison.

The dance, featuring the live music of the New Direction band, follows dinner.

Adult admission is $6 for the dinner and $6 for the dance, or $10 for both. Admission for children ages 6-12 is $4 for the dinner or the dance, or $6 for both. Children under 5 will be admitted free of charge.

“Everything was donated, and it’s quite the menu,” Greenlaw said. “We’re having baked ham, roast beef, homemade casseroles, mashed potatoes, beans, coleslaw,” and homemade rolls will be served along with hors d’oeuvres, beverages and desserts.

The fund-raiser also includes a 50/50 raffle, door prizes and the opportunity for someone to win a DVD player.

Ann Harsh of Madison is president of the newly formed committee, which is actively seeking more members.

“The Chamber of Commerce is guiding us” in preparing for this year’s event, Greenlaw explained, “but next year, we’re on our own.”

With only Madison residents now involved with the project, “we are looking for volunteers from Anson to work on this committee,” Greenlaw said.

If you are interested in helping preserve this long-standing summer tradition in your community, you are asked to call Harsh at 696-9296 or Greenlaw at 696-8370.

“The weather was GREAT,” wrote Iris Simon of last Thursday when representatives of 19 Healthy Hancock Lose and Win teams traveled to Gouldsboro for their weekly meeting which, for once, wasn’t snowed, iced or rained out.

For averaging the most pounds lost for Week #7, The Waist Aways were awarded the Victory Stick.

Tied for second were The WannaBees and Cute Motivated Tubbies, followed by Waisting A-Weigh, Downsizers 11, Lean Generation Babes, Diet Divas and Otis Optimists.

The teams have an accumulated weight loss of 2,676 pounds.

Week #8 features psychotherapist Dr. Robin Lane discussing the fear of success, self-handicapping and self-sabotage in relation to weight loss.

The program begins at 5:45 tonight at the Jewett School in Bucksport.

The physical activity after the program also features Dr. Lane, who will introduce participants to belly dancing.

General admission is $2 and free for participants wearing their Lose and Win buttons.

Some tickets still remain for the Charles O. Howard Memorial Foundation Benefit Auction and Potluck Dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Hammond Street Congregational Church, 28 Hammond St. in Bangor.

The event benefits the foundation’s effort to eliminate discrimination in the Bangor area.

The silent and live auctions follow the dinner that will be served by the Church Mission and Outreach Committee.

Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling Dan Williams, 942-9319, or purchased at the door.

Jill Reynolds reports that Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems is seeking individuals from local businesses and organizations to volunteer as “Change Bandits” to help kick off the 2005 CMN Radiothon, which is March 17-19 on KISS 94.5 FM.

“Change Bandits” collect loose change from others during the month and may appear during the Radiothon to promote their company’s participation in this project.

If you can volunteer to be a “Change Bandit,” call 973-5055.

Jack and Leslie Batson of Fairfield, Calif., e-mailed this letter to the Bangor Daily News last Sunday.

“At 7 a.m. this morning,” they wrote, “our Marine daughter called us from Bangor International Airport, arriving back in the USA after nine months in Iraq, her second tour, this one in Najaf.

“After hearing her cheerful and excited voice, she held up the phone to the sound of applause and cheering from a group of local veterans, as troops walked by. Words cannot express the emotions that swept over us at the appreciation shown by Bangor’s veterans.

“We appreciate that they would take so much time to show their support to today’s young soldiers. Thank you is a pale reflection of our feelings.”

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