On Monday, I spoke with Melissa Krueger, office manager for the Maine Children’s Trust in Augusta.

The call was made to catch up on the progress of Augusta residents and University of Maine students Abe Furth, Kevin Bunker and Adam Wintle, who are in the midst of a 3,640-mile cross-country bicycle trek in hopes of raising $250,000 for MCT.

The Maine Children’s Trust is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The trio launched their “Pedaling to Prevent Violence: The Black Bears for Kids Campaign” from San Francisco on May 20 and hope to arrive in Washington, D.C. on the Fourth of July.

When I spoke with Krueger, she said the trio was in Missouri.

“They are fine and healthy, and things have been going well, although they did have a minor accident coming down a hill going about 40 miles an hour when two bikes touched, causing Abe and Adam to get some pretty good road rash” and damaging one of the bike frames, she said.

“But Fuji sent a new frame, and although it was pretty nerve-wracking for the moms for a while, beyond that things have gone pretty well,” Krueger added.

The young men are meeting lots of people, making new friends and spreading their message, which has resulted in several contributions to their cause.

“One of the really interesting things to us recently is that we’ve been getting more money from out-of-state than in state from some of the places they’ve been through,” Krueger said. “So the word is getting out, and that piece is good. The money is continuing to come in.”

As with all those associated with this ambitious fund-raising effort, Krueger believes whatever amount of money the cyclists raise, their trip will have been a success.

You can follow their progress on their Web site at www.mechildrenstrust.org/bike.html.

To help “Pedaling to Prevent Violence: the Black Bears for Kids Campaign,” send donations to Maine Children’s Trust, 8 Mulliken Court, Augusta 04330.

For more information about this project or MCT, call 623-5120, fax 623-5134 or visit mct@mint.net.

It’s a brand-new fund-raiser set to attract garden lovers.

A garden tour to benefit the University of Maine Women’s Softball Scholarship Fund will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30. The event features seven gardens in the Old Town-Orono area.

Tickets are $12 each, and children under age 12 are admitted free.

The tour was the brainstorm of Sharon Dupuis of Old Town, and she’s enlisted her neighbors and friends to help with the project that benefits young women hoping to play softball ball for UM coach Deb Smith.

The local families “have been working really hard getting ready for this,” Dupuis wrote.

And, she added, the softball team members’ “out-of-state parents have purchased tickets and donated them to local senior citizens so they can go. It’s going to be a fun day,” Dupuis said.

Gardens open to the public include those of Ron and Sharon Dupuis, Kevin and Kelly Paradis and Robert and Phyllis Rhoads, all located on Route 43 in Old Town.

The work of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will be on view at Rogers Farm on Bennoch Road in Orono, as will the garden of University of Maine track coach Jim Ballinger on Charles Street in Orono.

You can also visit the gardens of Brent and Paul Folster on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town and that of Dana and Ann Maxim on Bradbury Street in Old Town.

“People can start anywhere they like, have lunch in town, and continue on,” Dupuis said.

Tickets may be purchased at Dawn Til Done Farm, 16 Center St., Old Town; Bell’s IGA off Interstate 95 Exit 51; or by calling Sharon Dupuis at 827-5708.

Dupuis said she will hold tickets for those who call, and they can pick them up at her home.

“We live off Exit 52, and we’ll have lots of signs so people will know where to go.”

Here’s a reminder for residents and tourists alike that our friend, George Wildey, and company invite you to take in one or several performances by members of Marsh River Theatre.

Located on Route 139 in Brooks, the theatre was built in 1904 as Union Hall and then became the Masonic Lodge. It has been known as MRT since 1997.

A nonprofit organization operated by the Friends of Marsh River Theater and the New England School of Communications, MRT is affiliated with Husson College of Bangor.

The second performance of the season, Castlebay, begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30, and features Celtic and nautical music.

The theatre season continues on weekends through Sunday, Sept. 9.

Tickets range in price from $5 to $8. When accompanied by an adult, a child’s ticket is just $3.

You also may purchase season tickets for $60 or $80 each. For more information, call 722-4110.

Four years ago at her kitchen table in Brewer, Lila May Marsh took the oath of allegiance and became an American citizen.

On hand to witness the ceremony and join in the celebration that day, complete with a cake, were representatives of Eastern Agency on Aging, who had helped Marsh obtain her American citizenship.

Other representatives of EAA, specifically folks from the EAA program Meals for Me, will return to Marsh’s kitchen today with another cake to help her celebrate her 101st birthday.

“She’s just a remarkable woman,” said Carol Higgins of EAA. “I can’t wait to meet her. She’s a Meals for Me recipient, and we’re delighted to be able to celebrate this very special day with her.”

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