Last week’s snowstorm resulted in the postponement of the United Way of Eastern Maine’s Camp Fair, now scheduled 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Bangor Civic Center.

So if you and your children who attend grades three through six in the Bangor public school system were unable to attend last week, you now have a second chance to learn about this wonderful opportunity for qualifying children to enjoy a Maine summer camping experience.

Hundreds attended the fair last year, and UWEM Camp Bangor program director Sara Yasner is looking for even more of you this year.

This fabulous, free program, funded by The Libra Foundation, offers $800 scholarships to current third- and fourth-grade pupils to attend a Maine summer camp (or camps) of their choice, and $1,000 scholarships for fifth-and sixth grade pupils to do the same.

At the Camp Fair, you will be able to learn about many different summer camping experiences available to children.

The only obligation to participate, on their part and on your part, is a demonstration of good citizenship, which everyone can easily do by participating in a City Wide Clean Up Day and Barbecue in May.

The Camp Bangor Camp Fair and the Clean Up Day are co-sponsored by UWEM and the City of Bangor.

For more information about this wonderful program, call Yasner at 941-2800 or visit www.unitedwayem.org.

This is a first for the Town of Otis.

Residents of that Hancock County community are planning to make their first presentation to their most senior resident, and you are invited to participate in that special event.

Otis will honor Rufus Merrill on the occasion of his 98th birthday during a potluck supper at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Beech Hill School.

The father of three, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of five will turn 98 on Wednesday, Feb. 28, but, four days before that, he will be presented the community’s first plaque recognizing him as the oldest resident of Otis.

Merrill has resided on the shores of Beech Hill Pond since the 1960s.

There is no admission to attend the celebration, reports Laura Salisbury, but guests are asked to bring a dish to share.

Plates, utensils, beverages and, of course, dessert in the form of a birthday cake will be provided!

Speaking of free camping experiences for children, I highly recommend any family who has a child with cancer or life-threatening illness consider taking advantage of the opportunities offered by Camp Sunshine in Casco.

According to a release, the camp is “one of the only programs in the U.S. to offer camp vacations, throughout the year, for entire families of seriously ill children.”

Camp Sunshine, founded in 1984, is located on the shores of Sebago Lake. As a western Maine native who knows the area well, I can attest to its beauty, which is why I sincerely hope everyone who is eligible will consider applying for a camp program.

Camp Sunshine offers 27 sessions, which began in early February.

The winter and spring program schedule focuses on families going through specific illnesses. Other special programs are offered during the summer and fall.

Campers primarily come from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but more than 100 medical facilities from California to Connecticut refer children and their families to the camp.

Last year, the camp hosted more than 750 families, and this year hopes to serve more than 800. Your family could be part of that number, and I’m sure you would find it a most rewarding experience.

A detailed schedule, application and additional information can be obtained by calling Camp Sunshine executive director Matthew Hoidal at 655-3800, or visiting the camp’s Web site at www.campsunshine.org.

Thanks to fundraisers such as the 12th Annual Moonlight Charity Challenge at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, programs like Camp Sunshine are able to offer free camping experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

This year’s Moonlight Charity Challenge raised $50,000 overall, with $35,000 going to Camp Sunshine and the remaining to the Shawnee Peak Adaptive Skiing Program.

Funds raised through this event enable Camp Sunshine to include skiing in its winter program.

Shawnee Peak owners Chet and Shirley Homer host the fundraiser that included among its sponsors Downeast Energy and Holloway Automotive. WCSH-TV in Portland was the media sponsor.

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