Word has been received from Lael Stegall of Deer Isle that the deadline has been extended for nominations for the Perdita Huston Purple Starfish Award.

According to a Bangor Daily News story last year, the Maine Women Writers Collection at the University of New England in Biddeford created this award to be given annually to a young woman leader, under age 30, whose work and vision for a more vibrant and culturally diverse society in Maine have inspired others.

The new deadline for the $1,500 cash award is Friday, April 13.

The nominee must be a Maine resident. Information about the nominating procedure can be obtained by writing Stegall at 102 Old Place Road, Deer Isle 04627, calling her at 348-6839, faxing her at 348-2235 or e-mailing stegall@localnet.com.

Nomination forms and additional information also may be found at http://www.une.edu

/mwwc/ and clicking on Perdita Huston Award.

The award is given in memory of Portland native Perdita Huston, who was 65 when she died in 2001. A journalist and author of four books, Huston was a Peace Corps official and director of several international organizations.

She spent most of her adult life traveling the world and working for women’s rights, sustainable development and families.

Candidates for the award should be young, female Mainers who, like Huston, work outside the box, are committed to multicultural values and demonstrate strategic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit.

In addition to the cash award, the winner may select up to three mentors to assist her during the year of her award to help consolidate and-or expand her work.

Gov. John Baldacci is expected to present the award during the annual NAACP Celebration of Excellence in Education Ceremony April 27 at Bates College in Lewiston.

Your attendance would be greatly appreciated at a Moosehead Employee Celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft.

Proceeds from this special fundraiser benefit more than 90 former Moosehead Manufacturing employees who recently lost their jobs when that local business, founded in 1947, closed.

The suggested donation is $10. Tickets are available at the Monson Town Office, Hudson Avenue Florist in Guilford, all Camden National Bank and Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union locations, the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Paperback and Webber Hardware, all in Dover-Foxcroft.

David Mallett will headline the concert that features Dirigo Highway, Sid Stutzman’s Doughty Hill Band and the new Foxcroft Academy Jazz Ensemble with members of the Alumni Jazz Band.

Judy Folsom is chairwoman of the benefit, sponsored by the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Clubs of Milo, Guilford, Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville.

Ruth Walker wants readers to know that March 25-31 is Awareness Week for the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children.

Walker is that program’s chairman for the Lee-Doncet VFW Post No. 9955 and its Ladies Auxiliary in Pittsfield.

Originally established in 1925 in Eaton Rapids, Mich., as a home for widows and orphans of deceased World War I veterans, Walker explained, the Home for Children “has grown to encompass other families in crisis.”

The facility is “privately funded by individuals, VFW posts and auxiliaries, just like the ones here in Pittsfield,” she continued, and helps to reduce “the strain on limited government resources.”

“When you donate to our Buddy Poppy Program, some of that money goes to help support the National Home, as well as veterans and their dependents in our community,” Walker said.

Current residents are children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of VFW and auxiliary members whose parents are deceased, disabled or need assistance providing care.

Walker added that the institution recently established the Military Family Program for children of active military personnel during a period of deployment. This new program has as its goal to “increase the stability of the family at the end of the deployment so they may resume normal family life.”

More information about this institution can be obtained by visiting www.vfwnationalhome.org or from any member of Lee-Doncet VFW Post No. 9955 or its Ladies Auxiliary.

Emily Taylor of the Ellsworth Business & Professional Women/USA reports that nominations for its Woman of the Year award will be accepted through Tuesday, March 27.

A candidate could be a pioneer in her field, work in an occupation or profession that includes few women or own her own business. She should possess qualities such as leadership ability, a good work ethic, dedication, loyalty, community involvement and service to others.

For more information, call Taylor at 667-1868 or 667-3691.

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