Recently, Mildred Bennett of Wade joined a special national study, and she urges others to join as well.

Bennett has become part of the Sister Study Breast Cancer Research Program conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“I have two sisters with breast cancer,” Bennett wrote, “and when I heard about the Sister Study on the national radio news, I called for information.

“This project sounds wonderful, so I joined the research group and encouraged my other two sisters to join, too.”

Bennett explained she also “volunteered to help spread the word about the study,” which is why she wrote to me: She hopes others will decide to participate in the program.

“This is the last year for recruiting members for the 10-year study,” Bennett wrote, “and they still need a few thousand more sisters to reach their goal of 50,000.

“This is to be a 10-year study, and all the results will be available via a newsletter” and on the study’s Web site.

Bennett wrote that “a few weeks ago, I received my Sister Study kit, and have completed all components except one more telephone interview, which is scheduled for July.”

“There were questionnaires to fill out about lifestyle, medications and the environment that I was raised in. I agreed to give a blood sample, urine specimen, toenail clippings and a home dust sample.”

She added that there are “a total of three interviews, there is no cost to me, nor is there any pay for this. It is totally voluntary.”

The brochure states women are eligible to join the study if your sister, living or deceased, related to you by blood, had breast cancer; if you are between the ages of 35 and 74; if you have never had breast cancer yourself; and if you live in the United States or Puerto Rico.

The brochure explains “participating in the Sister Study is easy. It can be done at a time and place convenient for you.”

To join the study, call toll-free 877-4SISTER (474-7837); for deaf-hard of hearing, 866-TTY-4SIS, (889-4747); or visit www.sisterstudy.org.

The study seeks women from all walks of life, and Bennett hopes you join her in helping future generations of daughters, nieces and granddaughters.

If you would like to discuss this study with Bennett before making a decision, she would be pleased to hear from you.

You can write to Bennett at 519 New Dunn Town Road, Wade 04786-4003; call her at 455-4054; or e-mail mbennett@mfx.net.

President Leslie Johnson invites you to the Stonington Public Library Fifth Annual House Tour, 1-4 p.m. Friday, July 13, in Stonington.

“Restorations and Transformations” features eight renovated homes on Church and West Main streets and Highland Avenue.

Tickets are limited and are $12 each.

They can be purchased 12:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays, at the library; or by calling the library at 367-5926 or Mary Blackmore at 367-2409.

Financially supported by contributions and fundraisers, this is the library’s major fundraiser.

Joan Hunter of Edgewater, Md., is president of The Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., Foundation.

Hunter announced recently the MSS Foundation awarded scholarships this year totaling $24,000 to 16 students “attending a Maine college or university.”

She added that “is the largest number of students and the largest amount of money we’ve ever been able to award,” and she thanks everyone for their “unselfish contributions,” which made this such an outstanding year for the foundation.

The scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 for students who are residents of Bath, Benton, Fort Kent, Greenville, Mount Desert Island, Presque Isle, Richmond, Rumford, Scarborough and Skowhegan.

“They represent the best and brightest in Maine,” Hunter wrote, adding that donations from fellow Mainers “will assist all of us.”

“Maine will benefit by having new doctors, a lawyer, a journalist, biology and chemistry scientists, a nutritionist, a wood science technology expert, a civil engineer, a nurse and an anthropologist.”

Hunter wrote, “Not only are these students academic stars, but they have received numerous awards and other impressive recognition.”

She reports one scholarship recipient “was elected to a town school board, another was involved in developing a new environmental policy for the state, and one became a licensed U.S. Merchant Marine Officer.”

Hunter thanks everyone who contributed to the MSS Foundation and reminds you that “scholarships change lives.”

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