Although “our deadline for submissions ended Dec. 7,” wrote Rhonda French, chairwoman of the 23rd annual Christmas Drive for Needy Children in Downeast Maine, “calls have been flooding in from school principals/teachers, daycare directors, churches and other concerned individuals … informing us of people who are in desperate need.”

French said that “we have been inundated with requests this year and, at this point, we are about $2,800 short of meeting the needs of all of the children on our list.

“With all of the financial hardships facing our area, we have many more in need this year, yet not as many people are able to donate because of those very same reasons.”

Currently, French wrote, more than 80 children are on the program’s waiting list.

“We have never had to turn anyone away,” she continued, “and we certainly hope that this year is not an exception.”

Can you help the Let’s All Have A Merrier Christmas program by making a financial donation?

If you can, send it to Let’s All Have a Merrier Christmas, c/o Rhonda French, chairperson, P.O. Box 35, Jonesport 04649.

For more information, you may also e-mail rhfrench@yahoo.com or call her at Washington County Community Office, 454-1058.

Due to the weather, the Bangor Band postponed its annual Christmas Concert, scheduled for last Sunday.

Sue McKay e-mailed that the concert is now 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at the Bangor Civic Center.

And, McKay added, percussionist Billy Miller reinvited Santa, so “be sure to bring the entire family!”

Brad Ryder of Epic Sports in Bangor has announced that business will be sponsoring the second annual Epic 5K Finale Road Race “to coincide with Downtown Countdown events” as we head into the New Year.

“For safety concerns,” Ryder said, the Finale will be held beginning with registration at 9 a.m. and the 5K Road Race at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, rain, snow or shine, at Pickering Square in downtown Bangor.

The registration fee is $10 in advance and $15 the day of the race.

Advance registration forms can be obtained at Epic Sports, 6 Central St., Bangor or online at www.Sub5.com.

“Last year,” Ryder wrote, “the Finale attracted 150 runners and walkers.

“This year, we hope even more will turn out for this unique Winter Run,” especially since “proceeds from the event will benefit the 2008 American Folk Festival” on the Bangor Waterfront.

Gift certificates from Epic Sports will be awarded male and female age-group winners and the overall male and female winner each receives a pair of Mizuno running shoes with a value of up to $135.

Raymond Brunyanszki, co-owner of Camden Harbour Inn, has announced it will host a Monte Carlo Casino Party beginning at 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31, at the inn, 83 Bayview St.

The event will benefit New Hope for Women, the domestic violence agency serving Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties.

Tickets are $69 each and are available by calling the inn at 236-4200 or online at www.camdenharbourinn.com.

A variety of food and heavy hors d’oeuvres from the inn’s award-winning restaurant, Natalie’s, will be featured, along with entertainment by Ann Delaney and her band and use of the casino.

A champagne toast and “oliebollen and appelflappen, a Dutch culinary tradition,” is planned for midnight.

Between 5 and 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will serve an a la carte dinner, which can be combined with a $20 cover charge for the party, Brunyanszki explained.

Karrie Schwaab of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells reports students in grades kindergarten through 12, are invited to compete in the 13th annual Duck Stamp Art Contest.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages students to create designs featuring ducks, swans or geese in their natural habitats.

The Maine Best of Show entry will compete with contest winners from other states in a national competition, Schwaab explained, with the first place national winning design being used to create the Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of these stamps support conservation education by providing awards and scholarships for students, teachers and schools, Schwaab wrote.

Entries must be postmarked by Saturday, March 15, 2008, and contest rules and entry packets should be available in all schools.

Entry forms are also available at www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ and home-schooled children are eligible to enter the contest as well.

For more information, call 646-9226.

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