With heightened concern for the safety of our children this particular Halloween, families will appreciate the offerings of a variety of organizations hosting parties for young people.

On behalf of the Hampden Academy Jazz Ensemble, Ken Michaud invites the public to a “Spooky Barn” from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, “at the big, red barn located behind Dysart’s” truck stop in Hermon.

Admission is $10 per family or $4 for adults and $3 for children.

This is an event with a history, Michaud explained, although there was no “Spooky Barn” last year.

Besides providing a safe and fun way for youngsters to celebrate Halloween, the event will help raise funds for a trip to Florida planned for the Hampden Academy Jazz Band from April 17 to 21, 2002.

Pat Michaud is director of music for Hampden Academy.

He told me the HA Jazz Ensemble will participate in Magic Music Days and will “actually be performing in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.”

The ensemble will also compete in the national festival, Musicfest Orlando.

Michaud said the HA ensemble will compete in the open division that includes bands from large schools as well as small schools across the country.

“We were there in 1998 and we were one of the top three ensembles out of probably 35-40 bands,” he said.

The cost of the trip for each member of the ensemble is $750 “and the kids are committed to that,” Michaud said. “Whatever money they raise will help offset that cost.”

So, if you’re looking for some Halloween entertainment, and want to help the HA Jazz Band travel to Florida, be sure to make plans to visit the “Spooky Barn.”

“It’s a lot of fun,” Ken Michaud said.

“The kids get very involved in it.

“For example, we have a ‘Head Table’ with someone’s head sticking out of the table.”

Michaud said the big barn “has an upstairs and downstairs, and there are all kinds of different things going on inside.”

Oops!

I was so intent on writing in Tuesday’s column about Rockport artist Eveline Gugelmann-Henner’s print of the New York City skyline that I forgot to tell you about tickets!

The print will be on sale during intermission of “Sounds of America” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Peakes Auditorium on Broadway in Bangor. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors, and are available at the door.

The event benefits victims and survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Although I have very limited information on this event, with no name or number to call to obtain more, I do want you to know that the Gouldsboro Fire Auxiliary is hosting a benefit supper for the New York Firefighter’s Disaster Relief Fund from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Prospect Harbor Women’s Club.

Here’s a sad story with a happy ending.

Ethan Blake of Somesville wrote a letter to the editor, which appeared Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Bangor Daily News.

In his letter, Ethan explained that on Saturday, Sept. 22, he and seven friends went to Fort Knox for his 11th birthday party.

The youngsters ate pizza, and then Ethan opened his presents at the picnic table.

But because they “were too full to eat my birthday cake,” Ethan wrote, the youngsters decided to save it for later.

After locking his presents in the car, (and leaving the cake on the picnic table) the kids explored the Prospect fort that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sadly, however, when they returned to the picnic area, Ethan’s cake was gone.

“Someone stole my birthday cake. I felt very sad,” Ethan wrote.

“I no longer feel safe having my picnic at Fort Knox.”

But now for the happy ending.

Ethan wrote a second letter to the editor, dated Tuesday, Oct. 16.

“I just want to say thank you to the Friends of Fort Knox,” he wrote, “especially Shirley Pierce, for throwing me a new birthday party, getting me a new birthday cake, and a new Fort Knox T-shirt.

“I had a great time. It’s like the old party never happened. I feel safe knowing that good conquers evil. THANKS A LOT!!!!!

“Sincerely, Ethan Blake.”

On behalf of her family, Mary Fitzpatrick of Bangor thanks the “wonderful woman who stopped and stroked Wally with love until help arrived, and to the kind policeman who drove Wally to the Penobscot Veterinary Hospital” after the family cat was hit by a car at approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.

The Fitzpatrick family extends its “deepest gratitude” to the people “who treated Wally with such gentleness and compassion.”

Although deeply saddened that Wally did not survive the accident, “he was blessed to be helped by so many,” Fitzpatrick wrote.

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