Considering all the requests people have had for financial assistance lately, especially since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, it was a remarkable report United Way of Eastern Maine Campaign chairman Charles “Chip” Hutchins was able to make at the UWEM campaign finale last week.

According to Nancy Roberts of UWEM, Hutchins announced a projected campaign total of more than $2.6 million, which is a 6 percent increase over last year’s campaign.

The amount includes more than $2.5 million “that we have in hand,” Roberts reported, “and what we expect to receive from campaigns still underway.”

In honor of that effort, which included his own $100,000 challenge grant to match new and increased Leaders’ Circle gifts, Hutchins was presented a plaque by UWEM board chairman John Bragg.

The Hutchins donation was the largest gift in the history of this United Way.

Appreciation for Hutchins’ effort on their behalf also came from children at the YMCA, who made Hutchins a banner to thank him for his leadership and generous gift.

Roberts also announced that Hutchins will be recognized at a United Way of America Leaders’ Weekend, which will be hosted by Microsoft chairman Bill and Melinda Gates.

The Leaders Circle, for donors who give $1,000 or more, added 79 new members this year, and had 120 increased gifts from prior Leaders’ Circle members.

“As a result,” Roberts added, “leadership giving will represent more than 26 percent of this year’s campaign.”

The 2001 campaign also had several donors who gave more than $10,000, including Sandra Hutchins, state Sen. Tom and Bonnie Sawyer, Ed and Jill Bessey, Stephen and Tabitha King and the Pexiotto Trust.

The Campaign Chairman’s Awards for Outstanding Campaigns went to Newport Industrial Fabrication, Merrill Bank, UPS and Teamsters 340, and H.E. Sargent.

The Outstanding United Way Agency Campaign Award went to Eastern Agency on Aging, and the Best New Campaign Award to Sargent and Sargent.

Brake Service and Parts received the Most Improved Campaign Award, and the Campaign Leaders’ Award went to Eastern Maine Healthcare for raising more than $181,000.

For its long-standing commitment to the community, and to United Way, the Pillar of the Community Award was presented the law firm of Eaton Peabody.

And this year’s winner of the Irene M. Gray Outstanding Campaign Volunteer Award was Ruth Kroll of International Paper and PACE Local 1188.

Kroll was recognized for her dedication and support of United Way.

Last Thursday, I told you that our senator, Susan Collins, and Missouri Sen. Jane Carnahan, had written Jack Valenti, president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, seeking his assistance.

The two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee were part of the congressional delegation that visited our military in central Asia recently.

During that trip, they learned that sailors aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (who had not made a port call in months) wanted to see some new movies that are available to those of us on the home front.

The movies they have on video aboard ship “were really very old,” reported Collins’ press secretary, Felicia Knight.

I was pleased to receive a voice mail message from Knight that the senators “have heard from Jack Valenti’s office, and a shipment of new movies has been sent to all the carriers, including the Roosevelt,” Knight said, “and we’re very pleased with that.”

So, thanks to this present-day, Maine-Missouri connection, our sailors now are able to see what many of you have seen: movies such as “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

The 50-year-old roof of the Old Town Museum, which is housed in the former St. Mary’s Church, is in need of replacing, and the brickwork around the front of the building needs repointing.

To help with these and other Museum Building-Repair Fund expenses, the Old Town Museum is holding a spaghetti supper at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Gilman Falls Avenue in Old Town.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, popular local chef Mike Salvato will make his special spaghetti for you.

All proceeds benefit the Museum Building-Repair Fund.

For information about this event, call 827-3654 or 827-5667.

Anyone who would like to know more about the healing affect of herbs, might want to attend “Herbs for Health & Healing,” a class conducted by Marjorie Hundhammer, set for 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Riverview Room of the Ellsworth Public Library on State Street in Ellsworth.

Hundhammer, who is with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Office, will discuss the most popular healing herbs, how to grow them, and how they can be used to enhance your health.

An Ellsworth organic gardener and herb grower, for 17 years Hundhammer has been conducting such educational programs for gardeners and farmers.

For those who want to take notes, you are reminded to bring a notebook and pen.

For information about this and other EPL programs, call Julie Gillette at 667-6363.

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