True to its word, Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society is continuing its “Celebrating Maine Artists” series.

When I first wrote about this new organization last November, arts society secretary Lisa Whitney reported that appearances by well-known Maine artists “are scheduled for the late winter and spring of 2002.”

Well, that time is here, and here comes one wonderful program that is sure to delight the whole family.

Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society presents popular Maine singer-songwriter Rick Charette and The Bubble Gum Band at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the Bucksport High School Gym.

Advance tickets are $8 per person or $20 for a family of four.

At the door, tickets are $9 per person or $22 for a family of four.

You may order your tickets in advance by calling 469-1037.

You may purchase advance tickets at BookStacks on Main Street in Bucksport or Bend-in-the-Road Gifts on Verona Island.

While many people are familiar with Rick Charette, for those who are not, he is, according to his Web site, a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with degrees in music education and English. His music is used extensively by elementary school teachers throughout the country.

Charette performs throughout the United States and Canada. He has won awards for his television performances. His eight albums and two videos have sold more than a quarter-million copies.

Recently, Charette was the keynote speaker at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in Washington, D.C.

But, most of all, what you need to know about Rick Charette is that kids simply love him.

His performances leave them wide-eyed, clapping, cheering and happy.

It’s a night with the kids not to be missed. Believe me, you’ll be glad the arts society brought Charette to Bucksport.

Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society was formed in 1999.

Its mission “is to stimulate the arts within the community and schools; provide a suitable, audience-friendly space for the performing arts; provide work and display areas that enable a strong community and academic arts program; and promote lifelong learning experiences for the citizens of the Bucksport area.”

Whitney wrote me recently to report that progress is being made in the part of the arts society’s mission, which is “to provide a suitable, audience-friendly space for the performing arts.”

“We are now pleased to let you know that we expect to break ground on our new middle school and our cultural arts auditorium in late April,” she wrote.

“Proceeds from the concert will assist in bringing even more quality family events to our area, as well as funding some of the extras for the auditorium.”

Information about Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society, its activities and fund raising, about contributing to it, volunteering with it or becoming an arts society member, are available by writing BACAS, Box 1111, Bucksport 04416-1111.

For information about future arts society events, visit its Web site at www.bacas.org.

There is much more to the annual AAUW Used Book Sale, which runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Church of Universal Fellowship on Main Street in Orono, than meets the eye.

A fund-raiser of the Penobscot Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women, the event also features delicious light lunches and a snack bar along with a fine collection of books for adults and children.

In addition to regular sale hours, you may, for a $5 fee, become an “early bird” and attend the event from 8 to 9 a.m. that day.

Kate Scott is chairwoman of the sale, while Peggy Hallee is heading up the snack bar committee with Phyllis Borns and Sue Owen.

Anne Johnson, Ann Pilcher, Anne Hathaway and Janet Warnert are also making significant contributions to the fund-raiser.

But it’s your contributions that are needed as well.

You are asked to make book donations any time at the Orono Public Library, or bring them, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, through Friday, April 5, to the church side entrance on Juniper Street in Orono.

And remember, this group will be having a wonderful time at its “Dirty Book Party” Wednesday evening, before the sale, when AAUW members and friends clean the books and ready them for sale.

If you have any questions about these activities associated with the AAUW Used Book Sale, or about the Penobscot Valley Branch of the AAUW, call 866-2881.

If you have ever wondered if you would do well as a hospice volunteer, for a small fee, Down East Hospice of Calais is offering you an opportunity to find out.

Down East Hospice is seeking caring individuals to work as hospice volunteers for the terminally ill, the grieving and their families, and is planning a 30-hour training program that will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on five consecutive Fridays beginning April 26.

The class site will be centrally located so any Washington County resident will be able to attend, and enrollment is open to anyone who has the time and interest in this work.

Preregistration and an informal interview are required, and the registration donation of $20 helps defray expenses.

Trained hospice volunteers may be asked to provide nonmedical care and support to terminally ill people in their homes, in hospitals or nursing homes.

Companionship, listening, emotional support, respite care and occasional help with errands and transportation are often all that is asked of volunteers.

Down East Hospice suggests if prospective volunteers are uncertain about making this type of commitment, that they consider taking the training course to learn what is involved with being a hospice volunteer.

If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer or just want to learn more about this work, call Director Barbara Barnett at 726-5087.

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