The Friend of the Eastern Maine Technical College Library have come up with an absolutely delicious fund-raiser that, if it works, could turn into one fantastic annual event.

“Books 2 Eat 2002” is an “Edible Book Contest” hosted by the EMTC library friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Rangeley Hall on the EMTC campus in Bangor.

Anyone can enter an “edible book” for display at the event, which also features a “high silver tea” at 4 p.m. with refreshments prepared by students of the EMTC Culinary Arts Program.

Individuals who enter an edible book for display will receive free admission to the event.

All others pay a $5 admission fee, which includes refreshments and five tickets to vote for the winning edible book.

Voting on the entries will take place from 3 to 4 p.m., to be followed by the high tea at 4 p.m. when the entries will be consumed!

Of course, anyone who enters the contest is also eligible to purchase a $5 ticket for five votes (or purchase more if wish) and your votes can be divided in any manner you choose. The more tickets purchased, the more money is raised for the Friends of the EMTC Library.

The contest will include students from EMTC, United Technology Center and other local schools, and sponsors are hoping that “book-loving gastronomes/epicures/chefs/cooks” will enter as well.

To view examples of Books 2 Eat festivals held elsewhere, you can visit http://www.geocities.com/ books2eat/ as I did and, by going to the gallery, you will be amazed at what ideas are there.

We’re not talking just about edible books made from cake, folks.

You can make books with breads, meats, vegetables, fruits: just about anything you can think of. Use your imagination, and go to it!

And remember, the more $5 tickets you purchase, the more votes you get and the more you help the EMTC library since all proceeds benefit that organization.

For more information, or to submit an entry, call Deb Perro, 941-4601 or Sue Jagels, 973-8227.

If you don’t have your tickets for this event, you better call right now.

The Penobscot Valley Chapter of the Maine Audubon Society is hosting an Earth Day Celebration Benefit Dinner at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at the Fields Pond Nature Center in Orrington.

Proceeds benefit the Nature Center and BACORD, Bangor Citizens Organized for Responsible Development.

Seating is limited to 50 people, and the tickets are $30 each, in advance.

Call Fields Pond Nature Center at 989-2591 to make your reservations.

Congratulations are extended to Beverly Getz of North Anson, who was recognized last month as the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year.

More than 125 people attended the ceremony to honor Getz, who has served as guidance counselor at Carrabec High School in North Anson since 1981.

Scott Crosby, food service instructor at Skowhegan Area Vocational Technical Institute, was honored as Elk of the Year for the 650-member fraternal organization, and 19-year lodge organist David Hovey was honored as Officer of the Year.

The Lady Elk of the Year award went to Muriel Carpenter for her dedication and volunteer work at lodge functions. Muriel and Alfred Carpenter, past exalted ruler, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary later this year.

Among the new officers elected this year with exalted ruler Joel Vigue are lecturing knight Roberta Alley and chaplain Julie Washburn, the lodge’s first women officers.

The Volunteer Cemetery Angels of Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Ohio Street in Bangor are hosting a baked bean supper beginning at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Father Keegan Hall at St. John Catholic Church, 207 York St. in Bangor.

The meal, which will be prepared by culinary arts students at Eastern Maine Technical College in Bangor, includes baked beans, franks, rolls, coleslaw, beverage and dessert.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under age 12.

Retired Bangor city engineer and Mount Pleasant Cemetery board member John Frawley will be present to discuss future plans and answer questions about the organization.

You can obtain your tickets from members of the Cemetery Angels.

For more information about the organization, which helps maintain the cemetery, or about the supper, call Louise Towle, 942-6462, or Jean Curley at 947-8239.

The public is invited by the Northeast Geriatric Mental Health Providers Council to attend a discussion of “Dementia Services in Region III,” 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in the New Auditorium at Bangor Mental Health Institute.

Certificates of attendance will be available.

Individuals invited to be part of the panel discussion are Sherri Starbird of the Geriatric Dementia Evaluation Team, Health Services of Community Health and Counseling Services; Wayne Moore of the Alzheimer’s and Memory Center of Neurology Associates; and Michaela McCarthy of Eastern Agency on Aging Partners in Caring.

Also invited to participate are Michel Skirven of the Alzheimer’s Association and Westgate Manor, and Romaine Turyn of the Maine Alzheimer’s Project.

Jacqueline Huggins of Alton writes that a public chicken pie dinner will be served from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Alton United Methodist Church Hall on Route 16 in Alton.

“The menu will be chicken pie with gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, peas, rolls and whipped cream on gingerbread,” she wrote.

Admission is $6.50 for adults, $3 for children.

Huggins said the event is a fund-raiser “to help with the cost of paving the churchyard.”

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