Lefty McIntyre, who is advising international students and serving as coordinator of Cross-Cultural Exchange Programs at the University of Maine in Machias, wrote recently to relate the International Club’s invitation to the public to attend a potluck supper and presentation on “The Splendor of Zimbabwe” at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at The Portside on the UMM campus.

Tatenda Chirusa, whose first name means thank you in his native language, “is prepared to enrich the lives of all those who attend his program,” McIntyre wrote of the young man whom he describes as not only an excellent student, but also an “all-conference soccer player.”

Senior biology major Vlado Gareski of Macedonia is completing his second year as president of the International Club, which, McIntyre reports, “is highly active in the community.”

Last November, for example, the club raised $500 so a 10-year-old boy “could travel to Chicago and sing with the Washington County Children’s Chorus.”

And, each semester, the club holds not just one, but two potluck dinners on campus.

“Then after enjoying cuisine from Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean and North America,” one of the club members takes center stage to speak about his or her homeland, McIntyre explained.

“Last semester,” according to McIntyre, Kavishti Korkoram of Trinidad “kept our large audience spellbound.”

This year’s menu, by the way, will be enhanced to coincide with the date, which just happens to be St. Patrick’s Day.

McIntyre writes that his wife, Connie McIntyre, “will prepare a large kettle of corned beef and cabbage” for the dinner. If you take advantage of this invitation, you will enjoy a delightful evening with the international students who attend UMM.

Of the Zimbabwe presentation, McIntyre wrote, “everyone who wants to learn more about this lovely South African nation is cordially invited” to attend.

McIntyre asks only that you “please bring your favorite dish” to share, “and come prepared for a five-continent explosion of taste.”

Ray Kelly is the Gifted and Talented coordinator and AP English teacher at Rockland District High School.

Last fall, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named for the late New York Yankees Hall of Fame baseball player who died of the disease in 1941.

RDHS student Kelly Saunders is a member of a planning committee composed of staff and students, who are coordinating a community benefit dinner for Ray Kelly, who has requested that proceeds from the dinner be given to the ALS Foundation on his behalf.

Saunders writes that the benefit spaghetti dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, in the RDHS gymnasium.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children age 10 and younger.

They can be purchased in the RDHS office, or at the door.

Saunders writes that those sponsoring this event “would be grateful for your support.”

“Ray Kelly is a wonderful man,” she added, “and doesn’t deserve to be going through what he is dealing with right now.”

Last Saturday’s “hair-shearing” fund-raiser at the Millinocket Lodge of Elks produced marvelous results for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

Elk Dan Hannafin, who challenged other Elks to shear their locks for a good cause after friends began requesting he get a haircut, has provided us with the fund-raiser’s finally tally.

“At the state meeting on Sunday morning, our Exalted Ruler, Ed Craig, presented the chairman of the MCCP, Don Richards, with a check for $5,100,” Hannafin wrote. “It’s a little chilly on the back of the neck, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Hancock County is still accepting registration of teams for its “Bowl For Kids’ Sake!” bowlathon and annual fund-raiser, which is scheduled for March 18 and March 25 at Eastward Lanes in Ellsworth.

Four- and five-person teams help raise funds for the program that enables local youngsters to have caring mentors.Bowlers who raise $200 or more will be eligible for a raffle of grand prizes that include airfare for two to Florida; airfare and hotel stay for two in Boston; a $200 local shopping spree and several dining, gift and recreation packages.

For more information, or to register your team, call Karen Brown at 667-5304 or (800)-492-5550, or visit the BBBS Web site at www.bbbshancock.org and register online.

Ruth Higgins of Stockton Springs called last week to report that all those calendars she had to give away are now gone. The response from our readers to take them off her hands was swift. Higgins, who wrote that her old calendars were “too good to destroy if there is any use for them,” have now found new uses, thanks to you.

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