Two years ago in May, Lisa Matarazzo-Champney of Hermon sent balloons aloft in memory not only of her son, Ryan Matarazzo, who committed suicide a year earlier, but also as a way to celebrate the lives of suicide survivors.

The event marked the beginning of the nonprofit Ryan’s Hope Organization, which his mother founded with the mission of community prevention for teenage suicide.

To raise funds for Ryan’s Hope, instructors from Stamping Up, the Angel Company and Close to My Heart are sponsoring “Make N Takes,” in which scrapbook enthusiasts have the opportunity to “crop together for charity.”

The event is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Hermon Fire and Rescue Building on the Billings Road.

The $25 fee includes a lunch of pizza or sandwiches, and lots of chocolate.

The event benefits Ryan’s Hope by raising money to assist teens who are in crisis.

Since its inception, the organization has supplied medical assistance, food, clothing and transportation, and arranged housing and counseling needs, as well as providing reading materials and offering friendship to those in need.

Whether you are an experienced scrapbooker, or new to the hobby, Matarazzo-Champney believes this event is “definitely a great way to raise money to help teens.”

She pointed out the need for the organization to be able to focus its attention, particularly this time of year, “on younger kids, because teenagers really remember the bad times and the bad holidays.”

In preparation for Christmas, she explained, “we have three families with a couple of kids that we are trying to provide everything for – from the meal to the gifts.”

Additionally, Ryan’s Hope is working to obtain books for the Hermon library, which is located at Hermon High School.

Checks made payable to Ryan’s Hope Organization are tax deductible and, if you bring canned goods for the Turkey Basket Drive, you will receive a free gift.

For more information about either the organization or the event, call Matarazzo-Champney at 848-2023.

As we near Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, the American Legion reminds you that with thousands of troops away from home, the Legion has relaunched a free, convenient way to thank them for serving their country.

Anyone with an e-mail account can create an electronic greeting card at the American Legion’s Web site, www.legion.org.

The e-mail card enables you to compose a personal message and, when opened, plays a service song.

Cards can be sent now through Wednesday, Nov. 12.

If you have a military e-mail address, the cards can be sent directly to active duty service personnel.

Pianist Michael Gurt will perform with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Maine Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

However, prior to the concert, Gurt will conduct what is described as an “Informance” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Kominsky Recital Hall on the Husson College campus in Bangor.

The young pianist, who has received excellent reviews from critics for the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, has performed throughout the world and been featured on a nationwide PBS broadcast.

The preview is free and open to the public, but advance reservations are encouraged, which you can make by calling the BSO office at 1-800-639-3221 or 942-5555.

Chris Kravitt of the Blue Hill Rifle and Pistol Club invites you to the club’s Third Annual Cowboy Action Shoot to benefit the Hancock County Big Brothers-Big Sisters program.

The fund-raiser begins with a mandatory safety meeting at 8:30 a.m. and the shoot at 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Blue Hill Gun Club on Range Road, off Route 15, in Blue Hill.

The theme is “return with us, now, to those thrilling days of yesteryear,” Kravitt explained, in which “each stage will be a scenario from one of the old, classic westerns.”

Lunch will be available and spectators are welcome.

On behalf of the Bangor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Kay Byther Eames invites the public to a free evening of organ music and hymn singing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, French Street, in Bangor.

Guild members will perform, the audience will be invited to sing along and organists will discuss the hymns, organ works and composers.

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