Without the support of a loving and generous community, the colder days and longer winter nights would be very difficult for Terri Thompson and her young daughter, Kaylee, of Hampden.

Mother and daughter have much to overcome as they face life without Terri’s husband and Kaylee’s dad, Randy Thompson, who died unexpectedly this summer at age 42 after falling from his truck.

Kaylee is a member of the second-grade class at McGraw School in Hampden that is team-taught by Mary Ann Johnson and Jamie Arsenault.

Knowing Kaylee’s mother is totally disabled with cerebral palsy and that the primary source of heat for the family’s home was a wood stove, which Terri would be unable to tend, the teachers decided to help the family obtain a furnace.

Through the help of Bob Foster of R.H. Foster, a furnace was installed, and Kaylee’s teachers set about the task of raising money to pay for it.

I learned Monday their initial goal of $3,100 was met that day.

“The generosity of the people of this community always overwhelms me, and this instance is no exception,” Johnson said. “They are just amazing.”

The first major contribution came from a simple pass-the-hat effort by a local Kiwana’s member whom Johnson called because she knew she could count on him to get the ball rolling.

And while the furnace will now be paid for, much more can be done to help Terri and Kaylee.

“This is a family in great need,” Johnson said, indicating additional donations still are most welcome.

A Terri Thompson Fund has been established at Maine Savings Federal Credit Union on Western Avenue in Hampden.

Donations also can be made payable to the Terri Thompson Fund and sent to McGraw School, 20 Main Road North, Hampden 04444.

Thanks to a caring community, the future is much warmer and brighter for this young mother and her child.

Orono has been home to two professional baseball teams recently, but who remembers a third?

Scott Peterson provides the answer during the next lecture of the Friends of Orono Public Library So You Think You Know Orono series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the library on Goodridge Drive.

Trish Riley, director of Health Policy and Finance from the Governor’s Office, is the keynote speaker for “Health in Our Hands? Health in Our Hands!” 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Bangor Theological Seminary.

Riley will discuss “The Dirigo Health Plan and Its Impact on Maine Women.”

The conference, sponsored by Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, includes a question-and-answer period, a response panel discussion, a performance by Women with Wings and a panel discussion of reproductive rights.

All women are welcome, regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information, call MWWHC at 947-5337.

Central High School Class of 2004 Project Graduation hosts its Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the school in Corinth.

With Gov. John Baldacci proclaiming November as Maine Ending Hunger Month, I remind you that organizations such as Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, Emmaus Homeless Shelter of Ellsworth and Homeless Services of Aroostook appreciate your donations this month, which will be matched by Maine Partners in Ending Hunger of Rockport.

Also, Homeless Services of Aroostook board members invite you to an open house 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter in Presque Isle.

The deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 2, for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to apply for one of 70 full scholarships to live and study in Germany for the 2004-2005 school year.

Through the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange Program, the nonprofit AFS student exchange program offers this opportunity to qualifying students.

More information can be obtained by calling (1800) AFS-INFO, or visiting www.afs.org/usa.

Now through Friday, Dec. 5, Brewer Middle School student council representative Katie Butler reports that BMS pupils are participating in a Readathon.

Students are encouraged to read as many books as possible during this time, while seeking pledges and book sponsorships in support of their efforts.

The money will help fund extracurricular activities.

This week’s column contains information about activities and events through Tuesday, Dec. 2, because my husband and I are flying to Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and family. There will be no column the last week of November.

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