Members of Enfield Baptist Church, along with their friends and families, are doing all they can to support Jay and Heather (Shedd) Bean of Enfield as the young couple struggles through a very difficult time.

The parents of 11-year-old Chelsea and 7-year-old Kylie “really need help,” reports Karen Sibley of Enfield.

Jay, who has worked for Lincoln Pulp and Paper as well as logging companies in Howland, is undergoing treatment for cancer in Bangor.

Heather recently was diagnosed with Lyme disease and is unable to work at this time.

Both are graduates of Penobscot Valley High School in Howland. To help the family, church members are sponsoring a benefit supper from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, in the cafeteria of PVHS on Cross Street in Howland.

The menu will include beans, hot dogs, salad, rolls and homemade pies.

“All donations will go directly to the family for living and medical expenses,” Sibley explained.

More information about this event can be obtained by calling Martha Thurlow, 732-3981.

And while no separate fund has been established for the couple, anyone who wants to help, Sibley said, can send a donation directly to the Beans at P.O. Box 322, Enfield 04493.

Dr. Michael and Diane DeVita will open Maine’s first Healing Room at 10 a.m. today at 273 Hammond St. in Bangor.

One of more than 200 such organizations associated with the International Association of Healing, the facility welcomes people of all faiths seeking help for themselves or loved ones for healing a physical or mental ailment.

Healing Room hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays; 2 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. No fee is charged for healing prayer sessions, but donations are accepted.

For information, call 941-1118.

Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland and Disney on Ice are participating in Operation

Community Support by offering a limited number of tickets, for dependent family members of Maine Guard and Reserve units deployed overseas, for the Disney on Ice performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Tickets must be reserved in advance, OCS spokesman Skip Chappelle reports, by calling the Family Assistance Center, (888) 365-9287.

Additionally, a limited number of tickets are available for the YWCA Bangor-Brewer Spring Fair Friday, March 26, through Sunday, March 28, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Comedy Show, Friday, March 26, in Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School. These tickets also can be obtained by calling the above number.

Alice French of Ellsworth is the featured soloist for Spring Fling, the eighth annual Music Benefit Concert by the Downeast All-Star Dixieland Jazz Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Alamoosook Lodge in Orland.

Pat Edgecomb reports funds raised will benefit the Downeast Circus Band Scholarship Fund for music students of Penobscot, Hancock, Waldo and Washington counties.

There is no admission charge, but scholarship offerings will be accepted.

The event also features an open cash bar and dancing.

I was pleased to hear from Bruce and Claire Ellis of Jackman that the recent Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Benefit Supper in that community was a great success.

Through the raffle, and the attendance of “about 240 people, we raised $7,404 to date,” Claire Ellis wrote.

The couple thanks “everyone who contributed in some way” to the fund-raiser they conducted in honor of their 19-month-old grandson, Trenton Ellis of Glenburn, who has been diagnosed with CF.

Trenton is the son of Chris and Karen Ellis and the grandson of Dan and Patricia Cyr of Winslow.

“This will definitely add more ‘tomorrows’ to people, like Trenton, with CF,” Claire Ellis concluded.

The Paddle for Pine Tree Camp is hosting its first pre-event workshop, featuring a book signing by “Women’s Paddling” author Shelley Johnson, at 6 p.m. Friday, April 2, at Cadillac Mountain Sports in Bar Harbor.

After the book signing, the Waterwalk Film Festival will begin at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, and reservations must be made by Wednesday, March 31, with Kris Dorer through e-mail at kdorer@pinetreesociety.org or by phone at 934-7962.

The 2004 Paddle for PTC will take place Saturday, June 5, on a variety of waterways in Maine. To register or receive information about Paddle for PTC, visit www.pinetreesociety.org.

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