The many friends of Bill and Betty Ann Thurlow of Hampden are doing what they can to help the couple through a difficult time, but one with promise of better times to come.

The parents of nine children, two with special needs, are not only in the midst of Betty Ann’s progressive recovery as a breast-cancer survivor, but also in the midst of Bill’s recovery from a recent serious home accident.

While working on his house, “the ladder kicked out from under him,” Betty Ann explained, leaving him with a broken neck and broken back.

However, Bill’s prognosis for a full recovery is excellent, she happily reported.

“He may be a little slow, but he’ll get there,” she said.

Meanwhile, members of the community and the Hampden Academy staff are, as you read this, setting up for a Benefit Spaghetti Supper for the Thurlow family, which is 5-7 tonight at the Hampden Kiwanis Club.

Admission is by donation.

The benefit also features entertainment by the Spontaneous Jazz Ensemble, which Vee Eames informed me is “a fun-loving group from Hampden.”

If you cannot attend the benefit but would like to help the Thurlow family, contact Mary Phillips at 862-5381.

Law enforcement officers, Special Olympians, coaches and Irving Oil employees will pump gasoline, wash windshields and greet customers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 93 locations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, to benefit their respective Special Olympics organizations.

For each gallon purchased, Irving will donate 5 cents to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which last year raised $140,000.

It’s time for the 10th annual Convoy for Kids to benefit Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare and Bangor Lion’s Club children’s charities.

The event begins with driver registration at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 6, at the Brewer Eagles Club, where members of its Auxiliary invite drivers, kids and families to attend the 8 a.m. breakfast.

The convoy departs at 10 a.m. from Acme Road in Brewer, making its way through Brewer and Bangor to Bass Park, where a variety of festivities await all who attend.

With support from the Maine Motor Transport Association, Maine Professional Drivers Association members Irvin Smith and Ron Martin founded the Convoy in 1994.

In 2002, MPDA members Stan McLaughlin and Ray Rogers joined with Bangor Lions Club members Dave Mansfield and Pat Martin to expand the number of children’s charities receiving support, and organizers are hoping to make this a banner year.

The New Renaissance singers “have sung in a variety of venues over the years,” member Bill Shook wrote about the group known “for our repertoire of early renaissance and baroque music,” since getting together in 1991.

The New Renaissance Singers perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 6, at Union Street Brick Church in Bangor.

The suggested donation is $5.

But this performance won’t be the concert fans have come to expect.

“This will be a departure from our regular programs,” Shook wrote of “A Corral of Western Music.”

The program features “traditional cowboy songs, some Western show tunes and, for anyone who really likes something different,” Shook invites you to “come and hear what ‘My Darling Clementine’ sounds like when sung in German” by two singers.

During intermission, accompanist Yvonne Drake will play two piano solos.

Refreshments will be available.

The Bangor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present a recital at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 6, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway in Bangor.

Kay Eames is dean of the 40-member Bangor chapter, which will offer works by Schumann, Mendelssohn and others.

The program is free, but donations will be graciously accepted.

Congregational Beth El Rabbi Larry Milder will present a vocal concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 6, in Wells Commons at Bangor Theological Seminary, to benefit the Charles O. Howard Memorial Foundation.

Your $15 admission includes refreshments and the raffle of a kayak, flotation device and paddle.

For information, call Dan Williams, 942-9319.

The Warren Center for Communication & Learning offers a “Coping with Memory Disorders Through Communication” Workshop 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays, June 8-29 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 540 Essex St., Bangor.

The workshop is for family caregivers of those with memory disorders.

There is no fee for the workshop, materials or respite care.

For information and to request respite care, call the Warren Center at 941-2850.

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