Hermon High School health, physical education and conflict resolution teacher Shelley Gavett hopes the community will respond favorably to the school’s request for auction items to benefit its Challenge Day Program.

The auction will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, and individuals and businesses are being asked to support the event with cash donations, items or gift certificates.

Proceeds from the auction “help finance the day,” which can include fees for speakers, purchasing T-shirts and lunch for Challenge Day participants who meet at Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

Challenge Day is an event where one class “goes off campus” and meets with representatives of the Challenge Day Foundation that helps them “address things like issues of violence, racism, teasing and stereotyping. Things that adolescents are faced with,” Gavett explained. “It lets people see that, just because I don’t know someone very well, they may be just like me but I don’t know that. It fosters compassion and reconnections.”

She cited the Class of 2004 as an example of the success of the program.

“Two years ago, when they were sophomores, we did it with them,” Gavett said. “It’s a wonderful way to bond a class. This senior class attributes their closeness to the fact that they went to Challenge Day, and it was such a positive thing for the class. We’ve had a wonderful start to this year.”

For information about the event or contributing to the auction, call Gavett at the school, 848-3365; e-mail shelleygavett@hermon.net; or call Beth Woodson at 848-5100.

The Maine Department of Transportation, Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce and Healthy Living: A Healthy Maine Partnership at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield invite you to participate in a Sebasticook Valley Pedal Power Bike Map Kick-Off and Family Ride.

The event will be held 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Somerset Plaza in Pittsfield.

You have a choice of two routes: an easier, in-town route for cyclists of all ages and abilities, or a more advanced, off-road route.

One cyclist will win a bicycle and helmet donated by Wal-Mart Supercenter in Palmyra.

The event highlights the new cycling map of routes and trails in the area and local businesses along those routes.

“Early Christmas shoppers” are invited to the third annual Craft Fair at the Orland Masonic Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, wrote Rosalie Doughty.

The event features “just homemade crafts,” from toys to food, and admission and parking are free.

Country and western singer Laurie Robertson performs at noon, and proceeds benefit Eastern Star Charities.

For information, call Doughty at 469-7154.

Anne McGreevy of the American Diabetes Association reminds you America’s Walk for Diabetes is Sunday, Sept. 26, at the University College of Bangor.

You can register for the walk as individuals or teams at www.diabetes.org/walk or by calling (888) 342-2383, ext. 3464.

Funds raised at this event support the ADA mission of preventing and curing diabetes and improving the lives of more than 18 million Americans with the disease.

Pete Edwards, president of the Schoodic Audubon Society, called to say he provided the wrong time for that organization’s Annual Meeting at which Dr. Harold Borns will discuss glacial ice sheets that affected landforms in Washington and Hancock counties.

The public is invited to the potluck supper meeting at 6 tonight at the Whiting Community Center.

Admission is a $5 donation for the chicken barbecue, plus a casserole, salad and dessert to share.

From Cathy Brown of Abnaki Girl Scout Council in Brewer comes word that the Council and the American Red Cross are offering a Babysitter’s Training Instructor Class for individuals age 17 and above.

The classes are from 6 to 9 p.m. on three successive Mondays: Oct. 4, 11 and 18, at the Abnaki Girl Scout Carriage House, 156 No. Main St., Brewer.

The cost of the class is $65, and attendees must be at least 17 before the last scheduled class.

For information, or to register, call the Pine Tree Chapter of the ARC at 941-2903, or e-mail robertsh@pinetree.red

cross.org.

This week, you’ll find information of interest through the first week of October.

That’s because I’m leaving Thursday, Sept. 23, for California, to help my granddaughter Olivia Averill celebrate her first birthday.

After Thursday, my next column will be Tuesday, Oct. 5.

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