Gourmet desserts, a special weekend getaway and a day of sailing are among the many items up for bid when the Beth Abraham Sisterhood of Bangor hosts its giant silent auction beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Beth Abraham Synagogue, 145 York St. in Bangor.

Barbara Podolsky and JoAnn Kirstein are co-chairwomen of the auction committee, of which Norma Berg is a member.

The committee members want you to know about the event now for one special reason: Tickets are limited because of the size of the facility.

“We really have some special, interesting things to offer,” Berg told us.

“We have a beautiful watercolor by Patia Mitchell of Brewer.

“We are offering a fly over Somes Sound; we have two tickets to ‘The Nutcracker,’ and tickets for an evening at the ‘Cinderella Ice Ballet.”‘

Berg also told us that John Thomas will cater the event, and you’ll enjoy the light and lively down-home stories told as only one of our favorite Maine humorists, Clyde Folsom, can tell them.

“And we’ll have some mystery entertainment even members of the committee don’t know about yet,” Berg said.

“Barbara and JoAnn are pretty tight-lipped.”

All proceeds benefit the synagogue’s religious school and its building improvement fund.

To obtain your tickets for what should be a terrific evening, call 941-2950.

Two Aroostook County residents need all the help and support they can get from individuals ready, willing and able to be tested for a bone marrow match.

Tyrone Currier, a Maine Public Service employee, and Sue Roberts, an employee of The Aroostook Medical Center, are each in need of a bone marrow transplant. Both are seeking a bone marrow match, which could save their lives.

The Maine Leukemia Foundation is sponsoring a bone marrow blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in the McCain Room at The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle.

Those who are tested will become part of the national bone marrow register.

You are requested to call and schedule a time to have your blood sample drawn, and invited to ask any questions you may have at that time, as well.

Kim Jones at the medical center (768-4012) will be happy to help you, and we know that Currier and Roberts will be most grateful for your offer of assistance.

There is no charge for this test.

Last year about this time, Mary Wells of Houlton, educational chairman of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maine, urged our readers to join her organization in celebrating National Education Week.

This year, her group has done more than that.

The committee has succeeded in obtaining a proclamation from Maine Gov. Angus King declaring that today, Tuesday, Oct. 17, and henceforth every third Tuesday in October, is Maine State Teacher Appreciation Day.

We join Gov. King and the American Legion Auxiliary in saluting those tireless, dedicated individuals who have chosen to pursue the most noble and necessary of careers: instructing our children.

Although an apple for the teacher may be an old-fashioned idea, maybe today would be a good day to renew that simple gesture of appreciation, in any fashion you choose: with an apple, a smile, or a simple “thank-you” for all you do.

We extend our congratulations to Theodora Kalikow, Ruth Lockhart and Jude Spacks for being honored with the Maryann Hartman Awards for 2000-2001.

The awards will be presented during ceremonies from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in the Wells Conference Center on the campus of the University of Maine, Orono.

This is the 15th year the awards have been presented by the Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program.

The awards program is named for the late UMaine associate professor and recognizes Maine women who have made outstanding inspirational contributions in art, politics, business, education and community service.

Kalikow is being recognized for her leadership and promotion of diversity in higher education; Lockhart for her advocacy and commitment to all women’s health; and Spacks for her artistic transformation of fabric into compelling portraits of heroic women.

Only 100 tickets will be sold, and the price is not modest, but the rewards are great for those who attend and those who benefit from this evening.

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Super Supper on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Pilots Grill in Bangor.

All proceeds benefit the Bangor Region Leadership Institute.

The tickets are $265 per couple, and one lucky ticket-holder could win $10,000.

Other prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, and a casino night will be featured during the pre-dinner happy hour.

Karl Ward is the chairman of the institute’s steering committee, which has lined up Jim Mullen of Bangor and John McCatherin of Carrabassett Valley to host this special event.

Begun in 1998, the institute is in its fourth year.

More than 50 individuals have graduated from the institute’s intensive leadership and economic development program, which is designed to expand upon the skills and knowledge base of emerging civic leaders in our region.

To reserve your tickets for the Super Supper, or for more information about the institute’s programs, call 947-0307.

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