upon realising a shortage of certain school supplies.

The Christian charity will continue to collect school items for needy families until September 30.

"We haven't received too many school bags and shoes, we need all colours and sizes,'' said founder Fern Wade. "Bus passes, cans of tuna fish, jam/jelly and juice boxes would also be appreciated.'' But Ms Wade was quick to point out that the public had been very generous with donating clothing.

"So far we have received over 1,200 school shirts and around 800 khaki pants.'' And this Saturday the charity will hold their first Tag Day in a bid to help them help others.

Anyone interested in making a monetary donation can send their cheques to Hands of Love Ministry, P.O. Box HM 3281, Hamilton, HMPX or call 238-3236 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

*** The Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society will be holding auditions this weekend for their upcoming production -- The Cherry Orchard.

The social comedy will be directed by Jane McCulloch, artistic director of the English Chamber Theatre.

A cast of five females and seven males will be required for the October 25-30 production and all members of the community are invited to audition on Saturday and Sunday between 1 and 5 p.m. at the Daylesford Theatre.

Audition pieces are available from the Daylesford Theatre weekday evenings from 5 p.m.

And anyone who would like to assist with the show are invited to attend a production meeting at the Dundonald Street theatre on Monday, September 13 at 6 p.m.

*** The Bermuda Biological Station for Research invite all to dive into marine science this weekend.

The BBSR will host a Marine Science Day this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at their St. George's headquarter.

The event will feature research cruises, laboratory tours, raffles and plenty of hands-on children's activities.

There will be a free parking shuttle from Kindley Field.

For more information 297-1880.

*** With the new millennium just months away, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are urging locals to become involved with the Growing With Trees Project.

The Growing with Trees Millennium Initiative was launched in March in hopes of implementing a continuous, managed programme of tree replacement and tree improvement in Bermuda's open spaces, parks, public gardens and schools.

It is a proactive measure to minimise the environmental problems, like fragmentation of natural areas, associated with Bermuda's economic growth.

And the Agriculture and Fisheries officials pointed out that trees provide valuable environmental services like erosion control and oxygen cycling.

"If we had to mechanically reproduce the environmental services that one tree performs it would cost an estimated $12,000 per year,'' officials said in the department's monthly bulletin.

Locals are being urged to plant trees in memory of departed loved ones and to celebrate milestones or births.

For more information on Growing With Trees contact Keanya Francis at the Ministry of the Environment P.O. Box FL 145, Flatt's FL BX, 293-2727 ext. 139.