OLAFFUB SEZ: According to poet e. e. cummings, born on this date in 1894, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

HELPING HAND—

Awaiting a heart transplant in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, is Ray Patnode, who worked at Strong Forge& Fabrication, formerly Batavia Metal Products, for 22 years before he suffered a massive heart attack 18 months ago.

To help with his medical expenses and prescriptions while he’s waiting, family and friends are holding a fundraising pasta dinner from 5 to 7 p. m. Saturday in St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 kids 12 and under. There’s also a silent auction and 50-50 raffle. For tickets and donations, call Chris Ryon at (585) 905-1411.

PEEK AT THE PAST—

Erie County Historian Doug Kohler will speak about the Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants at the next meeting of the Cheektowaga Historical Association at 7 p. m. Thursday in the Alexander Community Center, 275 Alexander St. off Walden Avenue. Admission is free. The public is welcome. Refreshments will be served.

HAIL TO THE CHIEF—

Hank Nowak Post 45, AMVETS, will honor its past commander, Louis F. Kozlowski, at a dinner Saturday evening in the post clubrooms at 3071 Abbott Road, Orchard Park. Auxiliary President Denise Perenc also will be honored. The dinner’s at 7, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6 and an open bar with music until 11. Tickets are $25. For info, call the post at

823-3147.

SHOPPING LIST—The Park School of Buffalo, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder, holds its annual Country Fair from noon to 3 p. m. Saturday. Highlights will be the famous senior class chili, a build-a-bear station and a book fair. The annual alumni soccer game begins at 1 p. m. Part of the proceeds will benefit the United Way.

The Aurora Women’s Club sponsors its annual Soar With Aurora Craft Fair from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Saturday at Nativity Lutheran Church, 970 Main St., East Aurora. Local crafters will offer unique handiwork ranging from knits to jewelry and baked goods. First 100 visitors get a free ice cream treat donated by Kone King.

Bowmansville United Methodist Church, 5344 Genesee St., hosts a craft show and silent auction from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Saturday. Proceeds help refurbish the church’s Fellowship Hall.

A chili cook-off and basket auction will be held from 3 to 7 p. m. Saturday in Grove Street Christian Church, 85 Grove St., City of Tonawanda. Featured is a fire prevention course for children at 4, complete with fire truck. Auction tickets are $5 for a sheet of 25. You need not be present to win.

St. Bernard’s Parish, 414 Clinton St., holds a meat raffle at 5:30 p. m. Saturday. Admission is $5, which includes a roast beef sandwich, chips, a beverage and dessert. A beer bar will be open. Proceeds help the parish retire its debt.

REQUIRED READING —The 2009 Buffalo Bills could use a few copies of “Game Changers: The Greatest Plays in Buffalo Bills Football History.” Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy and co-author Jeff Miller will sign copies of it from 7 to 8:30 p. m. Friday in Barnes& Noble, 1565 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, and from noon to 1:30 p. m. Saturday in Sam’s Club, 3735 Union Road, Cheektowaga.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY— Barbara Morrisey, Bryn Leonard, Melissa Wasielewski, Ruth Rucker, Richard Allen Carney, Nancy McNally, Loretta Battaglia, Barb Becker, Kiley Stoj, Sister Mary Ambrose Wozniak, Santa Ricci, Tony Starzynski, Sam “Chickie” Leo, Brad Hafner, Tom Farry, Greg Sabadasz, Yong Hui Hynes, Irene Calvaneso, Maggie Kelly, Pat Staniaszek, Nancy Tomkins, Genny Bak, Remmy Duk and Rene Sullivan.

AND THURSDAY—Autumn Goodwin, Grace Flanagan, Cole Lukasavich, Theresa Cacciatore, Herb Kujawski, Sister Ellen O’Keefe, Joseph M. Beyers, Caitlin Kujawa, Margaret Brown, Mary Beth Friscic, Sister Mary Fidelma Kakol, Debbie Grimm, Danielle Wozniak, Samantha Orrange, Judi Ruhl, Sarah Arth, Jackie Henry Coon, Jena Meredith, Jenna Balducci, Frances Prince, Sue Rozler, Rose Popper, Nathaniel Kolodziejski, Dave Spink and Kathleen Ford.