People who attended the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s March concert were among those who received information about a Friends of the Symphony coach trip planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, to attend the “Star-Spangled Spectacular,” the Boston Symphony Pops concert in Boston’s Symphony Hall.

FOS trip coordinator Nancy Ziegenbein of Bangor told me that half of the seats were sold out at the March concert.

With the regular mailing out and available now, she added, the trip is sure to be another popular experience.

Since the last trip of this type sold out in less than two weeks, people need to order now if they want to be assured a place for this exciting two-day trip, Ziegenbein said.

“I know it seems like it’s a long time ahead, but we have to pay for these things ahead ourselves,” she pointed out.

The actual reservation deadline is Friday, May 4, but there is no guarantee that seats will remain at that time.

The cost of the trip is $249 per person, double occupancy, for non-FOS members, and $239 for FOS members.

That fee includes the coach trip, which leaves at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 16, from Bangor with pre-arranged stops along Interstate 95 and 295 through Portland; a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, including a Folk Art Special Exhibit; and the Boston Pops concert – with table seats on the floor – at 8 p.m., that evening at Symphony Hall.

A trip to Quincy Market, for lunch on your own, sightseeing and shopping is planned for Sunday, June 17, along with a narrated “Duck Tour” of Boston and the Charles River Basin in a restored World War II amphibious landing vehicle; and supper in Portland on the return trip.

To make a reservation for the FOS Boston Pops trip, or to receive more information about this event that serves as a fund-raiser for the Friends of the Symphony, call Ziegenbein at 947-7965 or the Bangor Symphony Orchestra office at 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221.

Among the volunteers participating in the Bangor Education Foundation’s Community Reading Day today is Bangor Theological Seminary professor David Trobisch.

At two city schools, Trobisch will read his book, “Adventures of a Pumpelhoober,” which relates stories of what life was like growing up in Africa.

This is the seventh year of the program in which volunteer readers spend one hour with pupils, reading books selected by their classroom teachers. The volunteer readers also often participate in classroom activities and discuss their occupations with the young people.

Any individual, business or organization that wants to participate in Community Reading Day, either as a volunteer reader or Community Reading Day sponsor, can receive more information by writing the Bangor Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1069, Bangor 04402-1069.

Rarely, if ever, does the American Red Cross have to ask for help for itself.

But this request from the ARC Pine Tree Chapter is so necessary that we hope it receives an immediate, and positive, response.

During our most recent snowstorm – while returning from providing emergency food, shelter and clothing for a family after a fire – ARC Pine Tree Chapter director of emergency service, Bill Reed, was in an automobile accident.

Fortunately, Reed was unhurt in the accident caused by poor road conditions, but the chapter’s car was totaled.

Essential to fulfilling its mission of immediate response when a disaster strikes, the chapter can’t be without a car, which is used not only by staff members, but also by volunteers.

The car must be available weekdays, weekends and after hours.

The car must be replaced, so the ARC is issuing a plea to any business or organization that can help the Pine Tree Chapter of the ARC replace its emergency response vehicle.

If you can help, call the chapter at 941-2903.

If you want to make a donation to help cover the cost of a new vehicle, you can send contributions to the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross, 33 Mildred Ave., Bangor 04401.

A goodly number of John Bapst High School alumni gather for coffee the first Friday of each month at Kev-Lan in Bangor.

However, Polly McKay of Brewer reports that since this Friday, April 13, is Good Friday, the group will not meet.

“We’ll see everyone in May,” McKay said of the gathering of old friends who like to reminisce about their school days at the venerable Bangor institution now know as John Bapst Memorial High School.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 10 of Bangor ask that you save bottles and cans for them to collect from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, in the Greater Bangor area.

According to Nancy Gott of Bangor, chairwoman of the committee organizing this event, all the money the Scouts collect will be donated to the American Cancer Society for its “Relay for Life” fund-raiser in May.

Gott wrote that the Scouts “will be participating in the relay for 24 hours as well as performing service hours during the event.”

If you would prefer to drop off your returnable bottles or cans before the Scouts’ collection day, or on the day of the collection, you can bring them to 122 Maple St., or call Gott at 942-3209 to arrange for pickup.

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