Thanks to the efforts of many caring individuals, the history of small Maine towns is preserved through simple hard work and determination.

For example, Sylvia Sawyer of Osborn, who lives on the family farm on land her ancestors settled, is president of the neighboring Amherst Historical Society.

Sawyer wrote recently to inform our readers that the AHS will hold its annual meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at the “Amherst Town Hall on Route 9, the Airline.”

A potluck meal will be shared at noon, so you are asked to bring salads, casseroles, desserts and breads enough for your own group, and enough to share with others.

The AHS will provide utensils, coffee and soft drinks.

Since Sawyer knows there are lots of good cooks in the area, you can bet the meal will be delicious.

Sawyer said the meeting’s guest speaker will be Pamela Dean of the Maine Folklife Society of the University of Maine.

Ralph Jordan, owner of the Amherst General Store, and AHS secretary Joan Mary Anderson, will speak of their families’ involvement with this local landmark.

But what may be of greatest interest to guests will be the discussion of the four towns in the area – Osborn, Amherst, Aurora and Great Pond – joining together to form one historical society which, Sawyer said, would necessitate changing the name of the current organization.

The AHS artifacts table will have an old mantel clock on display for the fist time, and Sawyer is hoping attendees will bring photographs and memories to share with others.

Connee Jellison will be available to answer the historical and genealogical questions you may have, and you are reminded that AHS dues are $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1.50 for students.

As always, donations to help support the organization and its building fund are appreciated.

If you have questions about the work of this organization, especially as it begins the consideration of becoming a four-town historical society, you might want to write Sawyer at HC 31, Box 3020, Ellsworth 04605, or call her at 584-5017; Anderson at Box 324, Coastal Road, Brooksville 04617, 326-8327; or treasurer and membership chairwoman Ada Hatch, Box 1605, Bar Harbor 04609, 565-3415.

You are invited to come to the library and dance.

The Bangor Public Library presents the 18-piece swing orchestra Sentimental Journey in performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, in the lobby of the library at 145 Harlow St. in Bangor.

Part of the library’s 2001 Summer Music Series, the concert-dance is free and open to the public.

For more information about this series, call the library at 947-8336.

A 2001 Corvette, along with cash prizes, will be raffled by the American Cancer Society at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Strong Chevrolet in Damariscotta.

The torch-red convertible, with a black interior and top, has all the bells and whistles, and only 2001 tickets, at $75 each or two for $125, will be sold.

All proceeds benefit the ACS.

The two second prizes are $200 each, and the three third prizes are $150 each.

Ticket holders need not be present to win, and tickets can be purchased until the day of the drawing.

For information, call Allan Rowe at 474-8539 or (800)-464-3102, Ext. 3706.

Names of the winners can be obtained on the State of Maine Web page at www.cancer.org or by calling the ACS at the toll-free number above.

Nancy Carson, senior director of the Old Town-Orono YMCA on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town, wants older adults to know a few openings still remain for a boat cruise to watch the puffins off Port Clyde.

The cost of the trip is $25 per person and the group leaves the YMCA at 8 a.m. Friday, July 27.

Call 827-6111 for more information.

Entries are invited for the Andrew Sockalexis Memorial 5K Run-Walk beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Penobscot Community Building on Penobscot Nation Indian Island, Old Town.

The event is sponsored by the Penobscot Nation and HEALTHSOUTH Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center of Bangor.

Funds raised will help provide support for the Penobscot Nation youth to participate in the 2002 North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The event is named for the Maine runner who, after finishing 17th in the 1911 Boston Marathon, and second the following year, was named to the 1912 Olympic team, finishing fourth in the marathon in Stockholm, Sweden.

In 1913, Sockalexis again finished second in the Boston Marathon. Tragically, he contracted tuberculosis and died at the age of 27.

Sockalexis is a member of the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, and the Maine Running Hall of Fame.

Awards for the run-walk will be presented to overall winners and age group division winners.

Trophies will be presented to youngsters, and native crafts and mugs to adults. The first 100 people to register will receive T-shirts, and door prizes will be drawn.

For information about registering for this event, call Carla Fearon, 827-7776, Ext. 7355, or Newell Lewey, 827-7776, Ext. 7408.

If you would like to be a sponsor, or donate door prizes to benefit the Penobscot Nation Youth, call Fearon or Pam Colson Power at HEALTHSOUTH, 945-2946.

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