Better late than never is a “fair” statement when it comes to getting the word out about the Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary annual book fair and bake sale, at 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 20, in the vestry of Centre Street Congregational Church in Machias.

That’s what Auxiliary board member Ruth Leubecker of East Machias told me because, she said, “all donations of books and baked goods, for the benefit of the hospital, will be greatly appreciated.”

And, she added, those donations can be dropped off during the day on Thursday, Oct. 18, at the church.

“This is a great fund-raiser for us,” Leubecker said, “and the abbreviated hours seem to work. Now, on Saturday, we go only a half-day.”

Leubecker said the Auxiliary has been hosting the event “for many years, and people have learned to depend on it. In fact, they come from all over the place. We even have people drive from Ellsworth to attend the fair.

“It’s one of our larger fund-raisers, this and our Christmas fair,” she added, “and it’s part of our annual pledge to the hospital.”

The DECH Auxiliary gives DECH $10,000, annually, making it, Leubecker said, “the hospital’s largest annual donor, and we’ve been doing this for 30 years,” she added with pride.

In addition to the books and food, Leubecker said a Halloween basket, “with $50 of contents,” will be raffled for $1 per ticket, and you need not be present to win.

Those who wish to donate books are asked not to bring textbooks, but Leubecker said paperbacks are fine and, as for the baked goods, “anything will do.”

If you can’t donate any items for the benefit, then just attend. It will be worth your while, Leubecker assures you.

Anyone wishing more information about the sale, about the work of the DECH Auxiliary, or about becoming an Auxiliary member, is cordially invited to call Leubecker at 255-0915.

The population in the state of Maine, as almost everyone knows, is aging, and people agree that “in 20 years, we will see a 30 percent increase in people over the age of 50,” said Steve Robbins, marketing coordinator for the Bangor Civic Center.

Some of the more popular events in the area lately have been ones that focus on the needs of seniors, which is why the BCC is sponsoring “The Senior Expo” beginning at noon Friday, Oct. 19, at the Bangor Civic Center.

“We will have representatives from senior living centers, assisted living facilities, government programs, travel, insurance, financial planning: All the areas of concern for not only people who are seniors now, but people who will soon become part of that ever-growing population,” Robbins said.

The Expo is a free event, and refreshments will be served.

“We will also have great entertainment,” Robbins added. “Clayton Smith will be playing the piano from 1 to 4 p.m., and the Back Door Studio Swing Dancers will be doing all the favorite dances of the past at 5:30 p.m.”

Closing out the entertainment portion of the evening “around 7 p.m.,” Robbins said, “will be Darlene Mogul, Penny Weinstein and Pat Cummings, better known as The Memphis Belles.”

Robbins hopes anyone who wants to takes advantage of this free opportunity to become a more well-informed senior citizen.

Remember the potato barrel that served as a time barrel for the city of Bangor when it celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1984?

The barrel has been stored in the attic of the Thomas Hill House, home to the Bangor Historical Society, but is now on display in the Children’s Room of the Bangor Public Library.

Back in 1984, residents of all ages contributed artwork, essays, articles and memorabilia to the barrel with the intention that its contents would be added to every 15 years.

Opened in February, the barrel will return to the attic in December.

If you would like to contribute something to the time barrel, contact staff of the Children’s Room by calling 947-8336, Ext. 111.

You can view the barrel by visiting the BPL from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 145 Exchange St. in Bangor.

If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up the day of the event.

The St. Jude’s Miracle Mile Walk, to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, on the indoor track at the Waldo County YMCA, 157 Lincolnville Ave. in Belfast.

Pledge sheets and envelopes are available at the YMCA front desk, and all who participate will receive a certificate.

Those who raise between $35 and $74 will receive a St. Jude T-shirt, and those raising $75 or more will receive the T-shirt plus a sports bag.

For more information about this fund-raiser, call Cyndi Dalton at 338-4598 or visit the Waldo County YMCA.

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