There is still room for people who have not yet completed their summer vacation plans and want to learn all about lobster.

The Lobster Institute of the University of Maine in Orono is dedicated to preserving and enhancing lobstering as an industry and as a way of life. One of its distinctive programs is its Lobster College.

Cathy Billings wrote to let readers know that the registration deadline for Lobster College 2002 is fast approaching, and the organization would love to hear from you and have you attend Lobster College.

The deadline is June 24.

Lobster College 2002 runs from Thursday to Sunday, Sept. 12-15, at the Oceanside Meadows Inn in Prospect Harbor, which, Billings pointed out, is “right in the heart of lobstering country.”

She describes Lobster College as a learning vacation that doubles as a fund-raiser for the Lobster Institute’s operations fund.

The college is in its second year, and, Billings said, “those who attended last year had such a terrific time that, before they left, they were already talking about organizing a reunion. In fact, one couple, who came last year, even enrolled for this year’s Lobster College.”

The per-person, double-occupancy cost for this learning vacation is $716 for the Meadow View Option, $751 for the Ocean View Option or $817 for the Suite Option.

The fee includes lodging, meals, learning and entertainment, and a contribution to the Lobster Institute.

The price is slightly higher for single occupancy.

Lobster College 2002 is sponsored by the University of Maine Alumni Association and Bar Harbor Banking and Trust Co.

“We have some outstanding ‘faculty’ from the University of Maine as well as local fishermen, dealers and pound owners from the Frenchman Bay-Schoodic area,” Billings wrote.

“It promises to be a great getaway weekend to the Maine coast for locals, or a terrific side trip for those coming to the area to visit friends and relatives.”

For information or registration materials, call The Lobster Institute at 581-2751, e-mail cathy.billings@umit.maine.edu or visit the www.lobsterinstitute.org Web site.

Julie Gillette of the Ellsworth Public Library invites you to learn about antique bottles from Steve Dickinson from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13, in the Riverview Room at the library, 20 State St. in Ellsworth.

Dickinson’s display of bottles was on view at the library last March.

If you want, you may bring in an interesting old bottle, jar or crock, and Dickinson will offer an informal appraisal.

For information about this and other library activities, call Gillette at 667-6363.

Prepare for more events to help support fund raising by members of the Skowhegan Area High School drama and speech department. They will represent Maine in the Fringe Festival next August in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The students need to raise $100,000 so everyone can make the trip, which includes a visit to London.

The Skowhegan Area High School Drama Boosters will be host of a live auction at 6 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the high school.

The next day, you will have the opportunity to see the award-winning students perform “Tall Tales” at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at Lakewood on Route 201 in Madison.

“Tall Tales,” which the students will perform at the Fringe Festival, is an original collection of humorous stories of the legendary men and women who settled our country, including Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan.

If you are unable to attend either of these events, but want to help the students get to Europe, you may make a check out to Skowhegan Area High School Drama, write Edinburgh Experience in the memo line, and mail it to 61 Academy Circle, Skowhegan 4976.

There certainly is no lack of great young theatrical talent in and around Skowhegan. The public also has the opportunity to enjoy some terrific entertainment presented by a group of junior and senior high school students from the Skowhegan-Madison area who are members of the Platform Players, a community program funded through the HealthReach Network of Waterville.

The Platform Players will present two performances of the Thornton Wilder classic “Our Town” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 16, at the Skowhegan Opera House, which is located in City Hall on Water Street in Skowhegan.

The production is directed by the group’s adviser, Clare Bishop of HealthReach. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the Skowhegan Community Center, HealthReach Network offices in Waterville and Skowhegan and at the door.

For information, about the play or the program, call 474-6901 or 873-2890.

Marlene Doucette of the Orono Historical Society wrote to thank restaurant owners and the more than 125 people who attended the society’s Tasting Bee fund-raiser last month.

She extends a big thank-you to all those who helped the society raise $1,200, which it presented to the town of Orono to help with the restoration of the Birch Street School.

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