The rousing patriotic musical “George M!” opens at 8 tonight at the Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro.

The play will be offered at the same time Saturday, June 29; Thursday, July 4; Friday, July 5; and Saturday, July 6.

The only afternoon production will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30.

Admission is $15 for orchestra seating and $13 for balcony seats.

Kevin Austin Brown, through a special arrangement with Actors’ Equity Association, stars in the production that features a cast of 35 and a full orchestra.

The show is a biography loosely based on the life of a song-and-dance man turned composer and lyricist, George M. Cohan, whose songs and Broadway shows were immensely popular years ago.

Cohan was born July 3, 1878, and died Nov. 5, 1942.

Among the most-loved numbers in “George M!” are “Over There,” which he composed in 1917 just as the United States was entering World War I, and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

As part of its Fourth of July celebration, the Waldo Theatre will honor area veterans during its performance that evening.

The Waldo Theatre will dedicate the performance of “George M!” to area veterans and invites them all to attend.

The theater has chosen this way to thank area veterans for their selflessness and dedication to our country.

Any veteran attending the 8 p.m. performance of “George M!” on Thursday, July 4, will be admitted for half price and recognized with a red carnation.

Veterans and their families are invited to attend the show and enjoy the wonderful sound of tap dancing and large production numbers that include “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.”

For more information about this or other Waldo Theatre performances, call the theater at 832-6060.

Here’s a reminder that works by members of the Aroostook Visual Arts Coalition are on view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday through July 11 at the Reed Art Gallery in the student center of the University of Maine in Presque Isle.

AVAC founding member Linda Crane invites the public to attend a reception for the artists from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 1, at the Reed Gallery.

During the reception, the AVAC regular monthly meeting will be held at approximately 7 p.m., and the public is invited.

The reception and meeting offers those who attend not only an opportunity to view the work of the members of the AVAC, but to learn all about this new County arts organization as well.

Anyone unable to attend but wishing more information about AVAC can call Crane at 496-3650.

Mary Jane Beaupre of Orient reminds classmates of a very special event.

The Houlton High School Class of 1942 will hold its 60th class reunion beginning with an informal coffee from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 6, at Watson Hall in the rear of the Episcopal Church on Main Street in Houlton.

The reunion culminates with a social hour and dinner beginning at 5 p.m. that day at Shiretown’s Atrium Restaurant in Houlton.

A letter from Kimberly Mitchell of Peru, N.Y., regional director-community representative of AYUSA (Academic Year in the USA) extends her thanks to the people of Bangor for their participation in high school exchange programs.

“With July 4th around the corner,” she wrote, “I’d like to share my impressions of the patriotism of the many families who generously host international high school exchange students.

“In this post-Sept. 11 year, there’s been a lot of talk about ways we can promote international peace and understanding, and share our American way of life with the world.

“Thankfully, through high school exchange, this is already happening right here in our own back yard,” she wrote.

“The people of Bangor, Maine, have been so warm and welcoming to exchange students, year after year, and will again host students from the former Soviet Union this fall.

“The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is celebrating its 10th year of bringing students to the U.S. and helping them understand and appreciate American culture, values and our way of life.”

She concludes that “now, more than ever,” high school exchange programs “help pave the road to peace and strengthen the bonds of international friendship.”

Mitchell extends her thanks to all members of the Bangor community “who set such a great example of American good will and hospitality” by hosting a high school exchange student, and she invites “everyone to join us in making a world of difference for international youth.”

For more information about this program, write Mitchell at 672 Fuller Rd., Peru, N.Y. 12972; call her at 518-643-0831; e-mail kassmitchell@hotmail.com or visit the AYUSA Web site, www.ayusa.org.

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