Information graciously provided by Everett Parker, executive director of the Moosehead Historical Society in Greenville, informs us the MHS is enjoying a fantastic year as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

I certainly hope everyone who visits the area will find at least one of the society’s special anniversary events to attend!

Parker reports the MHS “launched its summer docent-guided tours” last week. The escorted, interpreted tours of the Eveleth-Crafts-Sheridan Historical House, the Carriage House, Lumberman’s Museum and more are offered from 1 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday through Friday through the end of September.

The cost of the tour is $2 for adults, $1 for children and free for MHS members.

With a variety of new exhibits mounted for the 2002 season, Parker reminds those who have taken the tour that there is more to see now, so he urges you to take the tour again

The MHS also is conducting escorted day bus trips to places near and far this summer and fall, and you are urged to call the office at 695-2909 to get the schedule for upcoming trips.

Among the programs that will commemorate this special year will be a 40th anniversary garden party beginning at 2 p.m. at the sunken garden on the MHS grounds, 444 Pritham Ave., Greenville.

A 40th anniversary tea and fashion slide show is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the society, featuring clothing collections owned by the society and a slide show of earlier fashion shows.

Earlier this month, a 1950s’ slide show was shown to a packed house, and that will be repeated Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The slide show features the Joseph Kudor collection of 80 slides of aerial views of the greater Moosehead Lake region from Northeast Carry to Greenville that was made during the mid-1950s.

Slides from the collections of Bill and Isa Squiers and Charlotte Dickenson also will be shown.

As part of its 40th anniversary, the MHS encourages you to support its work by becoming members for just $10 a year for families.

People interested in learning more about the MHS or about becoming a member can call the office or write MHS, P.O. Box 1116, Greenville 04441-1116.

The Carriage House office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The society also provides guide service and special tours for the Acadian Railroad on Mondays and Thursdays during the summer.

It certainly is a special and busy year for the MHS.

Happy 40th anniversary Moosehead Historical Society, and thank you for preserving the history of one of the most beautiful regions of Maine.

Maine history buffs, especially those interested in the life of the late Hannibal Hamlin, who served as vice president during President Lincoln’s first term, might want to take a trip to Oxford County next month.

The Paris Hill Historical Society will present “Dinner with Hamlin” at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at the First Baptist Church of Paris Hill.

Attendees are encouraged to wear period clothing and enjoy the opportunity to visit with Paris Hill’s most prominent citizen.

Hamlin will be impersonated by Richard Newcomb, a member of the Friends of Hamlin, Inc., of Hampden.

During the dinner, “Hamlin” will recount his duties as vice president during the Civil War as well as his experiences on the front, Newcomb reports.

For tickets and more information, call 743-8323.

“For more than 30 summers,” Sylvia Noyes of Sullivan wrote, Franklin’s “United Methodist Women have served a lobster luncheon in July.”

And, she added, “as far as living memory permits, one was never postponed because of rain!”

That three-decade tradition continues this year with the lobster luncheon beginning at noon Wednesday, July 10, in the vestry of the church in Franklin.

“Attendees should be on time because the line starts early,” Noyes added.

In addition to the luncheon, a white elephant sale and a “housekeeper’s sale” will take place on the church lawn, Noyes said. Items featured in the housekeeper’s sale include aprons and potholders, Noyes explained.

The luncheon and sales constitute “a major fund-raiser for our mission obligations,” Noyes said of money raised that helps support not only the work of the church, locally, but also its Save the Children mission.

Annually, the United Methodist Women are able to give their church $1,000 thanks to those who attend their popular fund-raiser.

“The luncheon has been generously supported by local communities,” Noyes wrote, and she invites everyone to attend and share this very special meal.

Collections Chairwoman Betty Milner of Hampden has announced a new fund-raiser for the Hampden Historical Society, one I am sure you will be pleased to attend.

The HHS is hosting an antiques appraisal day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the society’s headquarters, the Kinsley House, on Main Road South in Hampden.

The event is open to the public and, Milner said, “eight to 10 appraisers will be there.”

The appraisers will provide a verbal estimate “as to the value of the items, and they will have [reference] books available during the appraisal,” she added.

The organization hopes the antiques appraisal day will turn out to be a good fund-raiser and it certainly should, considering the growing popularity of such events throughout the country.

“There seems to be a lot of interest any time we mention it,” Milner said, “so we hope it will be a very successful day.”

Those interested in having items appraised will be allowed only three per person.

The fee for the first item appraisal is $5, Milner said, $3 for the second item and $2 for the third item.

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