What great news Natalie Knox brings everyone associated with Searsport District High School.

Just the fact that the $2 million addition to SDHS is now under way, “thanks to many private donations, the largest of which came from a $600,000 matching grant from MBNA,” Knox wrote, is news that should make everyone happy.

Then there is the upcoming dedication ceremony, which is planned for Saturday, Oct. 5, in the new cafetorium at the high school on Prospect Street.

But even more exciting, Knox wrote, is that, as a result of all the hard work of those associated with and supportive of the Save Our Schools Committee, a new alumni association “has been born.”

Knox is chairwoman of the Searsport District High School Alumni Committee, an organization that is “in its infancy,” she wrote.

As this newly forming group gets its feet on the ground, its members are “feverishly searching for its graduates,” Knox explained, in hopes that many will attend the first-ever SDHS Homecoming celebration, planned for the dedication weekend: Friday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 5.

“We want as many of our graduates involved as possible,” Knox wrote.

The committee is searching for anyone who graduated from Frankfort High School, Searsport High School, Stockton Springs High School and Searsport District High School for inclusion in the Alumni Association’s data bank.

No matter where you are now, you can get that information to those who need it.

Call Knox at 266-9494 or e-mail natknox@yahoo.com; Georgene Tsetsilas Coombs, 338-1645 or gcoombs@powerlink.net; Cyndi Robbins Dalton, 338-4169 or cdalton@midcoast.com.

You can also write to the SDHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 444, Searsport 04974.

With representation from all those schools, the SDHS should be quite a group, and Homecoming Weekend should be a lot of fun!

You are invited to bring your lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic supper and enjoy the 8th Annual State Street Block Party from 6 to 8 tonight at Chapin Park on Bangor’s East Side, between Forest and Parkview streets.

Hear the Bangor Band from 7 to 8 p.m., and enjoy Anah Shrine clowns, face painting and free ice cream and soda.

At the event, sponsored by State Street-area businesses, youngsters will enjoy a “Read for Success” story time and see emergency, service and antique vehicles displayed by the Bangor Fire Department, Bangor Hydro, Mid-Maine Communications, Bangor Public Works and Hose 5 Fire Museum.

In case of rain, you can enjoy this event next week, Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the same site.

Believe me, for dog lovers, there is nothing more enjoyable and more appreciated than a well-trained pet, particularly a well-trained puppy!

To help you achieve that state, Green Acres Kennel Shop invites you to attend “Positive Puppy Training Works” and learn how that can happen from certified pet dog trainer Joel Walton, author of the book by the same name.

Using only rewards, positive reinforcement and common-sense management techniques, you will learn how to train your pet using love rather than physical punishment.

“Positive Puppy Training Works” will be offered free from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at Green Acres Kennel Shop, 1653 Union St., Bangor.

On behalf of the Orland Historical Society, Jeannine Plante invites the public to attend an evening of fun-filled entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Orland Consolidated School.

The featured attraction will be Don Blodgett and his Dixieland Band, and you will also enjoy the dancing of a group led by Theresa Laliberte of Milford.

Laliberte, director of the Heart of Maine Chorus, has taught square dancing for several years and currently teaches tap dancing to seniors.

She is also the soloist with Six Basin Street, a member of the Brewer Hometown Band and a flagger with Governor’s Marching Band.

Completing the evening will be an auction offering a wide selection of articles from an antique deacon’s bench to a Milton Bradley picture puzzle featuring the Orland Methodist Church.

Friends and family will host a benefit supper for Shelly Erickson of Abbot from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Guilford United Methodist Church.

The menu will include chop suey, baked beans, potato and pasta salads, coleslaw, rolls, dessert, coffee and punch.

Funds raised at the supper will be used to help with expenses incurred during Erickson’s two-year battle with cancer.

Admission is by donation.

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