Growing out of an expressed need and an anonymous donation that nearly fulfilled it, a new cultural resource will soon be available to patrons of the Blue Hill Library

“A local alternative high school uses us as a library, and they found a need for classical music with their music program,” said BHL director Richard Boulet.

“So a committee was formed to rustle up donations for cash and recordings for compact discs and, so far, we’ve been really successful.

“Successful” is putting it mildly, since the library recently received “350 remnants of a classical mail order business,” Boulet said, and then, a marvelous bequest “from an anonymous donor of 3,000 classical music CDs, which we are in the process of cataloging.”

As soon as that work is done, patrons will be able to take out music just as they now take out books.

“Our CD will circulate just like a book, for three weeks,” Boulet said while making the point that, “At our library, we take everybody as patrons.”

“You can come off a boat, and come in here, and check out a book,” he said.

And, very soon, check out music, too.

“The Blue Hill Library is an independent library, not a municipal department,” Boulet said.

Just 10 percent of its budget comes from the town, “and the rest is, essentially, generosity, endowment or annual giving,” Boulet said.

“We count on our patrons to support our program.”

I asked if the library had enough room for this new collection.

“Definitely,” he said. “Last year, the library opened up a new, renovated facility. We put $2 million into it, and we have 11,000 square feet. In fact, even more contributions of music would be welcome.

“We are also interested in folk and jazz, since we now have an abundance of classical music,” Boulet said.

Additionally, the library received funding “for a modest listening center in a very comfortable spot in the library,” he said. “We’re working that, hoping by Christmas to have it in place so people can sample the music before they take it out.”

If you have questions about this new service, or would like to contribute to it, call Boulet at 374-5254 or e-mail rboulet@bluehill.lib.me.us.

If you’re not one of the nearly 100 descendents of Nathaniel Cox of Edmunds who will be gathering for the first-ever Cox Family Reunion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the EDM Youth Center in Dennysville, you just might be missing a wonderful occasion.

“This is something we should have done a long time ago,” said Charlotte Ross of Hermon.

Family members are reminded that the event is “potluck,” she said, “and everyone should bring their own food, beverage, utensils and any memorabilia to share with relatives.”

Ross describes the reunion as one that “is long overdue,” and, since the organizers don’t have addresses of everyone who might be eligible to attend, they hope any of Nathaniel Cox’s descendants reading this will call John and Joyce Cox of Dennysville, 726-4250, for further information.

It’s time to think about registering for the Second Annual Andrew Sockalexis Memorial 5-K Run/Walk, which begins with registration from 7 to 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Penobscot National Community Building, 6 River Road, Indian Island. Starting time is 9 a.m.

Preregistration is $8 per person, or $10 on the day of the race. The first 100 registrants receive a T-shirt and all proceeds benefit Penobscot Youth.

You can enter one of eight age categories.

The first overall male and female finishers receive Penobscot Carved Root Clubs, the first male and female in each category receive Penobscot Carved Talking Sticks, and the second and third male and female finishers receive commemorative coffee mugs.

Those finishing first through third in the 18-and-under category will receive trophies.

Following the event, door prizes will be drawn for all participants.

Sponsored by the Penobscot Nation and HealthSouth, the event honors the first runner from Maine to earn national and international distinction.

Sockalexis ran the Boston Marathon three times, finishing second in 1912, and was chosen for that year’s Olympic Team. He competed in Boston the following year but, at the age of 27, died of tuberculosis in 1919.

Registration applications are available at the Bangor-Brewer YWCA, the University of Maine Field House in Orono and at the Sub 5 Track Club Web site www.sub5.com.

More information can be obtained by calling Carla Fearon, 827-7776, Ext. 7355, or Newell Lewey, 827-7776, Ext. 7408, or e-mailing cfearon@penobscotnation.org.

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