With the Maine Municipal Association meeting at the Bangor Auditorium this week, right across the street from the Bangor Daily News, I was transported back in time by a former MMA president, Osmond Bonsey of Surry, whom I haven’t seen in years.

We first met, he reminded me in a recent letter, during the MMA annual convention “at the Eastland in Portland” in the early ’70s, when he was heading that organization.

Bonsey reminded me that one of his tasks was introducing the guest speaker – a well-known humorist who, for reasons that will become clear, shall remain nameless!

“He was late,” Bonsey wrote of the speaker, “and I had to fill in with some jokes of my own.

“I remember when we met, again, a couple of years later,” Bonsey continued, “that you said I was better than he was!”

I well recall his wonderful ability to keep us entertained while we waited for the guest to arrive. I could have listened to Bonsey all night!

Believe me, if anyone can tell a Maine story well – whether funny or serious – it is Osmond Bonsey.

Which is one of many reasons why you might enjoy purchasing “Surry, Maine: An informal History,” written by Bonsey and published by the town of Surry.

After serving as town manager for Yarmouth, Corinth, Mars Hill, Freeport and Falmouth, and in many other public capacities such as chairman of the Board of Environmental Protection, Bonsey retired several years ago to his hometown.

“Next year, Surry will celebrate its Bicentennial on June 21,” he wrote.

In preparation for that event, he spent three years compiling its history, which has just been printed.

“This informal history will be on sale at the Surry Municipal Office, for $15, to cover the printing cost,” he explained.

For anyone connected with Surry, this is a must-have book.

From the history of its settlement to events and tragedies that left their marks on the community and its residents; to its old industries of smelts and ships as well as the cultural offerings of The Surry Opera Company, it is worthy of attention.

People familiar with the town will particularly enjoy old photos juxtaposed with photos of the same location today.

Needless to say, MMA conventions are memorable events, for a variety of reasons.

I hope all who attended this year enjoyed their stay.

If you’re leaf peeping up Exeter way, plan to participate in Exeter Harvest Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Masonic Hall in Exeter Corners Village.

The event features crafts, a farmers market, raffles, pie-eating and pumpkin-decorating contests as well as a bounce house, rides, food, games and prizes.

Quinn Dillon will entertain on the bagpipes, and you will also hear Evergreen and the Abbott Hill Ramblers.

Proceeds benefit the Exeter Recreation Department activity fund.

According to member Anne Hathaway, the Church of Universal Fellowship of Orono has received much community support as it proceeds with its building project of joining together its Parish House with the church.

For example, “The women of the Methodist Church provided us with a kick-off meal in their dining space,” Hathaway wrote.

When an old garage on church grounds had to be removed, the Orono school department took possession of it and moved it behind the high school, where it “serves as a storage building for some of the school’s athletic equipment.”

The construction “meant disruption of many of the church’s routine programs,” Hathaway wrote, but the Rev. Joseph Koury and members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, across the street, “offered us the use of their ground-floor recreation facility.”

The Church of Universal Fellowship used St. Mary’s for its annual “Welcome Supper” and will soon use it for its Church Fair, but, Hathaway wrote, not before St. Mary’s holds its own Church Fair today, which Hathaway hopes you will patronize.

The Church of Universal Fellowship will hold its fair on Saturday, Nov. 2, at St. Mary’s, and the Orono United Methodist Church will hold its fair on Saturday, Nov. 9, at its own facility.

Hathaway closed by declaring she “is grateful to be living in the town of Orono, where neighbors do reach out and help each other.”

It’s music with a special theme when the Brewer Hometown Band presents “Halloween Happening” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Brewer Auditorium.

“Dancing in the Dark,” “Me and My Shadow,” “Music of the Night” and “Bewitched” will delight all who attend, as will “Ghost of the Band Room,” composed by Gordon Bowie of Bangor.

Band members will also sing for you, and you can watch and listen to what children in the Brewer after-school program and “band grandkids” have to offer.

This eerily delightful event is free for all who wish to attend.

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