One week ago today marked the beginning of a very special celebratory year for members of the Elm Street Congregational Church of Bucksport.

This is the bicentennial year of that venerable, old church, and the banners are flying, inside and out, to remind all who pass by or step inside of this wonderful anniversary.

Joyce Sanborn is chairwoman of the Bicentennial Committee.

She told me, “We have something planned for every month of the year, sometimes even two events in a month,” and she added, “June is going to be exciting.”

On Sunday, June 1, the Elm Street Congregational Church will hold its homecoming, “and we’ll be inviting everyone” who is or was a member of the church, as well as “everyone who would like to come,” she said.

Last week, bicentennial activities got under way Wednesday with a potluck supper and the ceremonial hanging of the bicentennial banners.

Made by the folks at Banner City Graphics in Bucksport, a larger banner hanging outside the church and a smaller one inside the church both feature a photograph of the church and the years 1803-2003, Sanborn said.

The next event is a public supper beginning at 5 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, Jan. 26, Sanborn said.

“We’ll have baked beans, chili, salad and rolls, and a television will be available for those who want to watch the pre-game show, or they can stay and watch the game if they want.”

The dinner also features a surprise “bowl dessert.”

Tickets will be sold ahead of time, Sanborn said of the Super Bowl dinner.

They can be purchased from Sanborn, any Bicentennial Committee member, or at the church office, 31 Elm St.

The Rev. Daniel Berry III will preside over the yearlong festivities, which next month will include a sleigh ride on Sunday, Feb. 2, and another potluck supper on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

“Anyone is welcome to come,” Sanborn said of both events but particularly the Feb. 12 supper, at which many artifacts of “old Bucksport,” including picture albums, old newspaper and newsletters, as well as annual reports, will be available for viewing.

For further information about this wonderful year for members of Elm Street Congregational Church and the Greater Bucksport community, call the church office at 469-3333 or Sanborn at 469-0544.

A panel of amateur judges, led by special guest judge Jan Smith, news director of WVII Channel 7, will choose the best oatmeal cookies during Ellsworth Public Library’s ninth annual Baking Contest, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 25.

In order to participate, entrants must preregister by Saturday, Jan. 18, at the EPL circulation desk and bring their cookies to the library by 9:30 a.m. the day of the contest.

Prizes will be awarded for the best adult and children’s entries, and there will be other fun categories as well. The children’s category is reserved for those under age 12, and all entrants must submit two dozen cookies.

For more information, call Julie Gillette at the library, 667-6363.

From Anne Donovan comes word that the eighth annual Hospice of Hancock County Silent Auction is 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Holiday Inn on High Street in Ellsworth.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be obtained by calling HHC at 667-2531.

Donovan assures you that you will enjoy “delicious hors d’oeuvres while making your bids” on such items as gift certificates for dining and bed-and-breakfast or ski-lodge overnight packages.

You can also bid for concert, theater, movie or sporting event tickets, as well as items such as artwork, handmade quits and other merchandise.

And, when eating or bidding is not occupying your full attention, you will enjoy the entertainment provided by magician Alan Drew.

People of Hancock County are fortunate to have the services of Hospice of Hancock County because it is an all-volunteer program supporting individuals and families facing end-of-life situations.

All proceeds from this event benefit HHC to enable it to continue to provide this free service to residents of Hancock County.

For more information about any aspect of this program, call HHC at the above telephone number.

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