Friends and associates of Chris Gray, a Brooklin firefighter and Hancock Oil Co. delivery driver from Brooklin, hope you will participate in a National Bone Marrow Drive from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Holiday Inn in Ellsworth.

A simple blood test can determine whether you might be a match for this gentleman who has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Jen Brewer of Webber Oil Co. in Bangor, the parent company of Hancock Oil, wrote recently that, last year, Gray underwent a stem cell transplant and “was in remission and doing well, until this past March,” when he was hospitalized and “in and out of [intensive care].”

Although he is, again, in remission, Brewer wrote, Gray now needs the bone marrow transplant.

“The more donors we have stop by at the drive,” Brewer wrote, “the better chance we’ll have of finding a match for Chris.”

As the poster says, “Chris Gray Needs a Hero. Be a Hero!” and participate in this bone marrow recruitment drive. For information, call Susanne Strout, 359-2361.

For those who do not know, the Ellsworth Garden Club informs us the poppy is the 2003 Flower of the Year. And, with Memorial Day just around the corner, club members recognize it is a timely program they are hosting when the poppy is the topic of discussion beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, May 19, at the University of Maine Hancock County Extension Office on Boggy Brook Road in Ellsworth.

John O’Keefe of Rocky Ridge Perennials in Orland will present an illustrated talk, including slides and plant samples, as he discusses old and new varieties of poppies, as well as their cultivation.

The evening also will include the club’s annual plant and seedling exchange, and you are invited to attend.

Additionally, the club is holding its Public Plant and Seedling Sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Donald A. Little Memorial Park at the intersection of State, Birch and School streets in Ellsworth.

You are advised to arrive early because the plants sell out quickly.

For information about either event, or the EGC, call Lynne Sawyer, 667-6122.

The Abbe Museum needs volunteers to serve its museums in downtown Bar Harbor and at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park.

A spring orientation session for volunteers and staff is planned for both Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20.

Prospective volunteers are invited to preregister and attend the orientations to learn more about the museum and volunteer opportunities. To learn how to become an Abbe volunteer, or to RSVP for the orientation sessions, call museum manager Cynthia Crow, 288-3519, or e-mail her at abbecc@midmaine.com.

Orono Health Association President Alida Coates invites you to attend the association’s annual meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the vestry of the Church of Universal Fellowship on Main Street.

In addition to annual reports and election of officers, Birch Street School Task Force member Sherm Hasbrouck will present a history of the school and explain renovations proposed by the Task Force.

The school houses the association’s thrift shop, which supports association projects.

Staff and students of the Brewer High School Music Department invite you to attend their Spring Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the high school gymnasium.

The choir and honors chorus, directed by Heather MacLeod, will be featured, as well as the concert band directed by Brady Harris.

The finale features the band, concert choir, Brewer staff and community members in “As All The Heavens Were a Bell,” dedicated to the firefighters of New York City.

The concert is free, but donations to support the BHS music program would be greatly appreciated.

Nova Scotia knitter Lucy Neatby will appear from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Cityside Yarn Co., 81 Main St., Bangor.

Neatby will discuss her various methods for knitting socks, and will share some of her hints and tips for easier-knitting, better-fitting, creative, yet practical socks.

Donations will be accepted to benefit “Annabelle’s Caps,” a cancer charity fund.

For information, stop by Cityside or call 990-1455.

Charles Bither (or Byther) left an interesting voice mail, and asked me to return his call.

I would, if he had left his phone number.

If you read this, Charles, call again, with your number!

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