The public is cordially invited to enjoy what should be a very merry day courtesy of the Maine Environmental Research Institute, also known as MERI.

For the first time, the nonprofit organization, founded in 1990 to help protect the health of the marine environment though research and education, is participating in World Ocean Day.

MERI invites you to its World Ocean Day Celebration from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at its 55 Main St. location in Blue Hill.

Director of Development Sally Chadbourne describes the open house as “an opportunity to bring the community members into MERI and to share our programs” with them.

MERI also offers programs for children as well as presenting lectures and video nights, she said, “but we’ve never had a big celebration, plus, it kicks off the summer. And, we do a lot with the tourist community, through our ecocruises, but this is really for the local community.”

Throughout the day, refreshments will be available and you can view an Ocean Art Exhibit featuring students of local artist Rebekah Raye. You also can take a tour of the MERI Center and its educational exhibits, enjoy art technique demonstrations by Raye and let the kids get into face painting.

The specific schedule of events includes a puppet program with Andrea DeFrancesco at 2:30 p.m.; Cherie Mason reading from Elisabeth Mann Borgese’s book, “Chairworm & Super Shark” at 3 p.m.; sea songs by Frank Gotwals at 3:30 p.m.; sea storytelling with the Rev. Rob McCall at 4:15 p.m. and, finally, a slide talk on Antarctica, “Images From a Frozen Ocean,” by Skip Owen, at 4:45 p.m.

To learn more about MERI and its programs call 374-2135; e-mail meri@downeast.net or visit www.meriresearch.org.

On behalf of Mount Desert Island Hospital, Brenda Hall invites the public to participate in the celebration of the opening of its new Breast Center during an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the hospital in Bar Harbor.

Refreshments will be served.

Hall also wants you to know that during the month of June each person scheduling a mammogram will be offered a free bone density screening.

A special clinic is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 7, at the hospital and, Hall wrote, throughout June the hospital “is inviting local businesses to … show that they care about the health of their employees by offering them paid time off for a screening mammogram.”

She added that studies indicate “screening mammograms significantly increase the detection of cancer at its earliest, most curable stage,” participating businesses and organizations will be publicly “recognized for their generosity” by the hospital, she wrote.

For more information about the MDIH Breast Center and its programs, call Director of Medical Imaging Leanne Linscott at 288-5082, Ext. 396.

An auction and luncheon to benefit Children’s Miracle Network is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at St. John’s Catholic Church on York Street in Bangor. Your donations would be greatly appreciated.

Carol Lackedy reports that “we are hoping to make this the best auction we can to provide essential funds for pediatric services for children in northern, central and eastern Maine.”

But, to accomplish that organizers need your help.

Lackedy said donations of auction items as well as gift certificates for businesses or services would be greatly appreciated and, “if you have an item you would like to be picked up,” she said, she will gladly comply.

You can call her at 848-7317 for assistance.

Gift certificate donations can be mailed to Lackedy, 3026 Route 2, Hermon 04401.

The caring community members of Otis are planning a benefit potluck dinner for popular lifelong resident Wayne Tate, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

The benefit is 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Beech Hill School in Otis.

Laura Salisbury reports utensils and beverages will be provided, but you are asked to bring a dish to share.

Before his diagnosis, Tate was employed by Lane Construction Corp.

Donations to help Tate and his family during this time will be accepted at the door. Local artist Joyce Wasson has donated a painting, which will be raffled during the event.

If you area unable to attend, contributions to help the family can be sent in care of Laura Salisbury, RR 4, Box 206-C, Otis 04605.

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