Natives, current and former residents, or visitors with special ties to the town of Sullivan can obtain mementos of that lovely Hancock County community and help out the Sullivan Fire Department at the same time.

Beginning today, you will be able to purchase the 2003 SFD Treasured Scenes Tree Ornament, which commemorates the John Dority Grange No. 381 of Sullivan.

The grange was organized Jan. 10, 1902, with 23 charter members.

Additionally, you can still purchase “The Singing Bridge” ornament, Sullivan Town Clerk Lynn Dunbar told me.

“That was the first one we did,” she said, “and this is the third order of them that we have coming in. I think I could have sold the whole bridge, piece by piece, if it wasn’t made of lead,” she said, laughing.

Dunbar explained that the Sullivan Fire Department first began selling the Limited Edition Historical Tree Ornaments when the 73-year-old bridge that spanned Taunton Bay, linking the communities of Hancock and Sullivan, was replaced by a concrete one in 1999.

“The Singing Bridge” got its name because car tires crossing it created a humming sound.

The ornaments are round and made of glass, Dunbar said. Individually gift-boxed, they sell for $8 each. And since quantities are limited, it is advised that you make your purchases early.

Also available is the David A. Hooper Lodge No. 201 AF & AM tree ornament, which depicts the original lodge building that was located in North Sullivan.

And you can still purchase the Sumner High School of East Sullivan tree ornament as well.

You can make your purchases by calling the Sullivan Town Office at 422-6282, or by visiting the office, which is open 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 1888 U.S. Route 1 in Sullivan.

And, Dunbar told me, the ornaments will also be available for sale during Sullivan Days on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Sumner Memorial Park.

Sullivan Days, she said, “begins with a parade at 10 a.m. and goes through the fireworks at night.”

Proceeds from the sale of the tree ornaments benefit the Sullivan Fire Department.

People interested in the history of the town of Milo might want to visit the Milo Historical Society Museum, which is open to the public 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays during July and August.

The museum is located in a former church on High Street in Milo.

You can also visit the museum, by appointment, by calling 943-2268 or 943-2369.

On behalf of the United Methodist Church Women’s Group, Carolyn Eaton invites you to attend what she describes as one of Brooksville’s “finest old traditions,” the church’s craft fair and luncheon, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the church on Route 176 in Brooksville.

There, “in that wonderful, picturesque village, made famous by [the late] Robert McCloskey and ‘One Morning in Maine,’ you will find trash and treasures and a few antiques thrown in,” Eaton said.

Doughnuts and coffee will be available, and the luncheon includes crab, egg salad and ham sandwiches, as well as a variety of homemade food contributed by several different people, she added.

So, on a midsummer, Vacationland day, if you’re looking for a lovely, leisurely way to shop and dine, be sure to visit the church’s craft fair and luncheon.

Volunteers are needed to help with the MS 150 Bike to the Breakwater charity bike tour Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3, at St. Joseph’s College on Sebago Lake in Standish.

More than 500 cyclists participate in the event, which benefits the Maine Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Cyclists ride the 150-mile route each day through the lakes region, returning to the campus for food, entertainment and fun.

Volunteers are needed to assist with pickup and delivery, registration, driving trucks, as route signers and sweep drivers, at the rest stops and finish line, in support vehicles and the office.

You can sign up for a few hours, for one day, or for the weekend.

If you can volunteer, call Sue Tidd at the Maine Chapter Outreach office, (800) 273-4703, e-mail stidd@adelphia.net or visit www.msmaine.org.

Questions about the race can be directed to Kristi Calhoun, (800) 639-1330, Ext. 112, or kcalhoun@msmaine.org.

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