For those unfamiliar with local history, Ken Ferland reminds readers how important was the presence of the former Dow Air Force Base in Bangor during World War 11.

It was there, he wrote, that “thousands of air crew touched American soil for the last time before departure to North Africa and Europe.”

Near the end of the runway of what is now Bangor International Airport sits a concrete building once used for assembling missiles.

Now that building is home to the Maine Air Museum.

“A group of dedicated people are working very hard to improve and preserve this museum,” Ferland said.

But, he added, “this takes community support and money. We need members and volunteers interested in becoming involved in any way.”

The Maine Air Museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. The donation fee is $2 per person.

Part of the nonprofit Maine Aviation Historical Society, the museum is located at 98 Maine Ave. off Exit 46 on I-95.

If you are interested in any aspect of the MAM, write P.O Box 2641, Bangor 04402-2641.

Several area agencies will participate in a barbecue, raffle, health fair and vision screening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Wal-Mart in Brewer.

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of Project Insight, a program to identify and help local children without access to vision care, and raise awareness and funds for Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine.

A raffle will include items such as sunglasses, contact lenses and a telescope.

Bangor Museum and Center for History is offering a Walking Tour of Jewish Bangor 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, in conjunction with its current exhibit, “From Away: Exploring Bangor’s Cultural Heritage.”

Walkers should wear comfortable shoes, and meet at the museum, 6 State St. in downtown Bangor.

With the support of the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Jewish Community Endowment Associates, the tour is free.

Reservations are suggested, and can be made by calling 942-1900.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The public is invited to attend the Mount Desert Island Hospital annual meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at the Bar Harbor Regency.

Brenda Hall of the hospital’s public affairs department reports new medical staff member Dr. Meryl Nass, an internal medicine-hospitalist and recognized worldwide authority on bioterrorism, will be the keynote speaker.

The meeting is dedicated in memory and honor of longtime MDI Hospital employees Marie Nichols and Phyllis Kane.

The MDI Hospital and Health Centers employee and volunteer of the year will be named, Hugh Bowden and John Gallagher will entertain and hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be available.

Where can you be, Bangor High School Class of ’63?

Ann Parke writes that class members are planning their 40th reunion for Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Lucerne Inn.

However, “we have not gotten a great response to our mailing,” she wrote, “and I feel some of our local classmates, especially, do not know yet.”

Other activities include a get-together at Sea Dog Brewery on Friday, Aug. 15, a tour of the former Bangor High School on Harlow Street at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, followed at 11 a.m. by a tour of the new addition of the Bangor Public Library at 11 a.m.

Class member Judy Kellogg Markowsky, director of Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden, will lead a tour from 2 to 5 p.m. that day at the center and a brunch is planned for Miller’s Restaurant as well.

So, there’s plenty to do and lots to see, and those who have not received a reservation form or who know of any “lost” classmates, are asked to contact Parke at 843-5131 or class president Jon Ford at 843-6411.

“Young at Art,” a collection of multimedia works by members of Hammond Street Senior Center in Bangor, is on display 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, now through the end of August, at the Bangor Public Library on Harlow Street.

Many of the 25 or so artists, who are 60 and up, have been painting for only four years, reports Kathy Bernier of HSCC, adding that “the quality of the work” belies that fact.

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