When people find themselves in an emergency situation, they often turn to the American Red Cross for help.

Right now, however, it’s the American Red Cross that needs help, and it is turning to us.

“We have had an extremely challenging year, and are in the midst of the summer slowdown in contributions,” wrote ARC Pine Tree Chapter executive director Joyce Henckler.

And it’s not just the PTC that’s feeling the pinch; it’s the Eastern Maine Chapter as well.

So Henckler and EMC executive director Michael Holmes put their heads together and organized a combined fund-raiser to benefit both chapters.

The public is invited to attend a Gala Art Exhibit and Auction beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at College of the Atlantic, Eden Street in Bar Harbor.

The live auction begins at 2 p.m., after a preview and social hour.

The art “will be provided by Marlin Art,” of New York, Henckler wrote of “an organization that has been doing auctions and fund-raising events in cooperation with not-for-profit agencies since 1969.”

She added that local supporters have donated items for a silent auction “to enhance the event.”

Contemporary and traditional works, in all media and prices ranges, will be available.

Tickets are $15 per person, and include beverages, finger desserts and hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets can be purchased, in advance, by calling the PTC in Bangor, 941-2903, or EMC in Ellsworth, 667-4737.

They are also available through the EMC offices in Belfast, 338-0473, or Rockland, 594-4576, and can be purchased at the door.

Proceeds will be used to provide emergency assistance in more than 250 communities “in support of victims of natural and man-made disasters throughout eastern and northern Maine,” Henckler explained.

Additional information about the artwork can be found at the Marlin Art site, marlinfundraising.com.

Want to dance the Cajun jitterbug?

You’ll look like a pro if you take lessons!

The Cajun band Feufollet plays in the Kenduskeag Dance Tent at 1:15 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, and at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, during the National Folk Festival in downtown Bangor.

Dance instructor Karen McCall is offering free Cajun jitterbug lessons at 7 tonight and the same time Thursday, Aug. 21, “during band breaks at a pre-Folk Festival dance at Wellforms,” which is located at 611 Wilson St. in Brewer.

McCall traveled to New Orleans and took Cajun dance lessons for a week “so I could bring it back to Bangor, and teach the locals in preparation for the Folk Festival,” she explained.

So, if you want to dance the Cajun way during the NFF, McCall will show you how.

The SummerKeys Mary Potterton Memorial Concert, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the Lubec Congregational Christian Church, features cellists Lindy Clarke and Peter Lewy with pianist Charles Jones.

Those who wish to travel to the concert by boat from Eastport can call Harris Whale Watch, 853-2500.

Jan Cox, director of the Brewer Hometown Band, writes she can’t believe it, and neither can I! Just where did the summer go?

The band’s final, outside concert of the season is 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the football field between Wilson and State streets in Brewer.

Cox wrote the band will play under the lights, which means “we’ll be able to play a bit longer.”

“There will be old favorites, marches and a completely, ridiculous surprise number!” she wrote.

And, Cox hopes, “all our fans will come out and join in the fun.”

“Winners,” the first in a series of thematic photo shows that Bangor Museum and Center for History volunteer Michael Jaffe has prepared, is on display now through the end of the September in the foyer of Bangor City Hall, 73 Harlow St.

From the BCMH photo archives, Jaffe has reproduced historic pictures of Bangor residents associated with a variety of sports from fly-fishing to fencing, basketball and bowling.

Bangor City Hall is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

With several classmates visiting the area, Marlene Stockwell Coleman of Eddington said, members of Bangor High School Class of 1956 thought it would be a good idea to have “a very informal gathering,” beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at Miller’s Restaurant in Bangor.

For more information, call Coleman, 843-5332, or Sandra Berry McKay, 947-8510.

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