Donations wanted for Fourth of July celebration

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For those of you who have been asking, the answer is “yes.” Folks in our area will be celebrating the Fourth of July on Sunday, July 4.

“Lots of people have been wondering, since the Fourth falls on a Sunday, if we’ll be celebrating it that day, and we will be,” said Marla Saliba, longtime chairwoman of the Bangor 4th of July Corp.

That’s the good news.

The not-so-good news is, in order for this annual event to be as much fun, as entertaining and as exciting as it is has been in the past, your financial help is desperately needed.

One thing Saliba wants you all to understand and a fact she knows she can’t stress too much, is that the 4th of July Corp. is a nonprofit organization.

In order for this area to have a parade, a road race and a super fireworks show, funds must be raised.

Saliba and her committee has been working long and hard on that, but this year it is proving especially difficult to raise what she feels are sufficient funds to ensure a successful celebration.

“We need the help of the community,” she said. “We’re running thin with the large corporations because they’re not giving like they used to. This year is going to be the biggest struggle we’ve ever had. Our funds are very, very low. We’re trying to keep both the parade and the show alive, and we need all the contributions we can get.”

Saliba wants you to know that no donation is too small, and every donation is sincerely appreciated.

“What I’m asking for is any size donation because it will be gladly accepted,” she said.

The events sponsored by the 4th of July Corp. include the 3K Family Road Race, the parade and the fireworks.

Dave Torrey is in charge of the race, which begins at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, July 4, on Acme Road in Brewer. If you have questions, call him at 581-3372.

The parade follows at 11 a.m., beginning at the same location.

Doug Damon is parade chairman. You can reach him at 949-4735.

“We can always use marching bands or any kind of music,” Saliba said. “The reason we have so little music is because the schools are out.”

Last year’s outstanding evening fireworks display was backed by WABI-TV because that station was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

This year, however, the 4th of July Corp. is on its own, and “its own” means us.

We have to come up with the money it if it is to be a display that brings lots of applause and oohs and aahs from all who attend.

If you can help make this Fourth of July special, send your financial contributions to 4th of July Corp., 46 North Main St., Brewer 04412.

You’re invited to hear guest speaker Bob Fernald, Franklin town clerk, discuss “Old Houses of Franklin” at 7 tonight at the Franklin Historical Society, Hog Bay Road, Route 200, in East Franklin.

“Bob was born and brought up in the same house he lives in,” Bill Robertson of the FHS told me.

Fernald will speak about “who originally owned the houses, and who lives in them now,” Robertson said.

“Also, our president, Irene Obermann, had a whole lot of negatives printed and mounted in scrapbooks with labels,” which Franklin residents might find quite interesting.

Mike Lange informs us the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge Community Activities Committee is hosting a public spaghetti supper 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, June 4, at the lodge, 21 Silver St., Skowhegan.

Admission is $5 at the door.

Proceeds benefit Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County.

Attention members of Brewer High School Class of 1954!

Charlie Knowlen wants you!

BHS ’54 is having its 50th reunion Saturday, Aug. 14, “and we have not located a few of our classmates,” he wrote.

“If you have not received a letter announcing reunion plans or if you haven’t responded, we need to hear from you.”

Call Knowlen, 843-7376, or send your response to 115 Chemo Pond Road, Eddington 04428.

Maine author and historian Bill Sawtell of Brownville is seeking old photographs, articles, interviews and other material for inclusion in his latest work, “Old LaGrange Volume II.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to the book can call him, collect, at 965-3971, e-mail rtell@kynd.net, or write him at P.O. Box 272, Brownville 04414.

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