Lots of excitement surrounds what is “an almost entirely new lineup” for this year’s free summer concerts on the Bangor Waterfront, according to Sally Bates of the sponsoring Bangor Center Corp.

“Cool Sounds: Music on the Bangor Waterfront” is 7 p.m. Thursdays, beginning June 17 and running through July 22, on a stage located “behind the harbor master’s building, exactly as it was last year,” Bates wrote of the site that is “convenient to restrooms located in that building.”

Because audiences for these concerts “have demonstrated their appreciation for many different kinds of music, and opportunities to enjoy performers, genres and styles that are not generally available in local venues,” organizers this year have taken a new approach by introducing different bands and performers.

Kicking off “Cool Sounds” will be “King Pirogi, Maine’s premier polka-dance band,” Bates wrote. They will be followed, on successive Thursdays, by Acadia Brass, the folk-rock trio Devonsquare, Pride of Maine Fiddlers led by Old Gray Goose, and Erica Brown and The Bluegrass Connection.

Bates indicated the community steel band, Flash in the Pans, is also scheduled to perform.

“Our emcee for the season,” Bates wrote, “is Jason Blanchette, a fresh face in the public relations and entertainment business.”

And, she added, “while we are hoping for good weather, a slight rain is unlikely to cancel the concerts” because the “Sea Dog Restaurant is planning to lend us tents if the weather is threatening.”

Sounds to me like another wonderful summer of music along our ever-improving waterfront.

A Veterans Outing to benefit two members of the military injured in Iraq is planned from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Yonder Hill Campground, Route 201 North, in Madison.

The event will benefit Spc. Fred Allen Jr., a member of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, and Spc. Craig Ardry of the Army National Guard.

The event is being organized with the assistance of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The outing includes food and beverages, coffee and desserts, raffles, band music by Without Warning, and a variety of activities for people of all ages.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3.50 for seniors and children ages 5-12, and free for children under 5.

It is requested that attendees bring no alcoholic beverages.

If you cannot attend but would like to send a donation to help cover expenses for the benefit, you can send your contributions to Francis Thibeault, 14 Locus St., Skowhegan 04976.

Hospice Volunteers of Greater Waterville is seeking used, marketable items in good condition for its HULLABALOO auction and flea market from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 10, on Airport Road in Waterville.

In addition to donations of items, volunteers are always needed to help make this fund-raiser a success.

For more details and pickup information, call the HVGW message center at 873-0110, and someone will return your call.

Proceeds from this event, reports volunteer Tref Lessard, “allows the volunteers to continue doing the work they do so well and at no cost to the people in the 25-mile radius that they serve.”

A volunteer work party is planned for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Common Ground Education Center from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 19, in Unity.

Volunteers are needed for landscaping, orchard and shade tree care, and repairs to MOFGA’s Red Barn.

The event includes a picnic-potluck lunch at noon, a kindling free-for-all at 5 p.m., and bonfire at 6 p.m.

You are asked to bring work gloves, something for the potluck lunch or your own lunch. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

MOFGA also needs year-round volunteers.

Individuals interested in either volunteer commitment can call MOFGA, 568-4142, or e-mail mofga@mofga.org for more information.

The Common Ground Education Center is located on Crosby Brook Road off Routes 139/220 in Unity.

Members of Old Town High School Class of 1954 are in the process of planning for their 50th Class Reunion to be held Saturday, Aug. 14.

To date, they have been unable to locate two class members and hope our readers can help.

Those “missing” classmates are Pauline Daigle Robertson and Theresa Amero Lupinacci.

If you have information about these individuals, please call Millicent “Missy” Harris at 827-2161, or write her at Unit 1, 535 Main St., Old Town 04468.

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