Movie fans and quilt collectors should start saving their pennies, or plan to raid the piggy bank, to have money in hand to participate in an auction of the Empire Falls Signature Quilt.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Skowhegan Free Public Library, and bids will be accepted from Thursday, Aug. 5, to midnight Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the library, 9 Elm St., Skowhegan.

Bidding begins at $500.

The 34-by-39-inch wall hanging was made by the Somerset Sampler Quilters and features 18 signatures of the cast and crew of the movie filmed in that community: “Empire Falls.”

The quilt signees include Paul Newman, Richard Russo, Fred Schepisi, Jeffrey DeMunn, Estelle Parsons, Helen Hunt, Lou Taylor Pucci, Robin Penn and Stephen Mendillo.

Also, Joanne Woodward, Aidan Quinn, William Fichtner, Kate Burton, Ed Harris, Danielle Panabaker, Dennis Farina, Trevor Morgan and Theresa Russell.

The quilt was made by “a group of enthusiastic quilters here in town to commemorate the filming of ‘Empire Falls,'” said Maureen Calder of Skowhegan, to benefit the library, “which has plans for much-needed renovation down the road.”

The auction begins, she added, on what is officially Return to Empire Falls Day in Skowhegan.

Friends of the library will “set up and display the quilt, as well as accept bids, during the big celebration,” and then during the Skowhegan State Fair, she said.

“We are most pleased and impressed that the cast and crew were so willing to do this for our small town library,” Calder said.

Bids can be mailed to Skowhegan Free Public Library, 9 Elm St., Skowhegan 04976, or you can call the library, 474-9072, for more information.

Former Clyde Beatty Circus and Wild West Show music director Gene Nichols, who is associate professor of music at the University of Maine at Machias, directs the Downeast Center Ring Circus Band.

The band presents a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Miles Lane School in Bucksport.

While there is no admission for what is sure to be a delightful event, a bucket will be passed for a suggested donation of $5.

Proceeds from the annual concert provide music scholarships for students in Hancock, Penobscot and Washington counties.

Last year, the band awarded 17 $100 scholarships, and requests arrive daily.

Band members are not only Maine residents but come from the other New England states, Washington, D.C., Florida and New Brunswick, Canada.

Many are professionals; others are music educators and retired military band members.

The all-volunteer concert, which receives support from the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, also includes an appearance by the Sweet Adelines Heart of Maine Chorus.

Students interested in applying for scholarships can call Don Blodgett, 469-6529.

The St. Croix Historical Society is hosting a Victorian Tea during the 31st annual International Homecoming Festival, “Living on the River of Opportunity,” which is Friday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 8, in that border community.

The Victorian Tea is 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, at The Holmestead Civic Center, Main Street in Calais.

Tickets are limited, however, and are available for $7 each.

They can be obtained by calling Joni Miller, 454-2830; Brand Livingstone, 454-2604; or Joyce Howell, 454-8032.

Your admission also includes a tour of the facility, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pat Waite Olmsted reports the annual meeting of the ECA/Central High School Alumni Association begins with visiting at 4 p.m., supper at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the United Methodist Church Annex in East Corinth.

The cost is $7 per person.

Work is being done to update the mailing list, she said.

If you have not heard from the association, you are asked to call Olmsted, 285-3426, or send your name, mailing and e-mail address to her at 909 Dover Road, Charleston 04422; or call or write Nancy Ames Campbell, 285-3662, P.O. Box 98, East Corinth 04427.

Teams are now being formed for the fourth annual Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine’s Walk for Wishes which begins with pre-walk festivities at 5 p.m. and the walk at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, in Bangor, Belfast, Dennysville, Ellsworth, Houlton, Pittsfield and Waterville.

The event raises funds to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

To register, volunteer or receive more information, call event coordinator Pattie Gallant, (866) 704-WALK, or visit wishwalk@wish.org.

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