Folks from near and far are enjoying Canoe Hullabaloo this week in Greater Old Town, celebrating the lives of residents of six area communities along the Penobscot River.

Many believe that one of the most exciting events for canoe and kayak enthusiasts is the opportunity that Canoe Hullabaloo sponsors, The River Coalition and Old Town Public Library, are offering.

And that is the chance to be part of a world record-setting event.

Doris Seger, the facilitator for the River Coalition, wants more than 778 canoes or kayaks to appear between 7 and 11 a.m. at the Old Town Airport, accompanied by their paddlers and a $5 registration fee.

There, at precisely 11 a.m. on the Penobscot River, the attempt will be made by Canoe Hullabaloo to set a world record for most canoes or kayaks connected together by hands and held for more than 30 seconds, thus earning this celebration entry into the Guinness Book of Records.

Proceeds from this event and others that are part of Canoe Hullabaloo benefit the River Coalition, a nonprofit organization serving children and families in the six river communities of Alton, Bradley, Greenbush, Indian Island, Milford and Old Town.

The purpose of the River Coalition, according to Seger, “is to link resources, ideas, energy and experience to foster and support strong, more caring communities.”

She also reminds readers that 25 specially designed 8-foot canoes, donated by Old Town Canoe and decorated and painted by local artists, will be raffled or auctioned beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at Old Town River Front Park.

Author Stephen King has signed two novel canoes.

For more information about Canoe Hullabaloo activities, check www.canoehullabaloo.

com or call Seger at 827-2829.

Continuing with our world theme today, Gloria Owens, Senior League World Series Committee volunteer coordinator, wants readers to be aware how important your help is in making this world event a success.

She wrote that Bangor Westside Little League, District 3, is again hosting the Senior League World Series Sunday, Aug. 15, through Saturday, Aug. 21, at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor.

The event features the District 3 team and other 15- and 16-year-old baseball players representing the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Canada and Latin America.

“Bangor has been most welcoming for these teams and their families in the past year,” Owens wrote, “and we hope that, once gain, that hospitality is extended to all.

“During this time of world unrest, it is important that the children learn to appreciate each other and their cultures, as well as the adults who volunteer with them.”

Recognizing that it takes “many volunteer hours to make such a tournament successful and fun for all involved,” Owens asks for your help.

Volunteers are needed from morning to night the week of Aug. 15-21.

If any of you “could volunteer for even a short time during this week, it would be greatly appreciated, and the rewards would be ongoing,” Owens emphasized.

“It is a great experience for all involved, and makes memories to last forever.”

If you can volunteer, call Mansfield Stadium, 942-6557, and leave your name and phone number, or call Owens at 942-1149.

Ticket information can also be obtained by calling the stadium, and tournament passes are now available.

Old Town Dairy Queen and the Maine Blood Center are conducting a combined blood drive and fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare.

All donors who give blood between 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at the Old Town Dairy Queen, will receive a free ice cream, have their names added to a Miracle Cone, and receive Dairy Queen coupons.

For each unit of blood donated, $2 will go to CMN of EMH.

The drive also includes activities for youngsters and other fund-raising events.

Candy Eaton reports openings remain only for the third session of Nichols Day Camp, owned and operated by Blue Hill Society for Aid to Children at its 8-acre Walker Pond site in Sedgwick.

Scamp Camp for children ages 41/2-7, and Nichols Day Camp for those ages 6-12, are filled for all sessions except the session that runs Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 20.

Camp fees are $110 per week for Maine residents or $175 per week for those who live out of state.

Financial aid is available for qualifying campers, and applications can be obtained by calling the society at 374-5548.

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