Although The Salvation Army’s sixth annual Harvest Auction is coming right up, your last-minute contributions are still most welcome, program director Mary McKay told me.

In fact, she said, some of you donated terrific items last year just a day or two before the event, which is one of the major fund-raisers sponsored by this Bangor institution that serves so many needy people in our area.

Pre-sale for the Harvest Auction is 5-6 p.m. with auction doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9, at 65 South Park St. in Bangor.

Doors open for browsing at 5:30 p.m. each day, and light refreshments will be available.

“There is no admission [charge],” McKay said, “and if anybody has items they would like to donate, we would be happy to hear from them and glad to pick them up.”

The Salvation Army is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for those able to deliver their contributions, or you may call 941-2990 to request pickup.

In any event, plan to attend the auction, hunt for bargains and help support the good work of The Salvation Army.

Not only your attendance, but also your contributions would be greatly appreciated for the third annual Community Baby Shower from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at Penquis Community Action Program in Dover-Foxcroft.

Hosted by the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the event benefits new parents in the area.

Items such as baby blankets, quilts, clothing, diapers, food, rattles, toys, hygiene supplies and safety items are still needed.

If you would like more information, or to have your contributions picked up, call Judy Sternal at 564-3525.

Carol Higgins of the Eastern Agency on Aging invites you to its ’50s Dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Elks Club in Bangor.

Flint Hill will play ’50s favorites for your dancing and twisting pleasure.

Tickets are $10 for one person or $15 for two so, Higgins said, “we are encouraging people to bring friends.”

The event includes a cash bar; Visa and MasterCard are accepted; and all proceeds benefit programs the agency provides.

Tickets are available at the door or, in advance at the agency on 450 Essex St. in Bangor.

Call 941-2865 or (800) 432-7812 for information.

Cindy Ault reports tickets are still available for the Mr. Potato Head Supper sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor.

The dinner is 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Park Street in Bangor.

“Supper with Mr. Potato Head” consists of baked Maine potatoes, “with all the fixings,” Ault wrote, along with a variety of Maine produce ranging from salads to pies.

Admission is $6 per person or $4 for children under age 12.

Raffle drawings, sponsored by Skip’s Woodcrafts of Bangor and habitat member Royce Day, are also part of the fundraiser for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1988.

Proceeds benefit the habitat partnership of volunteers and business and individual donors with qualifying families in building and renovating decent, affordable housing.

For more information about tickets for the supper, or about the work of this very busy habitat chapter, call Ault at 989-4547, or Charlie and Judy Boothby at 942-5984.

Fourteen-year-old Kristyn Murphy of Orrington, a founding member of the locally well-known Center Drive Singers, wrote me recently to let readers know she will be appearing as a special guest artist during Classic Grace, a concert of sacred and classical music.

The concert, featuring teenage sisters Crystal and Natasha Poholka of Putman Valley, N.Y., is 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Bucksport Middle School Cultural Arts Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society, admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Executive director Mary Marin Lyon reports Literacy Volunteers of Bangor still has openings for Basic Literacy Tutor Training for volunteers who want to help others learn to read or improve their reading.

Interested individuals must register by Tuesday, Oct. 12.

The course will be taught from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on three Saturdays, Oct. 16, 23, and 30, at the Bangor Public Library.

Refreshments and materials are provided.

To register, call Lyon at 947-8451.

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