The public is invited to enjoy a terrific high school musical experience by attending the Maine State Instrumental Jazz Festival on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2, at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport.

Co-chairing the festival for Nokomis are Steve Hoekstra and Suzanne Rojas, who are coordinating the activities of more than 850 students participating in what they describe as an “annual, fast-paced musical event.”

Admission each day is $5 for adults, $3 for children and seniors, and a maximum of $15 per family.

Admission is separate, but the same prices, for the Saturday night competition.

Friday’s activities begin with the High School Combos Division II musicians at 8 a.m. in the Nokomis cafetorium, and conclude with the awards presentation at 2:15 p.m. at that site.

The High School Multiple Combos begin playing at 2:45 p.m. in the cafetorium, and that division concludes with the awards presentation at 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the High School Combo Division I competition begins at 9:05 a.m. Friday, April 1, in the gymnasium, and concludes with the awards presentation at 4 p.m.

Then it’s the High School Multiple Jazz Bands performing, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the gym and ending with the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m.

The High School Jazz Bands Division I leads the second day’s activities at 8:40 a.m. Saturday, April 2, in the cafetorium.

The High School Jazz Bands Division III begins play at 8:45 a.m. in the library, and High School Jazz Bands Division II starts up at 8:50 a.m. in the gymnasium.

All awards presentations for Saturday’s competitions will be presented at 5:15 p.m. in the gymnasium.

The festival concludes with the finals for Divisions I, II, and III at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.

Allison Bankston will serve as mistress of ceremonies for Saturday evening’s program, which features the top three ensemble groups in each of the three state divisions competing for top honors.

According to information provided by the co-chairmen, the Maine State Jazz Festival began in Winthrop in the early 1970s with just seven participating schools and today includes high school musicians from York to Madawaska.

Schools submit proposals to the Maine Music Educators Association to host the festival, which is a two-year commitment, so the festival will return to Nokomis next year.

A benefit supper for Sherman native Joey Cox will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Washburn Memorial Church in Sherman.

Donations will be accepted at the door for the meal, which features chili, chicken stew and apple crisp.

The 37-year-old son of Ronald and Bonny Cox, who has been teaching in Los Angeles for several years, suffered a stroke in January.

And while it is reported that he continues to improve every day, his recovery is expected to take some time.

For more information, to help with the benefit, or help in any other way, call Allison Roy, 365-4263, or Fran Sleeper, 365-7268.

A public baked bean supper begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road in Orrington.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

After the supper, The Galiettas appear in concert at 6 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Members of the Bangor Garden Club invite you to attend its regular meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, April 4, at the Hannaford Training Center, 208 Maine Ave. in Bangor.

The guest speaker will be WBRC architect and Keep Bangor Beautiful board member Mike Pullen, who will discuss Bangor’s Linking Trails System, which he helped design and implement.

Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor Executive Director Mary Marin Lyon urges volunteers to register by Monday, April 4, for LV-Bangor’s Basic Literacy Tutor Training.

The course will be taught from 6 to 9 p.m. on four Thursdays beginning April 7, and continues April 14, April 28 and May 5 at LV-Bangor’s new location, United Technologies Center, 200 Hogan Road in Bangor.

Course materials are $20, but scholarships are available for those unable to pay the fee.

Refreshments will be provided.

LV-Bangor links volunteer tutors with adults who either want to improve their reading or are learning English as their second language.

To register or learn how you can obtain a tutor, call the LV-Bangor office at 947-8451.

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