Quite remarkable” are the words that come to mind when I look at the closing of the note I received from Betsy Reynolds, a member of First Congregational Church in Brewer who, with obvious pride, added these words under her signature: “Volunteer Circle King’s Daughters & Sons 1891-2005.”

Reynolds had written me to provide information about the organization’s coming spring fair.

She also wanted me to know that last year, this 114-year-old organization “had its most successful fair in memory,” and that “being able to continue and even increase our charitable giving, throughout the area, with fewer members, has certainly been a shot in the arm.”

She told me four members of King’s Daughters & Sons died last year.

And while those deaths certainly diminished the membership, it did not diminish their enthusiasm as they forged ahead with plans for this year’s fair, which is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the First Congregational Church of Brewer, 35 Church St., located behind Brewer City Hall.

“Our lovely May baskets will be on sale, just in time for May Day,” Reynolds wrote, adding that the sale also will offer “houseplants, food and candy, crafts and attic treasures.”

Coffee and doughnuts will be available from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and a soup and sandwich luncheon, featuring homemade pies for dessert, will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The King’s Daughters & Sons march on!

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, St. Joseph Healthcare plans to honor its dedicated volunteers during a recognition luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. today at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road in Bangor.

The event honors 87 volunteers whose combined hours of service for 2004 were 22,148, representing a cost savings to SJH of $366,336, based on an hourly value set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Independent Sector.

Leading the list of long-term volunteers is Gloria Cyr, who has served SJH for 46 years.

Anne Fecteau heads the list of those being honored for cumulative hours of volunteer service to SJH with 17,381 hours.

Also being recognized will be the volunteers who have given their time and effort to operate Helen’s Gift Shop, located in the hospital.

On behalf of all the individuals you’ve helped serve, I extend a sincere thank you to these SJH volunteers.

Spring is in the air and with it, the fun and frolic of the seventh annual Spring-O-Rama from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sprague’s Nursery & Garden Center on outer Union Street in Bangor.

Admission is just $2 for the event, which benefits Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

The fun includes a bounce house, a chance to see amazing creatures up close with Maine Discovery Museum’s nature educator, Tony Sohns, and visit with the Lumberjacks’ baseball mascot, Jack Timber.

Youngsters will also have fun on the Sesame Street Treasure Trail with Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird, enjoy plant pot paintings, games, craft projects and much more.

For a small extra fee (all to benefit CMN) you can also enjoy food, cookie decorating, a ducks-on-the-pond raffle and sun-catcher painting.

Anyone wanting to volunteer at the event is welcome to call Jill Reynolds at Eastern Maine Charities, 973-5055.

Pianist John Ward appears as part of the Arlan A. Baillie Performance Series at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor.

Featured will be works by Haydn, Schumann, Faure and Messiaen.

The public is invited to attend free of charge, and a reception follows the program.

Ward, who is music director for Blue Hill Congregational Church, taught at Catholic University, George Washington University and the Governor’s Magnet School for the Arts in Norfolk, Va.

An operatic and musical theatre accompanist, Ward has given recitals as a pianist, organist and vocalist and passed, with distinction the associate examination of the American Guild of Organists.

I extend best wishes for a very happy birthday to our newest centenarian, Mae Factor, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Sunday, May 1.

A shower of cards and letters from friends new and old would make this an extra-special day for this extra-special lady.

Greetings can be sent to Mae Factor, c/o Phillips Strickland House, 21 Boyd St., Bangor 04401.

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