Conversations surrounding Penobscot Theatre’s second annual Gala Fund-raiser, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Opera House in Bangor, will abound with hellos and goodbyes as attendees welcome former Brewer resident and jazz singer Diane Linscott back to the area and bid a fond farewell to 13-year producing artistic director Mark Torres.

Tickets for the event are $40, and can be obtained by calling the theater company at 942-3333 or at www.penobscottheatre.org.

The gala includes a small buffet, cash bar, silent auction, dessert and “surprises,” according to Collene Frashure Torres.

Costumes and black tie are optional for the 1920s speakeasy setting as Mark Torres takes the opportunity to say thank you to the community we know he has served so well.

In support of the work of Franciscan Friars Brother Kenneth and Brother Donald to help provide meals for schoolchildren in Haiti, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church is hosting a yard sale 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the church on the corner of North Main and Holyoke streets in Brewer.

Refreshments, fair-trade coffee and tea will also be available.

Phyllis Wardwell and members of the Duck Cove Community Club will hold their annual yard and bake sale 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Little Yellow Schoolhouse on Route 46 in Bucksport.

Proceeds benefit maintenance of the 1895 facility, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Donations and visitors are welcome.

For information on the facility, call Wardwell at 469-2805.

The Ellsworth Rotary Club and Greater Ellsworth Community Playground Committee are jointly sponsoring the Rotary’s annual auction, which begins with the preview at 8 a.m. and auction at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at James Russell Wiggins Down East Family YMCA on State Street in Ellsworth.

The event will include more than 300 auction items ranging from antiques to new merchandise and a snack bar.

Terry Carlisle reports that proceeds will benefit both sponsors. The Rotary will use its share to continue its support of charitable causes, and the Playground Committee will use its share to kick off a major fund-raising campaign to replace a popular community landmark.

May Pardy reports the Eastern Maine Orchid Society annual spring orchid sale is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Roger Clapp Greenhouse at the University of Maine in Orono.

Hundreds of plants will include many varieties and complex hybrids, and society members will display specimen plants and answer your questions.

Stacey Morneault and Sue Pate invite you to the Center Drive School PTG annual Spring Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at 17 School St. in Orrington.

A multitude of activities and games, a raffle, vendor booths, food, sports demonstrations, a bake sale and indoor yard sale will enable you to help the Parent Teacher Group upgrade the school play area, and also to help the Destination ImagiNation team raise funds to participate in the national competition in Tennessee.

Bangor Community Chorus, under the direction of Joshua Schmersal and accompanied by Naomi Hall, presents its 38th Spring Concert at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St. in Bangor.

In Schmersal’s first spring concert as conductor, he will present “an interesting and varied program” that includes “songs of other countries, show tunes and old favorites,” said BCC board member Carolyn McKinnon.

Solos, duets and trios will be performed during the free concert, and donations will be graciously accepted.

Last year, 12 “plungers” raised slightly more than $2,000 for Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare.

Carol Lackedy hopes to double that amount this year at the CMN second annual Ice Out Plunge at noon Sunday, May 15, at Pushaw Lake’s Lakeside Landing in Glenburn.

Prizes for best costumes and most money raised will be awarded.

For information, call Lackedy at 989-5068.

Orono High School teacher Diane Batty and members of her Child Development Class are holding a seven-day Free Nursery School for prekindergarten children ages 3-5.

The classes, which will offer the children “choices of centers within a time period,” Batty said, are 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 17; Thursday, May 19; Monday, May 23; Wednesday, May 25; Friday, May 27; Tuesday, June 1 and Thursday, June 3 in Room 101B at OHS.

Preregistration is required.

Call OHS at 866-4916 and leave your name and address.

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