Relay for Life at Old Town High School tonight

This is a very special day for those participating in the American Cancer Society Old Town Relay for Life, which begins at 6 tonight at the athletic field at Old Town High School.

Dan Cashman is chairman of the event, but one of the stars of the evening will be 13-year-old Michael Atherton, honorary chairman of the Old Town Relay for Life.

Along with many other cancer survivors, Michael, who had surgery to remove a brain tumor, will celebrate five years of being cancer-free.

This event is one of many throughout the state that also serve as ways to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer, and to raise money to help continue the fight to find a cure for this devastating illness.

Penobscot County cancer survivors will kick off the Relay for Life at 6 p.m. with the official Survivors’ Lap, and then everyone else joins in.

A special Luminaria Ceremony, to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have died, is planned for 10 tonight, at the OTHS track, and the public is invited to attend.

During the event, representatives of businesses, civic clubs and churches; friends, families and individuals will take turns walking, in relay fashion, around the OTHS track to show their support for all affected by cancer, and to raise money for the work of the ACS.

Jane Pierce, a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Brewer, wrote that “folks have been calling to find out about our annual Rummage Sale or Second Time Around Sale,” and she wants you to know “the big date” is coming right up.

The event is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the church, 35 Church Street in Brewer.

Pierce reports she is reluctant “to call it rummage, since there are so many useful items” that are “necessary to many folks who are in need.”

She added that “we keep prices very low” and, while recognizing proceeds benefit church work, she points out that the sale “helps folks in the community” who need things they might not otherwise be able to obtain.

If you want to know whether last-minute donations are being accepted, call Joan Hei at 989-6595.

A singer-songwriter who has some fine media credentials is appearing in concert to benefit WERU-FM, the community radio station based in Orland.

Karen Savoca, who has appeared on “The Today Show,” “A Prairie Home Companion,” “Mountain Stage” and at many festivals throughout North America, appears in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are $12 or $10 for WERU members, and can be obtained by calling 469-6600 during regular business hours, or e-mailing denis@weru.org.

All proceeds from the concert – which features Savoca singing everything from jazz to the blues to old standards – will benefit WERU.

The Rev. Bob Carlson has agreed to serve as auctioneer for the Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Friends of the Facility inaugural auction beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at College Center, 102 Texas Ave. in Bangor, which is next door to the BNRC.

Funds raised will help support the activity program and van fund of the nonprofit nursing home.

Articles and cash contributions are being accepted, and more information can be obtained by calling BNRC, 945-4557, or Gerry Kearns-Makhlouf, 942-1152, or e-mailing gk432@adelphia.net.

An alert reader called to point out I listed the wrong hometown for Sgt. Harold Gray, who will be the beneficiary of proceeds from the Veterans Helping Veterans SOS Breakfast.

That fund-raiser for the Penobscot resident follows the Memorial Day Parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 30, on Exchange Street and ending at Davenport Park in Bangor.

Sgt. Gray, a member of the Maine Army National Guard’s 133rd Engineer Battalion, was injured during an attack on his convoy while serving in Iraq.

He is being treated at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington, D.C.

If you cannot attend the chipped-beef-on-toast breakfast and want to help this military family, send your check, with SOS Breakfast written on the memo line, to Lawrence Stanchfield, 586 Deerfield Drive, Hermon 04401.

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