Many special events are planned next month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Millinocket Regional Hospital, and one event has room for a few more people.

The celebration’s co-chairman, Hal Cote, reports that “a very limited number of free tickets are available to the general public to attend the celebration ball,” which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, July 1 at the Elks Club in Millinocket.

Anyone who wants to attend should call Cote “for more information, as soon as possible,” he said. Cote may be reached at 723-5161, ext. 213.

He wants to remind readers that the hospital’s Family Day is 3-11 p.m. Sunday, July 3 in Millinocket.

This free celebratory event will include games for children, a community barbecue, performers and a street dance at Veterans Memorial Park.

As reported earlier, there is no charge for Family Day activities, Cote said, thanks to the “generous contributions of vendors.”

The season opener for the SummerKeys’ Mary Potterton Memorial Piano Concerts, featuring SummerKeys founder, director and pianist Bruce Potterton, is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 at Lubec Congregational Church.

The concert is free, but donations for the piano-tuning fund are appreciated.

Gaynor Reynolds invites you to hear the Sebasticook Valley Band at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 at Ecotat Gardens at the intersection of Route 1 and Annis Road in Hermon.

You should bring your own lawn chair.

There is no admission charge, but donations are welcomed.

The UMaine softball garden tour is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 25 and features nine sites.

The day begins with a tour and lecture at 10 a.m. at the Lyle Littlefield Ornamental Trial Garden at the University of Maine campus in Orono.

On the tour, you will enjoy roses, river views and a community garden to benefit senior citizens.

Tickets are $12 and are available in Orono at The Store-Ampersand, Bell’s IGA, the University Mall and the Black Bear Inn.

In Bangor, tickets may be bought at My Maine Bag at the Bangor Mall and Patrick’s Hallmark at both the Bangor and Broadway malls.

For information call Bonnie Puls at 942-1321.

Last Saturday, I wrote of efforts by a Hermon woman to raise money to participate in the Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day, July 8-10. It’s a fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Today, I happily share with you the continuing story of another Maine woman I recently wrote about who is also participating in that event.

A hearty “well done” goes out to Bethany Green Courchene of Caribou, who sent e-mails to supporters that she has reached her fund-raising goal of $2,400.

She extends her thanks to “all of you for being such a great support to me during the last few months while I have been training and fund-raising” for this event.

“I can’t tell you how much I have been touched, by so many amazing people, already, and I have another 31/2 weeks before the walk,” she said.

And while Courchene is extremely grateful she has reached her fund-raising goal, she reminds you that “doesn’t mean you have to stop giving,” because she is now taking any extra money to help other walkers raise their $2,100 minimum entry fee “so that everyone will have a chance to walk.”

To donate, online, go to www.the3day.org.

In closing, Courchene wrote, “thank you all for your support and encouragement.”

Nominations are being accepted for the fifth annual 2 Those Who Care awards, recognizing outstanding volunteers in our area.

The nomination deadline is July 19, and honorees will be selected in late July.

The awards will be presented in October at the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center at Husson College in Bangor and televised later that month on WLBZ-TV 2.

In addition to the individual awards, United Way of Eastern Maine will present the John W. Coombs Award, and a nonprofit organization will receive the Agency of Distinction Award.

Each individual winner receives a cash donation for the charity of his or her choice, and the Agency of Distinction receives a cash donation.

Nomination forms are available at WLBZ2.com under its “Community” section, or by calling WLBZ, (800) 244-6306; UWEM, 941-2800; and at Merrill Bank and Webber Energy Fuels locations.

The event is supported by Merrill Bank and Webber Energy Fuels.

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