Queen City Big Band to host concert in Brewer

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There is music in the air everywhere, and all you have to do is find your way to it.

From Don Francey we learn that the Queen City Big Band is hosting its first concert of the 2005 season 6 p.m. Thursday, June 30 outside the Brewer Public Library, 24 Union St.

In case of rain, the concert will be held inside the library.

“QCBB is a 16-piece band made up of music educators, professional musicians and students from as far away as Millinocket,” Francey wrote. “It is a quality group directed by Brian Nadeau, a noted brass clinician, and will be performing old standards as well as contemporary arrangements. We also have three talented vocalists who perform with the band.

“We invite everyone to please come and enjoy a great evening filled with exciting music performed by the area’s finest community big band,” he said.

Congratulations and a very happy birthday to our newest centenarian, Waldo Tarbell of Pembroke, who will celebrate his 100th birthday Sunday, July 3.

“Greetings from old and new friends would be appreciated,” wrote his wife, Kathleen Tarbell.

You can send your best wishes to Waldo Tarbell, 40 Middle St., Pembroke 04666.

Guaranteed reservations are required to attend the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau Tommyknockers & More bus tour.

The tours begin at 2 p.m. on four dates: Monday, July 4; Sunday, Aug. 14; Sunday, Sept. 25; and Sunday, Oct. 30 in the Front Street parking lot next to the office of the Bangor harbor master at the Bangor Waterfront.

The tour costs $10 per person, and reservations can be made by calling the bureau at 947-5205 or (800) 91-MOOSE.

The fun-filled and informative tour of Bangor is based on the commonalties between the Queen City and the fictional town of Derry, Maine, which is the setting for many works by local horror author Stephen King.

Tour guides, including Ryan King, who is not related to the author, meld local history with personal anecdotes and knowledge of the works of one of our city’s most famous residents.

According to Faye O’Leary Hafford of Allagash, “you do not have to be an O’Leary, or be related to an O’Leary, to attend” the 2005 Irish Jubilee, featuring the O’Leary families. The event begins with opening exercises at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2 at the O’Leary homestead area in St. John.

After the opening event, “the rest of the activities will be held at the Allagash Gym,” she wrote of registration and greeting family members and friends.

She asks that you “bring something to add to the buffet, if you can,” and notes that “a special feature of the luncheon will be buffalo steaks donated by Louis Pelletier Sr.”

Afternoon activities will be available for children and adults, and hot dogs and hamburgers can be obtained from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Allagash Historical Society, where you may enjoy the entertainment of local musicians.

In fact, Hafford wrote, “folks are encouraged to bring their own musical instruments, and voices, to join in the fun.”

She hopes anyone who wishes will attend this event and take advantage of the opportunity “to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.”

Speaking of family, Joanna Strout of Milbridge is looking for some of hers.

She wrote that “the descendants of Stephen Strout, Winslow Ramsdell, Ed Clark and Myra Huntley Clark are planning a reunion” for Saturday, Aug. 6 at the VFW Hall in Harrington.

“We are trying to reach everyone of that lineage,” she continued.

“Are there descendants of Kathleen Plummer Drisko and/or Merle Plummer?

“Their mother was Alta Strout Plummer,” Strout said.

If you are of that lineage, or know someone who is, write to Strout at 744 Kennedy Highway, Milbridge 04658.

Lanta Hachey of Old Town called to report that the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers will not meet the second Tuesday in July or August, but will resume its regular monthly meetings at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor.

Blue Star Mothers is a nonprofit, service organization of mothers who have, or had, children serving in the military.

Anyone who has a son or daughter in the military is eligible to attend any of these meetings, Hachey added.

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