Three contests are open to any good cook who follows the rules and wishes to take part in the fifth annual Stacyville Strawberry Jam Festival, which is Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10, at the VFW Hall on Route 11 in Stacyville.

Colleen Guiggey provided the information for the Patriotic Cake Contest, the Strawberry Preserves Contest and the Strawberry Pie Contest, which are all part of the festival sponsored by the Sherman VFW and Ladies Auxiliary #2299.

Activities get under way with the cake contest at 3 p.m. Friday, July 8, followed by a spaghetti supper at 5 p.m. and music with Tim Gillotti at 7 p.m.

For the $50 first prize or $25 second prize, your cake must be registered by 2 p.m. Friday, have a patriotic theme, be any flavor and equal one full cake mix in volume. Cakes will be judged on appearance and will become the property of the VFW after the judging.

Saturday’s parade starts at 11 a.m. The auction is at noon with auctioneer Jim Pratt. Children’s games are noon-2 p.m. The preserves contest begins at 2 p.m., and a bean supper with strawberry shortcake is 4:30 p.m. Karaoke by John Birmingham is 6 p.m., and super raffle drawings begin at 7 p.m.

For the $25 first prize or second prize of one chicken barbecue meal, your preserves must include strawberries as one of the ingredients, will be judged on flavor and consistency, must be registered by 1:30 p.m. Saturday and becomes the property of the VFW.

The horseshoe tournament at 10 a.m. Sunday, offers cash prizes. The pie contest is 11 a.m., and open mike will be at noon. Live music by Tim and Deb will be at 4 p.m., while the barbecue is at 4:30 p.m. Allison and Peter Roy entertain at 6 p.m., and at 7 p.m. there will be another super raffle drawing.

The pie contest prizes are the same as the preserve contest, but pies must be made of strawberries only, with no other fruits for ingredients or garnish. Pies must be at least 9 inches and registered no later than 10:30 a.m. Sunday. They may contain frozen, wild or cultivated berries. The pies will be judged on appearance and flavor and will become the property of the VFW.

All meals, including dessert and drinks are $7 for adults. No admission will be charged for entertainment, and all musicians are donating their time.

For more information, you can call 365-4263 or 365-4832.

A double-size log cabin quilt pieced by Valerie Osborne and machine quilted by Sandy Boobar, both members of Canoe City Quilters Guild, is being raffled to benefit Canoe Hullabaloo, a weeklong festival July 10-16 that celebrates the cultural heritage of the Old Town area.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and the quilt can be viewed at the Old Town Public Library, where raffle tickets are available.

Tickets can also be purchased in the park during Canoe Hullabaloo and each night of the Concert in the Park series.

The drawing will be Wednesday, Aug. 10, before the last Concert in the Park performances.

Anyone interested in joining Canoe City Quilters’ Guild can call the library at 827-3972.

Your donations are now being gratefully accepted by H.O.M.E. Inc., for its annual auction, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the facility at the intersection of Route 1 and Schoolhouse Road in Orland.

This fund-raiser for the nonprofit organization that provides social services for the homeless will help support its seven homeless shelters.

Any contributions would be appreciated, and representatives of H.O.M.E. are willing to pick up the items you donate if you give them a call and make arrangements to do so.

For more information, you are welcome to call Sister Marie Ahern at 469-7961.

As part of its Neighborhood Outreach Ministry, St. John’s Episcopal Church member Brother Don invites neighbors and members of the community to share a free Fourth of July neighborhood picnic of hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon and ice cream from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, July 4, at the church, 234 French St. in Bangor.

Brother Don said the event will also include cotton candy, games, a carnival and magic show for the children.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

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