The tragic drowning of 77-year-old Joseph Majeau of Hampden, whose body was recovered from the Penobscot River 10 days after he accidentally fell into the Kenduskeag Stream which feeds into the river, affected many of us whose lives are connected to those bodies of water.

Even though we did not know the retired minister, or his family, we grieved for them as the days went by, and as the search for him continued.

In addition to all the professional and private rescuers who diligently searched for Majeau, people who passed the stream and river regularly scanned the shores knowing how desperately Majeau’s family wanted him to be found.

A man checking his boat at a city dock spotted Majeau’s body in the Penobscot, about 300 feet from where the stream meets the river.

On June 25, members of Majeau’s family wrote the NEWS to share these thoughts with our readers.

“It’s been almost a month since Joe Majeau died in the Kenduskeag Stream,” they wrote. “As our family continues to grieve and miss him terribly, we are reminded, daily, of the good people we came into contact with because of this tragedy. Our hearts are helped to heal by the generosity, care and concern that so many people have shown.”

“We want to publicly thank Richard Bowie and all of the Down East Emergency Medicine Institute people for their hours of relentless searching. Special thanks, too, to Russ Ritchie, the Bangor Harbor Master, and all of the people who kept their eyes open as they spent time on the Penobscot and Kenduskeag. Our warm thanks go to the Hampden and Bangor police departments, for their skilled and caring dealings with us during this tragic time. Caleb Cousins, you braved the rapid waters to try to pull Joe back in, and cried when you could not. Thank you.

“Last, but certainly not least, our thanks to all the people who sent their thoughts, hopes and prayers our way. This terrible time had a wonderful aspect. Our family has, again, been reminded of the innate goodness of our fellow human beings. Thank you for helping us. Thank you for caring.”

Although the first concert has come and gone, Bob Pentland, president of our historic Bangor Band, wants to remind readers of its upcoming appearances, which continue with the Bangor Parade Monday, July 4 and its Fourth of July concert at 7 that evening at the Bandstand in Paul Bunyan Park on Main Street in Bangor.

Before the concert, at 6:30 p.m., enjoy Acts Mime and Dance Ministry Team of Nyack College, which will also close the concert preceding the fireworks.

For the summer series, Pentland wrote, conductor Fred Health “selected some show tunes, swing tunes, a few jazzy items and a few lighter, classical pieces, along with some other popular music as well as, of course, some notable march music.”

Pentland reminds readers that “all concerts are free and everyone, young and old, is cordially invited to spend an evening in a park, listening to fine music from one of American’s oldest, continuous community bands.

“This is our 147th year of service to the community,” he proudly added.

The Bangor Band also performs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 5 at Fairmount Park.

The next concert is 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 at the Bandstand on Main Street.

The band performs Tattoo at Fort Knox at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 16 in Prospect; at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19 at the Bandstand; and 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 in Chapin Park on Bangor’s east side.

The final two concerts are the same times and same site: At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 and on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the Bandstand on Main Street in Bangor.

People attending the Fourth of July fireworks along the Bangor waterfront who park in the Shaw’s Supermarket lot on Main Street will be asked for a donation to benefit Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

The lot will be open for CMN from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 4 where Shaw’s is also sponsoring a barbecue fund-raiser, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., to benefit CMN.

Jill Reynolds of Eastern Maine Charities reminds you your donations will make the world a brighter place for “kids who really need your help.”

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