Abbe Museum development director Sharon Broom reports the museum’s Paddle Art event last year “was so successful, and so much fun,” the organization decided “to make it the Abbe’s major fundraising event again this summer.”

Forty Maine artists have decorated and donated their work to the museum for you to view through the end of July in Bar Harbor.

Thirty-four paddles can be seen at the downtown museum, 26 Mount Desert St., and six are at The Acadia Shop on Main Street.

And then, next month, the paddles will be auctioned to benefit the museum.

The Paddle Art dinner and auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Bar Harbor Club, which Broom describes as a local landmark from the 1930s “that has recently been beautifully restored.”

Your $75 per person admission includes a tax-deductible contribution to the Abbe, and options are available to purchase tables for 10.

To attend you must have reservations, so you should call Broom at 288-3519 or e-mail her at development@abbemuseum.org.

The fundraiser also includes a reception, during which Penobscot musician John Bear Mitchell and Nipmuc flutist Hawk Henries will perform, and after the auction you can dance to the music of the Mount Desert Island High School Jazz Players.

To view the Paddle Art, visit www.abbemuseum.org.

Here’s a reminder from Patti Wharton that Seaside Gardens All In a Row, the 2005 Garden Tour sponsored by the board of trustees to benefit Southwest Harbor Public Library, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24, rain or shine in Southwest Harbor.

Advance tickets are $15, and $20 on the day of the tour.

For more information, call the library at 244-7065 or visit www.swharbor.lib.me.us.

Daniel and Gail VanWart invite you to enjoy Open Farm Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at Peaked Mountain Farm, Ellery’s Lane in Dedham.

Peaked Mountain Farm is one of more than 80 Maine farms participating in the Maine Department of Agriculture’s statewide Open Farm Day.

Admission is free, and everybody knows that visiting a farm is lots of fun.

If the weather permits, you can Hike ‘n Pick at this small independent wild blueberry operation, where you can also view raking and harvester demonstrations in the field, as well as grading and packaging demonstrations on the fresh pack line in the processing barn.

To get there, follow PMF’s state DOT directional signs along Route 1A in Holden or Route 46 in Dedham.

More information is available online at www.peakedmountainfarm.com, www.mainemade.com, www.getrealmaine.com and by calling 843-6484.

Marlene Doucette of Orono has announced that the Orono Thrift Shop & Boutique is holding its End-of-Summer Sale July 27-Aug. 13 at its location in the Senior Citizens Building on Birch Street in Orono.

The shop is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The shop will be closed Aug. 17-27 “to clean and swap from summer to winter merchandise,” she added, and will reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Throughout July, Homeless Services of Aroostook, which operates the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter in Presque Isle, is hoping to collect $1 from every man, woman and child in Aroostook County.

It is the only homeless shelter north of Bangor, and serves all of Aroostook County, according to information provided by the shelter.

In the first six months of 2005, the shelter provided 231 individuals a total of 2,146 bed nights that included meals, hot showers and referrals.

With a staff on duty around the clock, seven days a week, and the assistance of a full-time licensed social worker, the shelter also provides outreach services in the form of transportation to medical appointments, job interviews and social service agency appointments.

The shelter receives funding from the State Housing Authority, FEMA and United Way of Aroostook, which the organization appreciates, but it also has experienced unexpected cutbacks during the past few years, which is why this drive is being conducted.

If you can help, mail $1 (or more) to Homeless Services of Aroostook, P.O. Box 1753, Presque Isle 04769, or drop it off at 745 Central Drive in Presque Isle.

There is no doubt what a difference a dollar could make – perhaps even in the life of someone you know and love.

No one knows that better than HAS executive director Susan Mitchell, who will be most grateful for your compassionate assistance.

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