The Sherman Public Library is about to open its doors to show off its new face, thanks to the dedication and hard work of two Library Committee members.

“About a month ago,” librarian Rose Bragdon said, “Judy Bishevsky and Ina Pratt started sorting and discarding books, rearranging the library categories and putting up new labels.”

The place looks great, Bragdon said of its new, bright appearance after the removal of more than 2,500 books.

As a result of those long days of cleaning up and clearing out, the library has been conducting a book sale, and the final three days of that sale are 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. today and the same times Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, at the library, 9 Church St.

The sale is being conducted under a canopy at the library, where you will find more than 2,000 books for 10 cents each.

Selections include mysteries, books for children and teens, history, westerns and romance novels, and include best-selling authors.

Proceeds will be used to purchase new books and supplies for the library’s summer reading program.

To celebrate the refreshing of the library’s interior, an open house is 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, and Friday, Aug. 12. Refreshments will be served.

Bragdon reports all children who “sign out books during this time will receive gifts,” and adults have the opportunity to win prizes.

“Come see the changes,” she suggests. “The new book section is now more visible, so it will be easier to find new releases.”

Youngsters ages 4-8 are invited to join the Sherman Public Library’s 2005 Summer Library Program, “It’s Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds,” prepared by Anna Robinson, which is 9-10 a.m. Aug. 15-19 at the library.

An Independent Readers Program is available for children 9-12 and youngsters in that category can sign up now, read on their own and report what they’ve read to Bragdon.

This program ends Aug. 30 and offers contests and an opportunity to win a prize in a drawing each time they report to the librarian about a book they have read.

The Sherman Public Library is open 12:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 1-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

You are welcome to call 365-4882 if you have questions about any of its activities or programs.

The Brewer Hometown Band performs at 7 tonight outside Brewer Auditorium.

Director Jan Cox hopes you will enjoy listening to another hour of wonderful music on a hot summer night.

The registration deadline for attending the Pine Tree Hospice Weekend Camp for Children 10-15 is Friday, Aug. 5.

The camp is Friday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 14, and there is no cost to the family or the child.

PTH, of Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville, provides volunteer services for residents of that area during the process of dying and bereavement, offering assistance to people facing the last stages of life and to family members and friends affected by that process.

PTH is hosting the camp for children who have suffered the loss of a parent, sibling,

close relative or friend.

Offering a learning experience in a fun atmosphere, children will be able to freely discuss the death and dying process, and meet other campers who have experienced, or are experiencing, a similar situation.

If you would like to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, call Kay Johnson at PTH, 564-4346.

With all the exciting activities surrounding the 32nd annual International Homecoming Festival, celebrating the bond between residents of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and Calais, Friends of the Calais Free Library hope you remember their Second Hand Books Store will be open extra hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, on Main Street, next to Unobskey School.

Ann Carter reports “thousands of books” will be available, antique books will be half price, and purchasers will receive a new bookmark with every $10 purchase in U.S. funds.

Residents will remember, and visitors will be interested in knowing, the collection of bookmarks designed by area youngsters are on display, and the four winning entries have been printed and are available for 50 cents each.

The price for regular reading material is $1 for books, 50 cents for paperbacks and 10 cents for magazines.

Additionally, children’s books, videos, CDs and audiotapes will be available.

The festival, “Neighbors by Chance, Friends by Choice,” began July 28 and ends Sunday, Aug. 7.

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