Members of the public are invited to attend what Old Town Rotary Club President Dave Wollstadt describes as “the oldest and most famous” of hunter’s breakfasts, and he calls upon the spirit of our late executive sports editor, Bud Leavitt, to back up that statement.

Leavitt “used to write a column about us” for the event, Wollstadt said of what, this year, is the 55th annual event, and Leavitt always referred to this breakfast in that way, Wollstadt explained.

The Old Town Rotary Hunter’s Breakfast is 4-8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Old Town Riverfront Park.

“It’s outside, and it’s always been outside,” Wollstadt said. “We will have a tent set up, and the weather is supposed to be good. But, any way, rain or shine, we’ll be there.”

Traditionally held on the first day of hunting season (for Maine residents only), the meal features pancakes, ham, eggs, home fries, beans, donuts, coffee and hot chocolate.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 and under, and $15 for families.

“The guy in charge,” the breakfast chairman, “is Stan Peterson, who is one of our expert pancake flippers,” Wollstadt said. “And Don Sturgeon, the retired Old Town High School principal, is our ace scrambled- egg cooker.”

Fundraisers such as these help the Rotary support its many community and other charitable works.

Wollstadt is looking for another great breakfast, just like the previous 54, and I’m left wondering if someone, somewhere is going to challenge this particular claim of longevity.

In any event, the Old Town Rotary Club can certainly take a great deal of pride in cooking up a fine meal for those who enjoy one of Maine’s most treasured outdoor traditions: celebrating the first day of deer hunting season.

Craig Colson of WABI-TV Channel 5 and Donna Gormley of WLBZ-TV Channel 2, will judge the St. Joseph Healthcare Annual Pumpkin Contest at 1:30 p.m. today in the Bangor hospital’s cafeteria.

Department pumpkins will be judged in four categories: Best overall, best carved, best Halloween theme and best-depicted department theme.

The judges will have to work fast, however, because the winners will be announced at 2 p.m.

Brewer High School Key Club adviser Mike Hutchins has announced that organization is sponsoring a blood drive for American Red Cross Blood Services New England Region from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31, at the high school on Parkway South.

“We’re calling it Brewer Witches Out for the Blood,” Hutchins said of the blood drive that welcomes walk-ins from the community.

“We will put them right into the front of the line,” Hutchins said. “We will get them right in, and get them right out,” he said of those he hopes will donate blood, even if they only have a short time, perhaps just their lunch hour, in which to give the gift of life.

Jim Holmes, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England, suggests your trick-or-treaters this Halloween not only be in costume and carry a candy bag, but also carry a cell phone.

“A cell phone is a great safety tool for kids during Halloween,” he is quoted in a press release.

“If you keep it fun for them,” he said, “they’ll be more likely to use it,” suggesting you “try downloading Halloween-specific ring tones like ‘Ghostbusters’ or the ‘Addams Family’ theme song.”

For more information about Halloween safety, Holmes suggests you visit the National Safety Council’s Web site at www.nsc.org.

Here is an announcement from Theodore Robinson of Exeter, president of Burton-Goode-Sargent Chapter of the Korean War Veterans.

Robinson wants all Maine veterans, but especially all Korean War veterans, to know they are invited to attend the dedication ceremony of the Korean War plaque honoring those who served in the Korean War, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Hall of Flags in the State Capitol Building in Augusta.

Robinson said he had informed all Maine chapters of Korean War vets about this very meaningful event but, he added, “there are a lot of Korean vets who are not members of a chapter, and I am sure there are a lot of them who would like to go.”

If you have questions about this special ceremony, or want more information, you are welcome to call Robinson at 379-2281 or Korean War veteran Ken Buckley of Bangor at 942-6501.

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