For the first time since 1971, residents of one of Maine’s loveliest coastal communities are opening their homes to the public for the benefit of two of its major volunteer organizations.

The Blue Hill Historic House Tour is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 20, in Blue Hill.

Admission is $25 for the tour, which features 11 notable homes as well as the sanctuaries of both churches.

Hosted by The Blue Hill Historical Society and the Jonathan Fisher House, advance tickets and brochures are available at Emerson Antiques, 33 Water St., North Light Books, 58 Main St. or Mainescape Garden Shop, South Street, all in Blue Hill.

They can also be ordered from Blue Hill Historic House Tour, P.O. Box 1602, Blue Hill 04614.

On the day of the tour, admission can be obtained by purchasing tickets and brochures at Holt House, 3 Water St. and Jonathan Fisher House, 44 Mines Road, both in Blue Hill.

The houses on the self-directed tour relate the story of life in a frontier, coastal village dating to the Revolution.

Memoirs, letters and other records will be on display in homes that served as both year-round and summer residences.

John Roberts and Brad Emerson co-chair the event that will feature volunteers at each of the 11 homes to answer your questions.

An explanation of the tour, including photographs of 10 of the homes that will be open, can be visited at http://www.autograff.com/housetour/.

The 11th house, the 1847 Thomas Lord House at 53 Union St., is not on the Web site since the sponsors just recently learned it would be included on the tour.

From information about the event graciously provided by Maureen Rawding, it is obvious that this tour has the full and enthusiastic support of the Blue Hill community, since many individuals and organizations have offered assistance both during the planning stages and the day of the tour.

All proceeds benefit the Blue Hill Historical Society and the Jonathan Fisher House.

More information can be obtained by writing Blue Hill Historic House Tour, P.O. Box 1602, Blue Hill 04614 or calling 374-9933.

Josh Torrance, executive director of Woodlawn Museum, reminds readers the traditional Woodlawn Wednesday Afternoon Teas are 3 p.m. July 12, 19, 26, and Aug. 9, 16 and 23, at the Museum, Route 172 in Ellsworth.

A tradition dating from the 1940s to the 1960s and revived in 1996, the Wednesday Afternoon Teas feature delicate, tasty treats served on the tea lawn, where you will enjoy Woodlawn’s own blend of tea served hot or cold.

Admission is $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members.

Reservations are suggested, and can be made by calling 667-8671.

Carmen Smith and members of the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society invite you to hear retired University of Maine Professor John Battick discuss some of the immediate and long-term aftereffects of the World War I, with an emphasis on the present state of the Middle East, including Iraq.

Battick will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, in the Observer Building Museum, which Smith explained is located in Union Square in Dover-Foxcroft.

On behalf of Church of Our Father, Barbara Kelly of Bar Harbor invites you to attend its annual Down East Fair and Auction from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at the church on Route 3 in Hulls Cove.

This is the 48th year for this fair, which Kelly describes as a “fun day for the whole family.”

The fair features “many tables and booths, including antiques, white elephant, pink giraffe, silent auction, jewelry, a clothing boutique, children’s midway and much more,” she added.

With “great Down East food served all day,” Kelly also wants you to know if a “sit down, served luncheon,” is more appealing, you will find that in The Tea Room.

Entertainment begins at 10 a.m., and the church’s own “Gospel Gents” will sing for you at 4:30 p.m., just before the Baked Bean Supper, which begins at 5 p.m.

Members of the locally popular Fletcher’s Landing Philharmonic Orchestra will entertain diners “until the Gala Auction begins at 6 p.m.,” Kelly wrote of that aspect of the fair, where you will find “many wonderful items to bid on.”

You can preview those auction items throughout the day. Parking is free and a shuttle service is available.

Kelly and her fellow parishioners “hope to see you at the fair.”

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