Although stunned by the unexpected April death of Murrell Harris, one of Milo’s most beloved and dedicated residents, his family and friends have picked up the torch he carried as chairman of the Milo Fire Department’s 100th anniversary celebration and are prepared for this special event.

Thanks to his son, new celebration chairman Mike Harris, a wide variety of activities is on tap next weekend in that Piscataquis County community.

First up is the Doll Carriage-Bike Parade at 6 p.m. Friday, July 21, followed by the huge anniversary parade, with more than 50 entries, at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22.

A flyover, sidewalk sales, tennis tournament, MFD open house, equestrian demonstrations and a street dance at 8 p.m. are all part of the day’s activities.

A 10 a.m. canoe race, followed by a barbecue, golf tournament, concert and lighted boat parade will keep people busy on Sunday, July 23, when the celebration concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m.

Congratulations to the MFD on its 100th anniversary, and to everyone who banded together to honor the memory of their friend.

Murrell Harris will be sorely missed, but he also will be fondly remembered for great events such as this.

The jazz piano styling of Kent Hewitt is featured during the SummerKeys Mary Potterton Memorial Concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at Lubec Congregational Christian Church.

Monica’s Chocolates will provide intermission refreshments, and reservations for the round-trip Eastport-Lubec Concert Boat, for which there is a charge, can be made by calling 853-2500.

Concert admission is free, but donations to the Piano Tuning Fund are appreciated.

Bill Robertson reminds interested individuals the annual meeting of the Franklin Historical Society is 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the FHS Museum on Route 200 in Franklin.

The program features Steve Walton discussing Recollections of the Secret Service.

The Hillcrest Golf Club Home and Garden Tour begins with coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at the club on the corner of Grove Street and Westward Avenue in Millinocket.

There you will receive your itinerary and map with locations for gardens and homes in the Millinocket, East Millinocket, Ambajejus and South Twin lakes areas.

Presale tickets are $10 and available at HGC, Memories of Maine and Lupines in Millinocket, Main Street Floral & Gift Shop in East Millinocket and from lady members of the club. Tour day tickets are $12.

For more information call 723-4060 or 723-8410.

Kitty St. John reports “some sites along the way” will offer “Taste of Katahdin” refreshments or drinks.

Lisa Colburn reports “some of Orono’s finest, most creative gardens” are featured in the 2006 Orono Bicentennial Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 22.

During this bicentennial celebration event you will enjoy shade gardens, heirloom gardens, whimsy gardens and “some very serious collections of specialized plants,” she added, as well as several sites that will feature refreshments and live music.

If you stop at the Treadwell Building at 8 Bennoch Road, you will receive discount coupons, specials, information and opportunities offered by garden tour sponsors.

Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased at The Store-Ampersand and Orono Pharmacy, both on Mill Street, or call 866-3861.

Day of the tour tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the Treadwell Building.

Kathryn Mekelburg wrote that “Arts and Flowers” is the title of the St. Croix Valley International Garden Club Flower Show 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Pembroke Elementary School.

Works of Washington County artists, ranging from paintings to quilts, will be featured along with classical music, a raffle, crafts and flowers and plants provided by club members.

An array of tea sandwiches, sweets and beverages prepared by the hosts also will be available.

Admission to the show is $3, and $5 for the tea.

Perry Grange will hold a public supper 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the Grange Hall on Southmeadow Road.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children under 10.

The public is invited to hear Bob Bangs of Windswept Gardens discuss practical roses for Maine gardens during a meeting of the Ellsworth Garden Club at 7 p.m. Monday, July 24, at Hancock County Cooperative Extension, 63 Boggy Brook Road in Ellsworth.

More information can be obtained from Elaine Fernald at 244-3085.

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