Supporters of Orono High School Project Graduation are working hard to make this important event an enjoyable one for members of the Orono High Class of 2007, and they would like your help.

Julie Balaban wrote that OHS “is sponsoring a HUGE, Multi-family Yard Sale to kick off the fundraising program for Project Graduation,” which she described as “an all-night event” that is organized “by OHS parent volunteers to provide a chemical-free celebration for graduating seniors.”

The yard sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in the gymnasium of Asa Adams Elementary School on Goodridge Drive in Orono.

Since the yard sale coincides with Orono Festival Days (part of its Bicentennial Celebration) you need to firm up your plans for attending this fundraiser as well as participating in the day-long bicentennial activities in your community.

Balaban reminds you that there is free parking at the yard sale site, and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Carmen Smith invites the public to hear Clark Thompson speak about Emma B., “a well-known trotting mare born in Foxcroft,” at a meeting of the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society at 7 tonight at the Thayer Parkway meeting room on Park Street in that community.

For more information, call Smith at 564-2178.

Admission is free and the public is invited to hear Hancock Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Chris Holmes lead a panel discussion about the history of the department at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at the Hancock Community Center.

Sandy Phippen wrote that the department “began in 1947 on Hancock Point with the late Dante Forni as first fire chief,” and that, initially, 260 volunteers signed up as members.

“Next year marks the 50th anniversary of a very active and successful community organization that still meets every other Monday night,” he added.

Virginia Whitaker, chairwoman of the Orono Bicentennial Committee, reports Orono Festival Day kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Orono High School, featuring students, service groups and families.

Mill Street will be closed during the event so you can stroll along and visit with local artisans, food vendors, purchase bicentennial merchandise and enjoy a variety of entertainment.

If you have mail you want stamped with a commemorative Orono Bicentennial postal cancellation, bring it between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday to the booth on Mill Street.

A communitywide ecumenical service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Orono High School and features longtime Orono United Methodist Church minister the Rev. John Neff.

For more information, visit www.orono2006.com.

It’s not too late to sign up for the annual Phillips-Strickland House Charity Golf Tournament beginning with registration and lunch at 11 a.m. and the shotgun start at 12:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

The registration fee of $95 for the scramble event includes dinner and the opportunity to win many prizes, including the hole-in-one prize: a new, $30,000, four-wheel-drive Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Nelson Durgin reports openings are available for individuals as well as teams, and if you’re not part of a team, you will be placed on one.

To register, call Durgin or Lisa Martin at Phillips-Strickland House , 941-2820.

All proceeds from the tournament benefit the elderly residents of PSH, which is the only nonprofit, elderly residential facility in our area.

Ric Dodge of South Portland reports the 25th annual United Bikers of Maine Toy Run leaves the Augusta Civic Center at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, and travels to the Windsor Fairgrounds, where toy donations will be collected by members of The Salvation Army.

He describes the event as “the largest nonsponsored toy run in the United States,” adding that nearly 20,000 people and up to “14,000 bikes” from throughout Maine and New England participate.

For more information, visit www.ubm-usa.org or call 236-0159.

Berla Putney is celebrating her 91st birthday Friday, Sept. 15, and would love to hear from extended family and old and new friends.

Now a resident of Ellsworth, she was born and raised in what was known as West Pembroke, where she lived until a few years ago.

A homemaker and active community volunteer, Putney worked at the former Eastport Memorial Hospital after her children had grown.

Her address is Collier’s Rehab and Nursing Center, 33 Birch Ave., Ellsworth 04605.

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