The Old Town Rotary Club’s first auction begins with dinner from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Black Bear Inn in Orono, and proceeds benefit the Old Town Save the Pool Fund, reports Dave Wollstadt.

Tickets are $15 each or $100 per table. A cash bar, silent and live auction and sealed-bid auctions throughout the evening are included in the event.

Tickets are available at Carl’s Barber Shop, Cyr Northstar Tours and Gossamer Press in Old Town, and at the door. The Rev. Bob Carlson is sure to delight as your auctioneer.

Wollstadt reported earlier that 150 items had been donated, with more coming in every day. The live auction will be limited to 75 items.

Among the items up for bid are a diamond pendant, diamond earrings, a University of Maine ice hockey jersey signed by this year’s Frozen Four players, three sets of two skybox tickets to UMaine hockey games and an Old Town Rotary Club work party consisting of 20 hours of labor.

Also offered are a basic estate-planning package, 20,000-BTU and 120,000-BTU gas heaters, a wagon-wheel glass table, a wedding cake serving 200, a mountain bike, a Thule 2260 tilt utility trailer, gift baskets and gift certificates.

You’ll not only have a good time at this event, but also during the summer, you will realize just how very much your attendance and support means to residents of this community.

Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby race director Vicki Vroom called to report that registration for the event, for youngsters 8-17, has been extended to Monday, May 7.

The registration fee is $35. You can register and receive more information by calling Bangor Parks and Recreation at 992-4490.

Winners in three divisions go to Akron, Ohio, to represent Eastern Maine in the National Soap Box Derby.

Vroom said volunteers for the race, and financial support from local business owners, is most welcome.

“We are always in need,” she added.

If you can help, call the number above.

Eastern Maine Community College announces this year’s final art exhibit is now through June 29 in the Library Gallery in the new Campus Center at EMCC, 354 Hogan Road in Bangor.

The public is invited to a reception and artistic presentation for the featured artist, Paul Thibodeau of Lincoln, 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, in the Library Gallery at Katahdin Hall.

For more information, including exhibit hours, call 974-4640.

The University of Maine Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders announces the ninth annual Hearing Expo 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, in Dunn Hall at UMaine in Orono.

The event offers adults free hearing screenings and the opportunity to have hearing aids checked and cleaned.

The event is free, but registration is required and can be made by calling 581-2009.

Department clinical audiologist and lecturer Amy Engler Booth reports that the event “is an evening of education, prizes and fun.”

Jim Bird e-mailed that the Orono Bog Boardwalk opens for its fifth season at 7 a.m. today.

Since its opening, Bird reported, “the boardwalk has been visited more than 90,000 times by people who enjoy the beauty of the 4,200-foot walk” in Bangor City Forest.

He directs you to “take Tripp Drive off Stillwater Avenue” to reach the boardwalk.

Bird reminds us that this special area is jointly managed by the University of Maine, the Orono Land Trust, and the city of Bangor, and that it “was built, and is run, entirely, by volunteers.”

He hopes, too, “that you can take time to visit the Orono Boardwalk between May 1 and the end of November.”

Information about the boardwalk is available at www.oronobogwalk.com.

You will remember reading here, that in recognition of May as Older Americans Month, Eastern Agency on Aging of Bangor instituted the George Hale Silver Frame Awards: The Picture of Active Aging.

The award, named for the popular local broadcaster, seeks nominees in two age groups, 60-75 and 76 and older, who “have shown themselves to be exceptional role models” in three categories: Artistic-Creative; Fitness or Outdoor Enthusiast-Adventurer; and Life-Long Learner-Entrepreneurial.

Carol Higgins of Eastern Agency e-mailed that “due to the nor’easter and people worrying about flooding and losing power,” EAA has extended the nomination deadline to Monday, May 7.

Nominations consisting of written essays of 350-500 words can be sent to Noelle Merrill, EAA, 450 Essex St., Bangor 04401.

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