Down East youngsters invited to grow pumpkins

Gardening, no matter how little or how extensively you get into it, is a wonderful activity, which is why I thank Wayne Lobley, owner of Jordan Gardens in Machias, for offering youngsters an opportunity to learn what gardening is all about.

Lobley reports he is conducting his annual Pumpkin Growing Contest for all children 12 and younger at the time of planting, who live in Washington County.

Johnny’s Selected Seeds is providing the seeds for the contest, Lobley wrote, “including Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Seeds” which, according to Guinness World Records “consistently produce the largest pumpkins, with some growing to weigh several hundred pounds, depending upon the growing conditions.”

Each child receives a free packet of mixed pumpkin seeds (including the Atlantic Giant) and they are “responsible for planting, caring for and harvesting their pumpkins.”

Lobley added that the children “will receive planting instructions and growing tips”; they “may receive assistance from an adult or older sibling when necessary”; and they can enter and display their pumpkins in the Jordan Gardens Fall Festival.

Children can register with a Jordan Gardens employee and pick up their free seeds between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, at 34 Water St., Machias.

Speaking of those who love gardening, Carol Smith reports the Brewer Garden & Bird Club Annual Plant Sale is 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at Brewer Historical Society, which is located across from Gold Star Cleaners on Wilson Street in Brewer.

There you will be able to purchase perennials “that club members have dug from their own gardens,” Smith said.

The Garden Club strives “to educate its members” by inviting “knowledgeable speakers” to address its meetings, she wrote, and the money raised “makes this possible as well as” funding the club’s many civic projects throughout Brewer.

Those projects include “planting and maintaining a park on State Street,” Smith wrote, along with “flowers at the post office, high school, boat landing, Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker and planters at Indian Trail Park.”

This is a last-minute notice, but I believe readers, especially those on and close to Mount Desert Island, will appreciate knowing that the Acadia Big Band is performing a benefit concert at 7 o’clock tonight, in the gymnasium of Emerson School in Bar Harbor.

Emerson pupil Bradley Thurston has been selected as part of the People to People Student Ambassador program. He will leave for Australia on July 4 and return July 22.

Emerson teacher Joe Wainer called to say folks can help support Bradley’s participation in this program by making donations to attend the concert.

Ann Carter reminds readers the Big Yard Sale sponsored by the Charlotte Fire and Rescue Auxiliary is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Charlotte Fire Station.

The sale “promises to provide treasurers for every taste,” she wrote, with “everything from household goods” to clothing, shoes, books and a huge collection of toys of all kinds, “including a large number of delightful stuffed animals.”

Herbie’s Famous Hot Dogs, beverages and homemade sweets will be available. You will be among the first to see a fisherman knit afghan by Mary Pat Pierman, and raffle tickets for his summer-long fundraiser will be available, with the winning number being drawn in September.

Proceeds help fund costs of firefighter training and equipment that isn’t provided for in the town’s budget, Carter added.

Judith Sullivan e-mailed to say the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center annual Plant Sale is 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, June 2, at Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St., Bangor.

Perennials, from day lilies to yarrow, shrubs, vegetables, herbs and annuals will be available “plus, several local nurseries have donated gift certificates worth more than $100 that will be raffled to one lucky winner” attending this rain or shine event, Sullivan wrote.

The Peace through Interamerican Community Action Dinner Celebrating 16 Sweet Years of Bangor-Carasque Sistering is 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 120 Park St., Bangor.

The suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children over 5, free for those under 5, and $25 for families or “what you can afford,” reports Jonathan Falk.

If you can, make a reservation in advance. Make checks payable to PICA and send them to PICA, 170 Park St., Bangor.

For more information, call PICA at 947-4203.

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