On behalf of Volunteers for Hancock Jail Residents, visual artists Sherry Streeter of Brooklin and Mary Barnes of Sedgwick invite the public to what they describe as “Maine’s first public art exhibit by Hancock County Jail residents.”

The exhibit, “Inside Art,” begins with an opening reception from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at The Grand in Ellsworth.

The event is free; refreshments will be served; the artwork will be available for sale at “reasonable prices;” and you are most welcome to attend what organizers consider a “not-to-be-missed exhibit.”

Streeter and Barnes coordinated the event with the assistance of VHJR volunteer art teachers Carla Rosenzweig, Linda White, Karin Hills, Mary Jellison and Anne Williams.

According to the release, you also will have the opportunity to discuss the work of artists who participated in the program and who have served their sentences, as well as speak with VHJR teachers, volunteers and organizers.

For more information about this program, visit www.jailvolunteers.org or call 374-3608.

The nonprofit VHJR is sponsored by Downeast Health Services, and all contributions are tax-deductible.

Contributions to the program benefit VHJR’s jail programs, post-release activities and plans for The Landing, a nonresidential, post-release, re-entry center.

From Chip Mattson comes word that the Hampden Historical Society’s book and bake sale will be held 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the historic Kinsley House, 83 Main Road South in Hampden.

Mattson reports hardcover books and paperbacks “of all types” will be on sale, “plus a variety of homemade baked goods” as well.

Don’t worry about the weather, because the sale will be held inside and admission is free.

Proceeds from the sale help support the work of the society.

Jan Smith of Lamoine reports that the Missions Committee of Lamoine Baptist Church will hold an auction from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Lamoine School Gymnasium.

Auction items can be previewed from 8 to 9 a.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the nearly completed cabin “that the church has been building” at the Baptist Youth Camp in Charlotte, Smith explained.

The BYC is a “Christian Camping & Retreat Center,” she added, and one of the auction items will be a camp scholarship valued at $180.

Rescheduled from an earlier date, the Veazie Congregational Church Plant Sale is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the church, 1404 State St. in Veazie, Lucille Cardin reports.

The sale also will feature crafts and food items.

According to information provided by Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, its Books2Eat contest was a record-setting event.

More than 30 edible books were entered in the sixth annual celebration by people of all ages and abilities.

Best of all, the event raised a record $1,000 for the Friends of the Eastern Maine Community College Library.

Congratulations are extended to Jessica Barney for her rendition of “Misery” in the Stephen King category; to professional chef winner Russell Flewelling for “Finding Nemo;” and Katherine and Dan Adam, students under 12, for their winner, “Too Many Frogs.”

Alana Dunham was the EMCC Culinary Arts Student winner for “The Napping House,” and Terry and Karl Sanzenbacher won in the Everyone Else category with “Pars Anitomica.”

In addition to sampling the cakes, guests also enjoyed a high tea prepared by EMCC culinary arts students.

Marion Bailey wrote to me that the Mission Board of East Orrington Congregational Church is holding a baked bean supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the church, 38 Johnson Mill Road in Orrington.

Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children.

“Nancy Carson will entertain with songs from the [1940s, 1950s and 1960s] in the air-conditioned dining room,” Bailey wrote.

“Following dinner, our Modern Day Jeremiah Praise and Worship Band will complete your evening of song with a delightful night of music and worship.”

It’s shaping up to be a busy weekend, especially for those who enjoy sales and activities that benefit nonprofit organizations.

Sarah Sha’afi is a volunteer for the Levant Heritage Library.

She e-mailed to tell me that the organization is hosting a yard sale, craft fair and silent auction from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the library in Levant village.

Sha’afi wrote, “We have received items for our silent auction from Aubuchon Hardware, Dunnett’s Furniture, Penobscot Theatre” and several other businesses.

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