For many area residents and visitors, it has become a family tradition to begin their Fourth of July holiday by attending the Bangor Noontime Kiwanis annual Pancake Breakfast, which is 6-10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the Brewer Auditorium.

Deborah Paradis is chairwoman for this event that is just one part of The Greater Bangor Kiwanis Fourth of July celebration.

These special festivities, she reminds readers, “are completely organized by the Bangor area Kiwanis chapters, whose members are responsible for funding the cost for the parade and fireworks,” which has “increased, substantially” of late, “making it a yearlong process to raise the funds necessary for these events,” she wrote.

And that is one very good reason Paradis is hoping for another excellent turnout at the breakfast.

Every penny you spend there helps make this a more enjoyable holiday for you and your family, and a better life for others every day.

As usual at the pancake breakfast, you will enjoy fresh, native strawberries from the farm of Ken and Bev Tate, coffee donated by Dunkin’ Donuts of Brewer and Hormel sausage. You will dine on and with products supplied by Dennis Paper and Food Service, Unisource and North Center, under a canopy tent provided by Maine Equipment Rental.

Paradis wrote that Kiwanians feel very fortunate “to have these wonderful sponsors” participate in this fundraiser.

And while funds raised through this meal help support these festivities, Paradis reminds you that the mission of the local Kiwanis chapter is to fund children’s programs, assist soup kitchens, provide clothing for area children and help keep local recreation centers open.

“With community support for our local fundraisers, we are able to support our local children,” she wrote.

Paradis hopes to see you at the breakfast, and hopes you fully enjoy your Fourth of July.

To avoid a conflict with traditional Fourth of July activities in the Washington County area, the regular day (Wednesday) for the weekly SummerKeys Mary Potterton Memorial Concert series has been changed and, due to that change, concert-goers have an opportunity to attend not one, but two, performances on the same evening, Ann Carter reports.

The first concert features organist George Bozeman at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at Lubec Congregational Christian Church. Bozeman’s recital “will showcase” the church’s “fine, old organ,” Carter wrote.

The second SummerKeys concert follows at 7:30 p.m. at the church and features the Biss-Brubaker Duo of pianist Gregory Biss and violinist Lynn Brubaker.

Doors will not open for this concert until 7:15 p.m. to allow for a smooth transition from the organ recital to the concert.

There is no charge for the concert, but donations for the piano-tuning fund are always appreciated.

On behalf of Beals Historical Society, Carol Davis invites you to a Singing Marathon at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at Beals Elementary School.

“We will see just how long this talented group of people can last,” Davis wrote.

“Plus, the variety section will also be on deck to add a little humor for the evening,” and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be on sale.

United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine announced the Knights of Pythias Colonel Brewer Lodge 56 of Brewer has presented volunteer Katie Gurnsey a check for $5,213.35 to benefit the Reopening of Camp CaPella Campaign.

The traditional, summer day camp for people with disabilities operated for 40 years at its Lucerne-in-Maine facility on Phillips Lake. But two years ago, the camp had to cease operations due to funding difficulties.

A committee has been formed to help find ways to reopen the camp, and this contribution assists in that effort.

According to the release, Gurnsey was asked to address the Knights of Pythias’ annual dinner and convention in April on behalf of UCP of Northeastern Maine.

“Katie made such a strong impact on us with her passion for Camp CaPella,” explained the Knights’ Grand Chancellor George Zitaner of Bangor, that when it came time for the organization to choose the one charity it supports each year, it chose “to support Camp CaPella.”

If you would like to help with this campaign, call UCP of Northeastern Maine at 941-2952 or write UCP of Northeastern Maine, Suite 320, 700 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor 04401.

If you would like more information about the Knights of Pythias Colonel Brewer Lodge 56, call 262-1051 and leave a message.

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