What wonderful fun awaits everyone who takes part in East Millinocket Celebrating 100 Years, 1907-2007, which is July 11-15 in that community, with most activities taking place in Opal Myrick Park.

Kelly Willigar is chairwoman of the East Millinocket Centennial Celebration Week Committee, and she hopes you have fun each and every day.

To view a complete schedule, visit www.eastmillinocket.org and click on View Our Centennial Celebration Schedule.

But Willigar has provided us with a preview. For example, you can start the celebration at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, at a public breakfast at the Calvary Temple Assembly of God on Orchard Street.

Also on Wednesday, children’s old-fashioned games, sponsored by the East Millinocket Recreation Department, begin at 11 a.m., and a greased pig contest and the official children’s hose down, sponsored by the East Millinocket Fire Department, begin at 12:30 p.m.

“It’s our Children’s Day,” Willigar said. “We’ll also have a watermelon- and hot dog-eating contest and karaoke.”

Willigar said that Thursday, July 12, is designated as “Fun Day in The Park” and features everything from a noontime concert to a children’s bounce house and tours of the mill each hour from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., leaving from the main gate at 53 Main St. You should know that proper attire is required, including no open-toe shoes.

The day is filled with lots of entertainment and concludes with a street dance at 9 p.m.

Friday, July 13, is class reunion day, and there will be a golf tournament, mill tours, concerts, a public supper and a sold-out performance by comedian Bob Marley at Schenck High School gymnasium.

Friday’s activities conclude with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

The centennial parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 14, on Main Street, Willigar said, and is followed by the dedication of the new veterans’ memorial that “veterans Donald Morin and Ralph Tapley have worked so very hard to establish.”

That evening, folks will gather for an alumni dance at Schenck High School.

The celebration closes with a public breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, July 15, at First Congregational Church on Maple Street, followed by a worship service and gospel sing-along in the park.

For those who know and love the greater East Millinocket area, this would be a wonderful time to return, meet old friends and make new ones.

Tickets are limited, so you should order them soon if you want to attend the eighth annual Big Band Concert and Dance from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 21, in Emerson Hall on Court Street in Castine.

Jean Miller reports the dance features Sentimental Journey, “the 18-piece dance band from Bangor,” under the direction of Don Menninghaus of Bangor and his assistant, Silas Yates of Castine.

“Vocals will be by noted Downeast singer Alice French,” Miller wrote.

Tickets are $18 per person, and all proceeds benefit the nonprofit, volunteer Castine Arts Association.

Miller wrote that the dance will feature popular and swing music as well as Latin, waltz, country, jazz, polka and rock tunes.

The fundraiser will feature cabaret seating and light refreshments served at no charge.

Tickets can be purchased at the T & C Market and the Variety Store in Castine or by calling Miller at 326-9138 or e-mailing jeanmiller@RNSMTE.com.

Ann Carter of Charlotte certainly is faithful about keeping us informed of events in and around the communities of Washington County.

For example, she e-mailed recently to remind readers that the Friends of the Calais Free Library Bookstore “has almost doubled its hours of operation this year, and the number of books, most in fine condition, has increased also.”

She reports the bookstore is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, as well as from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first and third Saturday of each month.

The store is located next to Unobskey School on Main Street in Calais.

Carter wrote that “the bargain prices continue, with hardback books $1 and paperbacks” for 50 cents, including children’s books.

“Magazines are 10 cents, and romance paperbacks five for $1,” Carter wrote, adding that the store also has videos, records, tapes, etc., also at good prices.

You also will find antique books at half their market price, and Carter reminds you that all “funds raised go exclusively to support the programs of the Calais Free Library.”

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