While my husband and I are on vacation this week, enjoying our grandchildren who will be visiting from California, we hope you enjoy the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront Aug. 24-26, and the many offerings and activities available to you throughout eastern Maine.

Below you will find much to keep you busy, in addition to the Folk Festival, which should be another terrific weekend of entertainment for everyone. My column returns Tuesday, Aug. 28.

Eye Center Northeast clinical research director Luana Wilbur will address eye disorders such as glaucoma and dry and wet macular degeneration during the Bone Health Information & Discussion Group meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Bangor Y on Second Street.

You can learn about opthamology research and becoming a study participant. For information, or to register, call Robin Long, 941-2808.

Mary-Anne Saxl of the Warren Center for Communication & Learning invites you to the All Ears Preschool Open House 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at Hammond Street Congregational Church, Bangor.

There you will meet teacher of the deaf Carrie Pierce and University of Maine graduate student teacher’s assistant Hannah Richards.

All Ears Preschool is part of the Warren Center’s Voices to Be Heard Program serving hard-of-hearing children.

For more information about the Center, the program or the open house, call 941-2850.

Shirley Ellis of Old Town e-mailed that her niece Tiffany Wilson, a University of Maine environmental scientist, is participating in the 60-mile Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk on Oct. 12-14.

To help with fundraising, supporters will have a booth at the craft fair beginning at 9 a.m. during the Dixmont Bicentennial Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Dixmont/Etna Elementary School.

Wilson is walking with her best friend, Shannon McCarty Hill, a physician’s assistant specializing in oncology research and cancer drug development in Georgia.

All fair proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

For more information, or to donate online, visit www.the3day.org and click on Make a Donation.

The Maine Bowhunters Association invites you to Youth/Parent Archery Fun Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Old Town Archery’s Outdoor 3D Range, West Coiley Road.

No prior knowledge or experience is required to attend this free event that features National Archery in the Schools Program certified instructors, equipment and prizes.

Dan Long reports any donations will benefit MBA Maine Youth Archery Education and Equipment efforts.

For more information, call Old Town Archery, 827-9489.

Sherry Young reports that proceeds from the Reach for Success Public Auction will benefit the new Gouldsboro/Winter Harbor Grammar School.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the auction begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Winter Harbor Gymnasium.

Among items up for bid are University of Maine football season tickets, heating oil and live lobsters.

Edward White of the Whitneyville Library Association encourages you to purchase tickets for a Super Seafood Raffle featuring 14 seafood-related prizes including lobster, clams, seafood, gift baskets and dining opportunities.

Tickets are $5 each and are available from any association member or at the Whitneyville Library.

The drawing takes place during a public supper Saturday, Aug. 25, at Whitneyville’s Hillgrove Community Center, but you need not be present to win. Proceeds benefit the WLA.

Mary Blackstone of the Ellsworth Garden Club invites you to hear Steve Elliott of NewLand Nursery discuss What You Need to Know about Water Gardening at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Boggy Brook Road in Ellsworth.

Joyce Given, president of Millinocket Regional Hospital Auxiliary, wrote that hundreds of books will be offered at discount prices during the MRHA Book Fair by Imagine Nation Books.

The fair is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, in the MRH Multi-Purpose Room, 200 Somerset Street, Millinocket.

Proceeds benefit the Auxiliary scholarship fund.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s free Learn by Mail Eat Well program is available to low-income individuals, reports Gail Lane.

The 10 lessons teach individuals “healthy nutrition, money-saving grocery tips” and offer simple tasty recipes.

At the end of the lesson, you receive a free gift “in appreciation of your efforts towards a healthier lifestyle,” Lane wrote.

To register, call 942-7396 and ask for a nutrition associate.

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