Everyone who would enjoy walking, biking or riding is invited to participate in the Trek Across Brooks beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in Brooks.

The Rev. Suzie Gowie of the First Congregational Church of Brooks reports the purpose of the event is “to raise funds to repair the steeple and replace the weathervane on the church.”

The trek features “a short course of a little over three miles, from the center of town to the Brooks/Monroe town line and back on Route 139,” Gowie explained, “and a longer course of a little over five miles from the Knox/Brooks town line to the Brooks/Monroe town line.”

The registration fee is $5, and refreshments will be available at the Varney Memorial Building after the event.

For more information, call 722-3156 or 722-3615.

Mary-Anne Saxl of the Warren Center for Communication & Learning in Bangor reports the center is celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month and invites you to a talk, Early Language and Literacy: Learn about the Connection, at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the center, 175 Union St., Bangor.

People will “learn about language development in children from birth to 5, and how it impacts future literacy skills,” Saxl wrote.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch.

For more information, call the Center at 800-542-9000, (TTY) 941-2833 or 941-2850, or visit www.warrencenter.org.

Nicole Heanssler, of Waldo County Healthcare in Belfast, reports that the Searsport Health Center is hosting a Community Open House, 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at 37 Mortland Road in Searsport.

You will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Steve Sprague and health center staff; receive complimentary blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings and health information; and refreshments will be available.

For more information, call 548-2475.

Nancy Herr, of the Ruggles House Society, e-mailed its sixth annual plant sale is 9 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the historic facility at 146 Main St., Columbia Falls.

The sale offers “perennials, annual seedlings and vegetable starts … donated by Society members and others,” Herr wrote, adding that “plant donations can be made the day of the sale” or by calling Ellen Tenan, 546-7903, prior to the sale.

For your calendar, note that the house museum will be open from June 1 to Oct. 15, with guided tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays.

Admission to the house museum, built 1818-1820 and featuring “a flying staircase, intricate carvings and period antiques,” is $5 for adults and $2 for children, Herr added.

For more information, call 483-4637 or visit www.ruggleshouse.org.

From Sandra Gordon of Waldo County Healthcare, comes word that the Waldo County General Hospital Aid’s annual yard sale is 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, Saturday, May 24, at the hospital education center, 118 Northport Ave., Belfast.

She reports many aid members have worked hard on the organization’s “major fundraiser” that will offer you “a full room of bargains” ranging from books to furniture, jewelry and toys.

Those who want to make “donations of good, quality items” Gordon wrote, can drop them off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the education center.

If you would like to have items picked up Friday, May 23, call the hospital at 338-2500 and ask for the education center.

For more information, call 338-4232 or 930-6739.

“For about eight months now,” wrote Sharon Lowery, of the music ministry of St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Houlton, the church has been hosting a Saturday Night Coffeehouse Music Forum, “and they have been lots of fun.

“Our crowds have been small,” Lowery wrote, adding “it would be nice to include more people from the area.”

The next Saturday Night Coffeehouse Music Forum is 7-9 p.m. Saturday, May 24, in the church basement of St. Anthony’s Hall, 112 Military St., Houlton.

“So many people play instruments or sing,” Lowery said, “but rarely get a chance to do so for others, and we want to give them an opportunity to showcase their talents.”

“Our coffeehouses are family-oriented affairs, but not religious events.

“Any kind of music” that is appropriate for families “would be welcome.”

Lowery cordially invites not only performers, but “people who enjoy just listening to music, in an informal atmosphere,” to attend.

There is no admission fee.

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