One unfortunate aspect of these busy times, as many of us recognize, is the inability of groups and organizations to sustain their memberships and continue to implement their goals and objectives.

Openly recognizing that problem is the Winterport Woman’s Club, wrote Tammy Higgins, which has decided to publicly address the situation.

Higgins wrote that the Winterport Women’s Club will hold an open Community Membership Forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Smith School, “to give residents of the community an opportunity to meet their neighbors.”

She said forum participants will be representatives of “many of the town-based clubs and organizations,” ranging from the American Legion and Auxiliary to the Winterport Business Association, local Boy and Girl Scouts, Winterport Library Association and Winterport Fire and Rescue Association.

Many other local organizations have been invited, and representatives of any local group are more than welcome to contact the WWC and “reserve a display table,” Higgins wrote.

The purpose of the forum is to introduce “programs and activities of the various groups in the town” to community members and, it is hoped, attract new members.

Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

For more information about this important local event, call Higgins at 223-5733 or e-mail thiggins@higginsbusinessservices.com.

Doors open for the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area fifth annual Bluegrass Show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Williamson Arts & Technology Center in Fairfield, reports Dale Marie Clark.

The show features The Muellers, Blistered Fingers and Anna Mae Mitchell & Rising Tide.

General admission tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 5-12, $20 for VIP seating. Group rates are available for 10 or more tickets.

Tickets are available at Hospice Community Center, 304 Main St., Waterville; Down Home Music, Fairfield; Al Corey Music, Waterville; My Cousin’s Place, Norridgewock; www.hvwa.org/special-events or call 873-3615.

Throughout the world on Sunday, Oct. 19, recitals will be held in what the American Guild of Organists calls “the world’s largest organ recital,” reports AGO Bangor Chapter member Kay Eames.

As part of the AGO’s International Year of the Organ, the Bangor Chapter will present its Organ Spectacular at 4 p.m. that day, at All Souls Church, 10 Broadway in Bangor.

In addition to organ favorites, the recital will premier two works composed specifically for this event.

There is no admission fee, but a suggested $10 donation will benefit the chapter’s organ scholarship fund.

Wyman Methodist Church will hold a Chinese auction and bake sale at 11:30 a.m. with the drawing at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Milbridge Town Hall.

The more than 100 items range from gift certificates to appliances.

For more information, call Janet Woodward, 546-7657.

Laura Mitchell reminds Fusion:Bangor members and guests that its third annual Awards Gala will begin with a social hour at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in an airplane hangar at Bangor International Airport.

Tickets are $25 for current Fusion members, $35 for nonmembers. Tables for eight are $240, and tickets may be purchased by going to Chamber Events at www.bangorregion.com or by calling the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce at 947-0307.

This year’s honorees are Hillary Roberts of Bangor, receiving the Horizon Award; The Maine Edge, receiving the Fusion Partnership Award; and Andrew Hamilton, receiving the Fusion Leadership and Vision Award.

Speakers include Col. Jack Mosher, Chief of Operations for the Maine National Guard, and Oxford Networks president Craig Gunderson.

Sandy Gordon of Waldo County Healthcare reports Waldo County General Hospital is offering American Red Cross CPR and first aid classes for the public.

Each class is 6-10 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 21 and continuing on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, at the WCGH Education Center on Northport Avenue in Belfast.

Taught by certified ARC instructor Lonie Brown, the first class is adult CPR, the second is infant and child CPR and the third is first aid.

To register and obtain CPR books before class, call the WCGH education department during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, at 338-2500, ext. 4154.

The cost is $60 for three classes, $50 for two classes, $35 for one class, and fees should be paid when picking up materials.

This week, my husband and I are catching up with our East Coast kids and grandkids.

My column returns to this section Tuesday, Oct. 21.

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