Were you born and brought up somewhere around the Upper Union River?

If so, you might like to know that the organization formerly known as the Amherst Historical Society is now the Upper Union River Historical Society.

Society President Connee Jellison of Bar Harbor wrote that the former AHS “has grown in membership, and created more interest in other small towns in the area” that no longer have their own historical societies.

“Even the old reunions have been dropped, one by one,” she added.

And that is why, Jellison continued, that “we’d like the public to know that we are now, officially, a registered, nonprofit historical society.”

That’s the key point: While the Union River society has been around for a while, it is now “official,” as Jellison puts it.

As a way of getting “a jump-start” on its plans for its annual meeting this summer, Jellison believes those interested in the history of that area should know of the changes that have taken place, even though a society summer meeting “seems a long way off.”

Jellison also wants readers to know that the organization’s meeting place, “at the Amherst Town Hall, is the same, thanks to the generosity of the townspeople who have reserved an area for us to use as storage for our growing genealogical collection and artifacts.”

Former and current residents of the Upper Union River area might want to mark their calendars for the society’s annual meeting, which is Saturday, July 29, at the Amherst Town Hall.

If you have questions about this organization, call Jellison at 288-4887.

Bobbi Jo Yeager, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of Maine, and Colleen Adams, director of the Technical Exploration Center, have announced that candidates are being sought for Bellows Fellows, which are grant opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Since 1995, the National Office of UCP has managed the Elsie Bellows Trust, which provides technological assistance grants for people with disabilities.

Since each UCP affiliate can nominate one or more person for a grant of up to $3,081, UCP of Maine is seeking candidates for this grant.

Applicants must document need for the equipment, and the Bellows Fellows grant must be considered the funding source of last resort.

Completed applications must be received by Friday, May 5, and you can obtain an application, and receive more information, by calling the Technical Exploration Center at 941-2952, ext. 227.

On behalf of the Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church, Tami Campbell wants readers to know “there are a few open spaces” for the Children’s Fair sponsored by the Jubilation Ringers, the church’s English Handbell Choir.

This large, indoor yard sale, scheduled for Saturday, May 20, at the Hampden Academy gym, features equipment, clothing and toys for babies to junior adults.

For more information about participating in this event, call Wendy Holden at 862-6494 or Penelope Olson at 947-0639.

Shirley Bassett, parade chairman of the Eastport 4th of July Committee, which sponsors that community’s highly popular Independence Day and Old Home Week Celebration July 1-4, is inviting groups and other interested individuals to participate in its Grand Independence Day Parade beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 4.

Up to 10,000 people enjoy a variety of events during the week, and the streets are lined with people waiting for you to pass by on the Fourth of July.

Bassett is pleased to report that the week’s activities are made possible through generous donations of those from home and away, and she hopes you will consider entering anything from floats to horses in this celebratory event.

To receive more information about being part of the parade, call Bassett at 853-4168 or visit www.eastport4th.com.

For our Bangor International Troop Greeters, a letter from M. Susan Shankle of Mount Pleasant, S. C., said it all.

“On March 29,” she wrote, “my precious nephew, Chad, returned from Iraq. He is my first nephew, my parents’ first grandchild, oldest son of my sister, and the apple of everybody’s eye. We love him very much. It is because we love him so that I am writing to you to thank you so much for welcoming him and the Marine platoon he commands back into the United States. It meant a great deal to him and to us all.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

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