With 500 children already “signed up for school supplies,” a number which is “up from 350 last year,” reported executive director Bill Rae of Manna Ministries, your support of the Manna Ministries yard sale is more important than ever.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Manna, 629 Main St. in Bangor.

It continues until the last item is sold, and all donations will benefit the eighth annual Manna Inc. School Supply Drive.

With such an increase in the number of people seeking help for their children as they prepare for the 2006-07 school year, Rae believes “this is already looking to be a hard, upcoming winter,” he wrote.

An 80-foot tent has been set up in the Manna parking lot for the yard sale, which features men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, computer equipment, large and small appliances, toys and furniture.

You will also find kitchen equipment, from dishes to utensils, as well as furniture, building supplies, heaters, display racks, sports equipment and more.

If you cannot participate, but would like to help with the Manna School Supply Drive, call Rae at 990-2870.

Marguerite Eckert reports Maine Korean War Veterans Association Burton-Goode-Sargent Chapter One will conduct a brief service in observance of the 53rd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice in Korea at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.

All veterans and members of the public are invited to attend, and all chapter members are reminded their July meeting will follow the service.

For more information about this event or the chapter, call Eckert at 825-3722.

On behalf of the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, Carmen Smith invites you to hear a talk by Carlson Williams titled, “The First Murder in Piscataquis County,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27, in the Observer Building Museum in that community.

The county’s first murder victim was Calvin Watson, who in 1881, was found at his home on Crow Hill in Parkman.

Smith invites you to attend to find out “who done it!”

Page Farm and Home Museum director Patricia Henner invites you to its annual Old Fashioned Community Picnic 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at the museum on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.

You are asked to bring a dish, salad or dessert to share at this free event, along with your blanket or chair.

The event includes ice cream making, games and relays for all ages, golden oldies music, historic films shown in the new carriage house building, a demonstration by the Maine Antique Power Association, soap-making, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and The Farnsworth General Store will be open for business.

The museum is open 9 am.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends for group tours, special hands-on programs and other educational and interactive events.

For more information, call the museum at 581-4100 or visit www.umaine.edu/pagefarm.

The 25th anniversary of the Upper Union River Historical Society will be celebrated with a potluck luncheon at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Amherst Town Hall on Route 9.

Connee Jellison extends a “warm welcome” to descendants of early families all along the Union River, who would like to join in the festivities.

The event will honor the 1981 founders of what was then the Amherst Historical Society.

Speakers include Sylvia Jordan Sawyer addressing “This Old House,” about early homesteads in Osborn, and genealogist Paul Firlotte.

You are welcome to go through the society’s collection of histories, photographs, military records and, perhaps, “solve your family mystery,” Jellison wrote.

Diane Eckhardt reports the Hancock Point Library is hosting a Book & Bake Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the library, which she explained is “4.5 miles down the Point Road.”

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