Last year, the Hillcrest Golf Club home and garden tour “was such a success, we decided to do another,” reports Chairman Kitty St. John.

The tour starts with coffee and doughnuts at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at the golf club in Millinocket, where you will receive a packet containing the itinerary and maps.

The tour ends at 3 p.m. at the Massachusetts Avenue home of Carla Portwine, where “she will have treats and a surprise for everyone,” St. John wrote.

Attendees should know the Katahdin Paper Co. guest house and the Penobscot Avenue home of Jeri Cohen, who owns a wreath-making business, each will be open only from 9 to 10:30 a.m. that day.

The tour also includes the home of well-known artist Jean McLean-Corcoran at Ambajejus Lake, where you are apt to find her “at her easel,” St. John wrote.

Lunch and beverages will be available from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Big Moose Inn at Ambajejus Lake, where you might enjoy relaxing a bit before continuing your tour, St. John suggests.

Tickets are $10 and are available at Memories of Maine, Lupines, and Reed Insurance Agency in Millinocket.

St. John thanks the busy business owners and homeowners participating in this year’s tour.

Bill Robertson wrote to provide readers with a schedule of events for the remainder of the season for the Franklin Historical Society.

The organization will conduct its annual meeting and election of officers at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at the historical society on Hog Bay Road. At this meeting, you will hear about College of the Atlantic’s marine rescue program.

Mark Herrington will conduct a special granite workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at his Franklin Workshop Quarry on Route 182. The cost is $50. You should call him at 565-2038 to register.

You will learn how to use hand chisels, hammers and drills, and you’ll make a few granite benches. One student will win a granite bench.

The historical society is host to an open house and afternoon tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at the society. Donations would be appreciated.

The blueberry pancake breakfast will be from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Franklin Veterans Club, Route 182. The meal is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.

Robertson reminds you the museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through September or by appointment. Call 565-3323 or 565-3336 for information. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

You also can visit the society’s historical exhibit on the granite industry at Franklin Memorial Park, Route 182.

Tom Testa reminds those interested in the Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust that its regular meetings, unless otherwise posted, are 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at Ellsworth City Hall and that the next meeting is Tuesday.

This meeting will be followed by a video presentation of Steam Rails of Maine by board members Ken Jackman and Leverett Fernald.

Jeff Dobbs Productions of Bar Harbor, Testa wrote, donated the video display of steam operations on the Mountain Division and other Maine lines.

“The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend to learn more about the history of Maine’s railroads,” Testa wrote.

For information about this organization and its meetings, call 866-449-7245 or visit www.downeastscenicrail.org.

Ronald McDonald House manager Pat Beckwith and assistant house manager Dina Casey have a solution for everyone who is “wondering what to do with all those vegetables from your garden.”

They invite you to a cooking class taught by Chef Larry Grieco from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, at Ronald McDonald House, 654 State St. in Bangor.

During the class, you will learn to make Chinese and vegetarian favorites that range from spring rolls to fried rice, crab Rangoon, chili and stir-fries.

The $20 class fee includes recipes and a meal.

To register, call Beckwith or Casey at 942-9003.

All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Lis Dudley-Bean of Rape Crisis Assistance & Prevention in Waterville has announced that organization is “offering an opportunity for survivors of sexual violence to express themselves during their healing journey through various art forms” by joining an art expression group to be offered this summer.

Dudley-Bean will be organizing and leading the group and, if you are interested, you should call her at 872-0601, ext. 103, or e-mail csdirector@rape-crisis.com.

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