Friends and neighbors of Randy and Brenda Beal of Harrington are holding a benefit dinner to assist the fishing family who were hospitalized recently after being poisoned by red tide.

According to a previous BDN report, the family suffered paralytic shellfish poisoning after eating a batch of infected mussels. State officials reported it was the first documented case of human red tide poisoning in at least 30 years.

Alicia Fickett e-mailed us that a benefit supper for the Beal family is planned for 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Narraguagus High School in Harrington.

Admission is by donation.

If you are unable to attend, donations for the family can be sent to Fickett at 645 Willey District Road, Cherryfield 04622.

For more information, call Fickett at 587-7724.

On behalf of the Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society, Jeanne Edwards invites the public to hear local genealogist and historian Charles Joy discuss “Longfellow: Maine’s Poet Laureate, a 200-year Celebration” at 7:30 tonight at the Sorrento Community Building.

Refreshments will be served after the presentation.

Rebecca Neville of Atlantic Challenge reports tickets are still available for its fundraising auction at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Knight Marine Service, 525 Main St., Rockland.

The auction features works of 44 artists. Proceeds benefit the students and programs of Atlantic Challenge, a nonprofit educational organization focusing on traditional boat building and seamanship skills.

Auction tickets are $150 each. For more information, call Atlantic Challenge, 594-1800, or visit www.atlantic

challenge.com.

Old Town McDonald’s owner Doug Quagliaroli encourages the public to participate in its event-filled, weeklong Teal at the Wheel Drive-Thru Challenge to raise funds for Ovations for the Cure to support ovarian cancer research and awareness.

The challenge is an attempt by seven New England McDonald’s restaurants to break the record of 1,000 vehicles being served in one hour and culminates with that attempt from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18.

To participate, you must purchase in advance a special $5 ticket for a Quarter Pounder Meal Deal by visiting Old Town McDonald’s at 993 Stillwater Ave., or at www.ovationsforthecure.org. Ticket proceeds benefit Ovations for the Cure.

The events include Bike Night, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, and a Dunk Tank, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17.

Maria Staples of Penquis Community Action Program invites you to its annual back to school celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Brewer Auditorium.

She wrote that more than 200 children attended the free event last year and hopes to see as many, or more, this year.

The celebration “offers families and children a day of interactive activities along with promoting services in the community that enhance children’s lives,” Staples wrote.

Refreshments and gifts will be given away along with information provided about everything from fire safety to child car seat installation and child care referrals.

This fun-filled, educational, everything-free event is sponsored and supported by several area businesses and organizations.

Rachel Schiro sent along information about the Artists of Corea Studio Tour 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, in that delightful Down East community.

The tour features artists’ studios, exhibits, demonstrations and heritage sites, and proceeds benefit Seaside Grange 567 in Corea.

Tickets are $10, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Advance tickets are available at Chapter Two and the day of the tour at the Grange Hall and Marsha Spurling House Gallery.

For information, call 963-7269.

Box lunches will be available 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. that day at Corea Baptist Church, and can be reserved in advance by calling 963-2067. Proceeds benefit The Acadian Community Woman’s Club.

Skip and Cindy MacDonald, Steven and Linda Howard, Kathy England and Sue Osgood invite you to the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church’s 32nd annual church fair from 9 am. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, on the front lawn of the church at 824 Main St.

The fair, expected to be the biggest yet, features baked goods, fresh-grown produce, craft tables with works from both the ladies and gentlemen of the church, a book table, jewelry “and our Trash and Treasure section located in the chapel of our buildings,” they wrote.

They urge you to “bring the children” to enjoy the children’s area featuring games and prizes, and know you will enjoy dining on a luncheon offering crab rolls, sandwiches, hot dogs and homemade pies.

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