The arrival of June marks a new beginning for the Bangor Museum and Center for History, and you are invited to join in the celebration of this exciting event.

On behalf of the BMCH board members, staff and volunteers, board president Beth Bohnet cordially invites the public “to celebrate our new look, new exhibit and new attitude” during a lawn party from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Thomas A. Hill House, 159 Union St. in Bangor.

Bohnet reports that “the board of directors will make a major announcement about our expansion” during the lawn party.

Additionally, attendees will receive a preview of “Ruffians, Ruffles, Parasols and Patriots: The Story of Bangor’s History through Costume.”

The costumes were a recent acquisition from the extensive collection of The Quipus.

Sally Bates also reports that “the opening reception will be fun, and we’d love to get a good turnout from the community.”

She added that “dressing in antique clothing is encouraged for attendees who enjoy stepping out in vintage dress” but, of course, that is not a requirement to attend the lawn party.

The museum also extends its gratitude to several businesses that have helped make the “Ruffians, Ruffles, Parasols and Patriots” exhibit possible.

Those businesses include Coe Management Group, Ames Corp., Cook Investment Group, Republic Parking System, BookMarc’s Bookstore and Cafe, and The Grasshopper Shop.

If you would like more information about the BMCH, call 942-5766.

But one of the best ways to find out about all the new and exciting activities taking place at the Bangor Museum and Center for History is to attend the lawn party and make a personal connection with Bangor’s past.

The next Sherman VFW Veterans Week organizational meeting is 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the VFW Hall in Sherman Station.

VFW auxiliary president Janice Charette reminds everyone in the area that “we need people to attend, as the time is getting closer.”

Sherman VFW Veterans Week 2002 runs July 20-26, and will be held at Katahdin Elementary School in Sherman Station.

Organizers are still seeking color guards, guides for visitors, and speakers, especially, who represent those who served in the Gulf War, she wrote.

This major undertaking by the VFW includes the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall plus a host of other activities such as a flag retiring ceremony, which will be held on Monday, July 22.

Charette reminds people “to save their flags that are tattered and worn” so that the group can “retire them appropriately.”

Contact people for the event are Charette, 365-4858; Wayne Guiggey, 365-4832 and John Cannon, 365-7230.

Catherine Brewer is the Luminary chairwoman of the American Cancer Society’s Aroostook Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the University of Maine in Presque Isle.

Brewer invites you to purchase a candle for $5 in the hope there will be enough candles to light the entire area covered by this event, which gets under way when Aroostook County cancer survivors walk the Lap of Hope at 7 that evening on the UMPI campus.

The candles burn throughout the night, while others walk, to not only honor loved ones but also remind participants of the support of those who are contributing to this fund-raiser.

If you would like to participate in this Relay for Life by purchasing luminaria, forming a team or walking in the survivors’ lap, call the ACS at (800) 464-3102 and press 3, or call 762-2261.

Staff members at the Cole Land Transportation Museum have announced that any Maine World War II veteran who does not yet have a decorated engraved Maine maple walking stick can obtain one.

The walking sticks will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, now through Thursday, July 4, at the Museum, 405 Perry Road in Bangor.

The sticks will be offered while supplies last, and all Maine WWII veterans are invited to visit the museum to receive one, free of charge.

People in the Augusta area, or chili lovers everywhere, should plan to attend the 1st Chili Chowder Challenge & Cha Cha Cha from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Buker Middle School, 22 Armory St., Augusta.

Admission is $8 per person or $25 per family, with children under age 12 admitted free.

The event, which features children’s crafts, children’s exhibition dancing and a live auction under the gavel of local businessman Neal Glazier, benefits the Children’s Center.

Tickets can be purchased at the Children’s Center Administrative Office, 99 Western Ave., the Alliance of Maine Federal Credit Union, 44 Edison Drive, and the Kennebec Valley Federal Credit Union, 316 Northern Ave., all in Augusta, or at The Cook’s Pantry in Hallowell.

The Children’s Center is a private, nonprofit organization providing physical, occupational and speech therapy for children with special needs. Tours of the Children’s Center will be conducted from noon to 2 p.m. the day of the event.

For more information about the Chili Chowder Challenge & Cha Cha Cha, call the Children’s Center, 612-6395.

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