Helping launch the 2002 Maine Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield is a Fine Art and Photography Exhibition from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Historic Friends Church Museum on Route 1A in Fort Fairfield.

The show, which is free and open to the public, features award-winning oil paintings and photography by the late Wilda Burtchell Hutcheon, a Fort Fairfield native and former Caribou resident.

Edwina Gagnon and Ruth Mraz of Fort Fairfield are in charge of the show, which also features Hutcheon memorabilia, including trophies, awards, scrapbooks and pictures.

The memorabilia was presented by the family to the Frontier Heritage Historical Society. Following the show, it will be housed in the archive room at the Blockhouse Museum in Fort Fairfield.

Of current interest, in view of the events of Sept. 11, is the fact that Hutcheon was honored years ago by being selected to represent Maine in a juried show at 1 World Trade Center.

Mraz recalls how proud Hutcheon was to have been chosen to display her work there.

Hutcheon’s work primarily featured Maine and the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec, but she was equally well known for her portrait work in the United States, Canada and England.

Copies of Hutcheon’s award-winning “Desert Design,” a photograph taken at the Desert of Maine in Freeport, will be available free of charge for the first 25 people who attend the show.

Some of Hutcheon’s paintings and framed photographs will be available for sale by estate representative Arlene Hosford of Island Falls.

Described by Eunice Ladd as “a community event allowing many local organizations to work toward their fund-raising goals,” the Dedham Historical Society-Dedham-Lucerne Fire Department Auxiliary Fair is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Dedham School on Route 1A.

A major focus of the event is the celebration of the 20th year of the DHS “collecting and preserving the town’s history,” wrote Ladd, who is co-chairwoman of the fair.

Local genealogist Connee Jellison will attend, signing her book, “Along the Union River.”

Copies of the book will be available during the fair, and Jellison will also have some oil paintings on show and for sale.

In addition, Ladd wrote, “several local artists will have wares on display and for sale,” and a concession stand will feature homemade baked goods.

While you’re enjoying the fair, wish members of the DHS a Happy 20th Anniversary!

The family of Edna Amero extends a special thank you to everyone who visited and sent cards or gifts to help celebrate her 100th birthday June 30 at Eastside Rehab and Living Center in Bangor.

The centenarian enjoyed a very large, festive and well-attended party, and her family extends its appreciation and thanks to the Eastside Rehab and Living Center staff for their caring and helpfulness.

Representatives of the Bangor School Department remind readers it is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, providing meals to all children ages 1 to 18 without charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Acceptance and participation requirements are the same for all children, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Breakfast is served from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. July 29-Aug. 9 at Downeast School in Bangor.

Carl Storms and Carl McKusick invite descendants of John and Mary Barker McKusick to a reunion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at the Carroll McKusick Farm on Route 150 in Parkman.

Soft drinks and cooking facilities will be available, but guest should bring their own lunches, chairs and pictures.

For more information, call Storms at 587-4456 or Carl McKusick at 876-2252.

A recent $1,000 donation from the Maine Credit Union’s Campaign for Ending Hunger and the Bangor Chapter of Credit Unions to Manna, Inc. of Bangor couldn’t have come at a better time.

Manna Executive Director Bill Rae reported the presentation came just one day after the agency’s freezer broke, forcing the organization to throw away all of its meat and frozen products.

Rae considers the contribution a blessing and thanks the Bangor Chapter of Credit Unions and the MCU Campaign for Ending Hunger for the donation that came when it was needed most.

Manna, located at 180 Center St. in Bangor, is a soup kitchen and food pantry that helps feed Maine people.

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