Doing one of the hundreds of area residents serving as a volunteer for the 64th National Folk Festival today, Friday, Aug. 23, through Sunday, Aug. 25, in Bangor, Maine, is one way for me to welcome the thousands of visitors to our wonderful city and state.

Another way, of course, is to say it, directly: WELCOME, EVERYONE!

You won’t be able to miss us, by the way, because NFF volunteers will be wearing unbelievably bright, lime-green T-shirts!

I hope each of you enjoys visiting here as much as we enjoy living here.

I extend a hearty native Maine welcome, as well, to all who made their way to the Pine Tree State to participate in the festival.

To the dancers and musicians; the craftsmen and craftswomen; the chefs who will feed us an amazing array of ethnic dishes; and the folks who will delight us with the wonders of their culture and its special activities: WELCOME!

We are so happy to see you, and so happy to have you here.

I hope, too, that you take time to look around and see as much of Maine as possible.

You are visiting a most unique state: The one where the mountains meet the sea, and where the sun first shines on U.S. soil; the home of lobsters, potatoes, wild blueberries, apples, and so much more!

Fort Knox in Prospect is Maine’s most visited historic site, and millions visit Acadia National Park each year.

You are in the Queen City of the East: The city once known as the lumbering capital of the world; the home of the legendary Paul Bunyan and chocolate brownies; home to the Maine Shakespeare Festival, famous authors, artists, politicians and statesmen; the city Henry David Thoreau described as “the star on the edge of night.”

The Bangor Band, which was established in 1859, is believed to be this country’s second-oldest continuously performing community band.

Our Bangor Symphony Orchestra is the oldest community orchestra in the United States, providing continuous service. The 2002-2003 season will be the 107th for the BSO, which was established in 1896.

Our public library is one of the finest around. We are home to the new Maine Discovery Museum, which your children will thoroughly enjoy, and we have several other museums where you can learn about the history of Bangor, the region and Maine.

We have lovely college campuses for you to see; lots of great places to eat; and owners and employees of local and area businesses, stores, theatres, shops, hotels and motels just waiting to serve you.

Welcome to Bangor, National Folk Festival!

The public is invited to participate in the 13th annual Walk for Brain Injury Prevention Sunday, Sept. 15, at five sites throughout Maine.

The Brain Injury Association of Maine will host the five fund-raisers, which will be held in Bangor, Winslow, Hallowell, Portland and Kennebunk.

Each walk location will award a first-place prize package and gift certificates to the second- and third-place finishers.

For more information, or to register, call Leslie DuVall at (800) 275-1233.

Proceeds benefit the Brain Injury Association of Maine.

Three cheers for members of the Hampden Academy Class of 1952 Reunion Committee!

Patricia Newcomb Treworgy wrote the committee is hosting the HA ’52 50th Reunion Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Hampden Historical Society, and that the committee has located all but two of its classmates. Good work, committee!

The committee is seeking information for just Mary Ellen Cole Pinkham and Nancy Moran Seluke.

Anyone with information about either individual should write or call Pat Newcomb Treworgy, P.O. Box 411, Milbridge 04658 or call 546-2584.”

Speaking of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, plans are under way for the Seventh Annual Fest & Foliage Trip Saturday, Oct. 5, to North Conway, N.H.

Friends of the BSO trip coordinator Nancy Ziegenbein reports that “we are almost half-full, already,” for the luxury coach tour, and reservations must be made by Monday, Sept. 9.

The tour includes a train ride in a restored, first-class, 104-year-old Pullman observation car on the Conway Scenic Railroad, and an afternoon cruise aboard the Songo River Queen II on Long Lake, Brandy Pond and Sebago Lake. Great trips, I know, because I’ve taken them.

Morning coffee and a dinner stop are on your own, but your reservation includes a box lunch choice on the train.

The cost for Friends of Symphony members is $89 per person, and $99 for nonmembers.

Stops to pick up people along Interstate 95 south of Bangor can be made in advance.

To reserve your space, call Ziegenbein, at 947-7965, or the BSO, (800) 639-3221.

Proceeds from the tour benefit the BSO.

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