Residents and visitors alike won’t want to miss the excitement of the Final Fall Fling to support the Circus Band Scholarship Fund from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Alamoosook Lodge in Orland.

Your $5 door fee will benefit the scholarship fund.

Pat Edgecomb of Bucksport reports there will be “music galore” with the Willy Kelly Band, Downeast Dixieland and All-Stars, and the Sweet Adelines International and Dancers, plus a meal you won’t want to miss.

According to Edgecomb, Alamoosook Lodge keeper Gina Bushony will be preparing her great Cincinnati chili and her special chowder, which you can purchase for $4 a bowl, along with pumpkin pie for $1.50.

Bar service and sodas will be available.

Downeast Dixieland founder Don Blodgett of Bucksport will be there to greet you, as will Edgecomb, and they are both eager to have your support for the scholarship that benefits children in several area counties.

Since 1996, Edgecomb reports, the Circus Band has provided 39 scholarships of $100 each, “including nine this summer,” for young musicians in eastern Maine.

“The recipients have used their awards in many ways,” she explained. “They may have used it to have the family piano tuned. Some have used it to buy music books or to help with summer tuition to music camps.”

Other young people have used their scholarships “to purchase musical equipment such as stands, mutes or reeds,” and even others have used the funds for music lessons.

The Circus Band “doesn’t make any money on this event,” Edgecomb said. “It’s all for the children, to help them study music.”

She urges you to bring your friends, enjoy the music and the food, and the fact that you attendance will help area young people continue in the fine tradition of the Circus Band.

If you have questions or need more information, call Edgecomb at 469-2252.

From Don Emmons and Kathy Welch at the Bangor Wal-Mart comes an invitation for parents and children to celebrate Halloween beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the store, 70 Springer Drive.

Joining the young revelers in singing, dancing and all the safe fun will be Dorothy and the “Wizard of Oz” characters.

In addition to the entertainment, your little goblins can have free digital photographs taken of themselves in costume, participate in a costume contest and take home candy and prizes.

Diana Giles is chairwoman of the North Brewer-Eddington United Methodist Church fair, “A White Christmas,” 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the church on Route 9 on the Brewer-Eddington town line.

Giles reports this annual event comes together with the help of nearly 100 people, working year round, preparing “crafts, knit goods, wooden crafts, jams, jellies [and] pickles.”

And, this week, in anticipation of the big day, everyone is busy making candy, baked goods and cookies as well as getting ready for the luncheon that will be served during the fair.

“When asked how we always have such a wonderful fair, our answer is all the people working together,” Giles wrote of not only church members, but of the help and contributions they receive “from community folks who just want to be part of a wonderful happening” and for which she thanks you.

It was delightful to read the words – written in a very strong hand – of 90-year-old Anna Wareing of Old Town, in which she extends her thanks to the hundreds of people who helped celebrate her recent birthday.

“To be born in 1912 and to live to be 90 is a gift in itself,” she wrote. “To be remembered in so many ways, by so many people, and with such affection, has touched me greatly. Thank you, and God bless you all for remembering me on the occasion of my 90th birthday.”

I am pleased to add my birthday greetings to that list, with the hope this plucky pianist will continue to entertain us for years to come!

Plans are under way for the American Red Cross in Eastern Maine’s second annual Antique Show and Sale, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Blue Goose Reception and Event Center on Route 1 in Northport.

Funds raised at the event will benefit ARC in Eastern Maine’s local Disaster Relief Services.

To register for booth space, call Michael Holmes at 338-0473 or e-mail holmesmi@midcoast.com.

I will provide you with more detailed information about this important event as the date approaches.

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