After their annual town meeting last March, several residents of the tiny Hancock County community of Eastbrook (population about 370) met to discuss another annual event – their summer festival – and determined that, this year, it would be one of the best ever, Stefan Nadzo told me.

Under the leadership of event chairperson Carolyn Yeo and Fire Chief Ricky McNeil, local groups, organizations, church members and residents laid the groundwork for “Eastbrook Days,” which is guaranteed to offer something to please just about everyone.

Whether you’re a Maine resident or just visiting Vacationland, you’re bound to enjoy participating in “Eastbrook Days” on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12.

Start your weekend with family roller skating from 6-8 p.m. and Teen Roller Skating from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, at the Cave Hill School.

Admission is $5 per person, but if you own roller skates, DO NOT bring them, advised Nadzo.

“Because of the floor in the gymnasium, we will be providing everyone with special roller skates,” he explained.

However, you do need to bring socks.

An evening street dance, at the Community Building, features the music of Phoenix.

Breakfast sandwiches will be available beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, at the Grange Hall, and then you can get ready for the parade, which begins at 9 a.m. at the firehouse.

Featured in the parade will be special guest Tim Sylvia.

The 6-foot-8-inch, 265-pound Eastbrook native and Ellsworth High School graduate, is the reigning World Heavyweight Unlimited Fighting Champion.

Sylvia will be available for autographs and will participate in other activities as well.

Beginning at 10 a.m. you can buy goods at a craft fair, bake sale or yard sale; listen to the Ragtime Jazz of Fletcher’s Landing Philharmonic Orchestra; enter a horseshoe tournament at 11 a.m. and then enjoy a chicken barbecue for lunch.

Adults can play beano-bingo and win prizes in the afternoon while children take a donkey ride, have fun with the clowns, try their luck at a dunk tank, listen to the music of the Bubble Gum Band or use up their excess energy in a bounce house.

A bean supper is planned for 5-6 p.m. at the Grange Hall, and a teen talent contest begins at 6:30 p.m.

Eastbrook Days ends with fireworks over Molasses Pond at 9 p.m. Saturday.

For a complete schedule, and a great map to show you how to get there, visit http://www.eastbrookmaine.org/edays.html.

Folks who trace their family roots to the Alexander-Crawford area should gather their questions and information and attend the 2003 Alexander-Crawford Historical Society Genealogy Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Alexander Elementary School on Route 9.

John Dudley of the Alexander-Crawford Historical Society writes that “area experts on family history” will be there to assist you.

Sharon Howland, Valdine Atwood and Frances Raye will help with your research, and members of the Alexander Grange will provide snacks and lunches.

People with a particular interest in old barns will enjoy a photo exhibit on area barns, and “Blueberryland” author Walter Staples will be in attendance. His book describes the blueberry industry from the 1860s to the present time.

A Berwick resident and regular Wesley visitor since 1937, Staples “tells a good story, in print, and face to face,” Dudley reports.

If you want more information about the work of the A-CHS, visit www.mainething.com/alexander.

Anyone who attended Searsport District High School might want to make plans to attend the SDHS Alumni Association Homecoming 2003, which is planned for the weekend of Oct. 10-12.

The event begins with a “Get Re-Acquainted” Alumni Reception at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the school’s new cafetorium that includes a tour of the high school complex.

Saturday’s events include a co-ed alumni softball game at 2 p.m. If you’re interested in playing, you should e-mail Beth Clark Lockhart at wbak@ adelphia.net.

A catered homecoming dance begins at 6 p.m. that evening at the Blue Goose on Route 1 in Northport, and a pancake breakfast is planned for Sunday morning.

SDHSAA president Natalie Knox reminds you that it should not be assumed the association knows how to contact you about this, or other events so, if you have questions, comments or suggestions, call her at 266-9494 or e-mail natknox@yahoo.com.

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