What a wonderful time to begin a week’s vacation, right in the middle of the 66th National Folk Festival in Bangor!

I share the pride of all residents of this area who have helped make this event so successful, and am especially grateful for the extra effort of City Engineer Jim Ring and his crew for their hard work in making the Bangor waterfront so attractive.

That effort and the dedication and commitment of everyone associated with the third and final National Folk Festival in this city bode well, I hope, for what follows: the very first American Folk Festival on the Bangor waterfront in 2005.

I hope everyone enjoys the National Folk Festival, and that you all have a safe Labor Day weekend.

My column returns to this section on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Jean Lyford hopes the public will show its support for the Brewer Historical Society by making purchases at its bake sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Marden’s in Brewer.

The sale features homemade foods, and proceeds will benefit the society museum at 199 Wilson St., which Lyford said “needs a lot of repair.”

On behalf of the Island Fishermen’s Wives Association, its co-chairwomen, Cari Quiterio and Angela Douglas, invite the public to attend a benefit concert for the association and the Island Community Center.

Flash in the Pans steel band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30, at the Stonington Commercial Fish Pier.

For information, call 348-2626 or 348-6931.

Tim Throckmorton, WABI-TV sports anchor, will be a featured guest with recording artist Debbie Myers at the Palmyra Wal-Mart All-American Labor Day Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, in Palmyra.

Nightmoves will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when The Debbie Myers Show takes center stage and performs until 3 p.m.

You will also watch a clogging demonstration by the Highlanders, and see Tickles the Clown and Kellogg’s Tony the Tiger.

A craft show, bounce house, face painting, barbecue, pet photos, a raffle and a fund-raiser by local firefighters for the Muscular Dystrophy Association will all be part of the day’s activities.

Proceeds will help the MDA fund clinics, support groups and MDA’s medical equipment purchase and repair program.

Clips of the event will be aired throughout the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

The works of artist Rachel Collin Therrien of Augusta will be displayed during regular business hours Wednesday, Sept. 1, through Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

The public is invited to attend an opening reception and hear a talk by the artist, who features landscapes in her work, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the library.

Seating is limited, so if you wish to take a riverboat cruise, a guided tour of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and an escorted tour of historic Kings Landing settlement, you need to make your reservations now.

Moosehead Historical Museum is planning this two-day trip to Canada for Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 8 and 9.

The cost, including transportation, lodging, lunch at Kings Landing, admissions, the riverboat ride and city tour, is $195 per person.

Call the museum at 695-2909 to make your reservation.

First United Methodist Church of Bangor is planning a silent auction/dessert social fund-raiser from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the church on Essex Street.

Auction items will include donations from local businesses as well as from members of the congregation.

However, if you have household goods or items that you are willing to donate, church members would be very happy to have you help with this fund-raiser.

Donations can include books, movies, furniture or any other items you think might be suitable for this fund-raiser.

If you are interested in making a donation to the auction, call Deb Christensen at 941-9567, or e-mail her at fumco@juno.com.

From Kristie Miner of Westgate Manor in Bangor we learn that the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the Maine Alzheimer’s Association will be 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the Bangor Elks Club, 108 Odlin Road.

Admission for the dinner is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 10.

Tickets are available at Westgate Manor or can be purchased at the door.

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