Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby race director Vicki Vroom hopes lots of folks will line the course when the first race in that 14th annual event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 30, on Buck Street between the Bangor Daily News and Paul Bunyan Park.
“Houlton is the only other location, in Maine” holding a derby this year, “so we are getting racers from farther away,” Vroom wrote of the 40 racers ranging in age from 8 to 17 who have registered.
Winners in each of three divisions will represent eastern Maine in the All-American Soap Box Derby in July in Akron, Ohio.
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Paula Kee e-mailed that the Bucksport Garden Club annual plant, bake and book sale is 9 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Bangor Savings Bank on the corner of Main and Mechanic streets.
Proceeds benefit civic projects and scholarships, and veteran and Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.
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Event coordinator Michael Handzel Jr. invites youngsters to the first Children’s Fun Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 30, sponsored by the North Brewer Shopping Plaza at 395 North Main St., Brewer.
A bounce house, face painting, free food and giveaways will be available, and public servants will be on hand to provide information.
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Selecting and caring for angora goats and spinning their fiber into yarn is the topic of a free Fiber Maine-ia workshop at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Page Farm and Home Museum at the University of Maine in Orono.
Representatives of Friends Folly Farm in Monmouth will bring two of their flock, and you are encouraged to bring your own spinning wheel or drop spindle, if you have them, program chair Mary Bird wrote.
For more information, visit www.extension.umaine.edu/fibermaine-ia/.
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You are invited to hear Robert S. Lagos, “a successful adult diagnosed with Asperger’s” who is also “an active member of Maine Mensa,” talk about Asperger syndrome at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Bangor Public Library story room, reports Martin Perfit of Hampden.
Jointly sponsored by the Warren Center for Communication & Learning and Maine Mensa, Perfit wrote that the presentation is free and there will be no “solicitation of contributions.”
Lagos “is a classically trained musician with a successful career as a computer programmer,” Perfit added.
The program is intended for adults and older teens, including family members and friends of those with Asperger syndrome, as well as educators, school administrators and guidance personnel, Perfit wrote.
For information, or if you are interested in attending, e-mail Perfit at testing@Maine.us.mensa.org.
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You are invited to join three dedicated walkers and celebrate the conclusion of their Peace, Water & Wisdom Walk at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Bangor’s Waterfront Park, reports Christina Diebold of the Unitarian Universalist Society’s Green Sanctuary Committee.
Three ministers are walking 600 miles from New York City to Bangor to raise awareness and funds for the Barka Foundation to build wells in the West African nation of Burkina Faso.
Singing and a water ritual are planned before the walkers’ arrival at approximately 5 p.m., Diebold wrote, then everyone will join them in walking the last mile to the church at 120 Park St. “for a party with food and music.”
For information about the Barka Foundation, visit http://www.barkafoundation.org/.
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Sue Dunham Shane invites you to the Comins Hall sixth annual variety show at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Eddington-Clifton Civic Center.
Admission is $5 for all ages to enjoy performers ranging from 11 to 80 who will sing, dance and clown around to raise funds to cover operating expenses for this 130-year-old facility.
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Whether he was wielding a pen, a gavel or a hammer, the mastery of the life of Bangor native Robinson “Robby” Speirs, who died this week at 84, was his ability to get the job done properly, on time, with good humor, dignity, honesty and pleasure.
A gentle man dedicated to family, church, work and community, Robby could calm the waters, when needed, as easily and as gracefully as he could maneuver a diversity of ideas into a cohesive unit.
To his dear wife, Betty Speirs, their children, families and friends, I extend my sincerest sympathies on the loss of one who was so appreciated and admired by those whose lives were touched by his.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.