DAMARISCOTTA – The Mount Holyoke College Club will hold its annual picnic at the Round Top Center for the Arts at noon Saturday, Aug. 2.

All alumnae in the area at that time are being invited to attend, along with husbands, children and guests. People should take a picnic lunch and folding chairs.

For further information, people can call 644-8515 or 549-5586.

Mayflower society

BATH – The Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants will hold its summer meeting on Saturday, Aug. 2, at New Meadows Inn.

A luncheon at noon will be followed by a talk by Eben Elwell, who has researched Pilgrim history on the Kennebec. People can call 236-7719 for details.

Fair books

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association has brochures and fair books for people interested in attending this year’s Common Ground Country Fair. The fair will be Sept. 19, 20 and 21.

The free brochure is available from the Common Ground fair office. People interested in receiving a copy, which will be mailed Sept. 1, must contact the office by Aug. 15. After that date, books will be available for $3 plus $1.50 postage and handling.

People can contact the Common Ground Country Fair, P.O. Box 170, Unity, ME 04988; call 568-4142; or e-mail cgcf@mofga.org. The fair book will be posted on the Web at www.mofga.org in mid-August.

Writing retreat

DEER ISLE – The Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance will present its second annual fall writing retreat on Sept. 12 to 14 at the Haystack Mountain School.

It will offer manuscript critiquing, practical tips, writing exercises and encouragement for writers of every genre and level. It also will feature readings by instructors and participants, a panel discussion and workshops. The cost is $315 for alliance members and $395 for others. That includes tuition, accommodations and meals. Preregistration is required by Aug. 30. People can call 386-1400 to register.

National leader

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks held its annual Grand Lodge Convention on July 6 to 10 when Amos McCallum of Saco, Maine, became the 135th grand exalted ruler of the national Elks, a fraternal organization with lodges in 2,200 communities.

McCallum, a member of Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge 1597, has been an Elk for 40 years. McCallum was a teacher, coach and administrator at Kennebunk High School for 37 years. His theme for the year will be “Helping others promotes Elkdom.”

As national president, McCallum and his wife, Barbara, will be visiting lodges across the country. For more information on the Elks, people can visit www.elks.org or visit a local Elks lodge.