Charity auction

SOUTH PORTLAND – Seastrokes of Maine Decorative Painters will hold its annual charity auction on Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Sheraton Hotel. A silent auction and luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are available for 20$. A free live auction will get under way at 2:30. For more information or tickets, contact Sally at 783-3400.

Seastrokes paints memory boxes for 12 Maine hospitals that provide the boxes to families who have lost an infant.

Riders and kids

AUGUSTA – The Maine Elks Association held its annual “Owie Box” motorcycle ride for children in the Maine Children’s Cancer Program on July 21. The event attracted 126 motorcycle enthusiasts, who raised a record setting total of $25,340, exceeding last year’s record by more than $4,000. The “Owie Box” program provides toys and other items for children who undergo painful procedures at the clinic.

The event began four years ago with a group of 13 riders, who raised a total of $600 for the program.

Family Saturday

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Museum will hold a Family Science Saturday at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Photographer Gary Mahler will teach participants how to be a nature photographer with a digital camera.

Admission to the museum will be free all that day. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 287-2301 or visit www.mainestatemuseum.org.

Fair tickets

UNITY – Tickets for the 2007 Common Ground Country Fair are on sale at advance-sale ticket outlets throughout the state. Many of the participating outlets are also selling copies of the 2007 Common Ground Country Fair poster, which features a harvest moon and pumpkin patch with a silhouette of a praying mantis.

The fair will take place at the home of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21, 22 and 23. Gates will open at 9 a.m.

All fairgoers holding advance tickets may go directly to the front of the ticket lines. Admission prices are $10 each day for ages 13 through 64; $8 for ages 65 and over; free for children 12 and under, association members and handicapped residents.

Volunteers are needed. For more information contact Common Ground Country Fair, PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988; call 568-4142; e-mail [email protected]; or visit www.mofga.org.