GUILFORD — Since Guilford Historical Society was founded in 1983, members have always been searching for new fundraising ideas to help achieve completion of ongoing projects in connection with their mission. Our current officers, directors, and members are a very dedicated group, working toward saving the history of the Town of Guilford. At our August meeting members accepted a very generous fundraising offer by long-time members Ralph and Joyce Harvey. The Harveys have offered a fundraiser challenge of $5,000. If the Guilford Historical Society members can raise $5,000, then it will be matched by the Harveys. They have been very generous in past years providing yearly donations to help defray monthly costs of operation, purchases of computer equipment, donating printer equipment, and shelving for archived items. They now still see the need and are once again helping to preserve the history of Guilford, Maine with their generous fundraising challenge offer. We are notifying all who may be interested in this fundraiser by email, US mail, Facebook, and local news. Sales of Guilford memorabilia (displayed at the Museum) and any donations, until the deadline date will be counted toward the Harvey fundraiser challenge! Any donation will be appreciated. The fundraiser deadline is Friday, Dec. 6 (the Guilford tree lighting event). You can drive by the GHS Museum and observe our fundraiser challenge thermometer in the front window, created by Janie Lander, to see our ongoing progress. Funds raised are to be used for expenses over and above normal monthly expenditures. The main purpose is to encourage the businesses and people of our community to join our group and volunteer by having brief programs on a regular basis. Suggested programs include partnering with local schools to promote family genealogy and business history, and curator/student internship sessions to catalog, shelve and protect Guilford businesses and family artifacts. Other expenses could involve building projects, display cases, and office equipment. Engaging Guilford businesses and families is very important to us as we strive to record and protect your history. To help us support our mission and bring the community together, we invite you to attend our Annual Harvest Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the GHS Museum. The possibilities are becoming very interesting: David Brackett will be at GHS for chain saw filing and guide bar maintenance, and Maine Highlands FCU reps will be on site for fraud and scam protection discussions. We welcome Guilford alumni to take a look into your school history in the new Guilford School Room. Once again, we will offer Floyd's Famous grilled hot dogs, assisted by Nathalee. Chips and drinks will also be for sale. We will offer kids games, face painting, pumpkin decorating, sidewalk chalk art, and more! Guilford memorabilia will be for sale featuring Guilford History Books written by Thomas Blake, Carl McKusick, and Sieferd Schultz, and the Guilford Bicentennial Cookbook written by the Bicentennial Committee. Many more Guilford items are for sale – great for gift giving in time for Christmas! Mark your calendars for the annual GHS Guilford Town Tree Lighting on Dec. 6. The museum is located at 10 Main Street. See updates about these events on the Guilford Historical Society Facebook page. Suggested Harvey fundraiser donations: platinum $1,000, diamond $500, gold $250, silver $100, and bronze $50. Any donation is appreciated. If you wish to have your donation recognized in memory of loved ones, please indicate their name(s). You may send donations to: Guilford Historical Society, PO Box 893, Guilford, ME 04443. Make checks payable to Guilford Historical Society. GHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization). Contributions to the GHS may be tax deductible. To become a member of GHS, the fee is $10/year per person due every June. Membership includes a subscription to the society newsletter. All are welcome to volunteer at our events or attend our meetings held on the fourth Wednesday, March to November at 7 p.m. at the museum. You may contact us at butterwood198@gmail.com or 207-217-0963 or 0962. Ralph and Joyce Harvey's intent is to provide their donation to keep the GHS Museum in service for many years to come.