DIXFIELD – Famous master puppeteer.Marionette artist and performer Dan Grady of Eliot will cap a 1 p.m. awards ceremony Friday, Aug. 1, at Ludden Memorial Library for the library’s summer reading program, Laugh It Up At Your Library, with a show downstairs in the Community Room.

Grady’s Marvelous Marionette Medley, which is billed as a fast-paced stringed puppet production, consists of a broad range of acts that are designed to captivate, enchant and delight all who attend. Among the varied acts are a “slick moving” roller skating rabbit and tightrope and trapeze artistry by Conway Kitty. Lively music and songs back every routine. To learn more about Grady and the cast of characters he designed and crafted, visit www.puppetmandan.com.

After the performance the library will provide a specially designed cake which has been themed to fit the summer reading program, ice cream and refreshments.

For more information, phone 562-8838.

Bean supper

STRONG – The 34th annual Bean-Hole Bean Supper will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Strong Beach on Porter Lake or at the Forster Building in case of rain. The menu includes bean-hole baked beans, grilled franks, homemade salads and desserts, rolls and beverages for $5 for adults and $2.50 for children 5 to 11 and under 5, free.

The dinner is offered by the Porter Lake Association to support activities beneficial to the lake and users of the lake, including local swim programs for children, dam maintenance and information and education projects to protect and support lake quality.

Strong Beach can be reached from Route 234, connecting Strong and New Vineyard, or from the Taylor Hill Road off Route 27 in New Vineyard.

All are welcome to come enjoy a bean supper on the beach and to socialize with friends.

Plant species

RANGELEY – Plant Species Diversity in the Area will be the topic for the Natural Science Program to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Wilhelm Reich Museum on Dodge Pond Road. The workshop will be presented by field taxonomist Mare Nazaire of the University of New Hampshire and the Lake Umbagog Wildlife Refuge.

This workshop will be an informative look at different plants in the immediate area. Nazaire will present an historical perspective, taking us from glaciation to present day and explaining plant migration, reasons for plant diversity and how natural and human disturbances affect the movement of plant communities.

A nature walk to discuss plants, shrubs and trees that are on the museum trails is also included.

The walk will follow a trail to Quimby Brook, an easy hike of 1.5 miles round trip, in order to look at and discuss some wetland species.

Participants are reminded to dress for the weather and bug conditions and to meet at the Sheltered Classroom.

For more information, please call the museum at 864-3443.

Lawn concerts

WILTON – The East Wilton Union Church will host a Concert on the Lawn the first four Sundays of August. New England’s first family of Gospel Music, The Campbells, will be the first to minister in music at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the church.

The Campbells are a full-time group who sing Southern Gospel music. They travel extensively throughout the East Coast, as well as other parts of the nation. They have released numerous recordings that are played on radio stations around the country.

All are welcome. If it rains, the concert will be held in the church auditorium. A freewill offering will be taken. Light refreshments will be enjoyed following the concert.

For more information, please call 645-4297.

Hospital reunion

FARMINGTON – A reunion of all employees who have worked at Franklin County Memorial Hospital from the time it was opened in 1929 until it closed May 1, 1975, will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 8, at Deer Crossing Apartments. A reunion of the employees has been held the second Friday of August every year for a good many but with minimum attendance. This year, organizers would like to fill the meeting place. The group knows of one person, and there may be more, that worked when the hospital opened and there are many who are still working who worked when it closed in 1975. A potluck lunch will be held at noon with baked beans, brown bread and beverages provided. Deer Crossing apartments are located approximately .8 of a mile from the old Farmington Court House on Anson Street. All former employees, spouses, and for those that don’t drive, their drivers are invited and welcome. For more information, call 778-2205 and leave a message for a return call if there is no answer.

Parade, field day

CHESTERVILLE – The Chesterville Heritage Society annual parade and field day will begin with a parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 9. Parade participants are needed. Anyone who would like to put a float or car in the parade, or any organization that would like to join it, is welcome, according to parade organizer Susan Gill. The parade theme is “Good Old Summer Time.” The field day will follow the parade and includes a variety of events, including a chicken barbecue, a square dance demonstration, the Zingo Zango Band and children’s games. For more information about participating in the parade or field day, people can call Gill at 778-6978.

Temple’s parade

TEMPLE – The Temple Bicentennial Parade will be Saturday, Aug. 16, starting with a lineup at 9:30 a.m. on the Intervale Road. The parade will begin at approximately 10 a.m. The theme for the parade is “200 Years and Look at Us Now.” Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade. Ribbons will be awarded. For more information, people can call Belinda Maillet at 778-3837.