WILTON – Preschool Story Time at the Wilton Free Public Library will resume at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Children, ages 3 to 5, accompanied by an adult, will have the opportunity to listen to stories and participate in related activities. Story times will be held weekly throughout the school year when school is in session.

For the month of September, the children’s room will have the 2002 Traveling Cream of the Crop book collection on display. Each year publishing houses send thousands of review copies of new children’s and young adult books to the Maine Examination Collection c/o The Southern Maine Library District.

The books are reviewed at district monthly book review meetings by local librarians.

A Cream of the Crop collection of the best titles published in the previous year is put together for display at the Maine Library conferences in the spring.

After the conferences, the collection travels to libraries throughout the state for one year.

Kindergarteners from the Cushing School will have a story time once a month at the library. Parents are asked to come into the library to obtain a library card for their child. Proof of residency is required at the time.

For more information, phone the library at 645-4831.

Forum will host ‘Single Parenting’

WILTON – The Parenting Forum brings parents in the community together to discuss issues they face while raising children.

The group will meet for supper at 6 p.m. followed by a discussion on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of High and School streets.

The topic for Wednesday, Sept. 10, will be “Single Parenting.” Supper is provided free of charge. There will be activities for children and teenagers during the parents’ discussion.

All are welcome. For information, people may phone 645-2639.

Church to offer food at fair

FARMINGTON – Because of the Farmington Fair, the Trinity United Methodist Church will not have its monthly public supper. The supper will return in October.

The church will have a booth at the fair, and a spokesman said they hope the public will visit them there for a some good food.

Potluck, meeting date changed

FARMINGTON – The date of the September potluck and meeting of Farmington Emblem Club 460 has been changed to Thursday, Sept. 11, due to renovations being done in the meeting room.

The supper will begin at 6 p.m. at the Farmington Elks Lodge.

Hours change

for Sept. 11

JAY – The Town Office will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. Tax bills and sewer fees are now due. Interest will be charged on all payments received after Oct. 1.

All unpaid 2002 tax and sewer liens will expire Jan. 29. People are being asked to call the Town Office to make payment arrangements if their 2002 tax or sewer bill remains unpaid.

‘Mystery ride’

NEW VINEYARD – The Historical Society will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the historical room to carpool for a mystery ride. Afterward, they will meet to hear Dr. Sherwood Anderson speak about the newly discovered original photographs of 19th century New Vineyard. He is the son of the late Florence Jackson, a New Vineyard native. People are being asked to bring a bag lunch if they plan to go on the mystery ride.

Tumbledown topics

FARMINGTON – The Tumbledown Conservation Alliance will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in Ricker Hall, Room 205, at the University of Maine at Farmington. The agenda includes an update on the Weld outreach efforts, a report on a visit from Sen. Olympia Snowe’s staff, an invitation to Patrick McGowan to view the project area and the Common Ground Fair.

Annual meeting

PHILLIPS – The Mount Blue Standard Water District will hold its annual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Phillips Community House.

A special meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held immediately afterward to elect officers. This meeting will be held at the Water District Office, 11 Main St.

Benefit for family

FAYETTE – A benefit supper for the Jensen Family who lost their home to fire will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, in the Fayette Central School gym. Beans, casseroles, salads and desserts are on the menu. Adults, $6; children under 12, $3. The meal is sponsored by the Fayette Fire Auxiliary and Fire Department.

Missionary weekend

NEW VINEYARD – Mountain View Bible Church will host its annual Missionary Conference on Sept. 13 and 14 at the church. Participants include Hal and Linda Stone from Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ray Watson of the International Board of Jewish Missions, Kimb and Jon Spender who work with the Cree Indians of Canada, and Clifford and Wilma Olsen who work in community chaplaincy.

The first service will be 6 p.m. Saturday. The Sunday worship service will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon and an afternoon service. There will be special music during the services. All are welcome to attend one or all of the services. For more information, people can call Gary Bestwick at 652-2347.

Senior college

FARMINGTON – The Gold LEAF Institute-UMF Senior College has changed the date of its fall-term opening event. The open house and kickoff will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 16 in North Dining Hall of the Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington. Anyone over the age of 50 who’s interested in lifelong learning activities and classes is welcome. For more information, people can phone 778-7063.

Kids IDs

FARMINGTON – The 15th District Masonic Association of The Grand Lodge of Maine will sponsor a child’s identification program (CHIPS) from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Farmington Fair in the old secretary’s office. They will also update tapes of those 2 years old and older. Parents are being asked to bring their tapes for the updating.

Bullying prevention

FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Children’s Task Force, as part of its Bullying/Teasing Prevention Program, will offer a parent reading circle to discuss “Relational Aggression.” The reading circle will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for 12 weeks at the Task Force. The group will begin on Sept. 17.

“Relational Aggression” is defined as behavior intended to hurt someone by harming their relationships with others. The Reading Circle will focus its discussions on recent books and a video. Participants will also actively be involved in hands-on activities. Parents are welcome to bring their sons and daughters to make them part of the process of recognizing and addressing this unique form of bullying.

This group, along with child care and refreshments, is free of charge. Space is limited, so people are being asked to call to reserve a spot. Contact the Children’s Task Force, 778-6960 or 1-888-429-6960.

Test workshop

KINGFIELD – Cindy Kemble of the University of Maine at Farmington will make a presentation at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the SAD 58 Superintendent’s Office. Kemble, assistant director of programs in charge of CLEP services at UMF, will speak to potential student testers and to all other school personnel who can encourage students to take these tests to advance their careers into college, or for those adults who would like to have career advancement. The tests are given at UMF, and Kemble schedules the tests, which may be taken in composition and literature; foreign languages, French, German or Spanish; history and social sciences; science and mathematics; and business. All tests are administered on computer. To register phone Pilar Bates at the Adult Education office in Kingfield at 265-5511, ext. 28.

Basket beano

FARMINGTON – The Farmington Elks Lodge will sponsor a basket beano on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Elks Lodge in West Farmington. The doors will open at 11 a.m. and beano will start at 1 p.m. All proceeds will benefit LEAP, Inc. and its non-Medicaid funded programs. Seating is limited to 180 participants and reservations are suggested. Tickets will be $15 each. There will also be raffles, penny beano and refreshments available. The prizes are Longaberger Baskets filled with donations from local businesses and individuals. For more information or to reserve a ticket phone Marjorie Taylor at 778-3443, ext. 101, or Pam Holt at 345-9752. LEAP is a private nonprofit agency which provides community and residential support to people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation in western and central Maine and their families for 23 years.

Self-esteem course

FARMINGTON – The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community will offer a free six-week, self-esteem class in Farmington from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays starting Sept. 22.

Participants will learn ways to affirm and express their values, nourish positive thoughts and develop self-confidence.

For more information or to preregister, people can phone 778-2757 or 1-800-442-2092.

The centers also will offer a free six-week “Assertive Communication” class in Farmington from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays starting Sept. 25. Participants will learn to communicate their needs, wants and feelings honestly and directly, while respecting the rights of others.

For more information, people can phone the same phone numbers.

Scarecrow contest

PHILLIPS – The 13th annual scarecrow reunion will be Sept. 27 at the lot on Main Street. Judging will take place at 10 a.m. Stakes will be provided earlier in the week. Those participating are asked to not attach their name to the scarecrow; that will be done after the judging. Scarecrows should be left attached to their stakes until Oct. 9 in order to give visitors two weeks to see them. Scarecrows need to be weatherproof and able to withstand high winds. Advance registration is required. Entries must be in one of these four categories: adult, children, family, and groups such as scouts, church or nursery schools. Participants do not need to be from the area. Cash prizes will be awarded if there is enough interest. Ribbons will be awarded for all. Registration is $5 and may be paid at Phillips Hardware. For more information, people contact Winona Davenport at 639-4296.

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