DIXFIELD – People can learn about fighting heart disease, hypertension, diabetes or arthritis in a series of informal classes at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14, 16, 21 and 23 in the social hall at 1 Blayne St. There is no fee to attend. They are sponsored by the Newstart program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For more information, phone 562-7177 or 562-7698.

Tumbledown

FARMINGTON – The next Tumbledown Conservation Alliance meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Ricker Addition 207 at the University of Maine at Farmington. People are being asked to take ideas for the new brochure to the meeting.

Class of ’48

RUMFORD – The women of Stephens High School Class of 1948 will meet at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Teena’s. Those planning to attend are asked to phone Anna at 364-3164.

Church service

DIXFIELD – The Church of the Nazarene will celebrate the second of two 45th anniversary services at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at its church on Weld Street. Several past pastors and members of the church plan to attend and take part in the service by testimony or musical selections. The service will be followed by a time of visiting together during a light lunch.

Children’s party

MEXICO – First Baptist Church’s children’s ministry, grades kindergarten through sixth, will hold its October children’s party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20. All children in the River Valley area are invited to attend. Activities will begin with a game time followed by singing and a Bible story. Snacks will be provided. The evening will conclude by working on crafts. For more information, phone Pastor Bob or Joy Peters at 364-8850.

Site plan review

RUMFORD – The Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the jury room at the Town Hall for a site plan review. This is an approval meeting for the Fire Department’s proposed temporary structure at the municipal parking lot at the east end of the Memorial Bridge.

Straw poll picks

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was the winner of an Oxford County Democrats’ free raffle and straw poll.

The poll was conducted from Sept. 28 through Oct. 5 at the Fryeburg Fair. More than 800 people participated, according to Cathy Newell, county chairwoman, in a press release.

Dean received 33 percent of the balloting, followed by retired General Wesley Clark with 20 percent and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry with 18.

A smaller poll was held at the River Valley Expo in Rumford on Sept. 26 and 27. In that event, Wesley Clark garnered 27 percent; Howard Dean got 22.

Polls earlier in the season, at events in Bethel, Andover and Buckfield found Dean and Kerry in the lead, either tied or very close, according to the press release.

Newell described the poll as “intentionally unscientific and nonbinding, a good way to start conversations, to welcome people to the event and to heighten interest in the 2004 race.”

Winners of the raffle items were from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Anniversary show

RUMFORD – The Rumford Area Association of Performing Arts is presenting its “35th Anniversary Spectacular” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in the Mountain Valley High School auditorium. Tickets are available from RAAPA members and at Bartash, Port to Port, Hannaford, Log Cabin Craftsworks, Larsen’s Electric, Andover General and Mills Market in Andover.