DIXFIELD – The River Valley Interact Club will hold a bottle drive Saturday, Nov. 29, in Dixfield, Rumford, East Dixfield and Carthage. Fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to Saint Mary’s Hospice for Children with Aids. People who would like to return bottles at any time can bring them to the Mexico Bottle Depot and say the return is for the River Valley Interact Club. Trish Hunter founded Saint Mary’s Hospice for Children with Aids in 2001. The hospice was financed by a Rotary Foundation grant and by the efforts of Hunter and six other members of the Brunswick Coastal Rotary Club.

Growth council

RUMFORD – The River Valley Growth Council Board of Director meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the town hall auditorium. The board meets the first Wednesday each month. On a quarterly basis they hold the meeting at one of the 10 towns they represent. In addition to dealing with issues, the board will get an update from Peter Phillips of Maine Winter Sports. The public is invited to the meeting. There will be a segment on the agenda for public comment and questions.

Cookie swap

CANTON – A holiday cookie swap will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Town Hall. You do not have to be a resident of Canton and you may invite as many people as you would like. The only requirements are to bring six dozen holiday cookies to swap. Bring a container to take swapped cookies home in. Contact Tersa Haynes at 597-2140 or Violet Enman at 562-7633 with a RSVP or with any questions concerning this event.Spaghetti supper

Taste of Bethel

BETHEL – The annual Taste of Bethel will held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Telstar High School cafeteria. The event is one of the area’s most popular pre-holiday traditions. As many as 15 Bethel area restaurateurs will be in attendance, each offering portions of their specialties for 75 cents per sample. In addition to the food, folks will have a chance to bid on uniquely decorated wreaths provided by Bethel area businesses. Known as the Theme Wreath Auction, the silent auction will also be ongoing from noon to 2 p.m., with the highest bidder of each wreath announced shortly after 2 p.m. After the event, free horse-drawn wagon rides in the Bethel village will be available from 2-4 p.m. Sponsored by Oxford Networks. The meeting place for the rides is the Bethel Fire House.

Christmas fair

DIXFIELD – The Dixfield Congregational Church on High Street will host its annual Christmas fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Coffee and donuts will be available all day and lunch consisting of homemade soup, sandwiches and dessert will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. The fair will feature tables for crafts, white elephant, baked goods, candy and mens. A separate room with items for children will include toys, stuffed animals and clothing. Fresh evergreen wreaths, poinsettia’s, Christmas cactus and a new item added this year, candy cane swag, will be available.

Bloodmobile

CANTON – The American Red Cross bloodmobile will be at the Municipal Building from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8. All eligible donors are being urged to participate. As an additional safeguard against winter shortages, Tom Miller, donor recruitment representative from the Red Cross, is asking donors to bring a friend or two as well. Most people can give blood. Donors must be at least 17 years of age, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit and most medications are now acceptable. People can call 1-800-482-0743 for further information or to make an appointment.

Boosters meeting

RUMFORD – The Mountain Athletic Boosters meet at 6:30 p.m. every second Monday at Mountain Valley High School in Room 302. New members are welcome and may contact Pam Miller at 364-3549.

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