RUMFORD – The Acadian Society will meet at the St. Athanasius/St. John Parish Center at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. There will be a presentation by Lora Owings of Worldwide Language Resources and also by Andrea Gurney, a member of Les Amis de Conversation, followed by a potluck supper

Trout Unlimited

NORWAY – Bill Hanson, a biologist with Florida Power and Light Co., will discuss rapid river brook trout studies at a meeting of the Mollyockett Chapter of Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Trolley House Restaurant. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by Hanson’s presentation. Hanson will explain radio tracking and elecrofishing studies on salmon, bass and trout. Surveys have been conducted on spawning habits and movements by Forrest Bonney and David Boucher of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The public is invited. For more information call 743-7461 or e-mail [email protected].

Poster contest

PARIS – The Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual poster contest. This year’s theme is “The Living Soil.” The contest is open to Oxford County students grades kindergarten through 12. The deadline for entries is March 26. For more information contact Laura Landry at 743-5789, extension 113 or [email protected].

Reading group

DIXFIELD – The Ludden Memorial Library held its first session of its new adult reading group recently in the library’s Community Room. Diane Stanley is the group leader.

The format is informal and encourages participants to read something of their choosing, and offer a report on it at the next session. There is no expense involved and no waiting for a book. Each participant picks his own reading material.

One does not have to be a patron of the library. A list of last year’s book group favorites and another list of Reading Group Choices for 2004 were passed out to offer suggested reading material. The lists states which items were available at the Ludden Memorial Library. For those interested in these lists, they are available at the library desk.

The group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noontime. Coffee and tea provided.