WATERFORD – The Waterford Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at the Wilkins House, preceded by a potluck supper. Those attending should bring a dinner or dessert item to share.

The program by Paul Artlip will be on the Civil War. Artlip and his wife came to Maine to visit with a friend in 1970. Subsequently, they purchased the old West Stoneham Schoolhouse and converted it into a camp for seasonal use.

The Artlips have relocated 34 times in the eastern United States and have lived in all the cities and towns where major Civil War battlefields are located. Artlip will augment his program with diaries from an area Civil War soldier, Ben Tucker, who was his great-great-great uncle.

Artifacts relating to the Civil War era will be welcome for display. Items from the Waterford Historical Society museums will be shown as well.

Civil War veterans will be honored by displaying the recently completed Waterford Civil War Veterans Plaque. Descendants of Civil War veterans are invited to share information about their ancestors’ service with the group.

Pastoral visions

PARIS – “Pastoral Visions, Wilderness Dreams” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at the McLaughlin Foundation, 97 Main St., South Paris.

Professor of Environmental Studies at Bates College Tom Wenzel will present a multi-disciplinary approach toward understanding the significance of wilderness in lives.

Non-members pay $8, members $5. Registration is requested by calling 743-8820.

Church fair

PARIS – Trinity Lutheran Church on Route 117 (Buckfield Road), South Paris, will hold its annual summer fair from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 10. Featured will be a coffee break with home baked goods and coffee, a baked goods table with Finnish coffee bread (nisu), and a yard sale on the grounds. There is plenty of parking. For more information, call the church at 743-6906.

Nature walk

PARIS – The Twin Town Nature Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 12, at the Cornwall Shopping Plaza, South Paris, and car pool to Bolsters Mills for a walk along the Crooked River. Bring a picnic lunch. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call John Crumpton at 539-2902.

College planning

PARIS – The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will hold a college planning workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, July 12, at the South Paris Career Center, 232 Main St., South Paris. Christy Le will conduct the session. Registration is free. Call 1-800-281-3703.

Garden lecture

SUMNER – There will be a free lecture on growing small fruits and berries at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Hedgehog Hill Farm. Mark Silber, author, lecturer and gardener, will discuss aspects of creating attractive, functional and successful small fruit gardens.

There will be a tour of gardens where there are two grape arbors, a raspberry patch, a high bush blueberry patch and a patch of alpine strawberries.

The gardens are open to the public for strolls, painting and photographing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Mondays when Hedgehog Hill Farm is closed to visitors. The lectures are held rain or shine, and no reservations are needed.

For information, directions or future activities, call 388-2341, e-mail gardens@HedgehogHillFarm.com or visit the Web at www.HedgehogHillFarm.com.

AARP session

PARIS – The Oxford Hills Chapter of the AARP will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, July 12, at the College Center next to the high school in South Paris. Anyone 50 and older is welcome. The program will include a tour of the building.

Screening set

PARIS – Residents living in and around South Paris can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke. Life Line Screening will be at the First Congregational Church on Tuesday, July 13, at 17 East Main St. in South Paris. Appointments will begin at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Paula Motolik at: 216-518-8456 or e-mail pmotolik@llsa.com.

Chamber music

FRYEBURG – The International Musical Arts Institute of Fryeburg will present its annual Chamber Music Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the Community Arts Center, 155 Emery St. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Legion auxiliary

HARRISON – An informational meeting to establish an auxiliary for William I. Pembroke American Legion Post 139 will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, at the VFW Post Home.

Bridge news

NORWAY – Oxford Hills Duplicate Bridge welcomed new players Friday. Leslie Lord, Willie Johnson and Henry Deutsch joined a game.

Winners after eight rounds for North-South were: first, Rosemarie Goodwin and Leslie Lord; second, Anna Cormier and Woodrow Mercier; third, Pete Cummings and Dick Allen; fourth, Eric and Marilyn Sahlberg. Larry Holmes and Mimi Bell, along with Carol Curran and Suzanne Dame Andrews, placed.

East-West winners were: first, Paul Barber and Les Buzzell; second, Bill Bowman and Henry Deutsch; third, Nick Karamessinis and Jim Flanagan; fourth, Errol and Pam Libby; and fifth, Pat Quinn and Georgette Jewell.

A “No Bottoms” game will be held on Friday, July 9. Oxford Hills Duplicate Bridge is held at 9 a.m. every Friday at the Fare Share Coop Building, 445 Main St. Parking and entrance are behind the building. Call Mimi Bell at 743-8081 for details.