MEXICO – Americans recognize World AIDS Day as a time to focus on a cure, on making treatment more available around the world and on remembering the millions who have already died.

The Mexico United Church of Christ (the Green Church) will hold a community service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the sanctuary at 163 Main St.

The Rev. Virginia Snapp-Cunningham will lead the ecumenical service, “Stretching Out Our Hands, along with several deacons from the church. All are welcome. For more information, call 364-8603.

Christmas treats

BETHEL – The annual “Christmas with the Masons” will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Dr. Moses Mason House. The period house museum will be decorated as it would have been in the early 19th century with fruit, berries and boughs.

Music, holiday treats and hot mulled cider served from the hearth of the winter kitchen will be among the features.

At 7:30 p.m. a video, “Barns: Legacy of Wood and Stone,” will be shown at the Robinson House, which will highlight one of the exhibits to be opened in August at the society from the Smithsonian Institution called “Barn Again!” There is no admission and everyone is welcome.

Seat checking

MEXICO – The Child Health Center’s ProtectME program will sponsor the child passenger safety fitting station for River Valley on Friday, Dec. 3. Certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mexico Fire Station to inspect the installation of child passenger seats and to check for proper restraint of children in the seats.

The free service is available through the cooperative efforts of the Child Health Center, the Bureau of Highway Safety, Maine’s Center for Public Health and the United Way.

For more information, call the Child Health Center at 743-7035. For Information regarding the center’s services, call Auburn 782-4327 or Norway 743-7035 or visit the Web at www.child healthcenter.org.

Blood drive

RUMFORD – Volunteer blood donors in Rumford area will be able to share their liquid assets from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the American Legion Hall, 184 Congress St. All blood types are urged to attend. The blood drive is sponsored by the Rumford Knights of Columbus.

Potential donors must be at least 17, in generally good health and must weight at least 110 pounds. There is no longer an upper age limit to donate blood through the American Red Cross and senior citizens are encouraged to participate.