AUBURN – Ashlar Lodge 105, AF and AM, will work the Masonic Second Degree on Monday, Jan. 10, at the Auburn Masonic Temple, 1021 Turner St. There will be a supper at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting to commence at 7:30. For more information or if a member needs a ride, contact Steve Peterson at 777-1728.

Tranquil Lodge annual meeting

AUBURN – Tranquil Lodge 29, AF and AM, will hold its annual meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Lodge Hall, Turner Street. The session will include election of officers. All Master Masons are welcome.

Dow seniors to meet

AUBURN – Robin Dow Senior Citizens will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Alden M. Gayton Post 31 American Legion, 426 Washington St. The board of directors will meet at 10 a.m.

Tickets ($4) for the Valentine party in February will be on sale. Dues for 2005 must be paid in order to attend. There will be the usual raffle table, and all donations will be accepted. Following the meeting and a bag lunch, the new officers for the upcoming year will be installed.

On Dec. 10 eighty members, in observance of the Christmas holiday, attended a dinner at the Martindale Country Club. Each woman present received a corsage and the men a boutonniere, made by member Eleanor Jewel. Musical entertainment was provided by Charles Marshall Jr.

Pot of gold winners were Margaret Merrill, Aileen Harnden, Eleanor Jewel, Dorothy Larrabee, Doris Michael, Joan Webb, Pearl Sirois, Lee Koss, Edwina Bonney and Wallace Dixon.

Art, Literature Club holiday lunch held

LEWISTON – The Auburn-Lewiston Art and Literature Club held its annual Christmas luncheon on Dec. 13 at Korn-Haus-Keller Restaurant. Each member brought an unwrapped gift for a young boy or girl.

The club will meet Monday, Jan. 10, at the Woman’s Literary Union, 19 Elm St. Auburn. Hostesses will be Phyllis Splain, Phyllis Mixer, Tonie Ramsay and Dot Jenkins;. The program will be on Winston Churchill. Marguerite Powers will lead a discussion about the leader. Members are asked to share a story.

Farm Scoop newsletter

PORTLAND – Farm Scoop is a free monthly newsletter written for farmers, growers and others with agricultural interests in Cumberland County. The short and easy-to-read newsletter is written by Extension Educator Richard Brzozowski of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

The newsletter provides information for full-time, part-time, experienced or beginner farmers. The Farm Scoop includes agricultural events, notices of agricultural courses, tours and workshops, seasonal reminders and sources for fresh farming information.

To receive the Farm Scoop in 2005, contact the Cumberland County Extension Office at 1-800-287-1471 or e-mail janderson@umext.maine.edu.

Winter greenhouse

FREEPORT – The public is invited to visit a farming greenhouse operation that is using used cooking oils from area restaurants to heat their greenhouses this winter. The open house is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Laughing Stock Farm on Route 125.

Participants will see how the system works and meet greenhouse grower Ralph Turner, who received a grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture to demonstrate the technology.

Farmers and grower throughout Maine could use the technology to heat greenhouses, farm shops and other farm facilities. This type of system has the potential to benefit both farmers and local restaurants.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County has arranged the informational tour. For more information about the farm and the UCO heating project, visit www.laughingstockfarm.com.

Bird fanciers will meet

AUBURN – The Northern New England Bird Fanciers Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at 50 Elm St. Members will discuss the care and welfare of feathered pets during the winter.

All parties interested in the promotion and protection of various breeds of poultry, waterfowl and pigeons are welcome.

Refreshments will be served at noon under the direction of Cathy Hunnewell. A mini auction will take place after the close of the meeting. Those interested can call 897-5753 for more information.

Holy Cross Seniors plan meeting

LEWISTON – Holy Cross Seniors will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Holy Cross Parish Hall. The main speaker will be Rachel Fortin-Sanville, RN, of Westbrook. Fortin-Sanville has been a cardiac nurse for almost 20 years and is associated with UNUM. She will share her knowledge of heart disease in women. A social will follow and light refreshments will be served. Guests are welcome.

Fibromyalgia seminar

LEWISTON – A seminar, “Fibromyalgia: Natural Solutions that Really Make a Difference,” will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Central Maine Medical Center. To register for the free seminar, call 225-2600.

Food distribution day scheduled

AUBURN – Auburn AC Serve (SHARE), part of Serve New England’s food and volunteer program, has scheduled a distribution day from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Auburn Advent Christian Church at the Whitney Street entrance.

Registrations for February also will be taken. New and former participants in the Serve, formerly SHARE, program are welcome. For more information, call Janet at 784-2164.

Service awards nominations

AUGUSTA – The deadline for the 2004 Governor’s Service Awards nominations is Jan. 28. Additional nomination brochures are available on www.VolunteerMaine.org.

Call 287-8933, the Maine Commission for Community Service, or visit service.commission@maine.gov for more information. The awards ceremony will be held April 25 in the Hall of Flags, State Capitol.

Poland Spring Art Show set

POLAND SPRING – The Poland Spring Preservation Society is accepting registrations for the second annual Poland Spring Art Show, scheduled for Saturday, July 23, at the Poland Spring Resort, Route 26. Last year 71 artists displayed their work in various media.

Those interested should call the Poland Spring Preservation Society at 998-4142. An information packet will be sent to those not already on the mailing list.