MECHANIC FALLS – The Tri-Town Optimists Club will hold its first oratorical contest at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at Elm Street School. Contestants will give a four- to five-minute speech on the theme “My Hero Is…” Winners will get medallions and be eligible for the Optimists District Contest June 11 in Auburn, at which scholarships worth up to $1,500 will be awarded.

Bike clinic

LEWISTON – L/A Trails will host a free bike clinic at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at Bates College, Pettengill Hall, Room G52. Representatives from Rainbow Bicycle and Fitness will be on hand to go over basic bike maintenance and repair.

Topics will include changing flats, adjusting shifters and brakes, basic safety issues and how to properly lubricate parts. How to improve skills and fitness levels will also be covered along with some training tips. For more information, call John Grenier at 784-7576 or e-mail John@rainbowbike.com.

Favorite songs

LEWISTON – Henri Grenier Sr. will present “Keyboard Magic” when members of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees hold the last meeting of the season at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at the Ramada Inn.

Grenier will provide music from the 1940s and 1950s during lunch and after for anyone who would like to sing along or dance. Music sheets will be available for those who wish to sing along.

Grenier has provided music for area restaurants, nursing homes and organizations, as well as cruise ships.

Plans for the meeting were made at a recent session of the executive board at the home of Vi Dumais. Attending were Sue Stetson, Mike and Flo Bohunicky, Jayne Bickford, Doris Hamel and Therese Baumer.

Lunch will be served at noon, followed by the program and a short business meeting.

For more information, visit http://www.narfe.org. Those interested in more information and/or joining the local chapter should contact Stetson at 784-9438, Hamel at 782-6139 or Bohunicky at 353-2688.

Sabattus parade

SABATTUS – The annual Memorial Day parade will assemble at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, May 30, at the American Legion Hall on the Island Road. The parade is scheduled to begin at 9. The parade will march up Main Street, to Elm Street, onto Hemlock Street to Greene Street, to the veterans monument. Refreshments will be provided after at the Legion hall. Organizations wishing to participate can call the Legion hall at 375-4058 or Ron Caron at 375-4639.

Bridge winners

LEWISTON – The Lewiston-Auburn Social Bridge Club winners at the Multi-Purpose Center on May 16 were: first in A, B, C, Beverly Dolan and Charles Bartlett; second, Nancy Farmer and Dick Allen; third/fourth tie, Marta Clements and Rosemarie Goodwin with Betty and Doug Sise (also second in B); fifth, Anna Vitiello and Paul Sherman; third in B, Cynthia Bonsey and Eileen Potvin

Games are played at 9 a.m. on Mondays, a mini-lesson is given, and a partner is guaranteed.

Les Buzzell’s Sunday game in New Gloucester begins at 12:45 p.m., and Rosemarie Goodwin will direct the next four games. Call 783-1734 for more information.

Society speaker

WINTHROP – The Monmouth Historical Society, in cooperation with the town of Winthrop, will hold a special presentation at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 23, at the Winthrop Town Office all-purpose room.

The topic will be Aida Hayward, a Winthrop resident, who was brutally murdered 80 years ago this month. Bobbie M. Bowler and Darlene R. Kritzman will give a slide show covering the story behind the murder. The program is free; however, donations may be made for the preservation of the Winthrop historical photographic collection.

Those wanting more information should call Bowler at 377-4472 or 446-6556.