Items submitted to Check it Out must be events that benefit nonprofit organizations and be open to the public. Submissions should be received at least seven days in advance of the event.

Farmington area

Livermore, through Sept.: Membership drive for New Norland Grange, Route 133, East Livermore. FMI: contact Melvina Souther, 897-2304 or Robert Jones, 897-6664.

Farmington, Friday, Sept. 15: 10th annual Mt. Blue Football Tailgate Party, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. before the Cony game, at MBHS. Chicken dinner $5, hamburgers or hot dog dinner $4. Tickets available from players or call 778-4006.

Farmington, Friday, Sept. 15: The Ken Labrecque Jazz Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Nordica Auditorium at UMF, $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, free for under 16 and free for UMF students.

Temple, Friday, Sept. 15: Final local performance of “Songbird,” a new play by Jayne Decker, 7:30 p.m., Temple Stream Theatre. Donations at the door.

Farmington, Saturday, Sept. 16: Farmington Elks Lodge fourth annual poker run, in honor of Tim Maillet. Proceeds to benefit Maillet Scholarship Fund. Sign-up, 9 a.m.; ride, 10:30 a.m., Elks Lodge, West Farmington. $20 entry fee includes barbecued chicken meal at 5:30 p.m. Trophies and T-shirts, raffles. FMI: John Kennedy, 778-1959.

Rome, Saturday, Sept. 16: Public supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Mt. Philip Grange. Menu: three kinds of beans, two types of chop suey, hot dogs, coleslaw, rolls, corn bread, brown bread, pies. Adults, $6; under 5, free; family of four or more, $20. Wheelchair accessible. All you can eat.

Turner, Saturday, Sept. 16: Turner Rescue yard and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 158 Main St., Turner Village.

Turner, Saturday, Sept. 23: Baked bean and potluck supper, 5 to 7 p.m., Turner Center Universalist Church, Route. 117, Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.

West Farmington, Saturday, Oct. 14: Contradance with the West Farmington House Band, Francois Neville and Cynthia Phinney, calling, 8 to 11 p.m., Farmington Grange, Bridge St., Route 43. Admission, $6; sit-in musicians $3; $15 family max. Free basic workshop, free, 7:30 p.m. FMI: 397-2241 or [email protected].

Livermore, Wednesday, Sept. 20: Beef stew supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Livermore Methodist Church. Adults, $6; children $3.

Oxford Hills area

Oxford, through Saturday, Sept. 16: Oxford County Fair, Oxford County Fairgrounds, off Route 26. Oxford Fair IDOL, Daisy Duke contest, Apple pie eating contest, live bull riding, Woodman’s day events, horse and cattle pulling, demolition derby, Tony Atlas wrestling. FMI: oxfordcountyfair.com.

Bethel, Saturday, Sept. 16: Alder River Grange public supper, 5 p.m. Menu: turkey with all the trimmings. Adults, $6; under 13, $3.

Bethel, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Sept. 16, 17, 18: Harvest Fest celebrates the area’s farming, forestry and recreation tradition. Tours, exhibits, arts and crafts fair, farmers’ market, horse-drawn wagon rides, concert, “chowdah” cook-off, apple pie contest and more during the three days. complete schedule with locations and times available from Bethel Chamber of commerce at 1-800-442-5826 and online at www.bethelmaine.com.

Bolsters Mills, Saturday, Sept. 16: Chicken pie supper, United Methodist Church. Two seatings: 5 and 6 p.m. Adults, $7; under 12, $3. Handicapped-accessible, air conditioned. Tickets available at 4 p.m. Reservations taken day of supper, 9 a.m. to noon, 583-9024.

Brownfield, Saturday, Sept. 16: Benefit concert, 6 p.m., Woodland Acres Campground, 33 woodland Acres Drive, Route 160, 1/2 mile from Route 113. Benefits the 5 daughters of Heidi Mack who passed away after giving birth in June. Canoe trip from Lovewell’s Pond, 2 p.m., $5; call ahead to reserve canoe. Concert and BBQ, $5. Bonfire and marshmallows after the concert. FMI: 935-2529, [email protected], www.woodlandacres.com.

Turner, Saturday, Sept. 16: Hartford Community Church winter clothing sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Goodwin’s, Route 4, North Turner. Proceeds go to deacon’s fund.

South Paris, Saturday, Sept. 16: Roast beef supper, 5 to 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, Church Street. Adults, $6; kids 12 and under, $3.

Waterford, Saturday, Sept. 16: Indoor yard sale, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wilkins Community House basement, foot of Plummer Hill Road, next door to the church. Household items, books, toys, games, crafts, what-nots. Proceeds benefit the church and the Wilkins House improvement fund. FMI: contact Karen Fillebrown, 583-2320.

Norway, Wednesday, Sept. 20: Fun Times in Unusual Places – Roy Earle. One person’s account of “Things Not Many People Get To Do.” 7 p.m., Society House, 71 Main St. FMI: 743-2305.

Naples: Monday, Sept. 25: Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 7 p.m., American legion hall, Routes 11 and 302.

Farmington, Wednesday, Sept. 27: Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., UMaine Farmington No., North Dining Hall.

Farmington, Thursday, Sept. 28: Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., UMaine Farmington No., North Dining Hall.

Hebron, Saturday, Sept. 30: “Ristorante Italiano” public supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Hebron Community Baptist Church. Adults, $6. Includes lasagna, spaghetti, pasta dishes, garlic bread, salad, spumoni and homemade cookies. Hosted by the church Outreach. FMI: 966-2694.

River Valley area

Bethel, Friday, Sept. 15: Mahoosuc Arts Council and the Maine Humanities Council present, Taxing Maine – Interactive theater about taxes, 7 p.m., Bingham Hall, Gould Academy, Church St. Free. FMI: 824-3575.

Rumford, Friday, Sept. 15: Benefit dance, 8 p.m. to midnight, Eagles Hall. Features Noel Palmer and Don Levesque. $8 per person or $15 per couple. Benefits St. Athanasius and St. John Youth Ministry.

Rumford, Friday, Sept. 15: Rumford Public Library’s second classic-film night features silent-film icon Harold Lloyd in “The Sailor-Made Man.” Movie style refreshments provided. Free to the public.

Bethel, Saturday, Sept. 16: Alder River Grange public supper, 5 p.m. Menu: turkey with all the trimmings. Adults, $6; under 13, $3.

Bethel, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Sept. 16, 17, 18: Harvest Fest celebrates the area’s farming, forestry and recreation tradition. Tours, exhibits, arts and crafts fair, farmers’ market, horse-drawn wagon rides, concert, “chowdah” cook-off, apple pie contest and more during the three days. complete schedule with locations and times available from Bethel Chamber of commerce at 1-800-442-5826 and online at www.bethelmaine.com.

Dixfield, Saturday, Sept. 16: Harvest Festival, Dixfield congregational Church. Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m.; lunch starts at 11 a.m. Baking contest, cookie and pie judging. Bake sale, fall mums, pumpkins and other native produce available.

Rumford, Saturday, Sept. 16: Harvest Supper, 5 p.m., Blazing Star Lodge, Route 232. Menu: corn beef, ham, cabbage, carrots, beets, turnip, potatoes, bread and pies. Adults, $8; children under 12, $4. Takeouts available. FMI: Dick Stearns, 364-2943.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Friday, Sept. 15: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., public library. For parents and children ages 2 1/2 to 5.

Lewiston, Friday, Sept. 15: Lobster feed, 6 p.m., Lewiston Lodge of Elks, 1675 Lisbon Street. Menu: 2 lobsters, clams, fish chowder, potato salad, coleslaw, corn, rolls, dessert, $20; or steak, potato salad, coleslaw, corn, rolls, dessert, $10. Musical entertainment following. Tickets on sale through Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Monmouth, Friday, Sept. 15: Celebration: Cottrell School. Supper 5 to 6:15 p.m. Chicken pie, coleslaw, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, biscuits and butter, apple crisp and whipped cream, hot and cold drinks. Entertainment, 6:20 p.m. children’s singing; 6:30 p.m. local stories with Cottrell Alumnus, Gary Crocker. Advanced reservations, $5 each or $20 per family. FMI: 933-4426

Poland, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16: Second annual quilt retreat, Poland Spring Resort, hosted by the Poland Spring Preservation Society. Froncie Quinn to share her knowledge at a workshop. Workshops, vendors, yard sale. FMI or reservations: 998-4142.

Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 16: Home baked bean and American chop suey supper, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 153 Auxiliary, 71 South Main St., New Auburn. Adults, $6; seniors, $5; under 12, $5.

Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 16: Story Time and crafts with Judy D’Amour, 10 a.m, public library.

Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 16: Baked bean supper, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 153, 71 South Main St. Adults, $6; seniors and children, $5. FMI: 782-1118.

Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 16: Bean and casserole supper, 5 p.m., United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave. Adults, $6; ages 6 to 10, $3; 5 and under, free.

Augusta, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16, 17: Fall open house, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Maine Greyhound Placement Service, 249 Old Belgrade Road. Tours, raffles, silent auction, pet photographer, doggie spa, games, contests, food, shopping and more. Adults, $5; children under 14, free. Benefits greyhound adoption efforts. FMI: www.greyhoundplacement.com.

Brunswick, Saturday, Sept. 16: Final local performance of “Songbird,” a new play by Jayne Decker, 7:30 p.m., Brunswick Theatre Project. Donations at the door. Sponsored by Maine Veterans for Peace.

Lewiston, Saturday, Sept. 16: Kids Day America/International, a health safety and environmental awareness day, noon to 3 p.m., Pettingill School. Free activities including medical screenings, face painting, balloons. Hosted by Sasseville Chiropractic. Proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine. FMI: 777-3333.

Lewiston, Saturday, Sept. 16: Software freedom day, noon to 4 p.m., Public Library. Free CDs of the open source operating system Linux available on first come, first served basis. FMI: contact Bruce Hall, 795-6134 or visit www.softwarefreedomday.org.

Lewiston, Saturday, Sept. 16: Baked bean supper, 4 to 5:30 p.m., First United Pentecostal Church, 715 College St. Three kinds of beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, chop suey, rolls, desserts, beverages. Adults, $6; under 10, $3. FMI: 784-9711.

Lisbon Falls, Saturday, Sept. 16: Benefit spaghetti supper, 5 to 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Church parish hall, 67 Frost Hill Ave. Adults $7; child 10 and under $4. Sponsored by friends and family of Tom Carville. FMI: 353-3252.

Mechanic Falls, Saturday, Sept. 16: Community pig roast and barbecue from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Tyrian Masonic Lodge 73, South Main St. (Route 11). Menu includes roast pig, corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans and beverages. Cost will be $8 for adults, $3 for children under 12.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Sept. 16: Smorgasbord supper, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Sabbathday Lake Grange, Sabbathday Road off Route 26. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.50. Menu: baked beans, brown bread, casseroles, salads, pickles, homemade desserts and more. Bring pennies to help out the Good Will Hinckley School.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Sept. 16: Bean supper, 5 to 6 p.m., Amvets Post 6. Menu: two kinds of beans, homemade biscuits, coleslaw, brown bread, hot dogs, chop suey, homemade pies. Adults, $6; under 12, $2; under 6, free. Air conditioned.

Pownal, Saturday, Sept. 16: Baked bean supper, settings 5 and 6 p.m., Pownal Center Congregational Church, serving three kinds of beans, potato salad, coleslaw, spaghetti, rolls, pickles, pies and cakes, $6 for 65 and older, $7 for regular, $3 for under 12.

Sabattus, Saturday, Sept. 16: Beans and casserole supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Sabattus American Legion Post 135, Island Road. Adults, $6; under 10, $3.

Turner, Saturday, Sept. 16: Turner Rescue yard and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 158 Main St., Turner Village.

Turner, Saturday, Sept. 16: Hartford Community Church winter clothing sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Goodwin’s, Route 4, North Turner. Proceeds go to deacon’s fund.

Wales, Saturday, Sept. 16: Turkey supper, 5 to 6 p.m. Wales Youth Center, Route 132. Menu: Turkey, stuffing, gravy, vegetable, mashed potatoes, beverages, pies. Proceeds to benefit the Wales Presbyterian Church. FMI: Alice at 375-8382 or Marilyn, 375-6604.

Auburn, Monday, Sept. 18: Felting craft workshop, 6 to 7:30 p.m. $5 fee, public library.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 18: Red Cross blood drive, 3 to 8 p.m., Bates College Chase Hall, Campus Ave.

Lisbon, Monday, Sept. 18: VFW Post 9459 and Ladies Auxiliary will host their annual American Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 7 p.m., at the post home Route 196. FMI: 353-2152

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 19: Preschool story time, 10 a.m., public library.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 19: Panel discussion and book signing for the newly published “Maine’s Visible Black History: The First Chronicle of Its People” by H.H. Price and Gerald E. Talbot., 7 p.m., Callahan Hall, Public Library. Panelists include co-author Talbot and contributing authors Elaine Bragdon and Bob Greene. Free admission.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 19: Red Cross blood drive, 3 to 8 p.m., Bates College Chase Hall, Campus Ave.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 19: Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m., CMMC Whole Bloods and Pheresis, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Wednesday, Sept. 20: Preschool story time, 9 and 10:30 a.m., public library. Songs, stories, rhymes and finger plays.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Sept. 20: Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m., CMMC Whole Bloods and Pheresis, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 21: 5th annual Carnegie Cub Challenge Golf Tournament, Martindale Country Club. FMI: contact Kellie in public library development office.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 21: Marvel Databases for parents and teens, at 6 p.m., public library.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 21: Baby’s night out, 6 to 6:20 p.m., public library. For babies birth to 24 months.

Lewiston, Thursday, Sept. 21: Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m., CMMC Whole Bloods and Pheresis, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Thursday, Sept. 21: Partner and line dancing with the Countryside Dancers, 7 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Entrance, 4th level of Centreville Garage on Canal Street.

Greene, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 21, 22: Martin Swinger will entertain at the Sawyer Memorial, 371 Sawyer Road, swing and jazz standards, folk, contemporary and original songs. Thursday 7 p.m. and Friday 2 and 7 p.m.. Free admission; doors open one hour before shows. FMI: 946-5311 or http://ourworld.cs.com/sawyerfoundation.

Lewiston, Friday, Sept. 22: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., public library. For parents and children ages 2 1/2 to 5.

Lisbon, Friday, Sept. 22: VFW Post 9459 Ladies Auxiliary will have a supper at the post home, Route 196, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Menu: beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, casserole, biscuits, dessert, coffee and tea. $6 for adults and $3 for children under 10. FMI: 353-2152.

Turner, Saturday, Sept. 23: Baked bean and pot luck supper, 5 to 7 p.m., at Turner Center Universalist Church, Route 117. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.

Wales, Saturday, Sept. 23: Public chicken barbecue supper, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wales Grange and Masonic Hall, 322 Centre Road; rain or shine. Reservations requested by Sept. 20 for head count. Benefits building fund. Adults, $8; children, $4. Menu: barbecue Chicken, corn on the cob, side dishes, beverages. FMI: Tom 375-8375, Ron, 375-8728, Marcel, 786-2213 or Al,375-8889; or write: Webster Lodge, P.O. Box 471, Sabattus, ME 04280.

Lewiston, Sunday, Sept. 24: Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Holy Cross Church, 1080 Lisbon St. Sponsored by Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Council 12652 and Social Peace and Justice Commission.

Auburn, Monday, Sept. 25: “Last days of Dogtown” a novel-book discussion: the Annie Prescott Discussion Series, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Public Library.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 25: Bookin’ It with Babies, 10 a.m. public library.

Auburn, Tuesday, Sept. 26: The Executive Secretary of the Androscoggin Historical Society announces first program in its lecture series. Livermore’s Dr. Frederic W. Goding and the conquest of Yellow Fever in Ecuador, 1920, speaker: W. Dennis Stires, 7 p.m., Androscoggin County Building. Free to the public and wheelchair accessible.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 26: Preschool story time, 10 a.m., public library.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 26: Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m., CMMC Whole Bloods and Pheresis, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Wednesday, Sept. 27: Preschool story time, 9 and 10:30 a.m., public library. Songs, stories, rhymes and finger plays.

Augusta, Wednesday, Sept. 27: Bug Maine-ia, a celebration of bugs hosted by the Maine State Museum, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission. FMI: 287-2301 or visit www.mainestatemuseum.com.

Lewiston, Thursday, Sept. 28: Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m., CMMC Whole Bloods and Pheresis, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 28: Teenior knitting, 6 p.m., public library.

Lewiston,Thursday, Sept, 28: Partner and line dancing with the Countryside Dancers, 7 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Entrance, 4th level of Centreville Garage on Canal Street.

Lewiston, Friday, Sept. 29: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., public library. For parents and children ages 2 1/2 to 5.

Lisbon, Friday, Sept. 29: VFW Post 9459, supper at the post home, Route 106, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Menu: fish with all the fixings, biscuits, dessert, coffee or tea. $6 for adults and $3 for children under 10. FMI: 353-5291 Wednesday to Friday after 4 p.m.

Portland, Friday, Sept. 29: Jim Ciampi and the Manhattan 9, 8 p.m. to midnight, old gym in the Cheverus High School Main Building, 267 Ocean Ave. Tickets, $25 a couple; $15 a person, at the door or by contacting Brian Hallisey, special events coordinator, Cheverus High School, 774-6238, ext. 20. In support of Cheverus High School and in honor of its Homecoming Celebration.

Hebron, Saturday, Sept. 30: “Ristorante Italiano” public supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Hebron Community Baptist Church. Adults, $6. Includes lasagna, spaghetti, pasta dishes, garlic bread, salad, spumoni and homemade cookies. Hosted by the church Outreach. FMI: 966-2694.

Lewiston, Saturday, Sept. 30: Maine Music Society concert “A Birthday Salute to Mozart,” 8 p.m., Olin Arts Center, Bates College. Tickets available at L/A Arts, Hannaford, Mr. Paperback, Shaw’s and Victor News, or by calling Maine Music Society at 782-1403. FMI: www.MaineMusicSociety.org.

Lisbon Falls, Saturday, Sept. 30: Scrapbooking day, Lisbon United Methodist Church, 14 School St. Make-and-take kits, demonstrations, door prizes and goodie bags. Cost $20 before Sept. 15; after, $25. Lunch included. FMI: contact Carol Day, 353-8019.

Auburn, Tuesday, Oct. 3: The First Universalist Church of Auburn will host a free screening of “An Inconvenient Truth” at 7 p.m. Admission is free, although freewill donations will be accepted. The event is open to the public at 169 Pleasant St., across from Dairy Joy. FMI: 783-0461 or e-mail [email protected].

Lewiston, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and 7: Meadowview yearly fair, 23 Spofford Street, next to Friendly’s. Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Leeds, Saturday, Oct. 7: Leeds Community Church fundraiser, “A Celebration of Gifts and Talents,” 123 Church Hill Road, 7 a.m. to noon.

Lewiston, Saturday, Oct. 7: Harvest dance, 7 to 11 p.m., Knights of Columbus hall, East Avenue. Sponsored by Twin City Ballroom Dancers. $10 per person. FMI: 784-0002.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Oct. 7: Book sale, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., public library. Baked goods available.

Auburn, Saturday, Oct. 14: Roast Pork dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., St. Louis Church Hall, Third Street. Adults, $6.50; under 12, $3.50. Menu: roast port, potato, green beans, salad, dessert and beverage.

Winthrop, Friday, Oct. 13: Fish chowder luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Congregational Church. Menu: fish chowder, hot biscuits, crackers, pickles, beverage and homemade pies. $6 per person; takeouts available; wheelchair accessible. Benefits the church and its missions. FMI: 377-5923, or 377-8639.

Winthrop, Friday, Nov. 10: Fish chowder luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Congregational Church. Menu: fish chowder, hot biscuits, crackers, pickles, beverage and homemade pies. $6 per person; takeouts available; wheelchair accessible. Benefits the church and its missions. FMI: 377-5923 OR 377-8639.

Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 11: Bean and casserole dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., St. Louis Church Hall, Third St. Adults, $6.50; under 12, $3.50. Menu: baked beans, hot dogs, coleslaw or chop suey, dessert and beverage.

Skowhegan, Saturday, Nov. 18: Pet Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Skowhegan Armory, North School Street. Sponsored by Tri-County Obedience Club. Vendors selling pet products and/or services; demonstrations: carting with Bernese Mountain dogs, Tellington Touch and more!

Auburn, Saturday, Dec. 9: Ham dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., St. Louis Church Hall, Third St., Adults $6.50, under 12 $3.50. Menu: ham, potato, vegetable, salad, dessert and beverage.