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

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

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.

Norway, Saturday, Sept. 30: Fare Share Market is hoting a tour of local farms, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Farmers and gardeners will be on hand at the farms to answer questions. Tickets and maps may be purchased at the Fare Share Market, 443 Main Street in Norway. The cost is $15 for the general public and $10 for Fare Share members. Kids 15 years old and younger are free. Proceeds will benefit the Fare Share Co-op.

Fryeburg, Sunday, Oct. 1 to Sunday, Oct. 8: Art Opening, “Weavings” by Michael Patterson will hand at The Fiber Center at Fryeburg Fair. Hours are Sunday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the last Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. FMI: contact Gale at 284-7379 or 935-3268.

River Valley area

Bethel, Monday, Sept. 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.

Lewiston area

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.

Cumberland, Sunday to Friday, Sept. 24 to 30: Huge Benefit Barn Sale to benefit the North Pownal United Methodist Church, 53 Blanchard Road, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Furniture, antiques, collectibles, toys, dishes, crafts, books, etc. Saturday the 30th is “Pay What you Want Day”.

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.

Gardiner, Thursday, Sept. 28: Jet Sam, an alternative rock band from Israel, will perform at Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center at 7p.m. Show is supervised, and free of alcohol and chemicals. Admission is $8 at the door. No reservations needed. More information and music downloads available at www.jet-sam.com or www.myspace.com/jetsamband . Johnson Hall can be reached at 582-7144.

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.

Freeport, Sunday, Oct. 1: A concert of Scottish ballads, old and new, will be presented by acclaimed singers Alison McMorland and Geordie MacIntyre at 7 p.m. at the First Parish Church on Main St . Admission is $10/$8 kids, elders and unwaged. FMI: contact Ceilidh House 207-688-4515 e-mail [email protected] or view www.castlebay.net

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].

Brunswick, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 5 and 6: A jewelry sale where everything is $5 at Mid Coast Hospital Café Conference Rooms, 123 Medical Center Drive. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Cash, checks, Visa and Mastercard. FMI: call MCH Volunteer Services at 373-6015 or e-mail [email protected].

Greene, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 5 & 6: Filmmakers, Fran & Brooke Reidelberger will present their latest film, The Other Side of Mexico” at the Sawyer Memorial, 371 Sawyer Road. Thu. at 7 p.m. and Fri. at 2 and 7 p.m.; Free admission; FMI

call 946-5311 or http://ourworld.cs.com/sawyerfoundation.

Lewiston, Thursday, Oct. 5: L/A Arts kicks off its 34th season of performing arts with veteran folk bard, John Gorka, at the Franco-American Heritage Center, at 7:30 p.m., doors open for seating at 7 pm. Tickets are $23 ($19 for students and seniors 60+). Group rates are available. Edward Little and Lewiston High School students are reminded that they can attend the concert for free with their ARTSPASS (which is available through their mentors or by contacting L/A Arts). Tickets may be purchased over the phone with a credit card or on line by going to www.laarts.org .

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.

Sabattus, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and 7: A fall bazaar, to benefit the Local Food Pantry and Loaves and Fishes, will take place at the Dominican Convent, 61 Lisbon Road, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will have Christmas items, baked goods, crafts, books, a 50/50 raffle and a raffle for hot air balloon rides. FMI: Call Sister Lucille Fournier at 375-8399.

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.

Sabattus, Saturday, Oct. 21: A pizza fundraiser will be held at the Dominican Convent, 61 Lisbon Rd. Fresh, ready to cook, 14 pizza with cheese or pepperoni, will be available for only $6 each. To order call Pauline Pierre at 777-7169 or 713-5685. Payment is due when orders are placed. Order deadline is October 5 and pickup is on October 21 between noon and 3 p.m. at the convent.

Lewiston, Saturday, Oct. 28: The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly Council 2870 will be having a Halloween Dinner/Dance (costume otional) from 6:30 to 11 p.m., Paul Gagne D.J. BYOB 21 years and over. Prize given to the best Halloween Costume. FMI: contact Dan Leclair at 240-3537.

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.