Social gathering

RUMFORD – The Order of Sons of Italy Garizia Lodge 467 will hold a social gathering at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the lodge. Members and guests are invited to attend for a day of cards, pool and a 50-50 drawing.

There will be no regular meeting in December. The next scheduled meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28.

Fall production

BETHEL – Western Mountains Senior Players will present their fall production of seven comical and dramatic one-act plays at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Gould Academy’s McLaughlin Auditorium, Science Building, Church Street. Sponsored by Western Mountains Senior College, the public is invited and admission is free. For more information, call Lynn Arizzi at 824-0080.

Church supper

BETHEL – The Bethel United Methodist Church will sponsor a public supper starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the church. The menu will include baked beans, hot dishes, salads, dessert, rolls and beverage. Prices are $6 adults and $3 for ages under 12. Lighting of the Christmas Tree will follow the meal at 6:30 p.m.

Quilters to meet

RUMFORD – Rumford Area Quilters will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Rumford United Methodist Church, Linnell Street. Gifts suitable for either the Food Pantry or Newborns in Need will be collected.

Those attending are invited to bring their show and tell items, and they are reminded that if school is canceled, the meeting is canceled.

Band concert

BETHEL – Mahoosuc Community Band will present a concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the West Parish Congregational Church. The band, under the direction of Patricia Boyle-Wight, will play a variety of seasonal favorites.

The band has added some new numbers for the concert including “On the Day Earth Shall Ring” by Gustav Holst, featuring the trumpets; “Bashana Haba’ah,” a Jewish traditional song; selections from “Les Miserables,” featuring Telstar High School sophomore Marian Hotopp on the French horn; and “Wassail” by Vaughn Williams.

The audience will be invited to sing Christmas carols with the band. All are invited for refreshments after the concert.

D of I party

RUMFORD – St. Timothy Circle, Daughters of Isabella, will have a Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Teena’s Restaurant. A happy hour will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. followed by a meal and a short meeting.

Those attending will have a choice of roast pork or stuffed haddock for $15. Everyone is asked to bring a nonperishable item to be donated to the food pantry.

Chairwoman Doris Bourret, along with Marcelle Miller, Marie Boudreau, Rita Thorne, Deborah Laurinaitis and Mary Buccina, have planned the evening.

The wheelbarrow full of groceries was won by Adelia Curato.

Kids’ play

BETHEL – Children’s Stage Adventures will present “The Princess and the Pea” at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Crescent Park School. Tickets at the door will be $8 for students, $10 adults and $12 reserved seating. For more information, call 824-2839.

Doing survey

RUMFORD – The River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, Community Concepts and Healthy Oxford Hills are collecting data to develop a strategic plan to reduce substance abuse in Oxford County. They would like help from the public.

To help them understand how people in Oxford County feel about substance abuse, they have designed a five-question survey.

They ask that residents click on the link below to answer the survey. The survey needs to be completed by Friday, Dec. 8, so they can prepare their need analysis and present the information and develop strategies over the winter.

The survey link is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=581312958085.

Church program

CARTHAGE – The Carthage Union Church and the Carthage Historical Society will sponsor “Christmas at the Church” as part of the Christmas in Carthage program.

The program will feature music by Alan Hutchinson on the piano, Doug Twitchell and friends and the music of New Beginnings at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8.

Hutchinson is a local musician who has played at several local churches and events. He is an accomplished artist and his work can be seen in many locations around the area.

Twitchell is from the South Paris area and is noted for his work with the youth group at the South Paris Baptist Church. He will provide music and ventriloquism.

New Beginnings is a Gospel duet from Farmington. They offer a blend of traditional and southern gospel music. Artists Ron and Deb Hodge travel throughout Maine and New England to bring their message of praise and worship.

The concert is free and all are welcome. There will refreshments and fellowship after. An offering box will be available for those who wish.

Carthage Union Church is located on Route 142. For more information, call 562-7473 or 778-2042.

For more information on New Beginnings, visit www.newbeginnings02.com and for more information on Twitchell, visit www.biblical-illuminations.com.