Survey under way

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.

Tree of Caring

PARIS – The Western Maine Veterans’ Advisory Committee is offering a chance to honor friends and loved ones by lighting a bulb on the “Tree of Caring” at the Veterans’ Home in South Paris.

Bulbs in memory of a deceased loved one, who need not be a veteran, or to honor a special person are $5 each. The funds received will be used for special activities and needs of the residents at the home. To purchase a bulb or for more information, contact Dick Young at 743-8084. Checks can be made payable to the Western Maine Veterans’ Advisory Committee.

The tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, 477 High St., South Paris. Music and refreshments will be served in the multi-purpose room following the tree lighting.

Seniors meal

OXFORD – Senior citizens will gather at Hosanna Church for the 13th annual seniors’ holiday dinner on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The buses roll in around noon, bringing residents of many area seniors’ facilities. Participating homes for many years have included Market Square, South Paris; Norway Rehabilitation Center, Norway; Home for Creative Living, Norway; and several others.

There will be a traditional holiday meal served family-style, including turkey, mashed potato, vegetables, rolls, cranberry sauce, hot and cold drinks and homemade pumpkin and apple pies. Musical entertainment will be provided as well.

Nancy Hanson has been the coordinator of the dinner for the last 10 years, but she head a crew of cooks, servers, kitchen workers and others that number about 30.

Benefit supper

LOCKE MILLS – A benefit supper will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Locke Mills Legion Hall for Robin Chandler and children. They lost everything they owned in a fire. Menu will include homemade baked beans, casseroles, coleslaw, rolls and pie. Cost for adults is $6 and children under 12, $3. Donations and gifts can be brought to the supper. The Chandlers have girls in fifth and seventh grade and a boy in the second grade. The mother is in need of small appliances, bedding, towels. For more information, contact Dorene at 674-2346.

Hanging of greens

PARIS – First Baptist Church of Paris, on the top of Paris Hill, will hold a hanging of the greens from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, followed by a potluck dinner from 6 to 7 and lighting of the outside Christmas tree and caroling at 7. The public is invited.

Parade winners

BRIDGTON – The Bridgton Parade of Lights 2006 awards were presented as follows:

Most beautiful: Rainbow Girls, Lake Region Fiberglass Boat and Repair and Blackhorse Tavern.

Most entertaining: Bosworth and Hatch, Western Maine Dance and Gymnastics and First Congregational Church.

Most creative: Denmark Paddler, Lake Region High School ice hockey and Hayes True Value.

Holiday cantata

WEST PARIS – The Christian Community Choir is practicing for three productions of the Christmas cantata, “Come Let Us Worship the King,” at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the West Paris Baptist Church.

The first performance will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Perkins Valley, Woodstock. Another performance will be given at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the West Paris Baptist Church. followed by a buffet lunch downstairs. The third production will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Dixfield Congregational Church.

The church Sunday school will present a Christmas pageant at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17.