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

Farmington, Wednesday, Dec. 20: Farmington Community Gay/Straight Alliance, 7 p.m. Room 119B, UMF Psychology Bldg.. Free, donation suggested. Open to the public. Sponsored by UMF Psychology Department. FMI: farmingtonsa@aol.com or 778-7379

Livermore Falls, Monday, Dec. 25: Free Christmas Dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., American Legion Post Hall, Reynolds Avenue. FMI, reservations: 897-3593. Home delivery available.

New Sharon, Thursday, Dec. 28: Story hour, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., New Sharon-Jim Ditzler Memorial Library.

Farmington, Friday, Dec. 29: The Masonic Lodge blood drive at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Bass Training Room, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. FMI: Kawika Thompson, 778-7083, or Leo Deon, 778-7008.

New Sharon, Saturday, Jan. 6: Baked bean takeout, 10 a.m. to noon, Congregational United Church of Christ, Cape Cod Hill Road. Quart beans, pint coleslaw, yeast rolls or brown bread, large pie, $14. FMI and to reserve: Mary, 778-2366.

Oxford Hills area

West Paris, Wednesday and Friday, Dec. 20 and 22: Cookies for Santa at Public Library. Children, teens, others decorate Christmas sugar cookies, drink hot chocolate from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 22, 1:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20. FMI: 674-2004.

Norway, Thursday, Dec. 21: Talk “Christmas Joy! Christ bring the closer view of God,” 7 to 8 p.m., First Church of Christ, Scientist, 5 Morrill Road. Kari Mashos, a Christian Science practitioner, speaks. Punch, cookies and Christmas music at 6:30 p.m. FMI: 890-9944.

West Paris, Thursday, Dec. 21: Christmas concert, 6:30 p.m., Agnes L. Gray School.

Locke Mills, Saturday, Dec. 23: Dance at Locke Mills Town Hall, 7 to 10 p.m., music by Richard Felt Orchestra. Benefits Greenwood Historical Society.

Norway, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas pageant, 2nd Congregational Church, 5:30 p.m.

Otisfield, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve candlelight service, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., Spurr’s Corner Church, Route 121. Sing Christmas carols, light candles, listen to choral and solo vocalists.

Otisfield, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m., East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, Rayville Road.

Oxford, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m., Congregational Church. All welcome.

Paris, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve service, 7:30 p.m., Deering Memorial United Methodist Church, Main Street.

West Paris, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m., West Paris Congregational Church.

West Paris, Sunday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m., West Paris Baptist Church.

Paris, Monday, Dec. 25: Christmas community dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 17 East Main St. No fee. Takeout. FMI: 674-5185.

Paris, Monday, Dec. 25: Christmas community dinner, 2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 34 Buckfield Road. Worship service, 3 p.m. No fee. FMI: 743-6906, leave message with name and number attending. Transportation available.

Bridgton, Tuesday, Dec. 26: Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 7 p.m., Bridgton Masonic Hall, Route 117.

Norway, Thursday, Dec. 28: Board games and beyond for children in grades 1 through 6, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Norway Memorial Library. Space limited, preregister by Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 743-5308 or 743-5309.

Locke Mills, Sunday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve dance at the Locke Mills Town Hall from 8:30 – 12:30 p.m.. Buffet at 9:45 p.m.. Music by Richard Felt Orchestra. Benefits Greenwood Historical Society. Tickets at door, $9.

River Valley area

Rumford, Thursday, Dec. 21: Takeout holiday poutine sale, 4 p.m., St. Athanasius-St. John Parish Center. Sponsored by The Acadian Society; benefits Dr. Edward Martin Book Scholarship Fund. Order before Dec. 14, 364-4629, 5 to 9 p.m.

Rumford, Friday, Dec. 22: Live Christmas carol sing-along, 1 p.m., Pennacook Art Center, Congress Street. Music by Fishers of Men and others.

Rumford, Sunday, Dec. 31: New Years Eve at Black Mountain of Maine with happy hour at 7, dinner buffet at 8, dance with Scot and Cindy Grassett from 9 to 1, dessert buffet at 10:30, champagne toast at midnight. Price: $35 per person Tickets on sale at Hair Design, Adley Auto Sales and Davis Florist.

Rumford, Sunday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve at Rumford Lodge of Elks. Happy hour, 7 p.m, buffet, 7:30; dance, “Palmer and Company,” 8:30 to 12:30; midnight toast, light snacks. Reservations, 364-4022;, pick up tickets after 3 p.m. at Lodge. Cost: $25 couple, $15 singles.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 20: Holiday sing-along, 6 p.m., public library. Free, but must get ticket to attend. Tickets available Dec. 6 from children’s desk. FMI: 784-0135 ext. 4.

Winthrop, Thursday, Dec. 21: Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Winthrop High School gym, 221 Rambler Road.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 22: Christmas concert, 8 p.m., middle school auditorium, Central Avenue. Presented by All Student Theatre Project. Donations accepted. Benefits Child Health Center Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Programs.

Lisbon, Friday, Dec. 22: Christmas get-together, 6 p.m., VFW Post 9459 and Ladies Auxiliary with guests and friends, post home, Route 196. Bring dish to share. FMI: 353-5291, Wednesday to Friday after 4 p.m.

Lewiston, Saturday, Dec. 23: Service of Lessons and Carols, Saints Peter and Paul Basilica, 7:30 p.m. Free. Donations to organ restoration fund appreciated.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 26: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., public library.

Auburn, Wednesday, Dec. 27: Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Auburn Mall, 550 Center St.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 29: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., public library.

Lisbon, Friday, Dec. 29: Supper, 5:30 to 7 p.m., VFW Post 9459, Route 196. Adults, $6; children under 10, $3. FMI: 353-5291, Wednesday to Friday after 4 p.m.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 6: Bean supper, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross Church Hall, 1080 Lisbon St. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 12652. Adults, $6; 12 and under, $3. Take outs. FMI: Dan Leclair, 240-3537.

Mechanic Falls, Saturday, Jan. 6: Lamplighter smorgasbord, First Congregational Church, 5 to 6 p.m. Adults, $7; children, $3.

Gray, Friday, Jan. 12: Fiddlehead Center for the Arts, 5th birthday celebration and fundraiser, Spring Meadows Golf Club, Route 100. Sean Mencher Combo, one hour swing dance lesson, 7 to 8 p.m., live swing band 8 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 in advance by Jan. 5, $35 at the door. Light buffet, cash bar.

Lisbon, Friday, Jan. 12: Lisbon Library children’s Services presents “Rock ‘N Roll Over Dead,” a mystery dinner for children in grades 5-8, 5 to 7 p.m. Sign up and get tickets in Children’s Room. FMI:call 353-6564.

Auburn, Sunday, Jan. 14: Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m., VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave. $3.50/$4.50 includes coffee and juice. Benefits New Auburn Little League Baseball. FMI: 784-6883.