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

Farmington, Friday, Dec. 29: Masonic Lodge blood drive, 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.

Farmington, Tuesday, Jan. 9: Franklin County Children’s Task Force annual meeting, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Farmington, Saturday, Feb. 17: Children’s festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., UMF. Admission is free.

Oxford Hills area

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.

Paris, Sunday, Jan. 7: Benefit dance, noon to 5 p.m., Legion Hall, Church Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. Raffles, 50/50, food bar and door prizes. Admission $5. Proceeds for the Wings & Prayers gospel group.

Bethel, Tuesday, Jan. 16: Gould Academy’s Performing Arts Series presents Ragamala, Music and Dance Theater of Southern India, 7 p.m., Bingham Hall, Gould Academy, Church Street. Tickets at door, $6 adults, $4 students. FMI: 207 824-3575

River Valley area

Rumford, Friday, Dec. 29: United Bikers of Maine Bikers Ball, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Eagles Club. Band: D Jango. Tickets: $10 at the door. Open to the public.

Rumford, Sunday, Dec. 31: New Years Eve at Black Mountain, happy hour at 7, dinner buffet at 8, dance 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, 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.

Bethel, Tuesday, Jan. 16: Gould Academy’s Performing Arts Series presents Ragamala, Music and Dance Theater of Southern India, 7 p.m., Bingham Hall, Gould Academy, Church Street. Tickets at door, $6 adults, $4 students. FMI: 207 824-3575

Lewiston area

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.

Auburn, Sunday, Dec. 31: New year’s eve celebration, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., New Auburn Social Club. Midnight toast, buffet at 12:15 a.m. $10 per person; couples, $15. FMI and tickets, 782-9039.

Auburn, Wednesdays, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., preschool story programs at the library.

Auburn, Thursday, Jan. 4: Baby’s Night Out, 6 to 6:20 p.m., Auburn Public Library. Babies from birth through 24-months and caregiver gather for nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs.

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.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 10 and 24: Teen Anime Drawing Club, 3 p.m. in young adult area at the library. All teens welcome.

Gray, Friday, Jan. 12: Fiddlehead Center for the Arts, 5th birthday celebration and fundraiser, Spring Meadows Golf Club, Route 100. Music, 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, “Rock ‘N Roll Over Dead,” 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.

Auburn, Thursday, Jan. 18: Baby’s Night Out, 6 to 6:20 p.m., Auburn Public Library. Babies from birth through 24-months and caregiver gather for nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 20: Saturday stories and crafts with Judy D’Amour at the library, 10 a.m. Children may make snow picture to take home.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 20: Cindy’s Worm Farm, 2 p.m. at the library. Cindy Petherbridge’s Worm Farm Indoor Composting Workshop. Best first-graders and older. Register ahead for supplies.

Auburn, Monday, Jan. 22: Book discussion: “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion, 6:30 p.m. at the library.