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, 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.

Rangeley, Friday, Dec. 29: Ski movie night, 7 p.m., Lakeside Theatre. Benefits Rangeley Lakes XC Ski Club and Trails Center. Tickets, $6. FMI: Carol Sullivan, info@rangeleyxcski.com; 207-864-4309.

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

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, Saturday, Jan. 6: Pork roast supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Deering Memorial Methodist Church, 39 Main St. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.

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, Friday, Jan. 12: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday River Southridge.

Casco, Monday, Jan. 15: American Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 7 p.m., Casco Alliance Church, 450 Roosevelt Trail Route.

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, Friday, Jan. 12: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday River Southridge.

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, Thursday, Jan. 4: Line and partner dancing with Countryside Dancers, 7 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Enter, 4th level of Centreville Garage.

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.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 11: Line and partner dancing with Countryside Dancers, 7 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Enter, 4th level of Centreville Garage.

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.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 18: Line and partner dancing with Countryside Dancers, 7 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Enter, 4th level of Centreville Garage.

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.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 20: Line and partner dancing with Countryside Dancers, 7:30 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Enter, 4th level of Centreville Garage.

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

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 25: Line and partner dancing with Countryside Dancers, 7 p.m., Central Hall, 191 Lisbon St. Enter, 4th level of Centreville Garage.