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, Thursday to Saturday, Jan. 11 to 13: “Fiddler on the Roof,” 7:30 p.m., University of Maine at Farmington, by Sandy River Players. Tickets at Howard’s Rexall, Main Street. FMI: sandyriverplayers@hotmail.com.

Carrabassett Valley, Friday, Jan. 12: American Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sugarloaf USA.

Turner, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12 and 13: “Oliver!” by Leavitt Area High School Thespians; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.; LAHS Auditorium. Adults, $8; students and seniors $5. Tickets at the door. FMI or to reserve seats, Penny Appleby, 225-4371.

Farmington, Thursday to Sunday, Jan. 18 to 21: “Fiddler on the Roof,” University of Maine at Farmington, by Sandy River Players. Thursday through Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets, Howard’s Rexall, Main Street. FMI: sandyriverplayers@hotmail.com.

Farmington, Saturday, Jan. 20: Workshop for parade-style masks, head pieces, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. Adults and students grade 5 and up. $15/person; discounts for families, early registration. Sponsored by Foothills Arts Center. FMI or to sign up: 778-0448; info@foothillsarts.org; www.foothillsarts.org.

Farmington, Saturday, Jan. 27: Theater for Peace, “Crazy for Oil,” discussion follows, 7:30 p.m., Old South Congregational Church, Main Street, sponsored by Foothills Arts Center. FMI: 778-0448; info@foothillsarts.org.

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

Oxford Hills area

Newry, Jan. 9 and 10: Nickelodeon’s Family Festival Night from 5 to 8 p.m. and Juggling Workshop with Trickster Fox from 6 to 7 p.m. at Grand Summit Resort Hotel, Sunday River Ski Resort. Free admission. FMI: 824-3000.

Bryant Pond, Thursday, Jan. 11: Guest speaker Edwin Howe, 10 a.m., Whitman Memorial Library, talk and slides of Mainers fighting fires in western states. Free. FMI: 674-2143.

Newry, Thursday, Jan. 11: Nickelodeon concert with the Dirty Sock Funtime Band at 7 p.m. at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel, Sunday River Ski Resort. Tickets: $4/$6 kids(6-12), $6/$8 adults. FMI: 824-3575.

Paris, Thursday, Jan. 11: Story time for preschoolers, 10 a.m., Public Library. FMI: 743-6994.

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

Newry, Saturday, Jan. 13: National Marionette Theater’s, Pinocchio, at 7 p.m. at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel, Sunday River Ski Resort. Tickets: $4/$6 kids(6-12), $6/$8 adults. FMI: 824-3575.

Paris, Saturday, Jan. 13: Square and round dancing, 7 to 10 p.m., Oxford Hills Middle School, Pine Street, hosted by Swingin’ Bears Square Dance Club. FMI: Sue Corning, 743-7176; Eleanor Herrick, 782-4050.

West Paris, Saturday, Jan. 13: West Paris Grange 298 chowder luncheon, noon, West Paris Baptist Church.

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

Greenwood, Sunday, Jan. 21: Longerberger Basket Bingo, Jackson Silver post, Gore Road. Doors open at 11a.m. games begin at 1 p.m. To help benefit The Woodstock School’s 5th Grade Class trip to Boston in June. FMI: contact Woodstock School, 665-2228. Cost is $10. We proudly accept donations.

Canton, Saturday, Jan. 27: Crop for a Cure from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Canton Municipal Hall. $25 per person to benefit American Cancer Society. Space limited, reserve early – call Missy Timberlake 597-2640 or Kathy Walker 597-2560.

Mechanic Falls, Tuesday, Jan. 30: American Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 7 p.m., Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 90 Lewiston St.

River Valley area

Rumford, Thursday, Jan. 11: Supper, 5 p.m., American Legion Post 24. Take-outs, call 369-9053.

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

Peru, Monday, Jan. 15: Public potluck dinner served by Families in Crisis at noon at Rockemeka Grange. No charge, donations accepted. FMI: Rodney at 357-0008.

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

Bethel, Wednesday, Jan. 17: Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Bethel Inn Resort. John Melrose, former commissioner of MDOT, will speak. RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 16, 824-2282.

Rumford, Friday, Jan. 19: Screening of the movie, War of the Worlds, at 7:30 p.m. at Rumford Public Library. Film and refreshments are free to the public. Start of this year’s classic-film series sponsored by Friends of the Rumford Library.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 9: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 9: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 10: After School Art: Printmaking, 3:30 p.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St.

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

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

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.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 11: Peek-A-Boo Puppet Show at 9:30 a.m., New Life Community Center, 134 College St.

Auburn, Friday, Jan. 12: Open mic, First Universalist Church, 169 Pleasant St. Signup, 7:15; show, 7:30. Free parking, free child care. FMI: 783-0461 or www.uuauburn.net.

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.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 12: L-A Senior College “Food for Thought” noon luncheon. Nancy Whitehouse’s slide program about the college’s expansion and Androscoggin for ME initiative. $6 in advance, $8 at the door. FMI or reservation, 753-6510 or usm.maine.edu/lac.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 12: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St.

Lisbon, Friday, Jan. 12: Stuffed pork chop supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Lisbon American Legion Post 158 Auxiliary. Adults, $6; children, $3.50. FMI: Rita, 784-0447.

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

Turner, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12 and 13: “Oliver!” by Leavitt Area High School Thespians; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.; LAHS Auditorium. Adults, $8; students and seniors $5. Tickets at the door. FMI or to reserve seats, Penny Appleby, 225-4371.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 13: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lewiston-Auburn Harley, 839 Main St.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 13: Bean and casserole supper at Calvary United Methodist Church, 59 Sabattus St., from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Adults $6, children $3.

Lisbon Falls, Saturday, Jan. 13: Baked bean and casserole supper, 4:45 to 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Church parish hall, 67 Frost Hill Ave. Adults, $6; children under 12, $4; children under 4, free; family with children under 12, $15. FMI: 353-5636.

Sabattus, Saturday, Jan. 13: Basket bingo, 11 a.m., Our Lady of the Rosary, High Street. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Benefits Oak Hill High School’s Academic Decathlon Team.

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.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 16: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 16: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 17: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

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.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 18: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Friday, Jan. 19: Snow Ball winter dance, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., St. Louis Parish Hall, Third Street. $10 per person; all ages.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 19: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St.

Lisbon, Friday, Jan. 19: Shepherd’s pie supper, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Post 9459 home, Route 196. Hosted by Maine Vietnam Vigil Committee. FMI: 353-2152.

Sabattus, Friday, Jan. 19: Bean supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Jillson’s, Jordan Bridge Road. Tickets: $5 in advance at Dominican Sisters convent, 61 Lisbon Road or $6 at door. Benefits Loaves and Fishes and the local food pantry. FMI: Ellie Brown, 375-4747.

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, Saturday, Jan. 20: Bean and casserole supper, 5 p.m., United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave. Adults, $6; children 6 to 10, $3; 5 and under, free.

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.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Jan. 20: Bean supper from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Amvets Post 6. Adults $6; under 12, $2; under six, free.

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

Lewiston, Monday, Jan. 22: Babytime, 10 a.m. Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Monday, Jan. 22: After school art, 3:30 p.m. Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 23: Book Buddies, bringing together books and friends, grades one to six at 3:30 p.m. Lewiston Public Library. FMI: call 784-0135, Ext. 4.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 23: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 23: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 24: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., East Auburn Baptist Church, 9 Church St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 24: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 24: Book Buddies, 3:30 p.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 25: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

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.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 26: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lisbon, Friday, Jan 26: Boiled ham dinner, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Lisbon American Legion Post 158 Auxiliary. Adults, $6; children, $3.50. FMI: Rita, 784-0447.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 27: Relay For Life benefit dance, 8 p.m. to midnight, Elks Lodge, 1675 Lisbon St. Advance $10; $12.50 at door. Boogie2Shooz performs. For tickets, Jackie Holbrook, 689-2960; Leo Baillargeon, 784-0389 or 689-2996; Rachel Jalbert, 689-2931; Joyce Franklin, 689-2924; Brenda Cote, 729-7775; or Sun Journal customer service desk, 104 Park St.

Auburn, Sunday, Jan. 28: Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m., VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave.; $3.50/$4.50. Benefits New Auburn Little League Baseball. FMI: 784-6883.

Auburn, Monday, Jan. 29: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., John Murphy Homes Inc., 800 Center St.

Lewiston, Monday, Jan. 29: Babytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Monday, Jan. 29: After school art, 3:30 p.m. Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 30: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 30: Book Buddies, 3:30 p.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 30: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Mechanic Falls, Tuesday, Jan. 30: American Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 7 p.m., Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 90 Lewiston St.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 31: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bachmann Industries, 416 Lewiston Junction Road.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 31: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 31: Book Buddies, 3:30 p.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Main St., 200 Main St.

Sabattus, Friday, Feb. 16: Pasta supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Jillson’s, Jordan Bridge Road. Tickets: $5 in advance at Dominican Sisters convent, 61 Lisbon Road or $6 at door. Benefits Loaves and Fishes and the local food pantry. FMI: Ellie Brown, 375-4747.

Sabattus, Friday, March 16: Buffet supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Jillson’s, Jordan Bridge Road. Tickets: $5 in advance at Dominican Sisters convent, 61 Lisbon Road or $6 at door. Benefits Loaves and Fishes and the local food pantry. FMI: Ellie Brown, 375-4747.