Mineral show

AUGUSTA – Kennebec Rocks and Minerals Club will hold its 18th annual Rockhounder’s Gem and Mineral Show on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2, at the National Guard Armory on Western Avenue. The show will open at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 873-6270.

There will be door prizes, daily grand door prizes, demonstrations, fluorescent display booth, mineral displays, dealers in minerals, jewelry, gems and fossils, geode slicing, mineral mine and games for the kids.

Children can win a mineral starter kit and get a free stone for attending. Information on rockhounding and how to join a mineral club will be available.

Book collection

AUBURN – With a week left to go, Borders has already collected more than 2,000 books during its statewide drive benefiting the Maine Humanities Council’s Born to Read Peaceable Stories program.

The program is a new initiative of the Maine Humanities Council’s Born to Read program designed to help child care providers, volunteers, parents and home visitors use books and conversation to introduce children to peaceful co-existence, conflict resolution and nonviolent communication.

In addition to hosting the book drive, Borders will donate a percentage of the sales to the Born to Read Peaceable Stories program.

The drive is taking place at Borders and Waldenbooks in South Portland, Brunswick, Auburn and Bangor. People can participate by purchasing a book off the Peaceable Stories book list in the store and donating it at the counter. The book drive will continue through the end of August.

Apple Sunday

BATH – Apple orchards around the state will open their farms for Maine Apple Sunday on Sept. 9.

“This day is designed for people to experience the buzz of activity at their local apple orchard,” said Peter Ricker, president of Maine State Pomological Society.

Maine Apple Sunday celebrates the harvest. Ricker said apple picking begins around the end of August and continues until the last of the fruit comes off the tree near the end of October. Many orchards offer family activities in conjunction to pick-your-own opportunities and farm stands.

The pomological society, a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1873, is comprised of apple orchards throughout the state dedicated to strengthening the sector as well as the agricultural industry in Maine. For list of participating orchards visit www.maineapples.org.

Dance season

PARIS – The Swingin’ Bears Square Dance Club will begin its season from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Oxford Hills Middle School, South Paris, with Darryl Sprague calling mainstream and plus level for the square dancing. Carol Stewart will cue the round dancing. Refreshments will be offered at intermission. Admission will be $10 a couple, $5 for a single. Nondancers are invited to watch free.

FarmShare open

AUGUSTA – Low-income seniors around the state still have an opportunity to receive $50 of free, fresh, locally grown produce through Maine’s Senior FarmShare Program this season.

More than 14,000 seniors are already signed up and are receiving fruits and vegetables from a local farm, but there are more than 2,000 $50 shares still available. Seniors must be at least 60 years old (55 if Native American) and have an individual income below $18,889 a year (single) or $25,327 a year (married).

The list of farms, by county, that still have FarmShares available can be found on the Web at http://www.getrealmaine.com/connect/farmshare/individual.pdf. Seniors can also call their local area agency on aging at 1-877-353-3771.

‘Hit the Trails’

NEW GLOUCESTER – The Cancer Community Center invites walkers, hikers and runners of all ages and abilities to celebrate life, hope and community by participating in its “Hit the Trails” fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 23, at Pineland Farms. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Those interested in raising funds for the “Hit the Trails” event can get more information and register online at www.firstgiving.com/ccc. All who register before Sept. 1 and raise a minimum of $100 will receive a free gift.

“Hit the Trails” is designed to accommodate people of all ages to walk, run or hike at their own pace and ability level. Fun, food, entertainment and family-friendly activities will be provided.

The Cancer Community Center, located in South Portland, provides support, information and activities at no charge for adults living with cancer, their families and friends. Call 1-877-774-2200 or visit www.CancerCommunityCenter.org for a full listing of programs.

Helping kids

LEWISTON – Shaw’s Supermarkets and Cradles to Crayons have teamed up to organize a school supplies drive to help children get the necessary supplies they need to start the school year.

As Cradles to Crayons is a Massachusetts organization, and Shaw’s has stores throughout New England, Shaw’s is working with Catholic Charities Maine to cover the state. Twenty-three Shaw’s stores will display posters promoting the program and identifying Catholic Charities Maine as the nonprofit partner.

The program will continue through Thursday, Sept. 6. Customers will be invited to purchase a pre-assembled bag of school supplies for $10 to be collected in large bins at the stores. Catholic Charities Maine volunteers will collect the donated packs and distribute them. The packs are targeted for children in grades kindergarten through six.