Blood drive

NORWAY – Stephens Memorial Hospital will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today to benefit the Maine Blood Center. The drive will be held in the Harper Conference Center in the Ripley Medical Arts Building. Call Mike Rolfe at 743-5933, ext. 432, to make an appointment.

The Maine Blood Center is hosting the drive. All blood collected will be kept at SMH or sent to other local hospitals for use.

Donors should bring a photo ID, drink plenty of fluids and eat a nutritious meal before donating. Donors will receive an appreciation gift.

Benefit supper

BUCKFIELD – A benefit supper will be held for Robert C. Noyes Sr. of Buckfield from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Buckfield Masonic Hall. Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, call 336-2698.

Make cookies

NORWAY – Teens interested in baking cookies for the holiday season are invited to a program at the Norway Memorial Library from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Teens will make three doughs “from scratch,” cut out forms using holiday cookie cutters, decorate and bake their cookies.

All ingredients and cookie cutters will be provided by the library. Bring a cookie tin to take some home. The program is open to teens in grades seven through 12. Preregistration is required; call the library at 743-5309 to sign up or e-mail [email protected]. Deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 14.

Writers to meet

OXFORD – The Oxford Writers and Storytellers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, for a holiday open mic event at the Oxford Community Center. The public is invited. Bring a holiday or winter-related story or poem to read or just listen. Refreshments will be served.

Christmas meal

PARIS – A Christmas Day community dinner will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 34 Buckfield Road. Even after his busy night, Santa will visit. All are invited to the free meal and to stay for an informal worship service at 3 p.m. Reservations are requested by calling 743-6906 and leaving name and the number of people attending. Transportation is available.

Baby watch

BRIDGTON – A long-standing tradition at Bridgton Hospital is to honor the first baby born at the hospital in the New Year by showering both baby and mother with gifts from local merchants. The “First Born 2008” program will start its baby watch at midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 1.

Merchants interested in being a part of the New Year tradition are encouraged to contact the community relations and development office at 647-6055 or e-mail [email protected]. Merchant donations will be recognized when the New Year baby and family are announced.