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

Wilton, Tuesday, Dec. 18: Preschool story time, 10:30 a.m., Wilton Free Public Library.

Wilton, Thursday, Dec. 20: Elementary story time, 6 p.m., Wilton Free Public Library.

Wilton, Friday, Dec. 21: Infant/toddler story time, 10:30 a.m., Wilton Free Public Library.

New Sharon, Thursday, Dec. 27: Story hour, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., New Sharon-Jim Ditzler Memorial Library.

Farmington, Friday, Dec. 28 : Fish chowder, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fairbanks Union Church. $6, eat in or take out. FMI and delivery, 778-4705.

Wilton, Friday, Dec. 28: Infant/toddler story time, 10:30 a.m., Wilton Free Public Library.

Farmington, Monday, Dec. 31: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Franklin Memorial Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive.

Wilton, Saturday, Jan. 12: Contradance with Racket Factory, 8 to 11 p.m., Wilson Grange, Main Street. Beginner/brush-up workshop, 7:30 p.m., free. Dance, $6; $15, family. No partner necessary. FMI: 397-2241; [email protected]; www.starleft.org.

Oxford Hills area

Norway, Wednesday, Dec. 19: Story time for ages 2 to 5, 10:30 a.m., Norway Memorial Library. FMI: 743-5308.

Oxford, Wednesday, Dec. 19: Oxford Writers and Storytellers, 6:30 p.m., Oxford Community Center. Readings about Christmas, winter and the solstice.

Paris, Thursday, Dec. 20: Story time for preschoolers, 10 a.m., Public Library. FMI: 743-6994.

Norway, Friday, Dec. 21: Baby Boosters for under 2 and parents or caregivers, rhymes, plays, songs, more, 10:30 a.m., Norway Memorial Library. FMI: 743-5308.

Oxford, Saturday, Dec. 22: Breakfast with Santa and caroling, beginning 9 a.m., Pizza Hut. $7; under 12, $5; under 2 free. Benefits Christmas for Kids & Teens. Reservations required, call Kathy Tice, 890-3605.

Bridgton, Monday, Dec. 24: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Masonic Hall, Harrison Road.

Paris, Tuesday, Dec. 25: Community Christmas dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 17 East Main St. Free. Takeouts available. Hosted by Friends and Neighbors. FMI: 674-5185.

Waterford, Monday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve pageant and music program, 6 p.m., Waterford Congregational Church, Plummer Hill, Waterford Flat. Recreation of Nativity, readings, music.

Paris, Tuesday, Dec. 25: Dinner, 2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 34 Buckfield Road. Free; reservations requested. Worship service, 3 p.m. Transportation available. FMI, to leave name and number attending: 743-6906.

Oxford, Friday, Dec. 28: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., American Legion Post 112, 112 King St.

Paris, Monday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve celebration, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., American Legion, Church Street. Music by Country Ladds. Chemical-free, door prizes, food. $15; couples, $25. FMI: 743-7965.

River Valley area

Dixfield, Saturday, Dec. 22: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network holiday ice luminary remembrance ceremony, 7 p.m., Mountain View Campground. Buy $10 luminaria to honor loved one. FMI: Diane Mitchell, 364-8358; [email protected].

Rumford, Monday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve dinner and dancing, 5:30 to 12:30 a.m. $25 couple, $15 single. Rumford Elks Lodge 862. FMI call 364-4022.

Lewiston area

Poland, Monday, Dec. 17: American Red Cross blood drive, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Whittier Middle School, 1457 Main St., Route 26.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 18: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 19: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 19: “The Gift Goes On” Christmas musical, 7 p.m., Open Door Bible Church. Free. FMI: 353-2268.

Winthrop, Wednesday, Dec. 19: Square dance lessons, 7 to 9 p.m., Winthrop Grade School cafeteria, Highland Ave. Soft-soled shoes only. Sponsored by Squire Town Squares. FMI: 713-6669; 685-3648; 268-9241.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 20: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 20: Holiday sing-along, 6 p.m., Callahan Hall, Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Hot cocoa provided, bring cookies to share. Free. FMI: 513-3113.

New Gloucester, Thursday, Dec. 20: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pineland Farms, 59 Pineland Drive.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 21: Christmas concert, 7:30 p.m., the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Bath Municipal Concert Band will perform Christmas carols and music. Donation, $8.

Lisbon, Friday, Dec. 21: Barbecue chicken dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., American Legion Post 158, Webster Road. $6; child, $3.50. FMI: 353-8192.

Lisbon, Friday, Dec. 21: Ham supper with potatoes, veggies and more, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. VFW Post 9459, Route 196. $6 adults, $3 children under 10. FMI: 353-4879.

Auburn, Sunday, Dec. 23: 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.

Lisbon, Sunday, Dec. 23: “The Gift Goes On” Christmas musical, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Open Door Bible Church. Free. FMI: 353-2268.

Auburn, Wednesday, Dec. 26: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Auburn Mall, 550 Center St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 26: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 27: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lisbon, Friday, Dec. 28: Chicken or shrimp Alfredo dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., American Legion Post 158, Webster Road. $6; child, $3.50. FMI: 353-8192.

Topsham, Tuesday, Jan. 1: New Year’s concert, 7 p.m., Orion Theater, Mt. Ararat Middle School, 66 Republic Ave. Kotuku Children’s Choir of New Zealand. Benefits Fishing Families for Harpswell Community Scholarship and charitable activities. Free, donations accepted. FMI: 833-0562.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 5: Bean supper, 4 to 6 p.m., Holy Cross Church hall, 1080 Lisbon St. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 12652. Take-out available until 6:30 p.m. $6; 12 and under, $3.

Sabattus, Sunday, Feb. 3: Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Sabattus American Legion Post 135. $6; 10 and under $3.