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

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 takeout. 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.

Carrabassett Valley, Friday, Jan. 4: American Red Cross blood drive, 12 to 5 p.m., Sugarloaf USA, 5092 Access Road.

Wilton, Friday, Jan. 4: Infant/toddler story time, 10:30 a.m., Free Public Library. FMI: Sandra, 645-4831.

New Sharon, Saturday, Jan. 5: Baked bean takeout, 10 a.m. to noon, New Sharon Congregational United Church of Christ, Cape Cod Hill Road. Quart beans, pint coleslaw, rolls, bread, pie, $14. FMI, reserve, Mary, 778-2366.

Waterford, Saturday, Jan. 5: Supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m., North Waterford Congregational Church. Benefits Robert Springer III and family after loss of their home to fire. $7; under 12, $3.50. FMI: Jennifer Morin, 583-4403.

Wilton, Tuesday, Jan. 8: Preschool story time, 10:30 a.m., Free Public Library. FMI: Sandra, 645-4831.

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

Norway, Friday, Dec. 28: Baby Boosters activities, 10:30 a.m., Memorial Library. FMI: 743-5308.

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.

West Paris, Thursday, Jan. 3: Cabin Fever Countdown, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Unitarian-Universalist Church. FMI: Bev Stevens, 674-2481.

Paris, Saturday, Jan. 5: Boy Scout Troop 130 bottle drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1st Congregational Church, 17 East Main St. Benefits camping equipment fund. Pick-up, or leave returnables at church or Payne’s Redemption Center. FMI: 890-9966.

Bethel, Tuesday, Jan. 8: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday River Southridge Lodge.

River Valley area

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.

Bethel, Tuesday, Jan. 8: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday River Southridge Lodge.

Rumford, Friday, Jan. 11: Screening of 1928 silent film “The Cameraman” starring Buster Keaton, 7 p.m., Library, Rumford Avenue. Refreshments. Free.

Lewiston area

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.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 27: Bates Mill history and activities for children, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., Museum L-A, Bates Mill Complex, 35 Canal St. $5. Preregistration required. For ages 6 to 10. Snow day, Friday, Dec. 28. FMI and to register: 333-3881.

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.

Lisbon, Monday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve party, 6 p.m. to midnight, VFW Post 9459, Route 196. Food, music. Free. FMI: 353-4879.

Sabattus, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve party and dance, 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., The Jacques Cartier Club, Wales Road. Buffet and favors will be served. $10. FMI please call 375-4850.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 1: American Red Cross blood drive, 12 to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

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, Wednesday, Jan. 2: American Red Cross blood drive, 12 to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Thursday, Jan. 3: American Red Cross blood drive, 12 to 5 p.m., Clover Health Care, 444 Minot Ave.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 3: American Red Cross blood drive, 12 to 7 p.m., CMMC, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Friday, Jan. 4: Meat loaf supper, sponsored by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 1603, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., 588 Minot Ave., $6 adults and children under 10 $3. Benefits the veterans’ programs. FMI: 782-2856.

Lisbon, Friday, Jan. 4: Pork fried rice and fried chicken dinner, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., VFW Post 9459, Route 196. $6, $3 under 10. Proceeds benefit sending troops packages. FMI: 353-4879.

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. Takeout available until 6:30 p.m. $6; 12 and under, $3.

Auburn, Saturday, Feb. 2: Abused Women’s Advocacy Project 15th annual Winter Walk Against Violence, 8 to 10 a.m., inside the Auburn Mall, Center Street. FMI: Kelly Glidden, 795-6744.

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