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

Strong, Friday, Sept. 12: American Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Forster Building, 11 Main St.

Canton, Saturday, Sept. 13: Bottle drive, 9 a.m. to noon, Canton Historical Society, Route 108, near Big Apple. Benefits the Society.

Farmington, Saturday, Sept. 13: Community luncheon, noon-1 p.m., Old South Congregational Church. Free. For delivery call 778-0424 or 773-4438.

Farmington, Saturday, Sept. 13: Contradance to live music, 7:30 p.m., Farmington Grange, Bridge Street. $6, family $15. No partner needed. FMI: 491-9928 or www.starleft.org.

New Sharon, Saturday, Sept. 13: Chicken barbecue, 11:30 a.m., Masonic Lodge. $8. Sponsored by Franklin Lodge #123 to benefit building fund.

Livermore Falls, Monday, Sept. 15: Terry Moore concert, 6-8 p.m., Livermore Falls gazebo.

Livermore Falls, Thursday, Sept. 18: Nickles & Dimes concert, 6-8 p.m., Livermore Falls gazebo.

Wilton, Thursday, Sept. 18: A panel discussion, The Plight of Haiti, 7 p.m., St. Luke’s Church. All panelists have visited or ministered in Haiti recently. All are welcome.

Oxford Hills area

Paris, Sunday, Sept. 7: POW-MIA service, 2 p.m., Maine Veteran’s Home, 477 High St. FMI: 743-6300 or www.maineveteranshomes.org.

Bethel, Monday, Sept. 8: Mahoosuc Community Band rehearsal, 7 p.m., West Parish Congregational Church basement. All musicians welcome. FMI: Brian Dunham, 665-2967 or [email protected].

Greenwood, Monday, Sept. 8: American Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., American Legion, Gore Road.

Oxford, Monday, Sept. 8: Senior card days, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Oxford Community Building, King Street. FMI: Eddie or Connie 539-4345, 739-9407.

Locke Mills, Tuesday, Sept. 9: Supper dance, 5:30-9:30 p.m., American Legion Hall. $10, children $3. Benefits AL Auxiliary. Music by Wally Jones Orchestra.

Bethel, Wednesday, Sept. 10: Comedy “The Legend of Lefty,” 4 p.m., Bethel Inn Conference Center, Broad Street. $10. FMI: 824-2175 or Ross, 824-6545.

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

Bryant Pond, Thursday, Sept. 11: Guest speaker Ed Howe, 2 p.m., Whitman Memorial Library. Light refreshments.

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

Bethel, Friday, Sept. 12: “The Legend of Lefty,” a two-act comedy under the direction of Lynn Arizzi, full dinner theatre show, 7 p.m., the Bethel Inn and Conference Center, Broad Street. Presented by the Community Players. Fee: $25. Reservation only, limited seating. Sponsored by the new Bethel Performing Arts Project and presented in cooperation with the Bethel Inn. For reservations and information: The Bethel Inn at 824-2175, Ross Timberlake at 824-6545.

Norway, Friday, Sept. 12: Baby Boosters, 10:30 a.m., Norway Memorial Library. FMI: 743-5308.

West Paris, Friday, Sept. 12: Potluck supper, 6 p.m., First Universalist Church. No charge; just bring a dish to share. Tineke Ouwinga of Bethel will speak on her life in Holland during World War II.

East Bethel, Saturday, Sept. 13: Public supper, 5 p.m., Alder River Grange. Adults $7, children under 13 $3.

East Bethel, Saturday, Sept. 13: Cathy Johnson will speak on “Maine Woods at the Crossroads,” 6:15 p.m., Alder River Grange Hall.

Harrison, Saturday, Sept. 13: Public supper, 5:30-6:30 p.m., VFW Hall, Route 35. $6, under 12 $3. Sponsored by Ronald G. St. John VFW Post Ladies Auxiliary 9328. FMI: 583-4713.

Oxford, Saturday, Sept. 13: Lolalee and the Country Bandits, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oxford Country Fair.

Paris, Saturday, Sept. 13: Jones dance band, 7-10 p.m, Legion Hall, Church Street. $5.

Paris, Saturday, Sept. 13: Swingin’ Bears Square Dance Club, 7-10 p.m., Oxford Hills Middle School. $6. Spectators free. FMI: Sue 743-7176 or Eleanor 782-4050.

Norway, Monday, Sept. 15: American Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Stephens Memorial Hospital, 18 Main St.

River Valley area

Dixfield, Monday, Sept. 8: Preschool Storytime, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ludden Library. Will be held every Monday. If school is canceled, so is story time.

Bethel, Wednesday, Sept. 10: Comedy “The Legend of Lefty,” 4 p.m., Bethel Inn Conference Center, Broad Street. $10. FMI: 824-2175 or Ross, 824-6545.

Bethel, Friday, Sept. 12: “The Legend of Lefty,, a two-act comedy under the direction of Lynn Arizzi, full dinner theatre show, 7 p.m., the Bethel Inn and Conference Center, Broad Street. Presented by the Community Players. Fee: $25. Reservation only, limited seating. Sponsored by the new Bethel Performing Arts Project and presented in cooperation with the Bethel Inn. For reservations and information: The Bethel Inn at 824-2175, Ross Timberlake at 824-6545.

Rumford, Friday, Sept. 12: Armory Dance, 6-8 p.m., 85 Lincoln Ave. Admission: $1. Music provided by Joe the “Music Man.”

Canton, Saturday, Sept. 13: Bottle drive, 9 a.m. to noon, Canton Historical Society, Route 108, near Big Apple. Benefits the Society.

East Bethel, Saturday, Sept. 13: Public supper, 5 p.m., Alder River Grange. Adults $7, children under 13 $3.

East Bethel, Saturday, Sept. 13: Cathy Johnson will speak on “Maine Woods at the Crossroads,” 6:15 p.m., Alder River Grange Hall.

Otisfield, Saturday, Sept. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 5-6:30 p.m., East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, Rayville Road. Free, donations accepted.

Rumford, Saturday, Sept. 13: Virgin Memorial Chapel of the Rumford United Methodist Church 100 year church history slide show and program, 2 p.m., Rumford United Methodist Church sanctuary. Ongoing photo display and exhibit in the fellowship hall. All welcome.

Rumford, Saturday, Sept. 13: Public supper and gift-a-rama, 5 p.m., Blazing Star Lodge, Route 232. Supper: $6, under 5 $3. Gift-a-rama tickets $1 or 6 for $5. Sponsored by Mt. Zircon Chapter #142 Star Club.

Rumford, Saturday, Sept. 13: Dance to music by Small Town Defenders, 8 p.m. to midnight, American Legion. $5. Doors open at 7 p.m. Benefits building fund.

Rumford, Saturday, Sept. 13: Supper, 4:45 p.m., St. John’s Parish Hall, Main Avenue. $6, under 12 $3. Takeout available.

Dixfield, Sunday, Sept. 14: Special cribbage, The American Legion Swasey-Torrey Post 100. Cost: $8 per person. Prizes will be paid out by the number of tables and a 50/50 will be sold. Pork roast dinner will be served at 11 a.m. for $5. All are welcome.

Dixfield, Monday, Sept. 15: Preschool, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ludden Library. Will be held every Monday. If school is canceled, so is story time.

Rumford, Wednesday, Sept. 17: Business Lunch and Learn opportunity: “Do You Own Your Business or Does Your Business Own You?” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., River Valley Technology Center, 60 Lowell St. Cost: $10, includes lunch. Preregistration is required by calling Lorraine at 369-0396 or e-mailing [email protected] by Sept. 15. Presented by The River Valley Technology Center, The River Valley Growth Council, and the River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 8: American Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., the Colisee, 190 Birch St.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 8: Kid’s Cooking Club, 4 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 7-14. Sign up by calling children’s Department, attendance limited to 8. FMI: Denise at 755-3110, [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 8: All-ages Storytime, 6:30 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 9: Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 2-5. Siblings welcome. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 9: Farmers’ market, 2-6 p.m., Kennedy Park.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 9: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Poland, Tuesday, Sept. 9: American Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Poland Community Church, 1212 Maine St.

Auburn, Wednesday, Sept. 10: Memory loss and dementia series “Taking Time for Yourself and Recognizing Caregiver Burnout,” 3-4:30 p.m., Clover Health Care, Common Room, 440 Minot Ave. No charge. Sponsored by the Maine chapter of Alzheimer’s Association. FMI: 1-800-272-3900.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Sept. 10: Reading Dog, 5 p.m., Lewiston Public Libary Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. To reserve a spot to read to a dog, call the library at 513-3133.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Sept. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, 12-7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lisbon, Wednesday, Sept. 10: Bird walk, 8 a.m., Papermill & Ricker Farm trails. FMI: stantonbirdclub.org or call 933-2266.

Greene, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 11-12: Music By Magic, doors open at 6 p.m., Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Memorial, 371 Sawyer Road. Free. FMI: 946-5311.

Lewiston, Thursday, Sept. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Friday, Sept. 12: Food for Thought luncheon, noon, Senior College, USM L/A, presentation by fall semester course instructors. Advance, $6.50; at door, $8 . Reservation by Sept. 11. FMI: 753-6510, usm.maine.edu/lac/seniorcollege.

Lewiston, Friday, Sept. 12: Babytime story time, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages up to 2. Siblings of different ages are also welcome. No pre-registration necessary. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Saturday, Sept. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 4:45-6 p.m., Calvary United Methodist Church, 59 Sabattus St. $6, children $3.

Lewiston, Saturday, Sept. 13: Reading Dog, noon, Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Call 513-3113 to reserve spot. FMI: jparis @ci.lewiston.me.us or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Gray, Saturday, Sept. 13: Fisheries and Wildlife open house, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26. Donations. FMI: 657-4977.

Greene, Saturday, Sept. 13: Bean supper, 4-6 p.m., VFW Memorial Post 11032, near Greene Central School. $6, under 12 $2.50.

Lisbon Falls, Saturday, Sept. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 4:45-6 p.m., Holy Trinity Church Parish Hall, 67 Frost Hill Ave. $6, ages 4-11 $4, under 4 free, family with children under 12 $15. FMI: 353-5636.

Lisbon, Saturday, Sept. 13: Coffee house with The Chapel Chix and Chap, 7-8:30 p.m., St. Matthews Church, Route 196, near Big Dipper. Freewill offering. Donation of nonperishable foods. Refreshments. Benefits Christian outreach. FMI: Debbie 353-6925 or Michelle 353-6195.

Lewiston, Sunday, Sept. 14: Adult, child, infant CPR and first aid, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Red Cross, 1080 Lisbon St. FMI: 795-4404.

Lewiston, Sunday, Sept. 14: Bourque and Friends concert, 2 p.m, Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St. $15, students and seniors $13. FMI: 689-2000.

Lewiston, Sunday, Sept. 14: Contra and square dance with live music, 6:30-9 p.m, Callahan Hall, Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. $5. FMI: 513-3050 or 782-0386.

Auburn, Sunday, Sept. 14: Public breakfast, 8-10:30 a.m., VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave. $3.75/$4.75. Benefits children’s Christmas party. FMI: 784-6883.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 15: Adult CPR/AED class, 5:30-10 p.m., American Red Cross, 1080 Lisbon St. FMI: 795-4404.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 15: Kids cooking club, 4 p.m, Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 7-14. Call 755-3110 to sign up. FMI: jparis @ci.lewiston.me.us or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Monday, Sept. 15: Story time for all ages, 6:30 p.m, Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133, jparis @ci.lewiston.me.us or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Sabattus, Saturday, Sept. 15: Baked bean and casserole supper, 5 p.m., “The Jacquess” on the Wales Road. Cost: $6. Dancing will follow until 9:30 p.m. with Gerry and Adrien. Cost for dance is $4; cost for both dance and supper is $10. FMI: 375-4850.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 16: American Red Cross blood drive, noon-7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 16: Preschool story time for 2 to 5 years, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133, [email protected] or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Sept. 16: Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., Kennedy Park.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Sept. 17: Reading Dog, 5 p.m., Lewiston Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. If you would like to reserve at five to 10 minute spot (or longer), please call the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3133. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133. www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Sept. 17: American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 18: “Mill Town” book discussion by P. D. LaFleur, 5:30 p.m., Auburn Public Library. Light supper served. FMI: Rosemary at 333-6640, ext. 2020.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 18: Writers workshop by P. D. LaFleur, 7 p.m., Auburn Public Library. FMI: Rosemary at 333-6640, ext. 2020.

Auburn, Thursday, Sept. 18: “One Night” interactive play, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., Kirk Hall Auditorium, Central Maine Community College, 1250 Turner St. Free. FMI: www.cmcc.edu.

Lewiston, Thursday, Sept. 18 and 25: Adult, child, infant CPR and first aid, 5:30-10 p.m. both days, American Red Cross, 1080 Lisbon St. Preregistration required. FMI: 795-4004.

Lewiston, Thursday, Sept. 18: American Red Cross blood drive, noon-7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.