Final service

MECHANIC FALLS – The First Congregational Church of Mechanic Falls will hold its final worship service on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 9 a.m. followed by coffee in the vestry. All are welcome.

The church has been active since 1840 and has been a part of the town for many years. It can no longer continue due to few parishioners and the cost of heat, lights and insurance.

The church will be turned over to the Mechanic Falls Historical Society as of Jan. 1, 2009.

Fortier Chapter

LEWISTON – The Dr. Paul Fortier Chapter 52, Association Canado-Americaine, will gather Monday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Senior Citizens Room of the Multi-Purpose Center.

The meeting agenda will include a report on the French Canadian folk dance party that Chapter 52 co-sponsored recently with the Lewiston Public Library.

In addition, to provide members with a “trip down memory lane,” chapter president Dolores Poirier will share albums of photographs taken of other chapter activities over the past decade.

Following the business meeting there will be refreshments and a social hour.

All Chapter 52 members and guests are invited. More information is available by calling Poirier at 782-8109 or chapter secretary Therese Banks at 783-3117.

Blood drive

MECHANIC FALLS – A community blood drive will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 90 Lewiston Road. Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-give-life to make an appointment. Valid identification is required.

Parents’ group

LEWISTON – Sponsored by Advocates for Children and Children with Special Health Care Needs, an informal meeting for parents of children with special health needs of any kind will meet at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.

Participants will share family needs and concerns with two group facilitators, ask questions and meet other parents. The parent support group will meet Oct. 8, Dec. 10 and Feb. 11 at the B Street Community Center, Room B, 57 Birch St. For more information, call 783-3990.

Society program

LISBON FALLS – The Lisbon Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, with guest speaker George Janosco Sr. giving a presentation and video about the African safari he took. The meeting will be held at the society’s Archive Museum, 8 School St., MTM Center, Rooms 5 and 6. The public is welcome. Admission is free.

Talk on reading

AUBURN – Literacy Specialist Tobey Haber of Get Smart! will be at the Auburn Public Library at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the downstairs conference room to discuss with parents and students how to read and succeed.

Contact Sally at 333-6640, ext. 4, to reserve a spot for the free program. Space is limited. Refreshments will be served.

MS meeting

LEWISTON – The MS Support Group and Caregivers will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Lepage Conference Center, 99 Campus Ave. For more information, contact Andy Michaud at 784-7927 or Ron Pomerleau at 783-1863.

Shaker speaker

NEW GLOUCESTER – Arnold Hadd of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers will speak about Shaker art and artists throughout history at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Shaker Library, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26.

The free lecture is a complement to the Shaker folk art exhibit, “The Human and the Eternal: Shaker Art in Its Many Forms.” The exhibit will be open free from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

The next lecture in the series will be Thursday, Oct. 16, when Chris Becksvoort will speak on Shaker craftsmanship in wood.

80th birthday

POLAND – A surprise 80th birthday party was held in September for Ernest Fitts of Poland.

The poolside gala was held at the home of Fitts’ oldest son, Ernie. Hot dishes and snacks were prepared by family and friends.

The attendance of 50-plus included family, several classmates and friends. Folks traveled from Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine to attend the party.