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

Farmington, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Showings of video, music and shorts by students, 6 to 8 p.m., UMF Merrill Hall, Room M220. Free. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Student plays by Benjamin Gray and Angela Hooper, 8 p.m., UMF Nordica Auditorium. Free. Mature content. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Tuesday through Sunday, Dec. 9-14: UMF student art exhibit, noon to 4 p.m., UMF Art Gallery and throughout Merrill Hall. FMI: 778-7072.

Rangeley, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Yoga for children, 6 p.m., Public Library. Evening will end with a bedtime story. FMI: Marty at 864-5529.

Farmington, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Mt. Blue Middle School Musicians Concert, 7 p.m., Mt. Blue Middle School gym. Free. In the event of concert cancellation due to weather, the concert will be rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18. FMI: Contact a local school music teacher, or Carol Shumway, 778-3561.

Farmington, Wednesday, Dec. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., UMaine Farmington, 246 Main St.

Farmington, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Student musical compositions, 7:30 p.m., UMF Nordica Auditorium. Free. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Thursday, Dec. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., UMaine Farmington, 246 Main St.

Farmington, Thursday, Dec. 11: Mt. Blue High School concert, 7 p.m., school gym. FMI: Music teacher or Carol Shumway at 778-3561.

Farmington, Thursday, Dec. 11: Rock group “Jetfighter” and electro-acoustic music, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., UMF Merrill Hall, fourth floor conference room piazza. Free. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Thursday, Dec. 11: A capalla group “Sole Expression” and electro-acoustic and improv performances, 7:30 p.m., UMF Nordica Auditorium. Free. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Saturday, Dec. 13: UMF Community Chorus, 7:30 p.m., Old South Church. $6, seniors $5, UMF students free. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Saturday, Dec. 13: Luncheon, noon to 1 p.m., Old South First Congregational Church. Free. For local delivery, call 778-0424 during week or 778-4435 the morning of luncheon.

Farmington, Saturday, Dec. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 4:30-6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church.

Livermore Falls, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14: “A Puppet’s Christmas,” Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m., Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church, Church and Knapp streets. Presented by Hands and Hearts for God Puppeteers. Free, offerings welcome.

Phillips, Saturday, Dec. 13: Children’s shopping day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Phillips Community House. Visit Santa at 9:30 a.m. Benefits Community House heating fund and Old Home Days children’s parade. Sponsored by Shared Ministry Women.

Starks, Saturday, Dec. 13: Christmas hymn sing and turkey supper, 4 and 5 p.m., United in Christ Presbyterian Church, Locke Hill Road; supper at Memorial Hall.

Wilton, Saturday, Dec. 13: Santa’s Workshop, kids shopping for parents, 9 to 11 a.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, School and High streets. Nothing over $1. Gift wrapping included. FMI: 645-2639.

Farmington, Sunday, Dec. 14: UMF Community Chorus, 3 p.m., Old South Church. $6, seniors $5, UMF students free. FMI: 778-7072.

Farmington, Sunday, Dec. 14: “Wings of Desire,” 7 p.m., Lincoln Auditorium, UMF. Free. FMI: Sarah Maline at 778-7321.

Wilton, Sunday, Dec. 14: Friendship Squares square dance, 2 to 5 p.m., Cushing School.

Turner, Monday, Dec. 15: American Red Cross blood drive, 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Leavitt High School, Lower Street.

Wilton, Wednesday, Dec. 17: Academy Hill School concert, 7 p.m., Academy Hill School. Free. FMI: Carol Shumway 778-3561.

New Sharon, Thursday, Dec. 18: Story hour, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Jim Ditzler Memorial Library, 37 Library Road. Stories, crafts, snacks. FMI: 779-1128.

Oxford Hills area

Norway, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Gift-making workshop for ages 7-12, 3:15 to 4:45 p.m., Library, 258 Main St. Space limited, preregistration required. Sign up in the Children’s Department or call 743-5308.

Waterford, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Computer tutorial, time given at preregistration, Waterford Library. Attendance is limited and pre-registration required. Participants must commit to at least two hours of practice each week. FMI 583-2050.

Bryant Pond, Thursday, Dec. 11: Music, chimes by students from Forestdale School, 2 p.m., Whitman Memorial Library. Free. Light refreshments.

Paris, Thursday, Dec. 11: Pre-school story-time, 10 a.m., Public Library. Cynthia Ryant’s Henry and Mudge stories with a color sheet of Mudge. FMI: Paris Public Library at 743-6994, [email protected].

Harrison, Friday, Dec. 12: Supper and concert, supper 6, concert 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., VFW Hall, Route 35. $10. Benefits Amanda Flanders. FMI: Kyle Flanders 583-4120 or [email protected].

Paris, Friday, Dec. 12: Jones Dance Band, 7 to 10 p.m., South Bridgton, Saturday, Dec. 13: Holiday craft fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Town Hall. FMI: Rose at 743-6175.

Bethel, Saturday, Dec. 13: Supper followed by tree lighting, 5:30 p.m., Bethel United Methodist Church.

Bethel, Saturday, Dec. 13: Supper, 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church. Memory tree lighting follows. Memory lights, $5. Send names to PO Box 387, Bethel 04217.

Bridgton, Saturday, Dec. 13: Holiday craft fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Town Hall. FMI: Rose at 743-6175.

Norway, Saturday, Dec. 13: Neutering clinic for male cats, Town Office. $30. Rabies, distemper shots available at extra cost. Space limited. Call Responsible Pet Care to reserve at 743-8679. FMI: www.rpc.petfinder.com.

Norway, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14: Comfort & Joy open house, noon to 4 p.m., Responsible Pet Care shelter, 132 Waterford Road, off Route 117. Donations of money or cat food, litter and toys accepted. Refreshments, 50/50, ornament sale, children’s Christmas card design contest. FMI: www.westernmainepetproject.com.

Otisfield, Saturday, Dec. 13: Simple Gifts Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fellowship Room, East Otisfield Baptist Church, Rayville Road. Crafts, goods, pies, cookies, etc. Beans and kielbasa available to take home.

Paris, Saturday, Dec. 13: Teddy Bear square dance, 7 to 10 p.m., Oxford Hills Middle School, Pine Street. Dancers $6, nondancers free. Stuffed toys collected for Right Start Christmas for Kids. Sponsored by Swingin’ Bears Square Dance Club. FMI: Sue 743-7176 or Eleanor 782-4050.

Casco, Sunday, Dec. 14: Christmas concert, 4 p.m., Casco Village Church United Church of Christ, Route 121. Refreshments. Free will offering.

Locke Mills, Sunday, Dec. 14: Christmas cantata “And This Shall Be a Sign,” 4 p.m., Union Church. Refreshments.

Norway, Sunday, Dec. 14: English Hand Bell Choir, 10 a.m. service, Second Congregational Church, U.C.C.

Otisfield, Sunday, Dec. 14: Simple Gifts Fair, after 10 a.m. service, Fellowship Room of East Otisfield Baptist Church, Rayville Road.

Oxford, Sunday, Dec. 14: Craft, bake and rummage sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., SDA Church, 259 Fore St. FMI: 665-2776 or 743-6673.

Paris, Monday, Dec. 15: Story time and activities, 3:30-4:45 p.m., Public Library, 37 Market Square. FMI: 743-6994 or [email protected].

Paris, Thursday, Dec. 18: Pre-school story time, 10 a.m., Paris Public Library, 37 Market Square. Free. FMI: 743-6994, [email protected].

River Valley area

Rumford, Wednesday, Dec. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., American Legion, 184 Congress St.

Rumford, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Preschool story time, 10 a.m., Rumford Public Library, 56 Rumford Ave. Ages 2 to 5.

Rumford, Friday, Dec. 12: Winter Fashion Show, 12 p.m. glee club, 12:30 p.m. Adult Activity Center, 85 Lincoln Ave.

Bethel, Saturday, Dec. 13: Supper, 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church. Memory tree lighting follow. Memory lights, $5. Send names to P.O. Box 387, Bethel 04217.

Dixfield, Saturday, Dec. 13: Breakfast with Santa, 8 to 11 a.m., TWK Dirigo Middle School cafeteria. $5. FMI: Jennifer 562-4567, Mickey 562-1027 or Tracy 562-8535.

Rumford, Sunday, Dec. 14: Elks free throw “Hoop Shoot” contest, ages 8-13, registration 8 a.m., shoot-off 9 a.m., Mountain Valley High School. Bring parent, birth certificate. FMI: www.elks.org/hoopshoot.cfm.

Dixfield, Monday, Dec. 15: Preschool story time, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ludden Library, 42 Main St. FMI: 562-8838.

Rumford, Wednesday, Dec. 17: Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m., Public Library’s Children’s Room, 56 Rumford Ave. Ages 2-5.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 9: American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Preschool story time for ages 2-5, 10 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Siblings welcome. FMI: 513-3133, [email protected] or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Auburn, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Preschool Story Time, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., Auburn Public Library Children’s Program Room, 49 Spring St. Ages 3 to 5. FMI: 333-6640, www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Auburn, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Make a Little Gingerbread House of Your Own, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Auburn Public Library Children’s Program Room, 49 Spring St. For children grades two to six. Free. Call to register. FMI: 333-6640, www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Kid’s Garden Club, 4 p.m., Lewiston Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 5 to 10. Sign up the day of the class or call Lots to Gardens at 755-3110 to preregister; ask for Ari. Attendance is limited to eight. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 10: Reading Dog, 5:30 p.m., Lewiston Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call the library to reserve a 5-or 10-minute spot. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 11: Boy Scout Troop 116 Open House, 7 p.m., Holy Cross Church Parish Hall, Lisbon Street. Light refreshments. FMI: Don Sicotte 777-5409 or Denis Morin 783-9694.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 11: Art Van, 4 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 6-13. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, noon, Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Winthrop, Thursday, Dec. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Francis Church, 10 Lake St.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 12: Babytime Storytime, 10 a.m., Lewiston Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 0-2. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 12: Food for Thought Luncheon, noon, USM/L-A Senior College, Readers’ Theater class reciting Christmas poems. Advance $7; at door $8. Reservation by Dec. 11. FMI: 753-6510, usm.maine.edu/lac/seniorcollege.

Auburn, Saturday, Dec. 13: Sprouts family program for 0-36 months, 10:30 to 10:50 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 49 Spring St. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Auburn, Saturday, Dec. 13: Chicken dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., St. Louis Church, Third Street. $7, ages 5-11 $3.50, under 5 free.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 3: Kids’ garden club for ages 5-12, 4 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Space limited. Sign up at Children’s Room or call Ari at Lots to Gardens at 755-3110.

Lewiston, Saturday, Dec. 13: Reading Dog, 12 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call library at 513-3133 to read to dog. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Saturday, Dec. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 4:45 to 6 p.m., Calvary United Methodist Church, 59 Sabattus St. $7, children $3.

Lewiston, Saturday, Dec. 13: Just Us family Christmas show, 7 p.m., Middle School, Central Avenue. $8. Tickets at door or Community Credit Union, Great Falls Credit Union, Hannaford, Victor News.

Lewiston, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14: Maine Music Society silent auction, Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m., Franco-American Heritage Center. Benefits underwriting cost of concerts. FMI: Maine Music Society at 782-1403 or LA Arts at 782-7228.

Lisbon, Saturday, Dec. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 4:45 to 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Ave. $6, ages 4-11 $4, under 4 free, family with children under 12 $15. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus. FMI: 353-5636.

Sabattus, Saturday, Dec. 13: Bean and casserole supper, 5 p.m., “The Jacques”, Wales Road. Dancing follows until 9:30 p.m. Supper $6, dance $5, both $10. FMI: 375-4850.

Auburn, Sunday, Dec. 14: Breakfast, 8-10 a.m., VFW Post 1063, 588 Minot Ave. $3.75/$4.75. Benefits New Auburn Little League baseball. FMI: 784-6883.

Auburn, Sunday, Dec. 14: Worldwide candle lighting ceremony, honors children who have died, gather at 6:30 p.m., ceremony at 7, St. Philips Church, Route 4. Bring picture of child for memory table. Candles, refreshments provided. FMI: Kathy Peters at 388-2399 or [email protected].

Winthrop, Sunday, Dec. 14: Christmas concert, 3 and 6 p.m., St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Free-will offering. FMI: 377-2549 or www.codachorus.com.

Auburn, Monday, Dec. 15: Mom’s morning out, 10 to 11 a.m., Library Children’s Program Room, 49 Spring St. Bring child to gather with other families. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Lewiston, Monday, Dec. 15: Kid’s cooking club for ages 7-14, 4 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Space limited. Sign up at 513-3133. FMI: Denise at Lots to Gardens 755-3110.

Lewiston, Monday, Dec. 15: All-ages story time, 6:30 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133, [email protected] or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Turner, Monday, Dec. 15: American Red Cross blood drive, 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Leavitt High School, Lower Street.

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

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 16: Preschool storytime, 10 a.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 2-5. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Poland, Tuesday, Dec. 16: American Red Cross blood drive, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Poland Whitter Middle School, 1457 Maine St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 17: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 17: Kids’ Garden Club, 4 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 5-10. Call Lots to Gardens at 755-3110 to preregister, ask for Ari. Attendance limited. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 17: Reading Dog, 5:30 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call the library at 513-3133 to read to a dog. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

New Gloucester, Wednesday, Dec. 17: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pineland Farms, 59 Pineland Drive.

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

Lewiston, Thursday, Dec. 18: Art Van, 4 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 6-13. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 19: Babytime story time for ages 0-2, 10 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Siblings welcome. FMI: 513-3133, [email protected] or www.lplonline.org/kids.