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, Friday, Dec. 19: Comedy “Small Parts Included” by Curtain Raisers Improv Troupe, 7:30 p.m., Mt. Blue High School auditorium. $3.

Farmington, Friday, Dec. 19: Fish chowder luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fairbanks Union Church. $7. Eat in or takeout. Call 778-4705 for delivery within 5 miles before 11 a.m. FMI: 778-2694.

Farmington, Saturday, Dec. 20: Luncheon, noon-1 p.m., Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, Academy Street. Free. FMI: 778-2163 or 778-4608.

Farmington, Saturday, Dec. 20: “A New Old-Fashioned Christmas” Christmas Program, 6:30 p.m., Farmington Baptist Church, 194 Whittier Road.

Farmington, Saturday, Dec. 20: Christmas concert, 7 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 268 Perham St. Free. For ride or FMI: 778-9696.

Livermore Falls, Sunday, Dec. 21: “Joyland Christmas,” a children’s musical teaching the blessings of giving, 10 a.m., Livermore Falls Church of the Nazarene. All are welcome.

Turner, Sunday, Dec. 21: Christmas caroling, 5:30 p.m., North Turner Union Presbyterian Church, Route 219. FMI: 225-3370 or 779-6658.

Farmington, Monday, Dec. 22: Christmas concert, 7 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 268 Perham St. Free. For ride or FMI: 778-9696.

Farmington, Wednesday, Dec. 24: Christmas concert, 7 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 268 Perham St. Free. For ride or FMI: 778-9696.

Turner, Wednesday, Dec. 24: North Turner Union Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m., North Turner Union Presbyterian Church, Route 219. Service followed by Cookie Fellowship. FMI: 225-3370 or 779-6658.

Livermore Falls, Thursday, Dec. 25: Free community Christmas dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Legion Hall, Reynolds Avenue. To help on Christmas day or make a donation, call Betty 897-6109 or Karen 897-3593. Call either number for reservations by Dec. 22. Local deliveries available.

Jay, Sunday, Dec. 28: Hyssongs gospel concert, 6 p.m., Bean’s Corner Baptist Church, routes 133 and 156. FMI: 645-2925.

Farmington, Monday, Dec. 29: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., Franklin Memorial Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive.

Livermore Falls, Tuesday, Dec. 30: American Red Cross blood drive, Murray Hall, 69 Main St.

Oxford Hills area

Hebron, Saturday, Dec. 20: New England boiled dinner, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Community Baptist Church. $7, ages 6-12 $3.50, under 6 free. Takeouts.

Paris, Saturday, Dec. 20: Jones Dance Band, 7-10 p.m., Legion Hall.

Paris, Saturday, Dec. 20: Stories with Santa Claus, 1 to 3 p.m., Public Library, 37 Market Square. Crafts, free books, sing-along. FMI: 743-6994 or [email protected].

Waterford, Saturday, Dec. 20: Caroling and library open house, 7 p.m., Waterford Common. Visit Santa, free book, refreshments.

Norway, Sunday, Dec. 21: Christmastide concert, 3 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 205 Main St. Refreshments. Free. FMI: 743-2290.

Buckfield, Monday, Dec. 22: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Masonic Lodge, 5 High St.

Paris, Monday, Dec. 22: Story time and activities, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., Public Library, 37 Market Square. FMI: 743-6994 or [email protected].

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

Norway, Wednesday, Dec. 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve service, 6 and 10 p.m., Second Congregational Church, U.C.C., 205 Main St. Early service for families with young children, late service traditional with lessons and carols. English hand bells at 6 p.m. FMI: church office 743-2290.

Paris, Thursday, Dec. 25: Community Christmas dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, East Main Street. Free. Takeouts available. FMI: 674-5185.

Paris, Thursday, Dec. 25: Community dinner, 2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 34 Buckfield Road. Free. Transportation available. Reserve at 743-6909 with name, number attending.

Otisfield, Friday, Dec 26: Food pantry, 1-5 p.m., Free Baptist Church, Rayville Road. FMI: 539-4619.

Oxford, Friday, Dec. 26: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., American Legion Post 112, 112 King St.

Norway, Saturday, Dec. 27: Karaoke with “The Old Crows,” 7 to 11 p.m., American Legion Post 82.

Paris, Saturday, Dec. 27: Jones Dance Band, 7-10 p.m., Legion Hall.

Paris, Monday, Dec. 29: Library After-School Mondays, 3:30-4:45 p.m., Paris Public Library, 37 Market Square. Crafts, games, snacks. FMI: 743-6994 or e-mail [email protected].

River Valley area

Rumford, Sunday, Dec. 21: “The Miracle of Christmas” cantata, 3 p.m., Virginia Chapel, United Methodist Church, Linnell Street. Free.

Rumford, Saturday, Dec. 21: Reading of “Starlit Night” for children, 10:30 a.m., United Methodist Church, Linnell Street. Family potluck with a birthday cake for Jesus and the appearance of Santa Claus follows.

Dixfield, Monday, Dec. 22: Preschool story time, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ludden Library, 42 Main St. FMI: 562-8838.

Rumford, Monday, Dec. 22: Mountain Valley High School Music Department 2008 Winter Concert, 6 to 8 p.m., Muskie Auditorium. Admission is free and the performance open to the public. Donations are welcome. Selections will be performed for a student assembly at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Rumford, Wednesday, Dec. 24: Pre-Mass choir concert, 6:40 p.m., Holy Savior Parish.

Rumford, Thursday, Dec. 25: Pre-Mass choir concert, 9:40 a.m., Holy Savior Parish.

Rumford, Sunday, Dec. 28: Pre-Mass choir concert, 9:10 a.m., Holy Savior Parish.

Andover, Wednesday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve dance for ages 21 and over, 8 p.m., Town Hall. Ice, refreshments provided. $6 advance at Mill’s Market, $9 at door. Benefits Food Pantry. FMI: Chad 392-2393 or LeighAnna at 392-1263.

Lewiston area

Auburn, Friday, Dec. 19: Roast pork dinner and dance, dinner 5 to 6:30 p.m., dance 7-11 p.m., VFW Post 1603. Dinner $6, dance free.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 19: 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.

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.

Auburn, Saturday, Dec. 20: Christmas Concert with Mitch Thomas and Friends, 2:30 p.m., Auburn United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave. Free. Handicap accessible. FMI: 782-3972 or 838-1722.

Hebron, Saturday, Dec. 20: Boiled ham dinner, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Hebron Community Baptist Church, Hebron Academy Campus. $7. FMI: Marion Hall 966-2663.

Lewiston, Saturday, Dec. 20: Reading Dog, noon, 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. 20: Christmas bird count, dawn ’til dusk, Stanton Bird Club. FMI: 933-2266 or stantonbirdclub.org.

Lisbon, Saturday, Dec. 20: Christmas musical, 6 p.m., Open Door Bible Church. Free. FMI: 353-2268.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Dec. 20: Bean Supper, 5 to 6 p.m., Amvets Post 6. Adults $6; under 12 $2, under 6 free.

Wales, Saturday, Dec. 20: Oak Hill High School Voices of Color Chorus and Jazz Band, 6:30 p.m., Presbyterian church.

Auburn, Sunday, Dec. 21: Crepe breakfast, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., St. Louis Church, Third Street. $5, ages 5-11 $2.50, under 5 free.

Gray, Sunday, Dec. 21: Winter Solstice celebration, noon, Fiddlehead Center, 25 Shaker Road. $5 to benefit Fiddlehead’s scholarship program. Bring dish; potluck and sharing; 1 p.m. FMI: 657-2244 or www.fiddleheadcenter.org/gray.

Lisbon, Sunday, Dec. 21: Christmas musical, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Open Door Bible Church. Free. FMI: 353-2268.

Turner, Sunday, Dec. 21: Christmas caroling, 5:30 p.m., North Turner Union Presbyterian Church, Route 219. FMI: 225-3370 or 779-6658.

Buckfield, Monday, Dec. 22: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Masonic Lodge, 5 High St.

Lewiston, Monday, Dec. 22: 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.

Lewiston, Monday, Dec. 22: Holiday sing-along for ages 7-14, 6 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Bring cookies or goodies to share. Free, but tickets required. For tickets, call 513-3133.

Lewiston, Monday, Dec. 22: 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, Tuesday, Dec. 23: 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.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 23: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Freeport, Tuesday, Dec. 23: American Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Freeport High School, Holbrook Street.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 24: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 24: Reading Dog, 5:30 p.m., Lewiston Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call library, 513-3133 to read to dog.

Turner, Wednesday, Dec. 24: North Turner Union Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m., North Turner Union Presbyterian Church, Route 219. Service followed by Cookie Fellowship. FMI: 225-3370 or 779-6658.

Lewiston, Friday, Dec. 26: 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.

Lisbon, Friday, Dec. 26: Fish chowder supper, 5-6 p.m., American Legion Auxiliary Post 158, 10 Webster St.

Auburn, Saturday, Dec. 27: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Auburn Mall, 550 Center St.

Lewiston, Saturday, Dec. 27: 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.

Auburn, Sunday, Dec. 28: Breakfast, 8-10 a.m., VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave. $3.75/$4.75. Benefits New Auburn Little League baseball. FMI: 784-6883.

Lewiston, Monday, Dec. 29: Kid’s Cooking Club, 4 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 7-14. Call Children’s Department to register; attendance limited. FMI: Denise at Lots to Gardens 755-3110, [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Freeport, Tuesday, Dec. 30: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Community Center, 53 Depot St.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Dec. 30: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.