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

Jay, Wednesday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve dinner, dance party, 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. dancing, VFW Post 3335, Route 133. $35. Advance tickets only. FMI: 897-5112.

New Sharon, Saturday, Jan. 3: Bean take out, 10 a.m. to noon, Congregational United Church of Christ, Cape Cod Hill Road. $15. To reserve, call Mary, 778-2366.

Wilton, Saturday, Jan. 3: Interpreted story time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Public Library. Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing children and families welcome. Sponsored by Hands On PAH program.

Farmington, Wednesday, Jan. 7: Community fish chowder lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Trinity Methodist Church, Route 2.

New Sharon, Thursday, Jan. 8: Story hour, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Jim Ditzler Memorial Library, 37 Library Road. FMI: 779-1128.

Carrabassett Valley, Friday, Jan. 9: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sugarloaf Inn, 5092 Access Road.

Oxford Hills area

Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 31: New Year’s celebration with Jones Dance Band, 8-12:30 a.m., South Paris Legion Hall. $25/couple, $12.50/ single. Buffet, 9:45 p.m. To reserve call Betty Decoteau 743-7965.

Norway, Saturday, Jan. 3: Mystery Academy: The Case of the Secret Map, 1-3 p.m., Memorial Library. Ages 7-12. Free. Register by Dec. 22 at the library or 743-5308. FMI: Mike Murphy 674-5185 or [email protected].

Paris, Saturday, Jan. 3: Roast pork supper, 5-6:30 p.m., Deering Memorial Methodist Church, 39 Main St. $7, under 12 $3. Parking behind library, town office.

Sumner, Saturday, Jan. 3: Supper, 6 p.m., Congregational Church of East Sumner, UCC. Donations benefit the church. FMI: Cynthia Norton 388-2667.

Norway, Sunday, Jan. 4: Christmastide concert, 3 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 205 Main St. All welcome. Refreshments. Rescheduled from Dec. 21. FMI: 743-2290.

Bryant Pond, Thursday, Jan. 8: Forestdale School program of chimes, 2 p.m., Whitman Memorial Library. Refreshments. Rescheduled from December.

Oxford, through Friday, Jan. 9: Fruit orders, for delivery on Jan. 26, SDA Church. Order by Jan. 9 at 345-3814, 743-6673 or 743-6403. No Friday evening, Saturday calls.

River Valley area

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.

Rumford, Wednesday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve celebration, Rumford Lodge of Elks. $30/couple, $15/single, dance only $10. Social hour 6-7 p.m., supper 7-8 p.m., dance 8:30-12:30 a.m. Sign up by Dec. 27 at lodge or call 364-2548.

Rumford, Saturday, Jan. 3: Supper, 4:45 p.m., St. Athanasius-St. John’s Parish Hall. $6, under 12 $3. Takeout available.

Dixfield, Monday, Jan. 5: Preschool story time, 10:30-11:30, Ludden Library, 42 Main St. FMI: 562-8838.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 31: Reading Dog, 5:30 p.m., Public Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call library to read to a dog. FMI: [email protected], 513-3133, www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Dec. 31: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Sabattus, Wednesday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve party, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., American Legion Post 135, Iscaud Road. $10. Advance tickets only, call legion to reserve. FMI: 375-4058.

Sabattus, Wednesday, Dec 31: New Year’s Eve dance, 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., The Jacques, Wales Road. $10. Buffet, favors. FMI: 375-4850.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 1: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 3: Bean and casserole supper, 5 p.m., Danville Grange. $7, children $4. Game party at 7 p.m.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 3: Bean supper, 4-6 p.m., Holy Cross Church Hall, 1080 Lisbon St. $7, 12 and under $3. Takeouts. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 12,652. FMI: Dan Leclair at 240-3537.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Jan. 3: Addie Thompson and Britta Pejic perform, 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church of New Gloucester, corner Church and Gloucester Hill roads. $10, children and seniors $5. FMI: 926-3260; Julie Fralich 926-3161, www.ngucc.org.

Sabattus, Saturday, Jan. 3: Bean and casserole supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Our Lady of the Rosary Parish hall, $6.50, under 12 $3. Proceeds to benefit parish programs. FMI: 375-6586.

Lewiston, Monday, Jan. 5: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Poland, Monday, Jan. 5: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dunkin Donuts, 1385 Main St.

Gray, Tuesday, Jan. 6: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., Spring Meadows Country Club, 59 Lewiston Road.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 6: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

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

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 8: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 7 p.m., Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 9: L-A Senior College Food for Thought luncheon with presentation by Charles W. Plummer on effects of last ice age on Maine’s landscape, noon, USM L-A College. Advance $7, at door $8. Reservations by noon on Jan. 8. FMI: 753-6510 or usm.maine.edu/lac/seniorcollege.