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, Wednesday, Feb. 4: Fish chowder lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Trinity Methodist Church, Route 2.

New Sharon, Thursday, Feb. 5: Story hour, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Jim Ditzler Memorial Library, 37 Library Road. Stories, crafts, snacks. FMI: 779-1128.

Livermore Falls, Friday, Feb. 6: Concert with singer/songwriter Phil Poirier, 7 p.m., Treat Memorial Library, downstairs, 56 Main St. $5. Refreshments. Benefits Maine’s Paper and Heritage Museum.

New Sharon, Saturday, Feb. 7: Bean takeout, 10 a.m. to noon, Congregational United Church of Christ, Cape Cod Hill Road. $15. To reserve meals, call Mary 778-2366.

Jay, Sunday, Feb. 8: Breakfast for Haiti, after 8:30 a.m. Mass, St. Rose of Lima Parish Hall. Sponsored by Haiti Committee of St. Rose.

Skowhegan, Sunday, Feb. 8: Film “Slumdog Millionaire,” 1 p.m., Strand Theater. $5. Sponsored by Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset counties. FMI: 778-3460.

Farmington, Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 10-13: Valentine making, 3 to 5 p.m., Everyone’s Resource Depot, UMF campus. $1. All ages. FMI: 778-7150.

Wilton, Tuesday, Feb. 10: Preschool story time, 10:30 a.m., Free Public Library, 6 Goodspeed St.

Farmington, Wednesday, Feb. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., University of Maine, 246 Main St.

Farmington, Wednesday, Feb. 11: Fish chowder lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Trinity Methodist Church, Route 2.

Canton, Saturday, Feb. 14: Sweet Heart dance, 6 to 10 p.m., Old Canton Fire and Municipal Building, Route 140. $12 couple, $7 single. Door prize, raffles, 50/50 drawing, snack bar. FMI: Jim 897-9254.

Farmington, Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine making, 10 a.m. to noon, Everyone’s Resource Depot, UMF campus. $1. All ages. FMI: 778-7150.

Farmington, Saturday, Feb. 14: Chicken stew luncheon, 12 to 1 p.m., Old South First Congregational Church. Free. Delivery in Farmington area. FMI: 778-0424 during week or 774-4438 morning of lunch.

Farmington, Saturday, Feb. 14: Bean and casserole supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church.

Farmington, Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine dance with music by Legends, 7 to 11 p.m., American Legion. $20 couple. Sponsored by Emblem Club 460. Tickets at Mickey’s or call Shannon at 778-4726.

Farmington, Saturday, Feb. 14: Contradance, beginner workshop 7:30 p.m., dance 8 p.m., Fairbanks School Meeting House, 508 Fairbanks Road. $6, family $15. All welcome. No partner needed.

Jay, Saturday, Feb. 14: Prime rib dinner and dance, dinner 6 p.m., dance 8 p.m. to midnight, VFW Post 3335, Jewell St. $20. Music by Alibi. Advance tickets only at the Post. Benefits Operation Uplink. FMI: 897-5112 or 897-2640.

Livermore Falls, Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day breakfast, 7 to 10 a.m., American Legion Hall. $5, children $3. FMI: 320-2074.

Rangeley, Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Legion Hall, 2378 Main St. Vendors welcome. $10 table. Sponsored by Lady’s Auxiliary. FMI: Mary 864-5115.

Oxford Hills area

Norway, Wednesday, Feb. 4: Preschool story time for ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m., Memorial Library, 258 Main St. FMI: 743-5308.

Norway, Thursday, Feb. 5: Games galore! after school hours, Memorial Library, 258 Main St. Students grades 1-6. FMI: 743-5308.

Paris, Thursday, Feb. 5: Preschool story time, 10 a.m., Public Library, 37 Market Square. FMI: 743-6994 or [email protected].

Norway, Friday, Feb. 6: Teen film series: “Arranged,” 7 p.m., Memorial Library. Free. For grades 9-12. FMI: 743-5309.

Norway, Friday, Feb. 6: Baby boosters story time for ages up to 2, 10:30 a.m., Memorial Library, 258 Main St. FMI: 743-5308.

Paris, Saturday, Feb. 7: Project Graduation auction, doors open at 11 a.m., drawings start at 1 p.m., Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Route 26. FMI: Nancy Henderson 674-3060.

Paris, Saturday, Feb. 7: Inside yard sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Legion Hall, Church Street. Lunch counter. FMI: Marilyn Ramsay 743-5723.

Paris, Saturday, Feb. 7: Jones Dance Band, 7 to 10 p.m., Legion Hall, Church Street. $5. Lunch counter.

Sumner, Saturday, Feb. 7: “Barbecue in February,” 5:30 p.m., Congregational Church, UCC. Benefits Pilgrim Lodge Scholarships for church youth.

Bethel, Sunday, Feb. 8: Play “Strangers Among Us” about the struggles of families facing Alzheimer’s disease, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Congregational Church, Garland Chapel, Church Street. Free. Donations welcome. FMI: R. Tifft 824-2053.

Mechanic Falls, Sunday, Feb. 8: Live music Country Sunday, 1 p.m., Silver Spur. $8, under 12 $5. Auctions, 50/50, raffles, more. Benefits bands’ trip to Tennessee for competition. FMI: 345-3211, Jim 215-5026, Elizabeth 512-2540.

Paris, Sunday, Feb. 8: Pot luck dinner, 11:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, 500 Paris Hill Road. FMI: 743-5198

Paris, Monday, Feb. 9: Listeners and Readers Theater for grades 1-3: “Jack and the Beanstalk,” 3:30-4:30 p.m., Public Library, 37 Market Square. Snacks. Parents welcome. FMI: 743-6994 or [email protected].

Norway, Tuesday, Feb. 10: Family playtime, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Memorial Library, 258 Main St. FMI: 743-5308, www.norway.lib.me.us.

Norway, Wednesday, Feb. 11: Preschool story time for ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m., Memorial Library, 258 Main St. FMI: 743-5308.

Norway, Thursday, Feb. 12: Games Galore!, after school hours, Memorial Library, 258 Main St. For grades 1-6. Parents welcome. Bring snack. FMI: library Children’s Room 743-5308.

Paris, Thursday, Feb. 12: Preschool story time, 10 a.m., Public Library, 37 Market Square. Topic: Hugs, Kisses, and Hearts. FMI: 743-6994, [email protected], www.paris.lib.me.us.

Norway, Friday, Feb. 13: Baby boosters story time for ages up to 2, 10:30 a.m., Memorial Library, 258 Main St. FMI: 743-5308.

Otisfield, Friday, Feb. 13: Variety show, 6 p.m., Community School. Free. Part of Winter Carnival. FMI: Noreen Edwards at 627-7033.

Oxford, Friday, Feb. 13: Chinese auction, tickets 4 to 6 p.m., drawings 6 to 8 p.m., Advent Christian Church, Route 26 near Walmart. Benefits Lynn Lock and son Tyler Cluff, who has bone cancer. Donations welcome. FMI: Peggy 357-7072.

Paris, Friday, Feb. 13: Potluck supper and auction, 5:30 p.m., Congregational Church, Main Street. $6, children $4, under 5 free. Benefits Girl Scouts’ trip to Washington, D.C. Tickets and cookie orders, Diana 743-7014.

Canton, Saturday, Feb. 14: Sweet Heart Dance, 6 to 10 p.m., Old Canton Fire and Municipal Building, Route 140. $12 couple, $7 single. Door prize, raffles, 50/50 drawing, snack bar. FMI: Jim 897-9254.

Otisfield, Saturday, Feb. 14: Winter Carnival, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., various locations. FMI: Noreen Edwards at 627-7033.

Paris, Saturday, Feb. 14: Sweetheart supper and dance, supper 5-6 p.m., dance 6:30-9:30 p.m., Legion Hall, Church Street. Supper $7, dance $5, both $12. Music by the Country Lads.

Upton, Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine murder mystery dinner, 6 p.m., Upton Ladies Aid Building, Mill Road. $40 couple, $25 single. Reservations only by Feb. 7. FMI: Penny 533-2010.

River Valley area

Rumford, Wednesday, Feb. 4: RAAPA dinner theater auditions for dancers, 5:30 p.m., Mountain Valley Middle School lecture hall. FMI: Connie Porter at 562-8232.

Rumford, Friday, Feb. 6: Founders Day celebration, dinner 5:30 to 7 p.m., Hawaiian dancers 7:30-8:30, entertainment 9-midnight, Eagles Club. $12. FMI: Matt Plante 364-7278.

Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 7: Blessing of sleds, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mountain Valley Middle School, off snowmobile train ITS 82.

Rumford, Saturday, Feb. 7: Supper, 4:45 p.m., St. A. and St. John’s Parish Hall. $6, under 12 $3. Takeouts.

Bethel, Sunday, Feb. 8: Play “Strangers Among Us” about the struggles of families facing Alzheimer’s disease, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Congregational Church, Garland Chapel, Church Street. Free. Donations welcome. FMI: R. Tifft 824-2053.

Rumford, Sunday, Feb. 8: Hope Association’s snowmobile ride, buffet dinner 12:30 to 2 p.m., Horizon’s Unlimited, 319 Swain Road. Donations welcome. FMI: 364-4561.

Dixfield, Monday, Feb. 9: Pre-school story time, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ludden Library, 42 Main St. FMI: 562-8838.

Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 10: RAAPA actor auditions for dinner theater, 6 p.m., Lecture Hall, Mountain Valley Middle School. Chorus begins rehearsals at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 also.

Rumford, Wednesday, Feb. 11: American Red Cross blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., American Legion, 184 Congress St.

Canton, Saturday, Feb. 14: Sweet Heart Dance, 6-10 p.m., Old Canton Fire and Municipal Building, Route 140. $12 couple, $7 single. Door prize, raffles, 50/50 drawing, snack bar. FMI: Jim 897-9254.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Wednesday, Feb. 4: Book buddies for grades 1-6, 3:45 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Feb. 4: Reading Dog program, 5:30 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call 513-3133 to reserve a spot. FMI: www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Thursday, Feb. 5: Art Van program, 4 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Auburn, Friday, Feb. 6: Roast pork supper, 5-6:30 p.m., 588 Minot Ave. $7, under 10 $3. Sponsored by VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 1603. Benefits veterans programs. FMI: 782-2856.

Lewiston, Friday, Feb. 6: Babytime story time for up to age 2, 10 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Siblings welcome. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lisbon, Friday, Feb. 6: Supper, 5 to 6 p.m., American Legion Auxiliary Post 158. Hot or mild Italian sausage sub.

Danville, Saturday, Feb. 7: Bean, casserole supper, 5 p.m., Danville Grange Hall. $7, children $4. Game party at 7 p.m.

Gray, Saturday, Feb. 7: Bean supper, 5 to 6 p.m., American Legion, 15 Lewiston Road. $7, ages 5-11 $2.50, under 5 free.

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

Lewiston, Saturday, Feb. 7: Reading Dog program, 5:30 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call 513-3133 to reserve a spot. FMI: www.lplonline.org/kids.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Feb. 7: Sean Mencher and His Rhythm Kings, 7:30 p.m., Village Coffeehouse, corner of Church and Gloucester Hill roads. $10, children and seniors $5. FMI: 926-3260, Julie Fralich 926-3161 or www.ngucc.org.

Sabattus, Saturday, Feb. 7: Bean and casserole supper, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Our Lady of the Rosary Parish. $6.50, under 12 $3. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. FMI: 375-6586 or 375-4057.

Auburn, Sunday, Feb. 8: Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m., VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave. $3.75/$4.75. Benefits Operation Uplink. FMI: 784-6883.

Mechanic Falls, Sunday, Feb. 8: Live music Country Sunday, 1 p.m., Silver Spur. $8, under 12 $5. Auctions, 50/50, raffles, more. Benefits bands’ trip to Tennessee for competition. FMI: 345-3211, Jim 215-5026, Elizabeth 512-2540.

Auburn, Monday, Feb. 9: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 14 Great Falls Plaza.

Lewiston, Monday, Feb. 9: American Red Cross blood drive, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Campus Avenue.

Lewiston, Monday, Feb. 9: Kids’ 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, Feb. 9: All-ages story time, 6:30 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Auburn, Tuesday, Feb. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Edward Little High School, 77 Harris St. to Lewiston, Tuesday, Feb. 10: American Red Cross blood drive, 3-8 p.m., Bates College Chase Hall, Campus Avenue.

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

Lewiston, Tuesday, Feb. 10: Book buddies for grades 1-6, 3:45 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Feb. 11: Book buddies for grades 1-6, 3:45 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Feb. 11: Reading Dog program, 5:30 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call 513-3133 to reserve a spot. FMI: www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Thursday, Feb. 12: Art Van program, 4 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Thursday, Feb. 12: Boy Scout Troop 116 open house, 7 p.m., Parish Hall of Holy Cross Church, Lisbon Street. FMI: Scoutmaster Denis Morin 783-9694 or Don Sicotte at 777-5409.

Lewiston, Friday, Feb. 13: L-A Senior College Food for Thought luncheon, noon, USM/L-A, presentation by Lincoln F. Ladd on the benefits of reading. Advance $7; at door $8. Reservation by noon Feb. 12. FMI: 753-6510.

Lewiston, Friday, Feb. 13: Babytime story time for up to age 2, 10 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Siblings welcome. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org/kids.

Lewiston, Friday, Feb. 13: L-A Senior College Food for Thought Luncheon with Lincoln F. Ladd on the benefits of reading, noon, USM’s Lewiston-Auburn campus. $7 advance, $8 at door. Reserve by noon on Feb. 12. FMI: 753-6510.

Auburn, Saturday, Feb. 14: Pancake breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m., Applebee’s Restaurant. $5. Advance tickets only at Dominican Convent in Sabattus, Victor News or CMCC. Benefits Loaves and Fishes. FMI: Monique 755-5255.

Auburn, Saturday, Feb. 14: Family-oriented Poker Run, noon, Lost Valley. Car or snowmobile. Cash prizes. FMI: 783-8037 or www.andyvalleysnogypsies.com.

Lewiston, Saturday, Feb. 14: Bean supper, 4 to 6 p.m., Holy Family Church Hall, 607 Sabattus St. Serving family style. $6, under 12 $3. Handicap accessible.

Lisbon Falls, Saturday, Feb. 14: 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. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus. FMI: 353-5636.

Lewiston, Saturday, Feb. 14: Bean and casserole supper, 4:45 to 6 p.m., Calvary United Methodist Church, 59 Sabattus St. $7, children $3.

Lewiston, Saturday, Feb. 14: Reading Dog program, 5:30 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Call 513-3133 to reserve a spot. FMI: www.lplonline.org/kids.

Sabattus, Saturday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day dance and karaoke, 8 to 11 p.m., American Legion Post 135, Island Road. Free. FMI: 375-4058.