GREENWOOD — The Oxford County Democrats held a number of successful events in August and early September.

The energy reception and lecture in Greenwood attracted more than 30 attendees despite threats of tornadoes and some hard rain. The talk and reception was held at the Indian Pond home of Greenwood residents Henry and Pat Stewart and featured MIT professor Henry Jacoby discussing national energy policy. Attendees came from Harrison, Waterford, Bethel, Rumford, South Paris, Norway, Greenwood and Woodstock.

On Aug. 30, more than 80 people attended the summer barbecue and Family Fun Day at the 4-H camp in Bryant Pond for a meet and greet with Democratic gubernatorial candidates Sen. Libby Mitchell, former Attorney General Steve Rowe, Portland businesswoman Rosa Scarcelli, Rep. Dawn Hill and former Biddeford Mayor Donna Dion.

Also attending were Congressman Mike Michaud, Attorney General Janet Mills, Assistant Majority Leader Seth Berry, Maine Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Marianne Stevens, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development John Richardson and Department of Conservation staffer Bob Duplessie.

Local officeholders Sheriff Wayne Gallant and Chief Deputy Dane Tripp, Rep. Matt Peterson, Rep. Terry Hayes, Rep. Sheryl Briggs and Rep. Helen Rankin were in attendance and John Patrick represented Sen. Bruce Bryant who was working in the NewPage Mill. Following a barbecue lunch complete with corn and strawberry shortcake, the gubernatorial candidates offered remarks moderated by County Chairwoman Cathy Newell.

The Dixfield Outdoor Market on Aug. 16 was the occasion of a successful fundraising yard sale for the Democrats chaired by Briggs and Gloria Patenaude, assisted by Bryant, Newell and Jimmy McHugh. The occasion also provided the opportunity to distribute materials and for Briggs and Bryant to greet constituents.

The Oxford County Democrats have been working with the Change that Works Campaign on health care promoting house meetings. Recent well-attended meetings have been held in Buckfield and Bethel. Several democrats greeted the SEIU Ambulance Tour for Health Care Reform in Rumford on Aug. 20. John Patrick, Cathy Newell, John Gould, and Jimmy McHugh were among the participants.

The Oxford County Democrats turned out for the Labor Day parade and festivities in Buckfield with Rep. Terry Hayes marching in the parade, and a variety of democrats including County Chairwoman Cathy Newell and Jimmy McHugh of Mexico staffing the booth. Kevin Kramer of the Change that Works campaign for health care and worker rights attended and circulated through the crowd gathering signatures for health care reform.

For information about the Oxford County Democrats, visit www.oxforddems.org or check out the group and page on Facebook.