Winter Festival in Auburn

AUBURN — The City of Auburn’s 13th annual Winter Festival will begin Friday, Jan. 25, and will continue through Sunday, Feb. 3. This is a community event where there is truly something for everyone.

Most activities are free of charge, unless otherwise noted. Downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, skating and ice carving demonstrations are some of the many activities that will be available.

For complete schedule visit www.auburnmaine.gov.

Christmas for foster families

WINDHAM — SMART Child & Family Services recently held a Christmas party for their foster families. The foster families came from York, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Oxford counties to gather at the North Windham Union Church.

The event started with a potluck lunch, followed by ice cream donated by Friendly’s. After the meal, the kids and adults were mesmerized by the antics of The Tardy Brothers, one of the hottest juggling acts in the country.

SMART’s program committee, comprised of foster parents, a staff member and a board member, raised money throughout the year to buy each child a gift on their wish list. A keepsake photo was taken of each child receiving their gift from Santa.

Black History Month services

LEWISTON — The Jesus Party Pentecostal Kid’s Church will be exploring black history and the contributions made to this country by African Americans throughout the month of February. These special services will be held every Friday at 6 p.m. at ministry headquarters, 291 Bates St.

The ministry will play classic animated episodes of the 70s and 80s hit “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.” The show always had an educational lesson emphasized by Bill Cosby’s live-action segments. Ministry directors Rev. Doug and Sonia Taylor enjoy the urban setting and moral messages to the cartoon series and see the benefit of sharing these timeless truths with this generation of youth.

The ministry will also promote racial unity in a fun and tasty way by serving snacks such as chocolate milk and Oreo cookies. Snacks such as M&M’s will be served as a symbolic gesture that though we may all be different on the outside we are all the same on the inside.

Coloring crayons will be passed out to embrace a world of color and its beauty. Children will learn what the words segregation, racism, prejudice and civil rights mean. The children will also be encouraged to embrace racial unity, acceptance of people’s differences and love for one another.

Dempsey program for children

LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is offering a free support program for children, ages 5-11, who have a parent or adult caregiver with cancer. CLIMB will take place Tuesdays, Feb. 5 through March 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dempsey Center, 29 Lowell St.

Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery is a six-week program designed by the Children’s Treehouse Foundation. Each week there will be a light meal followed by group sessions. The children’s group will focus on a select topic and feeling. The parent/caregiver group is optional and will meet separately. The program is facilitated by Tookie Bright, LMSW-cc, Children’s Program Coordinator; Kim Hart, BA, Child Life Specialist, and Karen DeGrandpre, LCSW. Registration is limited to 10 children.

Preregistration is available by calling the Dempsey Center at (207) 795-8250; toll-free 1-877-336-7287 or online at www.dempseycenter.org.