Conservation payments resume

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA has begun distributing Conservation Reserve Program annual rental payments to participants across the country. USDA also will distribute 2013 direct payments and 2012 Average Crop Revenue Election program payments beginning Oct. 24.

Payments originally were scheduled to be issued earlier in the month, but were delayed by several weeks due to the lapse in federal funding.

For more information on CRP, DCP and ACRE, producers should contact their local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Mt. Blue Jr. Sr. craft fair spaces

FARMINGTON — Mt. Blue Campus Jr. & Sr. Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in the gym.

Santa will be coming. The Franklin County Sheriff Department will provide finger printing. there will be raffles, an auction and lots of good food.

Spaces are still available. For more information call Shannon at 778-4726.

Mt. Abram craft fair tables

SALEM — Mt. Abram High School is in need of crafters for its annual craft fair, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.

The cost per table is $15. The deadline for registering is Dec. 1. Contact Christina Brackley at 678-2701 or at chbrackley@msad58.org to register.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Class of 2014.

Harvest festival is Nov. 1

FARMINGTON — A Harvest Festival will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Farmington Baptist Church, 194 Whittier Road.

There will be food, games, candy and fun. Costumes are optional.

Early bird breakfast

FARMINGTON — An early bird breakfast will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St.

Menu includes bacon, scrambled eggs, home fries, baked beans, muffins, fruit cup and beverages.

Cost is $5.

Concert benefits homeless shelter

FARMINGTON — Western Maine Homeless Outreach in partnership with Summit Faith Community will host a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Nordica Auditorium.

The concert will feature the musical talents of Garrett Soucy, formerly of the band Tree By Leaf.

The mission of WMHO is to provide emergency shelter to homeless families from Western Maine. Efforts are underway to open the very first homeless shelter of its kind in Western Maine.

Admission will be by donation. Light refreshments will also be provided at the event.

UMF annual arts, crafts show

FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington will hold its annual Arts and Crafts Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, in the UMF Olsen Student Center on South Street.

More than 55 artists and crafters from across Maine, including many new artisans, will exhibit their original and creative works at this open-to-the-public sale. All items are handcrafted by the artists, and include quilted clothing and handbags, jewelry, hand-painted items, fabric landscapes, baskets, wooden boxes, hand-knitted items, ornamental iron works, greeting cards, hand-sewn crafts, country crafts and wind chimes, baked goods, jams and jellies plus much more.

This event is sponsored by the UMF Conference and Events Office. For more information, call 207-778-7344 or email doris.tutlis@maine.edu.

Winter Farmers Market to start

FARMINGTON — The Winter Farmers Market will again be hosted by the Farmington Grange, starting Nov. 2, through to May. The market will be Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 124 Bridge St.

Vendors from both Sandy River Farmers Market (Fridays) and Farmington Farmers Market (Saturdays) will be in attendance, as well as some other vendors, with vegetables, meats, honey, gourmet cuisine, pies, jams, baked goods, eggs, crafts and more.

Applications are being taken for new vendors. All products are locally raised and/or produced. Musicians interested in performing are also invited to call. For more information, call Bonnie Clark at 778-6637 or Richard Marble at 778-6968.

Keep Me Warm supper Nov. 2

FAYETTE — There will be a Keep Me Warm supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Fayette Central School.

There will be beans, casseroles, salads, desserts and drinks. There will also be raffles and music. To help or cook, or for more information, call Elaine Wilcox at 685-3886.

Rabies, microchip clinic for cats/dogs

INDUSTRY — A rabies clinic for cats and dogs will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 2, at Industry Town Hall.

Cost is $10. Microchips are available for $25. All proceeds benefit Franklin County Animal Shelter. For more information call 778-2638.

Cary book sale, holiday boutique

WAYNE — The Cary Library first Saturday book sale and holiday boutique will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 2, at  at the Williams House, 14 Old Winthrop Road, across the street from the library.

Take a morning break and shop at the ongoing book sale and holiday boutique. The holiday boutique will showcase Paula Tamberlane’s jewelry and Tammy Birtwell’s artisanal soaps.

Coffee, tea and breakfast breads will be for sale.

Proceeds will benefit the Williams House, a property of the Cary Library.

Square, round dance Nov. 3

WILTON — The Friendship Squares will host a square and round dance from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Cushing School.

The dance will be mainstream/mainstream plus. The caller will be Walter Lougee. Carol Arsenault will be the cuer.

Admission is $6 per person. All square dancers are welcome. For more information call 491-4751.

Fall Festival of Music is Nov. 3

WILTON — Mt. Blue High School musicians will entertain at the Wilton Church Fall Festival of Music at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the First Congregational Church, Main Street.

Two popular music groups, the Franklin County Fiddlers and the Mt. Blue Voices, are donating their time and talents to benefit the Wilton Food Pantry.

Proceeds from the music festival will help to fund the food pantry Thanksgiving food baskets and December holiday food items. Donations will be accepted at the door.

Homemakers fair needs crafters

WILTON — The Wilton Day Homemakers third annual Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Luke’s Church on High Street.

Crafters are wanted. For more information, call Becky at 778-0673.