Talk: ‘Commercial-Free Childhood’

FREEPORT — Dr. Susan Linn, director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, will give a public talk titled “The Gift of a Commercial-Free Childhood,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Merriconeag Waldorf School’s Community Hall, 57 Desert Road. Donations will be accepted at the door.

While parents try to set limits at home, marketing executives work day and night to undermine their efforts with commercial messages irresistible to children. Childhood obesity, violent behaviors, precocious sexuality, rampant consumerism, family stress and the erosion of children’s creative play have all been linked to a commercialized childhood.

Linn will provide suggestions for what can be done to protect children.

Linn is the author of “Consuming Kids: The Hostile Takeover of Childhood” and “The Case for Make Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World.”

Free community luncheon

FARMINGTON — Old South First Congregational Church will serve its monthly free community luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.

The menu consists of chicken stew over biscuit and a pumpkin dessert.

For delivery in the Farmington area, call the church office during the week at 778-0424 or the church kitchen the morning of the luncheon at 778-4438.

Book sale at Ditzler Library

NEW SHARON — A book sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Jim Ditzler Memorial Library.

Bring you own bag or box and fill it for $1.

For more information, call 779-1128.

Open studio for Maine Craft Weekend

TURNER — Kelli’s Sewing Studio will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, as part of Maine Craft Weekend.

A display of historical and modern corsetry will be available for the public to see, touch and try on.

For more information on this and other local studios that will be open, visit www.mainecrafts.org/maine-craft-weekend.

Maine Craft Weekend, a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, breweries, businesses and events, is an opportunity for the public to explore the life and work of craft artists and craft brewers in Maine.

MCW is scheduled in conjunction with American Craft Week, a nationwide event promoting craft events each October. Modeled after Maine Maple Sunday and Buy Local Saturday, this self-guided tour features participants all over the state who are not regularly open to the public or who have planned special MCW events and demonstrations.

Ladies/Community Breakfast Oct. 15

RANGELEY — The next Ladies/Community Breakfast will be on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Moosely Bagels, Main Street, from 7 to 9 a.m. Note that it is on Thursday not Wednesday.

If anyone has a special dietary need, call in advance so they can try to accommodate your needs.

For more information call 864-5955.

Raw milk production guidelines

ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s bulletin with guidelines on raw milk production is available for licensed dealers and people interested in becoming licensed with the state of Maine.

Donald E. Hoenig, VMD, UMaine Extension, authored “Raw Milk Production: Guidelines for Maine Licensed Dealers.” Topics covered include milking procedures, milk room equipment, milking facilities, cleaning equipment, raw milk and foodborne illness, and tests conducted by the Department of Agriculture.

More information, free downloads and bulletin copies for $1 each are available from the UMaine Extension Publication Catalog, extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu and by contacting 207-581-3792 or extension.orders@maine.edu.

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