Briefly

Antique train at Phillips museum

PHILLIPS — Steam Locomotive Monson No. 3 will return to the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Museum on Wednseday, May 24, at 128 Bridge St.

The passenger excursion service season will begin on May 27.

The SRRL Museum is a living history narrow gauge railroad museum, operating authentic restored and replica equipment, on track laid over a section of original right of way. In addition, there is a collection of the railroad’s buildings on site.

The historic Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad was the longest 2-foot gauge railroad in the U.S., and operated in much of Franklin County from the 1870s until 1936.

FMI: 207-639-2380, srrl-rr.org, facebook.com/srrlrr.

Oxford Historical Society meeting

OXFORD — Oxford Historical Society will be holding their meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at the Kay House Museum/Oxford Historical Society, at 73 Pleasant St.

Following the meeting, the Guest Speaker will be Connie Benwitz presenting on the “Role quilts made in the Underground Railroad” at 6:30 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting and listen to the guest speaker.

Anyone can join the historical society for $5 a year or $100 for a lifetime membership.

Blood drive at middle school

FARMINGTON — Mount Blue Middle School will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, in the cafeteria, 269 Middle St.

appointments may be made in advance.

FMI, appointments: 1-800-733-2767, leader.redcrossblood.org.

4th Thursday Poetry Group

RUMFORD — The 4th Thursday Poetry Group will hold its May gathering at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Rumford Public Library.

The group includes poets and poetry lovers who share their own or others’ works. Light refreshments will be available.

4th Thursdays are free and open to the public.

FMI: 207-364-3661.

Maine School of Masonry open house

AVON — The Maine School of Masonry will be having an open house from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 26.

There will be a tour of the school, as well as information on the masonry program and the Restoration and Preservation program. Students who may be interested in the field of masonry or restoration are encouraged to attend along with their family members. The event is open to the public.

Applications will be available for anyone interested in attending the 2017-18 school year.

FMI: 207-639-2392, [email protected]

Lilac Festival at McLaughlin Garden

PARIS — The McLaughlin Garden and Homestead’s annual Lilac Festival will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Monday, May 26 to 29.

There will be daily tours and Lilac walks, Fred Garbo will present his popular inflatables performance, and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High school’s Sam Warton will play classical violin in the garden.

Admission for the Lilac Festival will be $5 per person.

A party to honor the founders, supporters, and advisers from the past 20 years, and debut the new Master Plan, a vision for the next 20 years between, will be held from 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27. Jesse Feinberg, a Portland Conservatory of Music faculty member will play piano jazz during the evening. Cake and drinks will be served.

FMI: 207-743-8820, [email protected]