Novel Idea Book Club to hold discussion

PARIS — Paris Public Library’s Novel Idea Book Club will discuss “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse, a junior/young adult historical fiction novel, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16.

In a series of free verse poems, 15-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family’s wheat farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Depression. Her mother has died and her father is too distraught to help his daughter much. While others flee from the dust bowl, Billie Jo is left to find peace in the bleak landscape of Oklahoma.

New members are always welcome. FMI: call the Paris Public Library at 207-743-6994.

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Mt. Blue Area Garden Club to host talk on bees

FARMINGTON — The Mt. Blue Area Garden Club will host Dr. Ronald Butler, professor of ecology at the University of Maine at Farmington, at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Farmington Falls Road. Butler will explore “Native Bees with and Emphasis on Bumble Bees.”

A social half-hour will begin at 12:30 pm, followed by a short business meeting and Dr. Butler’s presentation. Hostesses Annette Tripp, Mary McFarland and Peg Lang will provide light refreshments. The public is welcome.

FMI: call 207-778-4158.

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Rumford Historical Society to meet

RUMFORD — The Rumford Historical Society will hold its October meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the auditorium of the Rumford Town Hall.

All members and the public are urged to attend. The speaker will be Peter Stowell of Bethel. His topic will be “The Lost Abenaki Tribes of Western Maine.”

The earlier meeting time was decided on due to the shortened days and poor street conditions in downtown Rumford. Light refreshments will be served, following the meeting and program.

All members and guests are asked to enter and exit the building via the River Street entrance.

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Senior College fall/winter kick-off

FARMINGTON — The Gold LEAF Institute Senior College at University of Maine Farmington will hold the Fall/Winter Term Kick-Off on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 130 Quebec St. The program will run from 3 to 4 p.m.; course registrations will take place from 4 to 5 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Gold LEAF is a member-run organization that promotes lifelong learning. Membership is open to anyone 50 or older, and to spouse/partner regardless of age. Come meet the presenters and current members. For more information call 207-778-7063, email goldleaf@maine.edu, or go to www.goldleafinstitute.org.

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Paris Cape Historical Society to meet

PARIS — The next meeting of the Paris Cape Historical Society will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the museum at 77 High St. Peggy Stires, great-granddaughter of Henry Morton, founder of the Paris Manufacturing Co., will give the history of the company. She will bring a number of artifacts manufactured at the company for display.

The meeting is open to the public, which will be followed by light refreshments. There is parking at the back of the museum, off Porter Street.