Club to discuss junior fiction book

PARIS — At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, the public library’s Novel Idea Book Club will discuss the junior fiction selection, “When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer,” written by Beth Levine.

In April of 1917, Simone Spencer’s world changes. Her brother goes off to war, and she seeks a way to help. The daughter of a feisty French mother and a rebellious upper-class father, Simone is not cut out for the society life she is meant to lead. When Gen. Pershing calls for French-speaking American girls to operate switchboards on the Western Front, she becomes one of the first “Hello Girls,” whose courage helped lead the Allies to victory. In the end, Christmas brings the Spencers back together again. (Summary is from Maine Info Library.)

New members are welcome. Light refreshments related to the book will be available. For more information or to place a book on hold, call the library at 207-743-6994.

VFW hosts New Year’s Eve party

JAY — The VFW Hall will hold a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31, hosted by VFW AMVETS and Hillside Sports Club.

Music will be performed by Wonder Bread, and also to be featured are Pat Libby, Kyle Melcher and Holly Bonnevie. Tickets are $15 for singles, $20 for couples. A buffet will be served.

For moe information, call Sherry at 207-491-5444 or Janice at 207-897-2122. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 24.

Grange to host annual AVSWCD meeting

POLAND — The Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District will host the annual USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Local Working Group meeting from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at the Grange Hall,44 Harris Hill Road.

This meeting is open to the public. They are looking for input on identifying natural resource concerns in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties, prioritizing which resource concerns to address, discuss 2019-2020 USDA NRCS programs and where to prioritize funding in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties.

There will be a free lunch included. Registration is required by Friday, Dec. 28, and can be done by calling the Conservation District at 207-241-5374.

Snowmobile club’s meeting rescheduled

DURHAM — The Tri-Town Penguins Snowmobile Club (Durham, Freeport and Pownal) usually meets on the last Tuesday of each month from September to April. Due to the holiday, the December meeting will be held on the third Tuesday of the month.

The next meeting is now scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 18. New members are welcome. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the Durham Fire Station, 615 Hallowell Road.

For more information, contact Duncan Daly at 207-865-6188 or 207-713-3116; or Mike Sikorski at 207-319-7587.

Jay church to hold Advent festival

JAY — The Festival of Lessons and Carols is set to be presented at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church St.

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is an Advent tradition that dates back to the late 19th century. It is a blend of scripture, prayers and Christmas carols chosen to tie into the themes of the season. It is one of the rare times carols such as “Silent Night” and “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” are sung in church prior to Christmas Eve.

For more information about Advent events, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/advent.