EDITOR’S NOTE:  The state has mandated that no more than 10 people gather in one place. Consequently most organizations have cancelled their events and regular meetings. Check with organizers before assuming these events are still happening and please be socially responsible and stay away from others until the COVID-19 virus is no longer a threat.

TOPS

NORWAY — TOPS meets Tuesdays in the Association Hall at Town & Country Mobile Home Village, 99 Town & Country Drive, Norway. Weigh-in is from 4-4:45 p.m. and the meeting is from 5-6 p.m. Yearly membership is $32 and monthly dues are $5 which includes a bimonthly magazine subscription to TOPS News. TOPS is a non-judgmental weight loss support group and there is no food to buy or diet to follow – a healthy lifestyle is promoted. For more information call Mary at 743-6992 or at 461-1010.

Survivors

STATE — The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) has announced two new services for survivors of sexual harassment and assault: text support and chat support. In addition to the statewide sexual assault helpline, people can text the helpline number, 1-800-871-7741, or go to mecasa.org to chat with an advocate.
These services are available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Support includes free, private support from a trained sexual assault advocate, information and resources that can help with next steps in healing or criminal justice proceedings, and referrals for longer-term support like mental health help. The new services are yet to be available 24-hours due to limited funding. The helpline is available 24 hours. For more information visit mecasa.org/onlinehelp/.

Kite flying

NORWAY — Color the Sky, Kite Fly!, a kite-flying group, will hold monthly outings on selected weekends in Norway and surrounding towns, dates to depend on the wind and weather. Time of kite-flying sessions will be from 1-4 p.m., meeting at area location. The outings are free and open to all. Contact Terry atcolorthesky3@gmail.com to for an introductory, informational email. To receive outing notifications, either request to be placed on the e-mail notification list or sign on as a member on the group’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/yadtn6ms. Those interested may also text or leave a message at 890-5207.

Respite Care

LEWISTON — Those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia and paying out-of-pocket or unable to afford home care can get help through SeniorsPlus, which offers respite reimbursement services to help keep care partners at home. For more information, contact SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241.

Al-Anon

NORWAY — Al-Anon meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Second Congregational Church in Norway at 205 Main St.

Seniors

LOVELL — The Gathering Place meets on Thursdays, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lovell UCC Church, 1174 Main St. This is free and open to any senior who wishes to drop in. Bring your own lunch and coffee, tea and snacks are provided. A hot meal is provided on the first Thursday of each month. This is a time for fellowship, games, art and special events. For more information, call the church at 925-1321.

Thrift Shop

LOVELL — The Lovell UCC Thrift Shop is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The shop is full of really nice things with more coming in all the time. For more information call Pat Stearns at 925-6536 or Peg Mason at 935-7528.

Kids’ Korner

WEST PARIS — The Kids’ Korner, located at the First Universalist Church of West Paris, 208 Main St. is open the first and third Saturdays of the month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free service for area communities, Kids’ Korner collects and donates new and gently used clothing for infants and toddlers. A current need is boys and girls toddler sizes 2T and 5T. For more information, email or call Donna Marshall, donnarae.marshall59@gmail.com, 515-0595.

Cancer Support

NORWAY — The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine is located at 199 Main St. in the Stephens Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic building. All programs, comfort items and many resources are free to anyone impacted by cancer. Hours are Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by or call 890-0329 or check out www.crcofwm.org.

Hobby groups

HARRISON — Hobby groups for knitting, crocheting and other hobbies using yarn will resume meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. every Monday at the Caswell Conservancy Center, Main Street. The group is open to all, whether experienced or a beginner.

AMVETS

PARIS — AMVETS Post 777, which serves the Oxford Hills, holds monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the American Legion, 12 Church Street. Meetings are open to all veterans. For more information call 595-7324.

Fellowship

LOVELL — The Gathering Place, a senior fellowship group, meets Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lovell United Church of Christ, 1174 Main St. Meetings are free and open to any senior who wishes to drop in. Folks attending the meetings should bring their own lunch. Coffee, tea and snacks are provided. A hot meal is provided on the first Thursday of each month. Chair yoga is offered on the third Thursday of the month. This is a time for fellowship, games, art and special events. For more information call the church office at 925-1321.

Worship

NORWAY — Voices in the Silence will be held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of Norway on 479 Main St. For more information call 743-2828.

Observatory

NORWAY — The Twitchell Observatory is offering Open Observatory Nights on the first clear Friday and/or Saturday night of every month. Volunteers share the sky with visitors using the observatory’s telescope, as well as their own. These events are free. For more information visit the observatory’s website at https://tinyurl.com/y9k6scyl, the observatory’s Facebook page or contact webmaster@twitchellobservatory.org.

Yoga

OTISFIELD — Otisfield Recreation Department is excited to have Laurie Phillips, a certified Yoga instructor, offer Yoga Classes at the Otisfield Town Office. Class begins at 5:30 for an hour and 15 minutes. For more information and suggestions on clothing, what to bring, etc. call Anne at 539-9101 x 2.

HARRISON — 10-11 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Caswell Conservancy Center. 42 Main St., Harrison. Having trouble getting on your knees to do yoga? This chair-based yoga class will offer the benefits of other yoga classes but use a chair as a prop for support, balance, or advancing the pose as appropriate for each student. This class will incorporate an exploration of alignment, strength, balance, flexibility, breath, and relaxation. For more information call 890-0329.

Quilters

NORWAY — The Pine Needle Quilters of Norway and Paris, meets every Thursday, from 9 a.m.-noon in the Community Room at the Norway Town Office, 19 Danforth St. All are welcome. For more information call Maury at 461-3377.

MECHANIC FALLS — Area residents who enjoy crafts and companionship are invited to join community and church members at the Anglican Church of the Transfiguration (formerly the Mechanic Falls Congregational Church) on Elm St. for the Bog Hoot Quilt Society meeting. The group meet is at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. The entrance to the downstairs is from the driveway to the church. There are plenty of tables for quilting projects, an ironing board and a cutting board, and the coffee pot is on. Participants are invited to bring any project they are working on, including knitting, crocheting and needle crafts, or they may join in on church projects.

The Table

NORWAY — The Table at the Norway Grange has canceled for the next 30 days the free Friday night activities from 6- 8 p.m. These activities are chemical free family/community focused. Each week the team offers game nights, movie nights and open mic karaoke. Free pizza and popcorn along with drinks are available each week.
The Table also has canceled the free weekly community breakfast each Saturday from 8-9 a.m. at the Norway Grange

Join the group on Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. for worship at Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church or watch it on YouTube.
Through Lent Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church will have a Sermon Series on Adam Hamilton’s book “The Walk, Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life”. The Easter Sunday Service will be held on April 12, at 9:45 a.m. with Pastor Annie Baker-Streevy.
Looking ahead The Table will hold the 3-C Clothing giveaway on April 25, at The Norway Grange from 8 a.m.- noon.

The Table is a ministry and mission of the Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church, Norway Grange and the Community. For more information or if interested in volunteering with activities of The Table feel free to call A-J. Alexander, director of The Table Ministries at 461-3093 or email at aaturnleft3@gmail.com.

Widows’ Support

OTISFIELD — The Widows Support Group meets every third week on Tuesdays at the Otisfield Town Office Annex 403, State Rte. 121, Otisfield, from 1:30-3:00. Refreshments will be served. The group is to help connect widows of the area with local resources through handouts, lectures, demos and where needed, workshops. This is not a club and you will be able to find the subject time and place on Otisfieldme.gov website, click on calendar, so you can choose which meetings you want to attend.

Texas Hold’ems

OXFORD — Texas Hold’ems are held the third Saturday of every month until the end of the year at American Legion Post 112 on King St. Doors open at 12 p.m., table draws are 12:50 p.m. and the game starts at 1 p.m. The games generally end by 6 p.m. There is a $50 buy in and $5 high hand.

Banding to Restore

NORWAY — 9-10 a.m. on Thursdays at Bader Physical Therapy, 176 Main St. This is a light to moderate exercise class that will help you improve your flexibility, balance and strength. For cancer survivors and caregivers.

Cancer Resource

NORWAY — The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine is located in the Stephens Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic building at 199 Main St. Drop in hours are Tuesdays 3-6 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Center provides comfort items (such as port protectors, new wigs, hats, quilts and pillows), a lending library of cancer information, and coupons for free complimentary therapies (reiki, reflexology, therapeutic yoga, and Oncology massage) to individuals with cancer and their caregiver. They also sponsor cancer support groups for men and women and weekly drop in classes: Chair yoga at the Caswell Conservancy in Harrison (Mondays and Wednesdays at 10am), Yoga Warriors at Posabilities in Norway (Wednesdays at 3pm), and Banding to Restore, an exercise class at Bader Physical Therapy in Norway (Thursdays at 9am). The Center is also a place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, chat with a volunteer or participate in one of the craft activities offered on Tuesday afternoons (3-6pm). For information check the monthly calendar on their website at www.crcofwm.org, find them on Facebook or call 890-0329.

Socrates Cafe

BRIDGTON — Socrates Cafe will meet on Monday, May 4, at the Bridgton Community Center. 6:15-6:30 p.m. will be Meet and Greet and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. will be a discussion on the topic “What is Right Or Wrong in a Society And Who Decides It? Moderator will be Jim Kearney. Light refreshments provided. For more information call 583-6957.

VFW

PARIS — Floyd A. Harlow Jr. VFW Post 9787 will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 1, at the Post home at 58 E. Main St., So. Paris.

Suppers

LOVELL — A turkey dinner and 50/50 raffle will be held on Saturday, March 28, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Lovell United Church of Christ. 1174 Main St. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Dinner includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, coffee, lemonade and homemade pies. Gluten free rolls and pies will be available. There is also a take-out option. The church is handicap accessible. All proceeds benefit the work of the Lovell United Church of Christ.

EAST SUMNER — Community potlucks suppers will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, April 4 and May 2, at the Congregational Church of E. Sumner. Bring a dish to share. Donations accepted for the meal. Raffles of food and household fun items follow the meal. All proceeds benefit the outreach work of the church. The church is located at 50 Main St., Rte. 219 in E. Sumner Village. For more information, call Bill at 388-2263 or Cyndy at 388-2667.

HARTFORD — On the first Friday of each month people from Hartford and surrounding area get together to share food, laughter, games and sometimes music in a goodwill potluck supper at the Hartford Town Hall. Come one and come all and no need to be fancy in dress or in food that you prepare. For more information call Lennie Eichman at 320-9125

OXFORD — A community pot luck and open mic will be held on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Oxford Rec Center. Bring a dish to share and come and meet your neighbors. Play a fiddle, carry a tune and come and share your talent. WATERFORD – Community suppers are held on the third Thursday of each month from Oct.-May (excluding Dec.). Please bring a main dish, salad, or dessert to the pot luck. Beverages will be provided. The next supper is Feb. 20, and the hosts are the Tarbells. The Wilkins House is located on Plummer Hill (beside the church) in Waterford Flat. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Luncheons

POLAND — Life Springs serves luncheons to seniors at noon on Tuesdays at Tyrian Masonic Lodge, Rte. 11, Mechanic Falls. All seniors are welcome to join in for lunches at noon. Cost is $5. For more information call 998-4779.

MECHANIC FALLS — Lifesprings has moved to Tyrian Masonic Lodge, Rte. 11, Mechanic Falls. Lifesprings is a non-profit organization that provides senior citizens with a chance to socialize and enjoy a nutritious meal once a week on Tuesdays.
NORWAY — Oxford Hills Area Association of Churches serves the Norway Community Free Lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Universalist Church, 479 Main St. Anyone can eat a nutritious lunch and no questions asked.

Breakfasts

NORWAY — The Community Free Breakfast is at 8 a.m. in the Norway Grange, Whitman St.

MECHANIC FALLS — The American Legion serves breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month at 41 Elm St.

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