Natural healing

AUBURN — A free monthly class will share how herbs can become a vital part of healthy nutrition and will demonstrate how to prepare them as simple but effective medicines.

This month’s class will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Auburn Adventist Community Center, 316 Minot Ave., on the topic of “Barks and Roots/Nutrition.” Teacher will be Jane Kuntz, certified consulting herbalist and lifestyle health educator.

Call Jane at 432-9063 to register. Class size limited to 30 participants.

WLU speaker

AUBURN — The Woman’s Literary Union will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the clubhouse, 19 Main St. The speaker of the evening will be Christine Hayden.

As the Breast Health Outreach Patient Navigator at the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing, Chriss’ role involves providing breast-related health promotion and outreach for underserved populations in Androscoggin County and surrounding communities. Chriss works closely with the Sam & Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center and community based service providers to identify and address community needs for breast cancer screening services and education regarding cancer prevention and early detection. Chriss also works directly with breast health patients, assisting them to overcome any barriers to accessing diagnostic and follow up care.

This program is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Hospitality is provided by Beth Ayotte and Jeanne Pacheco.

For more information about the WLU, visit www.womansliteraryunion.org or email [email protected].

Social bridge

LEWISTON — The Lewiston-Auburn Social Bridge Club winners at the Multi-Purpose Center on Sept. 12 were as follows.

First: Lue Bilodeau and Luke Merry; second: Jan Arey and Linda Leotsakos; third: Les Buzzell and Anna Vitiello; fourth: Larry Fortier and Roger Labbe;

First in B: Larry Fortier and Roger Labbe; second: Cindy and Bob Kirchherr.

Games are played every Monday at 9 a.m. A partner is guaranteed. Call Rosemarie Goodwin at 754-1431 for information about all duplicate games in Maine.

Positive thinking

LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center will offer a free positive thinking workshop to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. “Staying Positive in Challenging Times” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at CMMC, 12 High St., in conference room D.

Presenter Marcy Covey will discuss how one’s view on life can be fine-tuned to remain positive and upbeat, regardless of what is happening. The workshop is part of Covey’s ongoing “Growing Through Cancer: Your Personal Toolkit” series.

Preregistration is available by calling the Dempsey Center at 795-8250, toll-free 1-877-336-7287 or online at www.dempseycenter.org.

Duplicate bridge

LEWISTON — The Lewiston-Auburn Duplicate Bridge Club met on Aug. 13 at the Multi-Purpose Center. Winners in Flight A were: first, Richard Balian and Luke Merry; second, Linda Leotsakos and Jan Arey; third, Nancy Lindgren and Les Buzzell; fourth, Jeanine Kivus and Rosemarie Goodwin.

Winners in Flight B were: first, Roger Labbe and Larry Fortier; second, Claire Lyons and Kathleen Burden. Another game will be played at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the center.

The club also met on Aug. 14 at Schooner Estates in Auburn. Winners were: first, Less Buzzell and John Hackett; second, David Lock and Sherry Hinckley; third, Claire Lyons and Lucille Theriault.

Another game will be played at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Schooner Estates. A partner is guaranteed at all local games. For further information, call Lucille Theriault at 783-0431.

Lose with Me!

AUBURN — HealthSteps, an award winning health education and exercise program, will hold Lose with Me!, a 12-week session focused on helping one obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Classes are taught by registered and licensed dietitian Jamie Pepin and exercise physiologist, Jennifer Smith.

The classes include goal setting, exercise planning, nutrition education, food and movement journaling and peer support.

Class times are from noon to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 21-Dec. 7, at WorkMed Conference Room, Auburn Medical Building, 15 Gracelawn Road. The cost is $99.

Registration required by calling 777-8898 or at www.stmarysmaine.com.

Buffet supper

LEWISTON — The Ladies of St. Ann Sodality of the Holy Family Parish will  have a buffet supper at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Parish Hall. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 and are available from any board members or by calling Anita at 782-4516. Prior to the meal, Mass will be officiated by Father Morin.

There will be an installation of officers and counselors.

Nurturing parenting

LEWISTON — A Nurturing Parenting Program for Parents of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at  Advocates for Children, B Street Community Center, 57 Birch St., Suite 204. The 27-session program will begin Sept. 21.

The program is for any parent living in Lewiston or Auburn parenting children between the ages of 0-5. Parents learn about recognizing and understanding feelings, infant and child massage, nurturing parenting routines, discipline strategies, child development and ways to build self-esteem and self-concept in self and children.

To register, call Kim at Advocates for Children at 783-3990, ext. 224.

News headlines

POLAND — The Poland Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Poland Corner one room school house, beside the Poland Town Hall and Town Office.

David Tedford will present the program, “Newspaper headlines from the past.” The program will feature actual newspapers with historic front page headlines from both local and national events. Everyone is welcome to this free program. Refreshments will be served.

Irish parishes

LEWISTON — Local historian and author John Henderson will visit Museum L-A from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, to discuss “The Irish Parishes: St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s.” This free presentation will cover the history, art and architecture of these parishes.

Henderson will not only cover the churches themselves, but also the other buildings associated with each parish – the schools, rectories and convents. “Along the way,” he notes, “We will meet some of the prominent priests, and see how the parishes developed.”

This is the third of five related programs Henderson is presenting on the Androscoggin Irish at various venues in Lewiston-Auburn. Copies of Henderson’s new book, “Androscoggin Irish,” will be available for signing and purchase. Museum L-A is located at 35 Canal St. at the corner of Canal and Chestnut streets. For more information contact Museum L-A at 333-3881 or email [email protected].

Authors to speak

LEWISTON — The authors and editors of the book, “Somalis in Maine: Crossing Cultural Currents,” will speak about their recently-published work at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. A book sale and signing will follow. Free. For more information call 513-3135.

Free dance

LEWISTON — The “Not Your Granddaddy’s Square Dance” free dance event will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 22 and 29, at Martel Elementary School, 880 Lisbon St.

Everyone is invited. No prior experience necessary. Al Hipkins will be the caller and instructor.

For information, contact Hipkins at [email protected] or [email protected].

Biology class

PARIS — Oxford Hills/Buckfield Adult Education will run a biology with lab class beginning Thursday, Sept. 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class runs for 15 weeks and is for anyone who needs a high school credit for college. Call 743-8842 to register and meet with the guidance counselor. The Adult Ed. office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Craft supply sale

MINOT — Minot Center Grange will have a craft supply sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. The grange is at the top of Center Minot Hill. From Route 11 take Garfield Road in Auburn for 4 1/2 miles.

There are still more tables available for those who have leftover crafts supplies to rent at $10 for a six-foot table. Call Carol after 5 p.m. at 966-3036 or email Cindy at [email protected] using CRAFTS SUPPLIES in the subject line.

There will also be food for sale by the grange members, hot dogs, American chop suey and drinks, all to benefit the upkeep of the grange building.

For more information call 782-4319.

Rejoicing Spirits

AUBURN — Grace Lutheran Church, 757 Summer St., has been the site of Rejoicing Spirits, an ecumenical worship ministry and community outreach for people with intellectual disabilities and their families and friends. God’s message of love is shared through a meaningful and adapted Christian worship service and fellowship time.

There is a lot of praise music with a brief inspirational message. This service is also well suited for families with active children. It is a shush-free, open and relaxed atmosphere, structured on a model of religious inclusion that has received national attention and many awards of recognition. The half-hour 5 p.m. service concludes with a pizza supper and time for fellowship.

The monthly service has a new date, the first Friday of the month, which began Sept. 2. The next service will be Friday, Oct. 7. For information, contact Sister Carol Weaver, Rejoicing Spirits worship leader, at 312-5827, or the Rev. Marian Marks, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, at782-9697, or visit www.rejoicingspirits.org.

Auction

AUBURN — High Street Congregation Church will hold a fundraiser auction at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at 106 Pleasant St.

In addition to being a fundraiser, a fun social evening will also take place. The auctioneers have absolutely no auction experience; however, they have a good sense of humor and can think quickly on their feet. Items available for auction will be handcrafted and specialty food items, gift baskets, flower arrangements and other goodies. Preview and desserts start at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call Judy McKinney, auction coordinator, at 753-0367.

Soccer shoot

AUBURN — The Lewiston Elks Lodge 371 will hold their annual local soccer shoot for youngsters under the age of 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Edward Little High School’s soccer field.

Interested youngsters living in Androscoggin County are welcome to participate. Winners from the event will advance to the district level, and possibly on to the state and regional levels of competition. The contest is open to both boys and girls, who shoot separately. For more information, contact Karen Staples at [email protected] or the Lewiston Elks Lodge at 784-4801.