Author to visit

FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington, the BFA Program in Creative Writing and the Department of Humanities will welcome fiction writer Michael Lowenthal to read at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center, as part of the Fall 2005 UMF Visiting Writers Series.

Lowenthal is the author of the novels “The Same Embrace” (Dutton, 1998; paperback by Plume, 1999) and “Avoidance” (Graywolf Press, 2002).

UMF creative writing program readings are free and open to the public.

Acupuncture

FARMINGTON – In honor of smokers who have quit for the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 17, and in support of the local food bank, Sandy River Acupuncture will offer two free sessions of acupuncture to help overcome withdrawal from cigarettes.

The sessions will be held from noon to 12:45 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 17 and 18, at their office located at 193 Front St., Suite 2. Those participating are asked to bring a can of food to be donated to the Fairbanks Food Pantry. The sessions are open to anyone wishing to experience stress reduction, no matter the cause. For more information, call 778-9700.

School fair

FARMINGTON – The 12th annual Christmas craft fair sponsored by the junior and senior classes for Project Graduation will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Mt. Blue High School.

Questions have risen due to the timing of the championship football game between Mt. Blue and Bonney Eagle, scheduled for Saturday in Portland.

Organizers of the fair will continue as planned, said Shannon Smith. Along with crafts, there will be an opportunity to receive a flu shot at the Healthy Coalition van and free fingerprinting by the Franklin County Sheriff Dept. Santa will arrive at 9 a.m. to have photos taken with children. A continental breakfast and luncheon will be served.

Hunters’ breakfast

FARMINGTON – A hunters’ breakfast will be held from 4:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in North Dining Hall, Olsen Student Center, University of Maine at Farmington. The breakfast is open to the public also. The UMF College Republicans are sponsoring the meal and are asking for donations for the breakfast to help finance an educational experience to Washington, D.C.

Church guest

EAST WILTON – The East Wilton Union Church will host Daryl E. Witmer, director of the AIIA Institute, a national Christian apologetics ministry based in Monson, at the 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. and the 6 p.m. services Sunday, Nov. 20, at the church on Main Street. Witmer will address “The 10 Most Asked Questions of the Faith.”

The AIIA Institute, founded by Witmer in 1991, is committed providing answers to many of the questions asked about the Christian faith. Witmer has served as a local church pastor for more than 30 years. His ministerial credentials are with the Evangelical Free Church of America.

The public is invited. For more information, call 645-4297.

Holiday meal

FARMINGTON – The Scottish Rite Masons will offer a free Thanksgiving Day dinner from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at Mt. Blue High School cafeteria. Those who are not able to go to the high school may call 779-0641 for a meal to be delivered to their home. If leaving a message, include a name, telephone number, address and the number of meals wanted.

Santa to visit

RANGELEY – Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves will visit the children from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Wilhelm Reich Museum Conference Center, Dodge Pond Road.

The children will help Santa’s elves make crafts and ornaments and decorate Christmas cookies. Santa’s helpers will prepare a breakfast of chocolate chip, blueberry or plain pancakes served with syrup, sausages and a beverage.

Admission is $5 a person. A photographer will be available for anyone wanting pictures of their children with Santa for an additional fee. Decorated fir Christmas wreaths will be on sale. Proceeds will benefit the museum. For more information, call 864-3443.