Items submitted to Check it Out must be events that benefit nonprofit organizations and be open to the public. Submissions should be received at least seven days in advance of the event.

river valley area

Dixfield, Tuesday, Aug. 2: Adult reading group, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Ludden Memorial Library. FMI: 562-8838.

Mexico, Tuesday, Aug. 2: Story and craft hour for children ages 2 to 5, 10 a.m., Public Library. Features pet stories “Emma’s Pet” by David McPhail and “My Dog Talks” by Gail Herman.

Mexico, Tuesday, Aug. 2: Story and craft our for children ages 6 to 11, 1:00 p.m., Public Library. Features “Silly” stories “Underwear Do’s and Don’t” by Todd Parr and “Even More Parts” by Tedd Arnold.

Gorham, N.H.,Wednesday, Aug. 3: Program “A Day in the Life of a Backcountry Ranger,” 8 p.m., Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, Route 16. Free. Complimentary popcorn. Presented by the White Mountain National Forest. FMI: 603-466-2713 or 603-466-2721.

Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 3: Greater Rumford Area Ministers’ Pantry Service will serve a free lunch, noon, Town Office.

Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 3: Book Cafe adult book discussion group, 6 p.m., Public Library. FMI: 364-3281.

Andover, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5, 6 and 7: Andover Olde Home Days. FMI: contact Vickie or Marshall Meisner, 392-4311.

East Dixfield, Friday, Aug. 5: Campfire country music jam session, 6 to 9 p.m., Countryfolk Music Theatre, Route 2. Free. Dancing follows from 9 to 11 p.m. FMI: Linda, 645-4752 or Larry, 645-4875.

Rumford. Friday, Aug. 5: Dance, 8:00 p.m. to midnight, Snowshoe Club, Waldo Street. Music by the Tony Belskis Band.

Canton, Saturday, Aug. 6: Chicken pie supper, 5 p.m until sold out, Ponemah Rebekah Lodge Hall. Adults, $6.50; children under 12, $4.50. Includes mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, peas, carrots, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, beverage and pie. Takeout available.

Mexico, Saturday, Aug. 6: MetalFest music festival featuring heavy metal bands, Mexico Rec Park. FMI: contact Nick Graham, 364-8982.

East Dixfield, Friday, Aug. 12: Campfire country music jam session, 6 to 9 p.m., Countryfolk Music Theatre, Route 2. Free. Dancing follows from 9 to 11 p.m. FMI: Linda, 645-4752 or Larry, 645-4875.

Rumford, Wednesday, Aug. 17: American Red Cross blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m., American Legion, 184 Congress St. FMI: 1-800-482-0743.

East Dixfield, Friday, Aug. 19: Campfire country music jam session, 6 to 9 p.m., Countryfolk Music Theatre, Route 2. Free. Dancing follows from 9 to 11 p.m. FMI: Linda, 645-4752 or Larry, 645-4875.

East Dixfield, Friday, Aug. 26: Campfire country music jam session, 6 to 9 p.m., Countryfolk Music Theatre, Route 2. Free. Dancing follows from 9 to 11 p.m. FMI: Linda, 645-4752 or Larry, 645-4875.

oxford hills area

Lovell, Monday, Aug. 1: American Red Cross blood drive bus, 2 to 7 p.m., Firehouse, Maine Street. FMI: 1-800-482-0743.

Norway, Monday, Aug. 1: Western Maine Art Group show’s wine and cheese reception, 5 to 7 p.m., Matolcsy Art Center, 480 Main St. Show runs through Wednesday, Aug. 31. Gallery hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday or when “open” flag is hung out.

Casco, Tuesday, Aug. 2: American Red Cross blood drive bus, noon to 5 p.m., Point Sebago.

Harrison, Tuesday, Aug. 2: Sebago-Long Lake music festival’s “Grace and Passion,” 8 p.m., Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, Deertrees Road. Adults, $20; students, $8. Box office hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. FMI: 583-6747 or visit www.deertreestheatre.org.

Waterford, Tuesday, Aug. 2: Public supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m., North Waterford Congregational Church. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.50. Includes baked beans, American chop suey, casseroles, salads, brown bread, rolls, beverages and homemade pie.

Harrison, Wednesday, Aug. 3: Dan Grady’s marionette variety show, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, Deertrees Road. Adults, $5; children, $4. Box office hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. FMI: 583-6747 or visit www.deertreestheatre.org.

Waterford, Wednesday, Aug. 3: Indoor yard sale, 7 a.m. to noon, Wilkins Community House basement, Plummer Hill Road.

Waterford, Wednesday, Aug. 3: Public breakfast, 7:30 to 10 a.m., Wilkins Community House, Plummer Hill Road. Adults, $5; children under 10, $3; under 5, free. Proceeds for community and grange projects.

Berlin, N.H., Thursday, Aug. 4: Singer/songwriter Josee Vachon presents a French-Canadian show, 7 p.m., Kieran Community Center for the Arts, 155 Emery St. $10. FMI: 752-1028.

Lovell, Thursday, Aug. 4: Summer fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lovell U.C.C., Route 5, Center Lovell. Gifts, aprons, food, fir pillows, books, flowers and lunch.

Lovell, Thursday, Aug. 4: Concert with soprano Jenny Lynd Robinson and accompanist Aaron Robinson, 7:30 p.m., The Brick Church, Christian Hill Road, just off Route 5. $5 donation at the door. FMI: 829-9253.

Norway, Friday, Aug. 5: Western Maine Art Group’s wine and cheese reception to celebrate the Second Member’s show of the summer, 5 to 7 p.m., Matolcsy Art Center, 480 Main St. Featured display of rug hooking and craftsmen.

Norway, Friday, Aug. 5: Opening of Commons Art Collective August show, 7 to 9 p.m., Fare Share Commons, 447 Maine St. Show continues through Aug. 27. Gallery hours, 3 to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.

South Paris, Friday, Aug. 5: “Remembering Tony” revisiting the master performer Tony Montanaro, 8 p.m.; doors open 7:30 p.m., Celebration Barn, 190 Stock Farm Road, off Route 117 North. Adults, $10; children under 12, $8. FMI and tickets: 743-8452.

Canton, Saturday, Aug. 6: Chicken pie supper, 5 p.m until sold out, Ponemah Rebekah Lodge Hall. Adults, $6.50; children under 12, $4.50. Includes mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, peas, carrots, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, beverage and pie. Takeout available.

Harrison, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6 and 7: Barn tours of early Harrison barns with barn wright Scott Hatch, 9:30 a.m., Scribner’s Mill. $35 each tour. Learn the history of early Maine barns. FMI and registration: 583-6455.

Harrison, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6 and 7: “Back to the Past” homestead, sawmill and lumbering festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Scribner’s Mill. Adults, $5; children under 12, free. Ox team and timber frame demonstrations, pig roast and baked bean supper (reservation required), children’s workshops, barn tours ($35, registration required), how-to workshops, antique appraisals. FMI, reservations or registrations: 583-6455.

Harrison, Saturday, Aug. 6: The New Black Eagles Jazz Band, 8 p.m., Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, Deertrees Road. $18. Box office hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. FMI: 583-6747 or visit www.deertreestheatre.org.

Locke Mills, Saturday, Aug. 6, Blueberry festival, 7:30 to 11 a.m., Locke Mills Union Church. Blueberry pancakes, pies, sundaes.