SOUTH PARIS – Marilyn Hammond will be the speaker at the 10 a.m. service Sunday, Oct. 5, at the First Universalist Church, 36 Pine St. Her sermon topic will be “What Children Can Teach Us.” The service will include the dedication of the Sunday school teachers. The music will be directed by Forest Perkins, church organist. A coffee hour will follow in Good Cheer Hall. Everyone is welcome.

Ranger programs

GORHAM, N.H. – The Androscoggin Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest is offering environmental educational programs and activities for schools, clubs, after-school programs and other interested groups.

A number of learning topics are offered, including wildlife, plants and trees in the White Mountain National Forest, Leave No Trace principles and hiking safely.

The ranger station on Route 16 has many interactive displays and is open to the public. Prior to Columbus Day, the station is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After Columbus Day, the station will be closed on Sundays.

To schedule programs at the station or at a group facility, call 603-466-2713; TTY, 603-466-2856.

Birthday party

OXFORD – Maxine Deroche recently celebrated her 80th birthday at a party that included family and friends. About 50 people attended a buffet luncheon at the Paris Legion Hall with guests coming from Florida, Georgia, Canada and Massachusetts. The guest of honor received gift certificates that included a hot air balloon ride and a day at a spa.

Author to speak

LOVELL – Newbery Medal Winner Lois Lowry will speak and sign books at the New Suncook School from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. The event is sponsored by the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library and Bridgton Books. All ages are welcome.

Lowry, two-time recipient of the prestigious John Newbery Medal and part-time Maine resident, will speak about her life and writing. Her books include “The Giver,” “Number the Stars,” “The Silent Boy,” “A Summer to Die,” and “Anastasia Krupnik.” For more information call Pam Ward of Bridgton Books at 647 2122 or Anna Romer of the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library at 925-3177.

Fall missions

BRYANT POND – The Bryant Pond Baptist Church will hold its Fall Missions Conference Oct. 24 to 26 with the Rev. Bob Philbrick, pastor of the Clinton Baptist Church. Others participating in the program will be Scott and Heather Mackenzie, who worked with The Children’s Bible Fellowship that reached out to the inner city children of New York; and missionaries to Venezuela, Carl and Nikki Hodsdon.

The public is invited to attend the sessions at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24; starting with a 5 p.m. supper meeting on Saturday, Oct. 25; service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, and a second service at 6 p.m.