SOUTH PARIS – Applications are available for the 2004 University of Maine Master Gardener Course. The course will focus on fruit and vegetable production. The 45-hour course will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 27. Participants are expected to volunteer 40 hours of time on community horticulture projects after the training. The cost of the course is $80 with limited scholarships available. To receive an application, or for information phone the Oxford County Extension Office at 743-6329 or 1-800-287-1482.

Advent Season

PARIS – The First Congregational Church will begin Advent Season with its regular 10 a.m. service Sunday, Nov. 30. At 5 p.m. the special hanging of the greens will be held with singing of Christmas songs. The church is located at 17 East Main St., South Paris, and is handicap accessible. For more information, call 743-2437 or visit [email protected].

Christmas sale

WEST PARIS – The Ledgeview Living Center will hold its annual Christmas sale of crafts, food and more from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 1 and 2, and from 9:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. All donations are appreciated. The Center is located on the Bethel Road.

Athletic booster’s

PARIS – The Oxford Hills Athletic Booster’s will hold their annual grand drawing for the 500 Club members at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. All members are invited to attend.

Bridge work

BUCKFIELD – The Maine Department of Transportation is advising drivers using Route 117 in Buckfield to allow extra travel time and be prepared to stop as they approach the bridge over the Nezinscott River.

Work will begin Monday, Dec. 1, with one-lane traffic at times. Herb Noyes, bridge maintenance manager in MDOT’s Dixfield Office, said that the work is expected to be be completed in approximately six weeks.

Small business forum

PARIS – There will be an Oxford Hills Small Business Forum held from noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School hosted by representatives of U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The event is free. Preregistration is required. Topics include custom training, business lending, business plan development, 1:1 start-up counseling, peer networks, computer training, cash flow training, tax credit packaging, business promotion, marketing and tourism, and site selection. RSVP, Growth Council of Oxford Hills. For more information, call 743-8830.

Vision New England

OXFORD – The Hosanna Church will host Dr. David Midwood, president of Vision New England Sunday, Nov. 30, at the 10 a.m. worship at the church, 109 Schoolhouse Road, just off Route 121. Midwood recently assumed presidency of the organization after serving 26 years as a pastor at West Church in Haverhill, Mass. Since 1887, Vision New England, headquartered in Acton, Mass., has worked to promote strong churches throughout the six New England states. Evangelism, discipleship and celebration are the central focus of this regional ministry. For more information, call 539-2295 or 743-2965.