RUMFORD – The final preschool story time for this school year will be held at the Rumford Public Library at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 26. The theme is “Picnics.” Following the story time the group will go outside to enjoy a picnic in the library park, so bring a lunch and a picnic blanket. If it rains, blankets will be spread out in the Public Room. All area children ages 2-5 are welcome to join the fun. Story time will resume in the fall.

Music for troops

DIXFIELD – Three area bands, Our Last Breathe (Bryant Pond), U-Turn (Portland), and Eating Alone (Rumford) will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 28, at Dirigo High School. Cost is $3 at the door. The proceeds from the show will benefit “Homes for Our Troops,” a Massachusetts-based, non-profit group dedicated to helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious injuries and disabilities, specifically to build and renovate specially adapted homes for soldiers who have become disabled. This event, coordinated by Dirigo students Meredith Skibitsky and Korinne Tompkins, serves three purposes – honoring and aiding the troops timed specifically in recognition of Memorial Day; providing a chem-free event for area youth, plus it provides an opportunity for the bands to perform. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call Meredith at 562-7095.

Mini-grants

RIVER VALLEY – The River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition in collaboration with the Maine Bureau of Health Community Health Promotion Program has mini-grants available to fund projects that will help to achieve measurable improvement in the area’s quality of life.

Nonprofits, civic organizations, neighborhood associations, lake associations, trade organizations or other community groups may apply for a grant. The project must be applied within the River Valley area, consisting of: Andover, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury and Rumford.

There is $6,000 available; proposals may request up to $1,000. Grant money may be used to fund new projects or supplement existing projects. Grant funds can’t be used for lobbying, fund-raising, property or building acquisition, entertainment or to advocate political solutions. This money also may not be used to support overhead or indirect costs.

Sample projects include: Marketing support for new organization or project; consultant services to assist with program planning, fund-raising, marketing or volunteer management; summer arts program for day camp attendees; lunchtime outdoor concert series or a teen drop-in center. Proposals are due June 1. People can call 364-7408 or email [email protected] for an application.

Networkers

RUMFORD – The next monthly Community Networking meeting sponsored by the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition will be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, in the Municipal Building’s conference room.

Speaker will be Maureen Goudreau, who will explain the history of Morency Park on River Street. There will also be updates on other community activities including the River Valley Arts Initiative, a program of the Healthy Communities. This meeting is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend. For more information, people can call 364-7408.

Chisholm banquet

RUMFORD – The Chisholm Ski Club will host its annual banquet for club members. It will honor the boys and girls ski team members of Mountain Valley High School as well as the junior ski team members. Special recognition is given to racers who have made it to the Eastern Maine Ski Team and the Junior Olympics.

The banquet will be Friday, May 28, at Park Place, Hancock St. in Rumford. Social hour will be at 5 p.m. followed by a hot buffet at 6 p.m. The response deadline is Friday, May 21.

Art show

BETHEL – The 25th annual Faye Taylor Memorial Art Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at the Dr. Moses Mason House Exhibit Hall. This year’s theme is “River Ferries on the Androscoggin.” Elementary students in SAD 44 (grades 1-6) are invited to participate in the show with a finished (meaning having a paper completely covered with color) painting in any medium (crayon, oils, tempera, watercolor, chalk, etc.) no larger than 12 inches by 18 inches. It must be at the Dr. Moses Mason House by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 28, to be considered for a prize. At least three judges will look at all entries on Saturday morning and their decision will be final regarding each entry and how it relates to this year’s theme. No entry will be considered with writing or lettering (except as part of a sign) on the front side.