TOPS

NORWAY — TOPS meets Tuesdays in the Association Hall at Town & Country Mobile Home Village, 99 Town & Country Drive, Norway. Weigh-in is from 4-4:45 p.m. and the meeting is from 5-6 p.m. Yearly membership is $32 and monthly dues are $5 which includes a bimonthly magazine subscription to TOPS News. TOPS is a nonjudgemental weight loss support group and there is no food to buy or diet to follow – a healthy lifestyle is promoted. For more information call Mary at 743-6992 or at 461-1010.

Survivors

STATE — The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) has announced two new services for survivors of sexual harassment and assault: text support and chat support. In addition to the statewide sexual assault helpline, people can text the helpline number, 1-800-871-7741, or go to mecasa.org to chat with an advocate.
These services are available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Support includes free, private support from a trained sexual assault advocate, information and resources that can help with next steps in healing or criminal justice proceedings and referrals for longer-term support like mental health help. The new services are yet to be available 24-hours due to limited funding. The helpline is available 24 hours. For more information visit mecasa.org/onlinehelp/.

Respite Care

LEWISTON — Those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia and paying out-of-pocket or unable to afford home care can get help through SeniorsPlus, which offers respite reimbursement services to help keep care partners at home. For more information contact SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241.

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Al-Anon

NORWAY — Al-Anon meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Second Congregational Church in Norway on 205 Main St.

Seniors

LOVELL — The Gathering Place meets on Thursdays, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lovell UCC Church on 1174 Main St.This is free and open to any senior who wishes to drop in. Bring your own lunch and coffee, tea and snacks are provided. A hot meal is provided on the first Thursday of each month. This is a time for fellowship, games, art and special events. For more information call the church at 925-1321.

4-H poultry

HARRISON — Feathered Friends is a new 4-H poultry club seeking members ages 5-18. The club will focus on all things poultry, including learning how to care for, raise and show chickens, ducks and turkeys. 4-H is a national organization for youth ages 5 to 18 to learn life skills through hands-on work in a variety of project areas.
Participation in Feathered Friends will give members access to participate in six countywide 4-H events, including the Cumberland Fair.
Participation is free, although each club typically requests a nominal fee. For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call or email Sara Conant, 781-6099,sara.conant@maine.edu or visit umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/cumberland-county-4-h/clubs/.

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Thrift Shop

LOVELL — The Lovell UCC Thrift Shop is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The shop is full of really nice things with more coming in all the time. The shop is very much in need of people to help out an hour or two anytime you can. For more information call Pat Stearns at 925-6536 or Peg Mason at 935-7528.

Kids’ Korner

WEST PARIS — The Kids’ Korner located at the First Universalist Church of West Paris, 208 Main St. is open the first and third Saturdays of the month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free service for area communities, Kids’ Korner collects and donates new and gently used clothing for infants and toddlers. A current need is boys and girls toddler sizes 2T and 5T. For more information call Donna Marshall, donnarae.marshall59@gmail.com, 515-0595.

Cancer Support

NORWAY — The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine is located at 199 Main St. in the Stephens Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic building. All programs, comfort items and many resources are free to anyone impacted by cancer. Hours are Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by or call 890-0329 or check out www.crcofwm.org.

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Hobby groups

HARRISON — Hobby groups for knitting, crocheting and other hobbies using yarn will resume meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. every Monday at the Caswell Conservancy Center, Main Street. The group is open to all, whether experienced or a beginner.

Crafts

PARIS — The Paris Public Library will host craft programs the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 -8 p.m. downstairs in the Deering Memorial Community Center on Main Street. Activities are for ages 6 to adult. Individuals are asked to sign up in advance so sufficient supplies are available. The programs, with all materials, are free and sponsored by the Paris Public Library’s Friends Group, The Seneca Club. For more information or to sign up, call the library at 743-6994 or email paris.public.library@MSLN.net.

NORWAY — 3-6 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, 199 Main St. Norway Join Karen for an afternoon of crafts, fun, laugher and fellowship!

AMVETS

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PARIS — AMVETS Post 777, which serves the Oxford Hills, holds monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the American Legion, 12 Church Street. Meetings are open to all veterans. For more information call 595-7324.

Fellowship

LOVELL — The Gathering Place, a senior fellowship group, meets Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lovell United Church of Christ, 1174 Main St. Meetings are free and open to any senior who wishes to drop in. Folks attending the meetings should bring their own lunch. Coffee, tea and snacks are provided. A hot meal is provided on the first Thursday of each month. Chair yoga is offered on the third Thursday of the month. This is a time for fellowship, games, art and special events. For more information call the church office at 925-1321.

Worship

NORWAY — Voices in the Silence will be held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of Norway on 479 Main St. For more information call 743-2828.

Observatory

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NORWAY — The Twitchell Observatory is offering Open Observatory Nights on the first clear Friday and/or Saturday night of every month. Volunteers share the sky with visitors using the observatory’s telescope, as well as their own. These events are free. For more information visit the observatory’s website at https://tinyurl.com/y9k6scyl, the observatory’s Facebook page or contact webmaster@twitchellobservatory.org.

Yoga

OTISFIELD — Otisfield Recreation Department is excited to have Laurie Phillips, a certified Yoga instructor, offer Yoga Classes at the Otisfield Town Office. Class begins at 5:30 and lasts for an hour and 15 minutes. For more information and suggestions on clothing, what to bring, etc. call Anne at 539-9101 x 2.

HARRISON — 10-11 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Caswell Conservancy Center. 42 Main St., Harrison. Having trouble getting on your knees to do yoga? This chair-based yoga class will offer the benefits of other yoga classes but use a chair as a prop for support, balance, or advancing the pose as appropriate for each student. This class will incorporate an exploration of alignment, strength, balance, flexibility, breath, and relaxation. For more information, call 890-0329.

Quilters

NORWAY — The Pine Needle Quilters of Norway and Paris, meets every Thursday, from 9 a.m.-noon in the Community Room at the Norway Town Office, 19 Danforth St. All are welcome. For more information call Maury at 461-3377.

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MECHANIC FALLS — Area residents who enjoy crafts and companionship are invited to join community and church members at the Anglican Church of the Transfiguration (formerly the Mechanic Falls Congregational Church) on Elm St. for the Bog Hoot Quilt Society meeting. The group meet is at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. The entrance to the downstairs is from the driveway to the church. There are plenty of tables for quilting projects, an ironing board and a cutting board, and the coffee pot is on. Participants are invited to bring any project they are working on, including knitting, crocheting and needle crafts, or they may join in on church projects.

The Table

NORWAY — The Table at the Norway Grange continues to offer free Friday night activities from 6-8 p.m. These activities are chemical free family/community focused. Each week the team offers game nights, movie nights and open mic karaoke. Free pizza and popcorn along with drinks are available each week.
The Table offers a free weekly community breakfast each Saturday from 8-9 a.m. at the Norway Grange.

On December 13, from 6-8 p.m. the Table Free Friday Fun Night will hold a 1990’s night with music and games.

On December 20, from 6-8 p.m. there will be a community Christmas party. Free fun for everyone!
On December 27, from 6-8 p.m. there will be a night of free Bingo with prizes.
Join the group on Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. for worship at Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church or watch it on YouTube. During Advent “The Redemption of Scrooge” is the sermon series.
A candlelight Christmas eve service will be held at 7 p.m. at the Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church. A-J Alexander, certified lay minister, will lead the worship service. All are invited to come.
The Table is a ministry and mission of the Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church, Norway Grange and the Community. For more information or if interested in volunteering with activities of The Table feel free to call A-J Alexander, director of The Table Ministries at 461-3093 or email at aaturnleft3@gmail.com.

Widows Support

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OTISFIELD — The Widows Support Group meets every third week on Tuesdays at the Otisfield Town Office Annex 403, State Rte. 121, Otisfield, from 1:30-3:00. Refreshments will be served. The group is to help connect widows of the area with local resources through handouts, lectures, demos and where needed, workshops. This is not a club and you will be able to find the subject time and place on Otisfieldme.gov website, click on calendar, so you can choose which meetings you want to attend.

Texas Hold’em

OXFORD — Texas Hold’ems are held the third Saturday of every month until the end of the year at American Legion Post 112 on King St. Doors open at 12 p.m., table draws are 12:50 p.m. and the game starts at 1 p.m. The games generally end by 6 p.m. There is a $50 buy in and $5 high hand.

Banding

NORWAY — 9-10 a.m. on Thursdays at Bader Physical Therapy, 176 Main St. This is a light to moderate exercise class that will help you improve your flexibility, balance and strength. For cancer survivors and caregivers.

Cancer Resource

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NORWAY — The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine is located in the Stephens Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic building at 199 Main St. Drop in hours are Tuesdays 3-6 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Center provides comfort items (such as port protectors, new wigs, hats, quilts and pillows), a lending library of cancer information, and coupons for free complimentary therapies (reiki, reflexology, therapeutic yoga, and Oncology massage) to individuals with cancer and their caregiver. They also sponsor cancer support groups for men and women and weekly drop in classes: Chair yoga at the Caswell Conservancy in Harrison (Monday and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.), Yoga Warriors at Posabilities in Norway (Wednesdays at 3pm), and Banding to Restore, an exercise class at Bader Physical Therapy in Norway (Thursdays at 9 a.m.). The Center is also a place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, chat with a volunteer or participate in one of the craft activities offered on Tuesday afternoons (3-6 p.m.).
For information check the monthly calendar on their website www.crcofwm.org, find them on Facebook or call 890-0329.

Consignment items

CANTON — The Canton Historical Society is putting out a call for consignment items by local artists and artisans. Would you like to have your items for sale at the Canton Historical Society Gift Shop through fall and the holiday season? The artists or artisans receive 60% of their sales and 40% goes to the CHS, There is limited space, so we the Society is looking for items under $50, especially knitted hats and mittens, small quilted items like potholders, placemats and table runners and other useful handmade articles. To be considered, email cantonmehistorical@gmail.com.

Quilt raffle

WATERFORD — A Santa quilt raffle fundraiser is being held in Waterford. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and can be purchased at the Waterford town office. For more information, call 583-244.

Community sing

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PARIS — A Holiday Community Sing-a-long will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, at Deering Memorial Community Center, 39 Main St., So. Paris. In this gift to the community, everyone of all ages is invited to join in, or just enjoy, as the Community Choir, under the direction of Dennis Boyd, sings a variety of classic and favorite festive seasonal songs. Admission to the performance is free, though donations are welcome. Parking is available in the town lot behind the Paris Public Library and Paris Town Office.
For more information, please contact the Paris Public Library, caretakers of the Deering Memorial Community Center, by calling 743-6994, or email paris.public.library@MSLN.net.

Children’s Parties

WEST PARIS — On Saturday, Dec. 14, Ring McKeen Unit 151 will be hosting a kids Christmas party at the Post Home on Church St. in W. Paris. This party will start at 1 p.m. and continue until 3 p.m. There will be many activities for the children including cookie decorating, coloring sheets, crafts and other fun stuff. And yes Santa will be joining in. Any questions, please contact Dorene at 674-2346 or Linda at 739-9831.

PARIS — Paris Public Library’s annual Children’s Holiday Party will be on Saturday, Dec.14, from 12:30- 2:30 p.m. at the library, 37 Market Sq. Participants will be able to visit with Santa, make seasonal crafts, play holiday-themed games, enjoy a scavenger hunt, and decorate cookies. The party is a drop-in event, open to all and free. For more information, please call the library at 743-6994 or email paris.public.library@MSLN.net.

Giving Tree

PARIS — Oxford County Mental Health Services invites those who wish to help local families in need this holiday season to visit its Giving Tree, located at its 17 Gary St. office. On the tree are tags with various gift requests, which include age, item and size if applicable. Also welcome are donations of adult and children mittens, gloves, hats, scarfs, socks and non-perishable food items. The Giving Tree will be up until December 17. Wrapped or unwrapped gifts may be dropped off by December 18, so that case managers will have time to deliver to the families. For more information, please contact Oxford County Mental Health Services in South Paris at 739-7001.

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Book Club

PARIS — On Tuesday, Dec.17, at 6:30 p.m. Paris Public Library’s multi-age Novel Idea Book Club will engage in oral reading the delightful, junior fiction book, “The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip” by multi-literature-award winning author, George Sauders. “The Very Persistent Gappers” is a “delightful read for all ages and includes the power of kindness, compassion and community.” (Goodreads) The story is about Capable and her father who live in the seaside village of Frip along with 2 other families. The economy of the small village is based on goat milk which has been plagued by gappers, which are baseball sized, orange creatures that have attached themselves to everyone’s’ goats. The community needs to find a solution to this devastating problem to thrive. If any book is worth oral reading in a group, it is this funny irreverently written book.
New members are always welcome. To borrow a book to pre-read please contact the Paris Public Library at 743-6994.

Genealogy Workshop

BRIDGTON — Maine State Organization of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be holding a genealogy workshop on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12:45-2:45 p.m. in the meeting room of the Bridgton Public Library. The workshop will focus on tracing lineage back to those who rendered patriotic service during the American Revolution. The DAR is a lineage-based women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. For more information, call 925-1076.

Suppers

NORWAY — The Second Congregational Church serves its free monthly supper from 5-6 p.m. on the third Friday of the month at 205 Main St. All are welcome. For more information contact the church office at 743-2290.

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HARTFORD — On the first Friday of each month people from Hartford and surrounding area get together to share food, laughter, games and sometimes music in a goodwill potluck supper at the Hartford Town Hall. Come one and come all and no need to be fancy in dress or in food that you prepare. For more information call Lennie Eichman at 320-9125

Community pot luck and open mic.

OXFORD — A community pot luck and open mic will be held on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Oxford Rec Center. Bring a dish to share and come and meet your neighbors. Play a fiddle, carry a tune and come and share your talent.

WATERFORD — Community suppers are held on the third Thursday of each month from Oct.-May (excluding Dec.). Please bring a main dish, salad, or dessert to the pot luck hosted by the Raymonds and Nancy Engdahl. Beverages will be provided.The Wilkins House is located on Plummer Hill (beside the church) in Waterford Flat.Everyone is welcome to attend.

Luncheons

NORWAY — A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be offered from 12-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 12-3 at the First Universalist Church, 479 Main St., Norway. Menu includes roast turkey, squash, peas, down home stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and pies for dessert plus coffee and soft drinks. All are welcome.

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POLAND — Life Springs serves luncheons to seniors at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Poland Community Church, 1212 Maine St. Cost is free. For more information call 998-4779.

NORWAY — Oxford Hills Area Association of Churches serves the Norway Community Free Lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Universalist Church, 479 Main St. Anyone can eat a nutritious lunch and no questions asked.

WATERFORD — Waterford Sports & Recreation will be hosting a community luncheon on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Wilkins House on Plummer Hill Road. The lunch starts at 12 p.m. followed by dessert and bingo with prizes ending at 2 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $3 per person.

Breakfasts

NORWAY — The Community Free Breakfast is at 8 a.m. in the Norway Grange, Whitman St.

MECHANIC FALLS — The American Legion serves breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month at 41 Elm St.


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