Young children not allowed in hospital due to flu season

FARMINGTON — For the safety of the babies on the Franklin Memorial Hospital Maternal and Child Health Unit (MCH), no children under the age of 12 are allowed on the unit during flu season, unless they are healthy siblings of an infant in the unit. All other visitors must also be feeling well and should wash their hands before and after entering the unit.

“We need to protect our vulnerable patients,” said Rebecca Wood, VP of patient care services and chief nursing officer. “Because newborns cannot be vaccinated for flu, they should not have any unnecessary exposure to people with respiratory or other contagious illnesses.”

Influenza activity in Maine is now widespread, with providers reporting laboratory confirmed influenza in all 16 counties. Maine’s Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory confirmed influenza A/pH1N1, influenza A/H3, influenza B/Victoria, and influenza B/Yamagata are all circulating in Maine.

For additional information, contact the MCH unit at 779-2295.

Society to hold potluck, meeting

FARMINGTON — The Farmington Historical Society will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at Pierce House, 204 Main St.

It will begin with a potluck followed by a short meeting. The prrogram will be “A Farmington Native: Opera Diva, Madame Lillian Nordica,” presented by Crystal Williams, curator of The Nordica Homestead Museum in Farmington.

Parking and entrance in rear of building. This event is open to the public.

Extension homemakers to meet

CHESTERVILLE — The North Chesterville Extension Homemakers will meet  at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Town Office.

From 7 to 7:30 p.m. join the guest speaker, Dave Fuller of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in learning about creative uses of balsam fir beyond two-by-fours and pulp for paper. See hands-on examples as well as through a slideshow.

This free event is for all ages and all are welcome to attend.

For more information, call 207-778-3156.

Garden lecture series continues

PARIS — The McLaughlin Garden lecture series continues at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the historic Tribou home, 97 Main St., South Paris. Mike Schwindt will present the lecture “From Seeds to Trees.”

Schwindt’s has agreed to bring his knowledge of hands on work with trees to the Oxford Hills area. Schwindt grew up in the treeless Great Plains of North Dakota, where he became interested in growing trees unique to the northern plains. This interest has led him to experiment with growing a variety of trees from seeds collected as he traveled around the country.

Tea will be served at 3:30. The lecture is free and open to the public.

This is the second of six lectures held weekly on Wednesday afternoons. Donations will be accepted for the preservation of the McLaughlin buildings and garden.

Mr. Rogers film showing, discussion

BETHEL — The film “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” will be shown at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Telstar Middle/High School auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. The movie celebrates the life and legacy of Mr. Rogers.

For over 30 years, Fred Rogers hosted the iconic television show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” teaching generations of young people about the value of kindness, being one’s self and learning about the many places and people that make up the neighborhoods where we live. This film explores the life of Mr. Rogers, the beliefs that guided him and his show, and the impact that he made upon the world.

The film is appropriate for audience members who are middle school age or older. A brief discussion will follow the movie.

This event is being hosted by the Oxford County Resiliency Project and the Telstar Parent Teacher Association.

KOC to hold free throw competition

BRIDGTON — The Knights of Columbus Council 11376 Bridgton/Fryeburg will hold a basketball Free Throw Competition at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Bridgton Old Town Hall, 26 N. High St. The event will end approximately at 7 p.m.

The competition is open to boys and girls ages 9 through 14. Age of the players is determined as of Jan. 1, 2019. Proof of age must accompany the entry form.

For more information, call 207-787-1344.

Poetry event to be held

RUMFORD — There will be poetry reading at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Rumford Library.

“Song of the Unsung” and other works by Wes McNair will be read and discussed. There will be light refreshments offered. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 207-361-3661.

Scouts to host community talent show 

RUMFORD — Scouts BSA Troop 580 of Rumford is hosting a community talent show at 6 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Montain Valley High School’s Muskie Auditorium. Doors open at 5 p.m.

The troop is searching for talented individuals of all ages to compete for a cash prize. The River Valley Talent Show costs $5 to register or $10 for a group of two or more.

Admission is $5, free for children 6 and younger.

For more information, call or text 207-418-5212 or email rjmasterson2@yahoo.com.

Annual World Day of Prayer service

RUMFORD — The annual World Day of Prayer service for the Rumford area will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Mexico Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 163 Main St. (the “Green Church”).

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women, initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions. This year’s ecumenical service has been prepared by the women of Slovenia, with the theme “Come, Everything is Ready.”

Laywomen of local churches will participate in the service. Everyone is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served following the service.

School playground benefit potluck

SUMNER — The Congregational Church of East Sumner will have a community potluck supper at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, to benefit the Hartford Sumner Elementary School fundraiser for new playground equipment. The existing equipment has been there since the mid 1990s and much of it is damaged and unusable.

The Playground Fundraiser Committee has a goal of $40,000 to be raised over the next months with a variety of events. The goal is start construction over the summer.

The meal will be potluck casseroles, salads, desserts and beverages. Raffle items include new household items and gently-used items, including puzzles and games. All donations taken in during the supper will go to the fundraiser.

For more information on the supper, call Cyndy at 207-388-2667. For more information on the fundraiser events, call Marla at 207-336-2040.