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/.
Kite flying
NORWAY — Color the Sky, Kite Fly!, a kite-flying group, will hold monthly outings on selected weekends in Norway and surrounding towns, dates to depend on the wind and weather. Time of kite-flying sessions will be from 1-4 p.m., meeting at area location. The outings are free and open to all. Contact Terry atcolorthesky3@gmail.com to for an introductory, informational email. To receive outing notifications, either request to be placed on the e-mail notification list or sign on as a member on the group’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/yadtn6ms. Those interested may also text or leave a message at 890-5207.
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 ontact SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241.
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/.
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.
Hobbies
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
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.
Swap Shop
SUMNER — The summer hours at the Swap Shop (located at the Buckfield/Sumner transfer station) are: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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
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 OtisfieldTown Office. Class begins at 5:30 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.
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.
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
OTISFIELD — The Widows Support Group meets every third week on Tuesdays at the OtisfieldTown 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’ems
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
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 10am), Yoga Warriors at Posabilities in Norway (Wednesdays at 3pm), and Banding to Restore, an exercise class at Bader Physical Therapy in Norway (Thursdays at 9am). 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 (3-6pm).
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
Holiday Fairs
BUCKFIELD — The Nezinscot Valley Holiday Fair will be held Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Buckfield High School. Shop local at nearly 100 local crafter and vendor booths. Santa visits from 10 a.m.-noon. Lunch items will be hot dogs, Italians, desserts and more. There will also be live musical performances throughout the day.
The fair is sponsored by the Nezinscot Valley Music Boosters.
NORWAY — A Christmas Fair will be held from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Christ Episcopal Church, 45 Paris St. There will be basket raffles, Finnish baked goods, crafters and vendors, Christmas items, food and much more. Come for lots of fun and laughter!
NORWAY — A holiday craft fair will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at Norway Center for Health & Rehab, 29 Marion Ave. The fair will feature local crafters, a ticket auction and bake sale.
CD sale
PARIS — The Paris Public Library is having a music CD sale on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Deering Memorial Community Center, across from the library. A library patron donated over 5,500 previously owned CDs, covering a wide range of music genres, to the library to use for a fundraiser. Before or after the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, stop by the Community Center, located at 39 Main Street in South Paris, to check out the selection. The CDs will sell for 50 cents each or 6 for $2.00. For more information, please call the Paris Public Library at 743-6994 or email paris.public.library@MSLN.net.
Socrates Cafe
BRIDGTON — Socrates Cafe will meet on Monday, Dec. 2, at the Bridgton Community Center. Meet and greet is from 6:15-6:30 p.m. Discussion is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with the topic “What Can I Do To Make Life Worth Living?” Moderator will be Ursula Flaherty. Light refreshments provided. For more information (weather issues, etc.) call 583-6957.
Seneca Club
PARIS — The Seneca Club of the Paris Public Library will be meeting on Tuesday Dec. 3, from 7-8 p.m. in the Deering Memorial Community Center. This is to review the efforts of the past year and to look ahead to 2020. Hopefully, you will attend and bring another “Friend of the Library” with you! Your continued support is appreciated.
Library
BRYANT POND — Ring in the season with music! The Whitman Memorial Library will be having a sing-a-long with the Oxford Hills Ukulele Group on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. This has become an annual affair. There is no charge to the public and holiday refreshments will be served. Come and join the fun.
Kids party
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.
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.
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, at12-3:00 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.
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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