UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, Sept. 8: From 6-8 p.m. there will be an ice cream social and fashion show at North Windham Union Church featuring local models wearing current and vintage clothing. A fun evening for the whole family.

Sept. 8: The Knights of Columbus Council in Windham is hosting a supper 5-6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish on Route 302 in North Windham to support the work of the council. Adults are $8. Children under 12 are $3. The meal consists of chicken pot pie with homemade desserts.

Sept. 8: United Maine Craftsmen’s 11th Annual Fall Festival of Arts & Crafts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Smiling Hill Farm, 781 County Road, Route 22, in Westbrook. A show and sale of unique handcrafted products, made by more than 100 Maine artisans, on the grounds of Smiling Hill Farm. Exhibitors will be selling handcrafted pottery, fused and stained glass, jewelry, baskets, folk and fine art, wood products, specialty foods, fiber arts, soaps, candles and much more. Ample free parking, food vendors, rain or shine. Admission $2. FMI: 621-2818 or www.unitedmainecraftsmen.com.

Sunday, Sept. 9: Rippling Water’s Organic Farm is holding its 8th annual Soil to Supper from 2 to 7 p.m. rain or shine. Come celebrate the farm’s harvest with live music, tours of the permaculture gardens, and a sustainable supper featuring organic produce. Meet farm staff and other volunteers, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members, and friends who have helped increase local food security through education, action and service. The afternoon lasts from 2-7 p.m. with supper starting at 4 p.m. Music will start at 3:15 with performances by Britta Pejic and Les Frenchmen, Gin Mill Julep, the Pineries and folk singer Pierce Woodward. $10 suggested donation. Please contact greengrower@ripplingwaters.org to learn more, or call 642-5161.

Sept. 9: The First Congregational Church of Bridgton UCC will hold its annual “Rally Day” worship service at Camp Wigwam in Waterford at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this special day of worship. Traditionally a kick off to the new church year and the beginning of Sunday school, Rally Day includes worship for all ages and lots of singing. The Rev. Yael Lachman also will perform baptisms in beautiful Bear Pond. After worship there will be swimming, crafts, games and a cookout. FMI or directions to Camp Wigwam, call the church office at 647-3936 or visit www.bridgtonucc.com.

Saturday, Sept. 15: Shaker sisters had a large-scale industry known collectively as the fancy goods trade. Part of that production was the making of shag mats and rugs using weaving and knitting skills. Learn the same technique at a workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26, New Gloucester, ME. Fee: $35. Pre-registration required. Call 926-4597 for prerequisites.

Sept. 15: Upcoming country singer Lexi James with Kryer Creek will perform at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center at Fryeburg Academy at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and $5 for students (18 and under). Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office by calling 935-9232 or online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac. Group discounts are available to parties of 10 or more. The theater is located at 18 Bradley Street on the Campus of Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg. Parking is free.

Sunday, Sept. 16: Homemade Turkey Dinner to benefit scholarship recipients, from 2-4 p.m. at Sebago Town Hall, Route 107, Sebago Center. Price: $9 adult/$5 age 10 and under. Menu: roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, string beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, and apple crisp with ice cream.

Thursday, Sept. 20: “The Longest Salute: Why We Celebrate Our Veterans” is the title of a talk to be given at the monthly meeting of the New Gloucester Maine Historical Society, located next to the Town Hall, Route 231, at 7 p.m. by Steven Rogers, retired U.S. Department of Justice historian. Rogers will cover the scope of World War II and other conflicts but also his grandfather’s service in Patton’s 3rd Army and the importance of memory. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served.

Friday, Sept. 21: Keller Williams Realty Portland is sponsoring the first-ever Maine Suitcase Party fundraiser to benefit Camp Sunshine. Partygoers bring packed suitcases to the event, held in a private hangar at the Portland Jetport, with grand prize raffle winners boarding a private jet with a guest for an expenses-paid, swanky weekend in New York City. Other lucky winners and their guests will climb into limousines for luxurious weekend getaways at regional resorts and hotels. Hosted by Maine Aviation Corporation, the Maine Suitcase Party (www.mainesuitcaseparty.com) will take place from 7-11 p.m. in a private hangar at the Portland Jetport. Tickets are on sale now at www.campsunshine.org/support_us/donations/me_sp.php.

Saturday, Sept. 22: From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group would like to invite the entire community to experience Bridgton’s amazing new Kendal and Anna Ham Recreation Complex. There will be official recreation soccer games, a baseball tournament, kickball and a home run derby for the public. There will be fun things for the whole family including complex tours, bouncy house, games, and BRAG directors will be cooking up some burgers and dogs. It is sure to be a fun day and one that has been over a decade in the making.

Sept. 27-30: Schoolhouse Arts Center will present “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” written and directed by Jerry Walker, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Not appropriate for younger children due to mature themes. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Schoolhouse Arts Center is located at 16 Richville Road (Route 114) in Standish, just north of the intersection of Route 114 and Route 35. Call 642-3743 for reservations or buy tickets online at www.schoolhousearts.org.

Saturday, Sept. 29: The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its ninth annual Maine Lakes Brew Fest on the beach at Point Sebago Resort in Casco. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature up to 30 brewers and more than 90 different beers and wines to sample. Two live bands and plenty of local food vendors makes this the area’s biggest party. Tickets are $25 and $30 day of the event and are on sale now at www.mainelakesbrewfest.com, the Speedy Stop in Raymond, or at the Chamber office in Bridgton. Call 647-3472 for more information. Rain or shine.

ONGOING EVENTS

• The hours for the drop-in Lakes Region Senior Center at the Little Falls School, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham, are as follows: Monday-Thursday from 9 to 3 p.m. FMI, email lakesregion50@gmail.com or contact Glenn Lynds at 893-9088 or drop by and check them out.

• “The Writers” gather on the third Monday of each month at the Raymond Public Safety Building on Route 302, from 6-8 p.m. Authors of all types are invited to support one another, to listen and render opinions when asked, with respect and courtesy. If you are interested in joining, stop by or call Betty Libby at 655-9214.

• A free car seat check sponsored by Safe Kids Maine takes place the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Windham Fire-Rescue, 718 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), North Windham. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to provide free assistance with car seat installations and recall checks. FMI, 899-9461 or www.maineseatcheck.org.

• Until Nov. 19, American Legion bingo takes place every Monday night at the Windham Veterans Center behind Big Lots on Route 302, Windham. Doors open at 4 p.m. Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Hot food, cold drinks, other goodies. Sponsored by Standish Memorial Post 128. FMI, call 642-5583 or visit www.post128.org.

• Through October, food distribution at the food pantry at the Casco Village Church’s food pantry will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month.

• The Wings ‘N Things Clothes Closet of the Casco Village Church United Church of Christ (941 Meadow Road, Casco Village) invites you to come shopping. You won’t believe your eyes when you see all the beautiful new and gently used clothing, mostly name-brands, most $1 or less. Open Saturdays from noon-4 p.m. or by appointment. The closet will open every Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until noon in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market on the Village Green in Casco. FMI, 627-4282.

• The 2012 schedule for tours of the historic Scribner’s Sawmill and Homestead has been set for the summer season from 1-4 p.m. and continuing on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer months ending on Labor Day weekend. When open, there will be demonstration of barrel assembly and shingle making. In the 1849 Scribner Homestead museum, visitors will learn about the five generations of Scribners who operated or worked in the mill and take a peek into the life of the Scribner family. Entrance is free, however, all donations go toward the permitting process to establish a low head dam with a fishway for the operation of the water driven mill machinery. Scribner’s Mill is found one mile south of Bolster’s Mills from Jesse Mill Road just over the bridge in the Town of Harrison. Or follow the Maine State directional signs found at Carsley Rd. from Rte 35 north or Maple Ridge Rd. from Rte. 117 to the mill. FMI or to schedule a visit call 583-MILL.

(To list an event in this calendar, please e-mail info to jbalentine@keepmecurrent.com)