Historic documents

PORTLAND — A special Library of Congress traveling exhibition, mounted in a customized 18-wheel truck, will visit Portland this weekend.

“Gateway to Knowledge” will be in Portland on Friday, Sept. 2, and Saturday, Sept. 3, and will be parked at Monument Square. The exhibit is free and open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. both days.

For further information about the exhibit, visit www.loc.gov/gateway/.

The exhibition features facsimiles of such treasures as the 1507 Waldseemüller Map (the first document to use the word “America”); the 1455 Gutenberg Bible; the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams; the 1962 drawings for the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world; the handwritten manuscript to jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton’s “Frog-i-More Rag”; and Walt Whitman’s poem “Leaves of Grass.”

Trail damage

AUGUSTA — Now that things are starting to clear off from this past weekend’s tropical storm, Maine Snowmobile Association encourages all clubs to check their trails and infrastructure, particularly bridges and culverts for major storm related damage. Maine Emergency Management and FEMA are both soliciting reports of damage to determine what if any counties in Maine may be eligible for assistance.

Send reports of damage ASAP to the Off-Road Division of the Bureau of Parks & Lands. Contacts are joe.higgins@maine.gov, scott.ramsay@maine.gov and Shannon.D.Morin@maine.gov). Reports should include location, pictures, maps and estimated costs. The more accurate information these agencies receive, the better they will be able to provide assistance should it become available.

Country awards

MECHANIC FALLS — The Down East Country Music Association, Inc.’s 31st annual Awards Show was postponed due to the hurricane. It will be held at noon Sunday, Sept. 4, at the Silver Spur Club, Route 121/11.

This is an afternoon filled with presentation of awards and entertainment. Admission is $7 per adult, $2 per child under the age of 12.

Food concession will be open throughout the show. There will be a 50/50 drawing and raffles.

For information, contact Jackie at 793-8884 or Lolalee at 674-3104.

AARP meeting

PARIS — The Oxford Hills Chapter of AARP will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the First Congregational Church on East Main Street, South Paris. The menu includes a chicken dinner to be served at noon.

The cost is $6.50 and reservations are required by calling Ruth at 744-9069 by noon on Friday, Sept. 9. The meeting will be followed by entertainment provided by Shane Miclon. Those who have agreed to manning the AARP booth at the Oxford Fair on Sunday, Sept. 11, are reminded to check their sign-up times.

Turkey dinner

PARIS — There will be a roast turkey dinner with all the fixin’s and blueberry pie with ice cream from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Deering Memorial Methodist Church on Main and Church streets.

The cost will be $8 and $3.50 for children under 12. Ample parking will be available behind the library and Town Office.

Duck race

OXFORD — A duck race will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at the King Street Bridge. There will be a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables are available for $10.

Kids games will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Games are 25 cents and prizes are offered.

A chicken barbecue will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $6 and children for $3.50.

The duck race will be held at 2 p.m. Duck tickets are $5 each. Prizes in the duck race are first, $200; second, $150; third, $100; and last duck, $100. Tickets are being sold at Oxford Town Office, Polly’s, Record Lumber, Smedburg’s, Chrestholm Farm and Key Bank. For questions, table rentals or tickets contact Pam Lovely at 539-4563.