Art exhibit applications

TOPSHAM — Topsham Public Library is accepting applications for the annual art exhibit, “The Joy of Art.” The deadline for the submission of applications is Dec. 21.

The annual juried art exhibit features original artwork by year-round Maine residents, both amateur and professional. Prizes will be awarded in categories including mixed media, oil/acrylic, other media, pastels and watercolor. Applications may be obtained at the library or at www.topshamlibrary.org.

Artwork will be accepted at the library from the first week in January. The exhibit will be held from Jan. 5 through Feb. 16. All entries must be available for the entire show. Joy of Art is sponsored by the Friends of the Topsham Public Library.

The library is at 25 Foreside Road. For more information, call Topsham Public Library at 725-1727 or visit www.topshamlibrary.org.

Free dinner on Nov. 22

NEW GLOUCESTER — The New Gloucester Bible Church is having a free Thanksgiving-Day dinner for anyone dining alone or not able to afford a nice meal. It will be held at the Fellowship Hall from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22. Call Pastor Dan at 926-3140 or just come.

Shop local at ‘Crafts in the Stacks’

LEWISTON — Neighborhood Handmade, a new craft collaborative in Lewiston, announces “Crafts in the Stacks,” to be held in the Lewiston Public Library’s Callahan Hall on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The show will feature a wide variety of handmade wares from local artisans: from jams to jewelry, from scarves to soaps, from mittens to miniatures. There will be raffles for many prizes including a gift certificate to Davinci’s Eatery, a month’s worth of fresh artisan bread from Forage Market and a private tour and tasting from Baxter Brewing Company.

For more information, call (207) 200-6436 or visit neighborhoodhandmade.com.

Sabattus Legion craft fair Nov. 24

SABATTUS — The Sabattus American Legion Auxiliary will hold their annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. For more information contact Joan Caron at 375-4639, Denise Michaud at 946-5502 or Judy Cyr at 375-4402.

New Gloucester tree lighting

NEW GLOUCESTER — The annual New Gloucester Tree Lighting will be held on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 4:30 p.m. at the New Gloucester Town Hall, Route 231.

MC Kevin Fowler will introduce the Gray-New Gloucester Chorus, the holiday sing-along and the lucky child who lights “Tiny Timber,” the holiday tree.

The Public Library will sponsor an open house with refreshments. The Historical Society will hold an open house at the History Barn. The event is free and open to the public.

St. Michael’s Christmas Fair

AUBURN — Episcopal Churchwomen of St. Michael’s Parish will hold their annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, at 78 Pleasant St.

There will be baked goods, candy, preserves, kitchen items, wreaths, jewelry, silent auction, children’s room, crafts, quilts and knitted items.

A hot soup luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nezinscot Valley Holiday Fair

BUCKFIELD — The Nezinscot Valley Holiday Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Buckfield High School.

Photos with Santa begin at 10 a.m. Lunch items will include hot dogs, chowder, Italians and fried dough.

Live musical performances throughout the day. Shop local with more than 90 crafter and vendor booths.

Sponsored by the Nezinscot Valley Music Boosters. All proceeds from the event go to music and performing arts enrichment and events for Nezinscot Valley schools (Hartford-Sumner Elementary School and Buckfield Jr./Sr. High School) and the community.

Shaker Christmas Fair is Dec. 1

NEW GLOUCESTER — The Shaker Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26.

There will be gifts for all ages in the 1816 Trustees’ Office and the Merry Christmas Garage, as well as Shaker holiday baked goods, cheese, pickles, Shaker apples, free cider pressing and a traditional Advent barbecue lunch.

Poland Church Christmas fair

POLAND — A Christmas fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Poland Community Church, Route 26.

There will be a silent auction, twice nice items, baked goods and food.

To donate items, call Dixie at 998-4745.

Leavitt Ski teams plan bottle drive

TURNER — The Leavitt Ski Teams will hold their annual bottle drive on Saturday, Dec. 1. The drive benefits the Leavitt Nordic and Alpine Teams through the Ski Boosters Organization, which assists the teams with uniforms, skis, waxes and other equipment.

Leavitt skiers will go to homes in Leeds, Greene and Turner and collect bottles and cans from donors. Collections begin at 9 a.m. and go throughout the day. If donors cannot be home on Dec. 1, they can call 207-314-1769 and arrange a pick-up ahead of the bottle drive or at a time of their convenience.

Bottles can also be delivered for the drive to either Shrep’s Redemption at the corner of Route 117 and Cobb Road in Turner, or Greenhorn Redemption Center, Route 106, Leeds. All donors can enter into a drawing for a one-night stay at the Inn on the River at Forks, centrally located for snowmobiling, fishing or rafting trips.

Area parents of Leavitt students can volunteer to drive for the bottle drive, and can contact Mark Evans at 314-1769 to find out how to obtain a route. Drivers are also entered into a drawing for a stay at the Inn at the River.

Ye Olde Christmas Fair is Dec. 1

WINTHROP — Winthrop Congregational Church UCC Ye Olde Christmas Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.

The fair will feature home-baked foods, Christmas cookies, candy, jellies, nature crafts, Needle & Thread, gifts, ornaments, jewelry, wreaths and winter evergreen sprays. Silent auction items will include certificates, donations and services from many local businesses and members; Rada Cutlery and dishcloths. A raffle is also planned.

A luncheon at 11 a.m. will feature lobster rolls, fish chowder, vegetable beef soup, hamburgers and hot dogs, with apple crisp for dessert.

The church is accessible to all, including wheelchairs. All proceeds will benefit the church.