Items submitted to Check it Out must be events that benefit nonprofit organizations and be open to the public. Submissions should be received at least seven days in advance of the event.

Lewiston area

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 14: Babytime, 10:30 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Infants up to 2 1/2. FMI: 513-3133.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 14: “Food for Thought” luncheon, noon, USM Lewiston-Auburn College, Function Room 170. $7 in advance, $8 at door. Program: “Curiosity as a Tool for Enriching One’s Life”. Reservations by noon Jan. 13: 753-6510.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 15: Saturday stories, 9:30 a.m., Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. Ages 2-6. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 15: Sprouts, 10:30-10:50 a.m., Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. Infants up to 24 months. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 15: Bean and American chop suey supper, 4:30-5:30 p.m., St. Louis Church basement, Third St. Adults $6, ages 12 and under $3. Held by Andy Valley Knights of Columbus, Council 8742.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 15: Karaoke/dance with Jean Louis, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., William J. Rogers American Legion #152, 71 S. Main St. Free. FMI: 782-1118.

Bowdoinham, Saturday, Jan. 15: Contradance beginners workshop and dance, 7:30-11 p.m., Town Hall, 3 School St. $9. Dance starts at 8 p.m. All dances taught. FMI: 666-3090 or 666-3709.

New Gloucester, Saturday, Jan. 15: Bean supper, 5-6 p.m., Amvets Post 6. $7, under 6-11 $3, under 6 free.

Lewiston, Sunday, Jan. 16: Singles dance with music by Murky Water, 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 150 East Ave. $9. Ages 21 and over. Doors open at 6 p.m. FMI: 784-0389.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 18: Pre-school story time, 10:30 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 2 1/2 to 5. FMI: 513-3133.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 18: Kids clothes closet, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Toy Library, 134 College St. FMI: 782-1112.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 18: Vinie Burrows performance, 12:30 p.m., Bates College Olin Arts Center.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 19: Preschool story time, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. Ages 3-5. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 19: Teen anime club, 3-4 p.m., Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Lewiston, Wednesday, Jan. 19: Community sing-along of favorite French songs, 1:15-2:15 p.m., USM Lewiston-Auburn College, Room 170, 51 Westminster St. Free. Sponsored by the Franco-American Collection. FMI: 753-6545.

Mechanic Falls, Wednesday, Jan. 19: American Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 90 Lewiston St.

Poland, Wednesday, Jan. 19: Stories about indigenous female leaders told by Bonnie Shulman, noon to 1 p.m., Ricker Memorial Library. FMI: 998-4390.

Auburn, Thursday, Jan. 20: Fiction book discussion: “Winter Garden”, 6-7 p.m., Library, 49 Spring St. Meet at Reference Desk. FMI: 333-6640 ext. 2.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 20: Kids clothes closet, 11 a.m. to noon, The Toy Library, 134 College St. FMI: 782-1112.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 20: Kids cooking club for ages 7-14, 4 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. Sponsored by Lots to Gardens. Sign up at 513-3133.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 20: Program on oppressed African women by Vinie Burrows, 7 p.m., Bates College, Schaeffer Theater.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 20: Great Falls Forum titled “Federal Health Care Reform and its Impact on Maine,” presented by former director of of the governor’s office on Health Policy and Finance, Trish Riley, 12-1 p.m., Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St.. Q&A session will follow. Free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch; bottled water will be available. FMI: 513-3135.

Auburn, Friday, Jan. 21: Teen open mic night, 6-8 p.m., Library, Androscoggin Community Room, 49 Spring St. Sign up at 5:30 p.m. Bring can of food for Auburn Middle School’s Green Closet. FMI: Sally 333-6640 ext. 4 or sholt@auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Lewiston, Friday, Jan. 21: Story time for ages 0-2 1/2, 10:30 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org.

Lisbon, Friday, Jan. 21: Beef stew supper, 5:30-6:30 p.m., VFW Post 9459. $6. Meeting to follow. Sponsored by Auxiliary. FMI: 353-2122.

Auburn, Saturday, Jan. 22: Sprouts program for ages 0-24 months, 10:30-10:50 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 49 Spring St. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Gray, Saturday, Jan. 22: Bean supper, 5 p.m., First Congregational Church, Route 115. $7, under 12 $3. Handicapped-accessible. FMI: 657-4279, day of supper 657-3279.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 22: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., L-A Harley Davidson, 839 Main St.

Lewiston, Saturday, Jan. 22: Chili and Chowder Competition, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Maine Powersports, 845 Main Street. $5. Benefits Advocates for Children. Sponsored by United Bikers of Maine. Pre-register entry and FMI: Larry 375-8407.

Lisbon Falls, Saturday, Jan. 22: Baked bean and ham supper, 5-6:30 p.m., Lisbon Methodist Church, School St. Adults $6, children ages 6-12 $3, ages 5 and under free. Sponsored by the Methodist Women. FMI: 353-8951.

Sabattus, Saturday, Jan. 22: Bean supper and dance, 5-9:30 p.m., Jacques Cartier Club, Wales Road. Supper $6, dance $5, both $10. Music by The Trio. FMI: 375-4850.

Auburn, Sunday, Jan. 23: Breakfast, 10 a.m., VFW Post 1603, 588 Minot Ave. $4/$5. Benefits New Auburn Little League Baseball. FMI: 784-6883.

Lewiston, Sunday, Jan. 23: Dance with music by Patio Cowboys, 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 150 East Ave. $9. Doors open at 6 p.m. FMI: 784-0389.

Auburn, Monday, Jan. 24: Sweet peas program for ages 24-36 months, 10:30-11 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 49 Spring St. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Lewiston, Monday, Jan. 24: All-ages story time, 6 p.m., Library Children’s Room, 200 Lisbon St. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org.

Auburn, Tuesday, Jan. 25: Brown bag lunch and “open book” discussion, 12-1 p.m., Library, Grand Reading Room, 49 Spring St. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 25: Preschool story time, 10:30 a.m., Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Ages 2 1/2 to 5. FMI: 513-3133 or www.lplonline.org.

Lewiston, Tuesday, Jan. 25: Kids clothes closet, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Toy Library, 134 College St. FMI: 782-1112.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 26: Story time for ages 3-5, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., Library Children’s Room, 49 Spring St. FMI: 333-6640 or www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

Auburn, Wednesday, Jan. 26: Penobscot Job Corps for ages 16-24, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Library, Androscoggin Community Room, 49 Spring St. Space limited. Pre-register: 333-6640 ext. 4.

Lewiston, Thursday, Jan. 27: Peek-A-Boo puppet show, 10 a.m., The Toy Library, 134 College St. $2. FMI: 782-1112.