(To list an event in this calendar, please e-mail info to [email protected])

Saturday, Feb. 4: Second annual Chili Challenge from 1-5 p.m. at the North Windham Union Church on Route 302. Do you make a fabulous chili? Be a participant. Do you like to eat chili? Come and sample some of the areas finest and get to vote for the People’s Choice. For more information, call Marge Govoni at 892-7192.

Feb. 4: As part of Saint Joseph’s College’s 100th anniversary, the college is hosting a Chocolate Lounge and Ice Bar on Saturday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Harold Alfond Center, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Check out the decadent dessert buffet in the Chocolate Lounge. Enjoy cocktails by the fireplace and listen to the sweet sounds of Encore, a string duo. A free photo booth will capture the fun. On the outside patio, a lighted ice bar will serve drinks, including a signature Centennial cocktail, and dessert. The event is 21-plus and admission is $10 with a cash bar. RSVP to [email protected] or call 893-7890 by Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Feb. 4: The Standish Sno-Seekers Winter Fest will start at 10 a.m. at Johnson Field on Route 35. There will be a poker rally with prizes for the top three hands. $5 donation per hand. There will be food available and a snowmobile safety check at 10 a.m. Registration for the poker rally will be from 10-11:30 a.m. The rally (which could range from 30 to 60 miles if trail conditions allow) will start at 11:30 a.m.

Feb. 4: Royal River Rod & Gun Club, in cooperation with Sabbathday Lake Grange, hosts an annual benefit ice fishing derby on Sabbathday Lake from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the three largest fish caught and weighed. First prize is a gas-powered ice auger donated by Kittery Trading Post. Second prize is a portable two-man ice fishing shelter donated by Cabela’s in Scarborough. Third prize is a $100 gift card. Food and beverages will be available and door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event. All tickets are $15 and are available in advance or may be purchased on the day of the derby. FMI and tickets, please call or email Roger Hines, 926-3943 ([email protected]) or Pete Thoits, 657-4184 ([email protected]).

Feb. 4: Gray Republicans will caucus at 10 a.m. at Henry Pennell Municipal Complex, 24 Main St. in Gray. Voter check-in and registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Caucus business will include electing members to the Cumberland County Republican Committee, electing delegates and alternates to the State Republican Convention and electing officers to the Town Committee. All Gray Republicans and any Gray residents wishing to enroll as Republican are encouraged to attend. Gray’s Registrar will be on hand to accept new registrations and update registrations for any Gray voter wishing to enroll as a Republican.

Monday, Feb. 6: The National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Group, which is a confidential group that helps families dealing with a friend or family member battling a mental illness meets 7-8:30 p.m. at the Raymond Public Safety Building on Route 302, upstairs in the meeting rooms on the left entrance. For info, call Eileen at 655-4193.

Feb. 8-9: Schoolhouse Arts Center will hold auditions for “Steel Magnolias” on Feb. 8 and 9 at 6 p.m. at the Standish Congregational Church (25 Oak Hill Road, Standish). Show dates are April 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29. “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling is a touching comedy drama with roles for six women. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. For more information, call Schoolhouse Arts Center at 642-3743 or log onto www.schoolhousearts.org.

Thursday, Feb. 9: The Raymond Republican Party will hold their party caucus at 7 p.m. at the Raymond Town Office. The meeting is a time to learn more about candidates and to interact with them. The Raymond Republican Party will also be electing its officers and discussing efforts to support and forward our views in 2012. FMI, contact Rep. Mike McClellan at 329-6148 or [email protected].

Feb. 9: Standish Republicans will hold their annual caucus at 6 p.m. at the Standish Town Hall. FMI, contact: Town Committee Chair Will Hamilton at 939-8558 or [email protected] or Town Committee Secretary Todd Delaney at 415-1308 or [email protected].

Feb. 10-12: The Naples Winter Carnival in and around downtown Naples. Events include an ice fishing derby, snowmobile radar runs, snowmobile poker rally, helicopter rides, antique snowmobiles, hay rides, snow coach rides and fireworks. Come to the Naples Town Dock on Long Lake and enjoy the fun. For more information check out www.muddyriversnoseekers.org or call organizer Dan Allen at 318-6965.

Saturday, Feb. 11: The Cabin Fever Sale takes place 8 a.m. to noon at the New Gloucester Public Library. Great bargains will abound including a large selection of gently used books (.50 for hardbacks & .25 for paperbacks), games, puzzles, and audio-visual items. In addition, yummy baked goods will be on sale. There will be many great Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetheart.