BIDDEFORD

Hats, mittens, scarves given

On Tuesday, St. James Catholic School students will take hats, mittens and scarves that were donated by members of the St. James community to the park at South and Green streets.

The clothes will be placed in plastic bags, decorated with ribbon and hung from the fence and park benches and will include a little card from the students. Anyone in need of these items can come and take them at any time.

KENNEBUNK

New kids’ program

The Kennebunk Free Library will begin a new series of children’s programs called Meet Someone New at 4 p.m. Tuesday at 112 Main St. Designed for children in grades 2 through 5, each program highlights an individual from the library’s People & History collection.

This month’s program introduces Thomas Gallaudet and Annie Sullivan, two individuals who were responsible for groundbreaking advances in communicating with deaf and blind people. Attendees also will create an art project using Braille.

Pre-registration is required. The program is free and wheelchair accessible. For more details, call 985-2173, ext. 5, or go to kennebunklibrary.org.

‘Star Wars’ event for kids

Kids in grades 6 to 12 are invited to celebrate the release of the new “Star Wars” movie from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday with activities in Hank’s Room at the Kennebunk Free Library at 112 Main St.

Activities will include “Star Wars” trivia and craft interpretations of characters. The event is free and snacks will be provided. For details, call 985-2173, ext. 5, or go to kennebunklibrary.org.

Talk by local author

Local author Susan Doherty will discuss her debut novel, “A Secret Music,” from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Kennebunk Free Library at 112 Main St.

This program is free and wheelchair accessible.

STANDISH

Living Nativity at church

A Living Nativity, featuring animals from Smiling Hill Farm’s Barnyard on the Go, will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Standish Congregational Church at 25 Oak Hill Road.

Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.

BRUNSWICK

Money Smart meal, learning

Curtis Memorial Library invites the community to a Money Smart family meal night at 6 p.m. Thursday at 23 Pleasant St.

The workshops are for all ages. The free meal lets busy families participate without having to find child care or cook dinner.

Each event includes age-appropriate activities to teach adults and children the basics of budgeting, credit and saving.

Erica Quinn Easter will discuss how adults can reduce debt, improve credit and maintain a good credit score.

Children will enjoy their own workshop, learning how to save money by making gifts for the holidays.

Pre-registration is required by calling the Reference Desk at 725-5242, ext. 510.

For the complete list of workshops, go to curtismoney.com.

CUMBERLAND

Talk on Shaker life

The Cumberland Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St.

Guest speaker Leonard Brooks, retired director of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum and Library, will present “Maine Shaker Life One Hundred Years Ago.”

The narrated slide talk is free but donations to benefit the historical society are appreciated.

Refreshments will be served before and after the program. For further details, call Carolyn Small at 829-3757, 415-4589 or email csmall1943@maine.rr.com.

DAMARISCOTTA

Healthy food on a budget

Healthy Lincoln County SNAP-Ed nutrition coordinator Lara Cogar will lead a workshop detailing how to shop for healthy food on a budget at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Hannaford grocery store.

Participants will receive handouts and recipes. Eligible participants will also have the opportunity to complete a $10 Challenge, allowing them to practice skills they’ve learned.

For more details, call Marianne Pinkham at 563-1363, email mpinkham@spectrumgenerations.org or go to spectrumgenerations.org.

GRAY

Parents Night Out on Friday

Fiddlehead Art & Science Center is hosting a Parents Night Out from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at 25 Shaker Road.

The event will include supervised child care, including art projects, pizza and a movie.

The fee of $25 per child, with $20 for each additional child, includes all materials and food.

To register, go to fiddleheadcenter.org or call 657-224

WELLS

Party and more at library

Wells Public Library will host the following programs this week at 1434 Post Road:

Mother Goose Storytime, for ages 2 and younger, will meet at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2 through 5, will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The library’s Holiday Party will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday. Attendees are invited to come in their pajamas, drink hot chocolate, eat cookies and listen to classic holiday stories. There will be crafts and activities and a special guest.

A Reader’s Best Friend, offering young readers a chance to come and read to a therapy dog, will by held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

For more details, call Allison Herman at 646-8181 or email aherman@wellstown.org.

YORK

Big cats film, more at library

York Public Library will offer the following programs this week at 15 Long Sands Road:

The Gingerbread House display will continue through Saturday in the Children’s Room during regular hours.

Renowned puma scientist Mark Elbroch will be at a screening of the BBC film “Mountain Lions: Big Cats in High Places” at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a discussion.

And at 6:30 p.m. Saturday the library’s Family Film Series will screen the movie “Inside Out.” Feel free to wear your pajamas and come with pillows and a blanket. Popcorn is free.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Free Christmas concert

The Salvation Army Corps will present “A Christmas Festival of Music” concert of vocal and instrumental performances at 6 p.m. Sunday at 2 Sixth St.

The concert is free and open to the public.

BELFAST

Benefit for Africa programs

Expanding Opportunities will present its third Asante Sana benefit fundraiser at 5 p.m. Saturday at the United Universalist Church at 37 Miller St.

The celebration of African culture kicks off a 16-day service journey to Africa by five local women, who will travel with the nonprofit organization to communities in Kenya.

Expanding Opportunities built and operates a children’s home in Mangu, that began as a feeding program for street boys. Today, that home is co-ed and emphasizes Girl Rescue into its programs by providing financial assistance for girls to stay in school and resist early marriage and female circumcision.

The fundraiser will feature performances by the West African drumming and dance troupe Akwaaba Ensemble, with special guest Namory Keita of Sangbarala, Guinea. Pagiel Rose, co-owner of Jamaican Vybz of Bangor, will create authentic dishes for attendees to sample. Aina Moja will sell African art, with proceeds to benefit the projects of Expanding Opportunities. And author Diana Coleman will talk about her experiences in Kenya.

Tickets are $8 and include dinner. This is an all ages event. Donations are appreciated and are tax deductible. For more details, call 930-8012.

WALDOBORO

Bake sale for library

The Friends of Waldoboro Public Library will hold a Christmas Bake Sale from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Camden National Bank on Route 1.

The proceeds will fund the various projects and services provided to the community by the library.

For more details, call 832-4484 or go to waldoborolibrary.org.

KENNEBUNKPORT

‘Magnificat’ at church

The Adult Choir of South Congregational Church, along with a string quartet and organ, will perform a special musical presentation of the “Magnificat” by Giovanni Pergolesi at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at 2 North St. The presentation will be held during the worship service. All are welcome to attend.

For more details, call Sue MacCachran at 967-3639 or email smaccachran@roadrunner.com