What a delightful opportunity is available at the Sherman Public Library for children ages 4-12 who live in Sherman, Benedicta, Silver Ridge and Stacyville.

Betty Rand, who left Sherman in 1968 “and came back here to live, this past summer, after retiring from a 31-year-teaching career,” wrote librarian Rose Bragdon, “has volunteered to offer an after school story hour,” which will be held every other Monday beginning Monday, Nov. 7, at the library.

Bragdon told me the story hour is expected to start at about 2:30 p.m., or whenever the school bus arrives.

The after-school program will also include a light snack and craft activities, both of which will be related to the theme of that week’s story.

Bragdon added that Rand “grew up on the farm next door to my father’s, and I am very pleased that she has decided to return to her hometown and share her talents at the library.”

And there is even more good news to report from the Sherman Public Library.

Bragdon wrote “if children want books to read at home, they are now much easier to locate,” since library committee members Judy Bishevsky and Ina Pratt “have the books in the children’s room arranged by category and entered in a computer data base.”

The library certainly has a lot going for it these days, and its supporters are doing all they can to ensure young people will use it and learn to enjoy it.

This is “a huge weekend” for the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program, wrote coordinator Richard Young of Glenburn, “as the local campaign kicks off with three days of collecting” donations to make Christmas exciting for needy Maine youngsters.

Young reminds you the MCL Toys for Tots store is open to accept donations 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Airport Mall in Bangor.

Additionally, toys will be accepted at the University of Maine men’s ice hockey game Friday, Nov. 4, at Alfond Arena in Orono, and at the Mainers Helping Mainers Benefit Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Heaten Oil Co., 379 Hudson Road in Glenburn.

On behalf of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Christine Kreider invites you to its annual fall festival 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the church, 540 Essex St., Bangor.

Coffee and muffins will be available throughout the festival, but homemade soups, bread and desserts will only be available 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Crafts, baked goods, used items, plants, preserves and produce are all part of the fair, which also features handcrafted items from the International Center of Bethlehem, Kreider wrote of the organization, which is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine.

The sponsoring Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match half of all festival proceeds for community groups assisting the homeless and hungry.

Woodlawn Museum/The Black House executive director Josh Torrance hopes many volunteers will participate in its annual fall cleanup day beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the 180-acre public park, which is Ellsworth’s largest.

After you rake and remove the leaves and debris, you will be offered refreshments.

All you need to help with this project is a rake and gloves.

Call 667-8671 for more information.

Executive director Nelson Durgin reports the Phillips-Strickland House annual fall fair and auction, which begins with the fair at 10 a.m. and the auction at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at 21 Boyd Street, Bangor, is a “great opportunity for people to do some early Christmas shopping and help the residents of Phillips Strickland House.”

He added that “the traditional holiday fair” features food, candy, books, cards, crafts and Christmas items, and the auction features “a lot of wonderful things,” ranging from 100 gallons of fuel oil to furniture, carpets, new merchandise and “lots of gift certificates from downtown Bangor businesses.”

The public is invited to a bean and casserole supper 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Second Congregational Church, 651 South Main St. in Brewer.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Following the supper, enjoy the big band music of Sentimental Journey, featuring Pastor Scott Cleveland on the keyboard, at 6:30 p.m. at the church.

A freewill offering will be taken for the concert, but it is not necessary to attend the supper to attend the concert.

You can do one, or both.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.