With technology now available to run real locomotives like model ones – by remote control, that is – maybe you’d like to take a closer look at how model railroads really work.

You can learn about model railroads at the Eastern Maine Model Railroad Club’s 29th annual Model Train Show, Sale and Silent Auction from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12.

The club’s large, modular layout, demonstrating the latest digital technology, will be operating, and “The Train Doctor,” Bill Soule of Orono, will offer free diagnoses and minor repairs for your ailing trains during this Model Railroad Month event.

You can also bring in trains to sell at the silent auction.

Soule wrote that since EMMRC was able to pay off the mortgage on its clubhouse in East Orland, members are celebrating by donating a portion of this year’s admission proceeds to a locally run charity.

He also mentioned that Friends of 470, a historical society working to preserve the Maine-based steam locomotive #470 on display in Waterville, will be selling raffle tickets for an original painting of that piece of Maine history.

The painting is valued at $450.

For information about the show, the EMMRC or membership in it, call Soule at 866-4060 or e-mail soule@maine.edu.

The Shirley Community Church’s first Christmas Crafts Fair and Luncheon is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Shirley town hall.

Handmade items including tree ornaments, wreaths, embroidered tote bags and purses will be featured.

A delicious-sounding lunch of fiddlehead soup, chili, seafood chowder, sandwiches and desserts will be available throughout the day.

For information, call Janet Parker, 695-3163.

On behalf of Peace through Interamerican Community Action, Margaret Baillie invites you to its 19th annual auction, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in the College Center at the University College of Bangor, 210 Texas Ave.

A silent auction and a live auction, with University of Maine associate professor Mark Kelley as auctioneer, are features of this year’s event to benefit the Bangor-based, nonprofit organization, which supports anti-sweatshop work and fair-trade advocacy and education.

Fairly traded, sweatshop-free donations from local business owners are among the items up for bid at this fundraiser.

You will also enjoy music by Brian Dyer-Stewart and have the opportunity to meet PICA’s new director, Sean Donahue, and hear from PICA members who recently returned from visiting Carasque, Bangor’s sister city in El Salvador.

For information about PICA, call 947-4203 or visit www.pica.ws.

For information about the auction, call the number above or 866-5772.

Young country singer Brian Wardwell will emcee the 10th annual Christmas is for Kids Country Music Show & Auction at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at American Legion Post #207 on Route 3 in Trenton.

Headliners include “Doc” Morrill and The Down Home Country Band with Jackie King; Nashville recording artist Andrew Dean; country artists Stevie and Deb Cee; Gary Mitchell, The Downeast Gentleman; and Pard and Lisa Higgins.

Raffles, food and a teddy bear sale by Linda Griffin are included in this event.

Admission is by donation, and all proceeds, reports organizer Tommy Dean, benefit “Downeast area kids.”

Members of the Bangor Art Society invite you to hear Belfast artist Dudley Zopp discuss her work from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, in the lecture hall at Bangor Public Library on Harlow Street.

Don’t want to bake pies for Thanksgiving dinner?

For more than 30 years, reports United Cerebral Palsy of Maine executive director Bobbi Jo Yeager, UCP has been hosting its annual pie sale, with offerings of more than 125 pies from local restaurants and UCP friends and families, featuring every holiday variety you can imagine.

The sale begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until all pies are sold Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Center Court in the Airport Mall in Bangor.

And I’ll remind you to get there early if you want a pie!

Proceeds benefit UCP programs and services for children with disabilities.

If you live in the Blue Hill area and need pies for Thanksgiving, Peg Robertson suggests you stop by the Blue Hill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary’s annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the firehouse in Blue Hill.

Robertson wrote that proceeds will “benefit the Christmas Angels program.”

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