Dixmont residents have started a Neighbors Helping Neighbors program to assist those who may need some help getting through the long winter ahead with purchases of everything from fuel oil to wood, clothing, food and medicine as well as assistance in winterizing their homes, Lois Rowe wrote of a Gift Basket Raffle the group is conducting.

Rowe has provided a list of events at which you will be able to view the raffle items that she describes as a “traveling display.”

Community members have donated 18 gift baskets for the raffle, and you can see them at the following benefits: the Dixmont Goldcrest Riders hunters breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 8; the Dixmont United Methodist Church breakfast on Nov. 15; the Dixmont Goldcrest Riders’ Christmas craft fair, Nov. 22; the Etna-Dixmont School PTF breakfast with Santa, Dec. 6; and, finally, at the Dixmont United Methodist Church turkey pie supper on Dec. 6, where the winning ticket will be drawn at 6 p.m.

If you can’t make one of those events and want to see the gift baskets, they will be displayed, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, at the Dixmont town office.

Raffle tickets are $1 each, six for $5 and 15 for $10, and more information is available by calling Rowe at 231-2183.

Kathryn Mekelburg invites you to the Perry Grange hunters breakfast, 5-9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Grange.

Admission is $7 for adults.

Jackie Nicholson wrote that Hancock Woman’s Club will hold its annual craft fair, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Hancock Grammar School on Route 1.

Organized by Gertrude Wildes, the popular event offers “a great variety of holiday gifts and decorations … created by local artisans,” as well as coffee, snacks and lunch.

Proceeds benefit college scholarships, youth programs and the Community Center.

The town of Stockton Springs has announced creation of a fuel fund to accept donations to help needy residents buy heating fuel. Checks may be made payable to the Town of Stockton Springs Fuel Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 339, Stockton Springs 04981.

The public is also invited to A Family Fuel Feast Supper and Live Auction beginning with the auction preview at 4 p.m. and followed by the meal from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The fundraiser concludes with the auction and the drawing of a winning ticket in a raffle for 250 gallons of heating oil.

Dinner tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 4-12. They may be purchased at the door or, in advance, at the Stockton Springs town office.

Tickets include a $5 credit toward the purchase of one auction item.

Raffle tickets are available at the town office, Just Barb’s, Wyman’s General Store, Russell’s Marine and Perry’s Store, where contributions also may be made to the fuel fund.

Susan Covino Buell reports that St. John Episcopal Church in Southwest Harbor will hold a baked bean supper to benefit Westside Food Pantry, with two seatings at 5 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the church on Main Street in Southwest Harbor.

Donations will be accepted at the door, and all proceeds benefit the food pantry, a 20-year-old November-April church outreach program serving Southwest Harbor, Tremont and Mount Desert.

Takeouts, including whole pies, will be available. More information about Westside Food Pantry is available by calling St. John, 244-3229.

Carol Lackedy reports Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Food Pantry in Hermon is teaming with the Key Club to hold a yard sale “to keep the pantry stocked with food for the difficult winter months ahead.”

The sale is 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Hermon High School.

Admission is a nonperishable item or $1, “which can provide six pounds of food to a family in need,” Lackedy wrote.

At the sale, you will find “furniture, dishes, household items, clothing, baby things, toys, electronics, books, games and antiques,” Lackedy wrote.

If you can donate items, or have questions, call 299-5186.

Jane Pierce invites you to attend the First Congregational Church Spectacular Gingerbread Fair, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at the church, 35 Church St., Brewer.

Coffee in the morning, lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a variety of gingerbread, and lots of handcrafted items from jewelry to hats and mittens will be available.

New this year, Pierce wrote, will be “young Gingerbread boys and girls crafting and serving our guests.”

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