HOJO HISTORY Howard Johnson, “popularly known as the father of the franchise industry’’ according to Boston historian and author Anthony Sammarco, created an orange-roofed empire of ice-cream stands and restaurants that began in Quincy and stretched across the country. Reader’s Digest described the Colonial Revival buildings as “eating places that look like New England town meeting houses dressed up for Sunday.’’ Sammarco speaks on his book “A History of Howard Johnson’s: How a Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became an American Icon’’ at the Milton Council on Aging.

10 Walnut St.; Friday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.; reservations required at 617-898-4893.

CEMETERY TOUR The Norwood Historical Society sponsors a tour at the Old Parish Cemetery, called “Pastors and Patriots,’’ highlighting esteemed early ministers from both the Congregational Church and Universalist Society as well as residents of South Dedham (now Norwood) who served in the Colonial and Revolutionary Wars.

Washington Street; Saturday, Oct. 22, 3:30 pm.; free, information at 781-762-9197.

MIDDAY MUSIC Richard Hill presents “October Festival,’’ a program on the pipe organ at Christ Congregational Church. Works by Elgar, Couperin, Handel, and others.

1350 Pleasant St., Brockton; Wednesday, Oct. 19, 12:15 p.m.; free, donations accepted.

AFTERNOON TEA The Fall Victorian Tea at the Daniel Webster Estate serves tea all afternoon in the 1880 Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion, accompanied by scones and seasonal breads, tea sandwiches, and “dainty desserts.’’

238 Webster St., Marshfield; Sunday, Oct. 16, and Nov. 13, 2-4 p.m.; $15, includes house tour, reservations only at 781-834-7818.

DINNER DANCE The Moonlight & Miracles Gala black-tie dinner dance, a signature fund-raising event for South Shore Hospital, supports critical-care services for hospital patients, including many cancer patients.

University Sports Complex at Starland, 645 Washington St., Hanover; Friday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m.; see www.southshorehospital.org/gala for tickets and sponsorships.

GREAT HILL RUN A 5K trail run/walk benefits The Friends of Music Alley, a public park created to bring live performances by local musicians to the heart of Bridgewater’s downtown.

Bridgewater State University Great Hill, 325 Plymouth St.; Sunday, Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m.; www.racewire.com/register.php?id=6801.

OUTING HISTORY The History Book Group discusses “All The Truth is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid’’ by Matt Bai, a look at how the Gary Hart affair changed the interaction between the media and politicians.

Manomet Branch Library, 12 Strand Ave., Plymouth; Thursday, Oct. 20, 4 p.m.; 508-830-4185.

The branch library also hosts the Manomet Writers’ Circle, a group for aspiring authors to meet, share ideas, and talk about the writing process, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.; www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org.

WALKING RETREAT Wellness educator Jan Cohn leads a Women’s Wellness Retreat with a guided, mindful trail walk. Participants are invited to relax and have fun through mindfulness and well-being practices.

Moose Hill, 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon; Sunday, Oct. 23, 7-10 a.m. or 4-7 p.m.; $28 Moose Hill members, $35 nonmembers, register at www.massaudubon.org/moosehill.

TASTE OF DEDHAM The Rotary Cub of Dedham hosts “Taste Dedham’’ to benefit the Rotary’s local and international charities. Tastings, card tricks, and a “Flashmob Barbershop’’ performance by the New Sound Assembly Chorus.

Moseleys on the Charles, 50 Bridge St.; Thursday, Oct. 20, 6:30-9 p.m.; $35, $30 advance, www.dedhamrotary.org.

FALL FESTIVAL Weir River Farm holds its annual family-friendly fall festival. Live music, food, pony rides, crafts, and pumpkins for painting.

140 Turkey Hill Lane, Hingham; Saturday, Oct. 22, 10-2; $30 family, $24 members; no registration required.

NOTORIOUS NATION Retired judge R. Marc Kantrowitz speaks on his book “Old Whiskey and Young Women,’’ a look at notorious legal cases in American history that titillated, if not repulsed, the entire nation.

Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Ave.; Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.

CHORAL CLASSICS The First UU Society of Middleborough presents a colorful concert of classical and contemporary music, including the choral anthem “Spiritus’’ from Paul McCartney’s choral suite called “Ecce Cor Meum’’ (“Behold My Heart’’). Organist Natsumi Malloy also offers selections on the church’s historic organ.

25 South Main St., Sunday, Oct. 23, 3 p.m.; $10 freewill donation.

IMPROVING THE EARTH Karen Kullas, engineer, inventor, and composting advocate, offers a hands-on presentation and demonstration of composting in bins at a meeting of South Shore Locavores. For years Kullas has participated in the Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom project and spoken widely at garden clubs, schools, and fairs.

Kingston Senior Center, 30 Evergreen St.; Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.; food donations collection.

A LITTLE HAUNTED The Friends of the Rockland Memorial Library presents the “Enchanted Halloween Forest,’’ a guided walk for children and adults through mildly haunted woods with book-related, interactive stops.

George Anderson Town Forest, North Avenue, Rockland; Saturday, Oct. 22, 2-4 p.m.

POLES APART Popular author James Carroll examines how bipolar Christian thinking (church versus synagogue, grace versus law, mercy or judgment) has led to deep divisions in our society, in “Us Against Them: Disarming the Polarized Imagination of the West.’’

Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull St., Hingham; Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:15 p.m.; no registration, first come, first seated.

TWOS AND THREES A Duxbury Music Festival preview concert titled “Duets and Trios from Mozart to Gershwin’’ takes place at the Duxbury home of John Carnuccio with a reception for performers.

Sunday, Oct. 23, 4 p.m.; $75, www.duxburymusicfestival.org.

Send information about events at least two weeks in advance to Robert Knox at rc.knox2@gmail.com.