Ride to Rescue Gala

The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals held its inaugural Ride to Rescue fundraiser last month. The riders, who registered for the event and gathered pledges, assembled at the Pineland Farms Equestrian Center for a gala on Oct. 28. They were treated to an appearance by award-winning PBS filmmaker Ginger Kathrens, who hosted two viewings of her video about the preservation of wild horses on public lands. Other festivities included a dressage demonstration, barn tour and culinary delights. Registered riders were eligible to win great prizes, highlighted by a Wintec 2000 saddle.

Organizer Meris J. Bickford rated the event by reporting “for a first year, not bad.” The top pledge producer was Janice Chick of Danvers, Mass., who raised $530. She had heard about the fundraiser from her mother who lives in Maine.

Bickford stated that Ride to Rescue will be an annual event every fall. It is a “virtual ride” in that equestrians as well as non-horse owners can participate. For example, her husband became a rider this year by simply writing a check. She projects that the proceeds will quadruple next year now that the event has been established. For more information on the South Windham-based Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, visit www.msspa.org.

Memorial School Open House

SAD 15 invites the citizens of Gray and New Gloucester to an Open House on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 2-4 p.m. Now that the renovations to the Memorial School located at 86 Intervale Road are complete, taxpayers will get a chance to see the fruit of their bond approval.

Village Coffee House Concert

“Dear Claudia” featuring Leah Finkelstein, Herb Clarke and Matt Hansen, will perform at the New Gloucester Village Coffee House on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Leah Finkelstein, the lead vocalist, sings blues, jazz and rock in the tradition of Carole King, Bonnie Raitt and Tracy Chapman. Leah’s soulful vocals and powerful keyboard style is backed up by Matt’s fluid bass lines and Herb’s intense, earthy beat to create a sound that is innovative, memorable and impressive to all types of music fans. The group formed in January 2007, and the trio has been gathering a loyal following of fans ever since. With a new CD out, it is the new must-see band in the Greater Portland area.

Tickets are available at the door. Suggested donations: adults $10; seniors and children under 12, $5. The Coffee House features local and up-and-coming musical artists on the first Saturday of every month. Proceeds benefit the New Gloucester Congregational Church. The church is located on the Gloucester Hill Road near its junction with Route 231 in the center of the Lower Village. For more information, contact Julie or Michael Fralich at 926-3161 or the Church Office at 926-3260.

Gospel Singer to Perform

Rev. Jeff Grindle, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church in Oak Lawn, Ill., will be performing in concert at the New Gloucester Bible Church on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Grindle is the son of retired Village Missionaries, Bob and Lois Grindle of New Gloucester. He has been singing at churches around the country and is excited to be visiting Maine.

In 2005, Grindle traveled to Nashville to record his first Gospel CD with longtime friend, Donnie Sumner. Sumner was the former lead singer of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps quartet, Elvis Presley’s backup group during much of the 1970s. Sumner wrote a number of the songs on Grindle’s CD and was producer and engineer for the project entitled, “There’s Hope!” Last November, Grindle went back into the studio with Sumner to record his second CD, entitled, “Come To Him,” which was released last February. He will be singing songs from both projects at the concert.

The concert is free of charge though a freewill offering will be received for Grindle’s ministry. His CDs will be available for purchase at the concert. There will also be a dessert social following the concert.

The New Gloucester Bible Church is located on Route 100. For more information concerning the concert, call 926-4297. For more information about Grindle and his ministry, check out his Web site, www.jeffgrindle.com.

Co-Ed Basketball Skill and Drills

This youth basketball program is an instructional course for girls and boys, offered at the Pineland YMCA on Saturdays, starting Nov. 10. The program is designed to focus on the introduction and development of dribbling, passing and shooting through games and instruction. The second half of the season will incorporate defense and team play.

Grades K-1 will play from 8:30-9:25 a.m.; grades 2-3 from 9:30-10:25 a.m.; and grades 4-6 from 10:30-11:25 a.m. The cost is free to participants with family memberships and single adult family memberships; $40 for youth members; and $75 for non-members. A 10 percent discount is offered for a second child in the same family. Registration is now open.

Volunteers are needed. Being its first season, organizers hope to gather a collection of dedicated volunteers to ensure that each child has a valuable experience. Opportunities for commissioner, coaching, and refereeing are available. Contact Brad Davie at 688-2255, e-mail: bdavie@cumberlandcountyymca.org.

Town Board and Committee Meetings

Nov. 5, Selectmen’s meeting, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Nov. 6, Election Day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial School

Nov. 6, Planning Board, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Nov. 8, Parks and Rec Committee, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Nov. 9, StoryTime, 9:30 a.m., Library