Practicing for Dog Sled Races

Several teams entered the Pineland Dryland Challenge competitions Nov. 3-4 to practice for the upcoming dog sled season. In the four-dog rig class, Beth Olsen of Upriver Kennels in Jackman, piloted her team consisting of lead dogs Wizbella and Pullox, along with wheel dogs Vince and Daizy. She and her family plan to run events hosted by the Down East Sled Dog Club this winter, as well as competitions taking place in nearby Quebec.

Rob Bibber of Vassalboro, his wife, Karen, 13-year-old daughter, Kayla, 10-year-old son, Dustin, plus canines all started training for the upcoming season about a month ago. Their unofficial enterprise Karob Kennels has 22 dogs in all, 17 of which currently race. According to Rob, the Bibbers are committed to this family-friendly sport, which entails an immense amount of work. As an example of sharing the workload, Kayla serves breakfast to their dogs every day at 6 a.m. The family plans to enter races in Farmington, Newport and Bridgton this winter.

Winter Clothing Drive for Children K-5

The Gray-New Gloucester Optimist Club is sponsoring a M.U.S.H. (mittens, underwear, socks and sweats, hats) drive for the K-5 age group, sizes 4-16/18. The following drop off locations will be accepting MUSH items through Dec. 1: Pine Tree Networks at Pineland, Androscoggin Bank; Gray Public Library; and Miller Refrigeration, 93 Lewiston Road in Gray. For more information call Nancy Miller at 657-3691.

Creative New Gloucester

Creative New Gloucester is a project of the town of New Gloucester’s Arts and Creative Economy Committee. According to the brochure for Creative New Gloucester, its purpose is to “discover, connect and celebrate the arts, culture and creative enterprise in our historic, rural community.”

From the Shakers to contemporary artists, musicians and web designers, New Gloucester has a long heritage of artistic, cultural and creative people, organizations and enterprises. The goal of Creative New Gloucester is to inventory these artistic and cultural assets and create a Web-based directory that will connect and celebrate this important and vibrant part of our community. As part of this process, the group hopes to connect people and assess their needs, ideas and interest in taking next steps to support our local creative economy.

New Gloucester and other Maine communities have always had people engaged in artistic, cultural and creative work. What has only been realized recently is how much these activities contribute to our local economy and quality of life. The idea for Creative New Gloucester grew out of the town’s economic development planning process. A group formed and, under the auspices of the town, created this plan.

Steering Committee members include Beth Blakeman-Pohl, Shannon Warren, Ellie Fellers, Johanna Flath, Julie Fralich, Marie Reimensnyder, Field Rider, Eric Ritter, Gina Sawin Debra Smith, Mike Thompson, Bonnie Waybright and Betty Wurtz.

The Creative New Gloucester Web site is in development. The organization recently posted brochures and surveys in various public locations around town and hosted an information table at the Community Fair and at the polls on voting day. If you’re an artist or artisan, or are involved in creative enterprise, pick up a survey and send back your completed form to Creative New Gloucester, PO Box 222, New Gloucester, ME 04260. Your information will be included in the online directory. Questions? Call Debra Smith at 926-4151 or Bonnie Waybright at 926-3974.

Pineland YMCA Recognizes Leaders

On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the Pineland YMCA hosted its annual breakfast meeting of community leaders and board members at the Eastland Park Hotel in Portland. The Pineland YMCA recognized two local individuals and an organization for their roles in making our community a stronger and more vibrant place to live. Leo Credit of New Gloucester, Jennifer Wiessner of North Yarmouth and Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Gray, were all recognized for their volunteerism and leadership for building stronger kids, stronger families and stronger communities.

The Pineland YMCA also shared many successes with the attendees. Membership continues to grow and reached 1,825 members. This past spring the Pineland YMCA took over the management of the Otter Pond Wilderness Day Camp in Standish. This allowed the Pineland YMCA the opportunity to give 1,437 children a high-quality, camp experience. Programs for youth have almost doubled in enrollment from the prior year. The Y served 475 children in sports and 682 in swim lessons.

The Y has also reached out to older adults and now has a well-attended Cards, Coffee and Bowling program, which averages about 12 active older adults each Wednesday. Most importantly, the YMCA is living up to its mission of not turning away anyone because of an inability to pay. The Pineland YMCA gave out $53,502 in financial assistance last year which helped our local youth attend sports and recreation programs, swim lessons, and summer camp. The monetary boost afforded many families and individuals the opportunity to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

For more information about the Pineland YMCA, please stop by or call the Y at 688-2255.

Town Board and Committee Meetings

Nov. 19, Selectmen’s meeting, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Nov. 20, Planning Board, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Nov. 22 and 23, all town facilities will be closed for Thanksgiving.