Canine playtime

Would your dog like to have a place locally where he or she could romp and play with other canine companions? Carol and Bruce Swanson’s yellow lab puppy named Honey would. At the present time, Honey has to ride all the way from New Gloucester into Portland to play with other dogs. The price of gas has limited the 50-mile round-trip drive to only once or twice per month, which is not as often as the Swansons and Honey would prefer.

Subsequently, Carol Swanson approached the Parks & Recreation Committee in New Gloucester with an idea to build a one-acre dog park at the fairgrounds on Bald Hill Road. She presented her detailed proposal at the committee’s meeting on Jan. 10. She was asked to find out how much community support there would be for a dog park.

Her vision is a one-acre (or larger) dog park that would provide a secure fenced in area where people could take their dogs to play off-leash with other non-aggressive dogs. Some of the benefits include providing a nice place for people to gather and establish friendships with other dog owners, for the elderly or disabled to exercise their dogs in a safe environment, and for promoting responsible pet ownership. Dogs that are well exercised and socialized have less behavioral problems.

As a resident of New Gloucester, how would you like to have a dog park in your community? E-mail Carol Swanson with your comments at cswan2127@gmail.com. Your feedback will be presented at the next committee meeting on Thursday, March 13.

Parks and Recreation survey

Hal Phillips, co-chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, urged New Gloucester residents to obtain and mail in a completed survey asking about their interest level of various proposed summer programs. He said that only about a half-dozen surveys have trickled in to date, most as a result of distributing them at the special town meeting held about a month ago. More input is desired to help the committee get a better sense of what programs seem the most popular, as these programs are being developed.

Many of the programs are geared to children, but some would appeal to adults, such as possible day trips to Boston for theater, shopping or professional sports excursions. The programs listed for children include soccer, gymnastics, basketball, flag football, arts and crafts, drama and tennis.

Phillips stated that improvements to some recreational facilities are slated to occur this summer. One of these upgrades will be the resurfacing of the tennis courts at the Rowe Station Road site.

The survey also asks for each respondent’s opinion on whether or not there is a need for a full-time summer recreation program to serve as a summer-long weekly camp for New Gloucester families. This option, plus the mounting responsibilities trying to be handled by volunteers, may require the services of a full-time recreational director. Phillips feels many townspeople are strongly in favor of creating this new position.

The survey wraps up with a solicitation of comments and/or ideas about the proposed programs and provides an opportunity to suggest other potential offerings. Also, the respondent is given the opportunity to indicate if he/she has any interest in teaching or assisting with a program.

A copy of the survey can be downloaded from the town Web site www.newgloucester.com or picked up at the town office. Return completed surveys to the town office or mail it to: Parks & Recreation Survey, c/o Town of New Gloucester, PO Box 82, New Gloucester, ME 04260. The deadline for replies is March 31.

Block House preschool silent auction

The Block House Preschool will host its annual public silent auction on Friday, March 14 from 7-9 p.m. at Spring Meadows Banquet Center in Gray to benefit the school’s scholarship fund. The fund assists in reducing tuition costs for local families providing access to an excellent and affordable preschool within the greater Gray/New Gloucester area. The event is generously supported by Alliance Energy, Cakes by Debbie, Chuck’s Auto Body, Dielectric Communications, and Titan Mechanical, as well as many other local businesses.

Donated items will be of particular interest to golfers, skiers, art enthusiasts, museum visitors, gardeners, and families with young children. More than 95 items will be available for bidding.

Support the Block House Preschool by attending the silent auction where you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and bid on a wide variety of auction items. Mark the date on your calendar and enjoy a night out with friends while supporting local preschool education. Tickets are available in advance for $5 per person or may be purchased at the door.

For more information about this event, a full list of auction items, to purchase tickets, or to donate an auction item, call Lisa Knedler at 926-3304 or e-mail blockhousepreschool@yahoo.com.

Town Calendar

• Tuesday, March 11: Cable TV Committee, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

• Wednesday, March 12: Joint Committees (Selectmen, Planning Board, Land Management Planning), 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

• Thursday, March 13: Parks & Recreation, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

• Friday, March 14: Story Time, 9:30 a.m., Library

Dan Michaud, left, pastor of the New Gloucester Bible Church, Patti Mikkelsen, center, and Connie Michaud assemble materials to insert into 40