Open Market

Fresh native strawberries are ripening up just in time for the grand opening of the Market and Welcome Center at Pineland Farms Saturday, June 14. As of June 1, it’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the site of the former Visitor Center, 15 Farm View Drive across from the Dunn School on Morse Road.

Pineland Farm’s own cheeses, natural meats and organic eggs comprise a segment of the product lines offered. Olivia’s Garden provides many of the lettuce, tomato, and basil selections fresh from its greenhouses located on the premises. Maine-based fare from pumpkin butter made in Kittery to spirited salsa whipped up in Presque Isle is represented in the diverse grocery inventory. New Gloucester is well represented at the Market, which features tempting fresh baked goods created by hometown favorites The Farmers’ Eight Daughters and Debbie’s Pies.

Look out for Scouts

New Gloucester Cub Scout Pack 135 is hosting an open house for all boys (K-5) who may be interested in joining the Cub Scouts, along with their families, to a complimentary ice cream social Friday, June 13, 6:30 p.m. in the Dunn School Gym.

Cub Scouting is a family program that reinforces the values of doing your best. Most of all, Cub Scouting is fun! Pack 135 meets on the last Friday of each month in the Dunn School Gym at 6:30 p.m. Dens meet every other week.

What activities go on throughout the year? They include the pinewood derby, field trips, advancement, camping, hiking, citizenship skills and much more.

Your Cub Scout is a member of a den. Most dens have six to eight boys and meet once a week or every other week. Den meetings are a time for learning new things and having fun. Dens are led by a team of adult volunteers who are usually parents of boys in the den. Your Cub Scout is also a member of a pack. Most packs have several dens and meet once a month. Pack meetings are a time for boys to be recognized for their accomplishments during the month, to perform songs and skits they’ve learned in den meetings, and to have fun with the entire family.

For more information, call Cubmaster Scott Neal 926-3623 or Committee Chair Shelley Blake 926-5545.

Craft clinics

A series of crafts demonstrations will be held at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village on Route 26 during the 2008 season. The demos are free, open to the public, and generally held between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The first of the series, set for Saturday, June 14, will be R & R Spinners and Blacksmithing by Tim.

Learn the seven-step method of chair caning for hand woven chairs at a workshop to be held Saturday, June 21. Fran Faulkner has led these village workshops for almost 20 years. The fee, which includes supplies, is $35, and pre-registration is required. Bring a chair with hand woven seat.

“Introduction to Wood” is the title of a workshop to be held Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The instructor is master craftsman and New Gloucester resident Chris Becksvoort, who will guide participants in identifying, drying and learning about wood movement as it relates to furniture construction. The fee is $25 and pre-registration is required.

For more information, call 926-4597 or e-mail usshakers@aol.com.

Root for democracy

A “Rooting for democracy” plant sale to benefit the work of the New Gloucester Democratic Committee will be held Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Cloutier’s Market on Route 100 in the Upper Village. Plants of all varieties from committee members’ personal gardens will be offered for sale.

In addition, raffle tickets to win lobsters fresh from Casco Bay will be sold at the plant sale. Two lucky people in the drawing will each win six of Maine’s premier delicacy. The price of a raffle ticket is $3 each, or four for $10. The drawing will be held at the close of the plant sale. If not present, winners will be called.

Gotta have faith

Faith Bible Institute, a local church laymen’s Bible Institute, is coming to New Gloucester, and is hosted by the New Gloucester Bible Church located on Route 100. It is scheduled to begin Thursday, Aug. 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

For more information and an application, contact Steve Hanson at 926-6034, shanson10@maine.rr.com, or Bob Grindle at 926-3695, lifetract@gmail.com. Registration and the application fee are due by June 15.

Up for a vote

Remember to vote Tuesday, June 10 at the Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Elections will be for two open seats on the board of selectmen and one on the school board, a school budget validation vote, a state bond referendum question, and state and federal candidates. Sample ballots are posted on the Elections page of the town’s Web site, www.newgloucester.com.