1121 New Gloucester: Orlean Sturgis and Lucille McCann, the two remaining charter members of the Women’s Evening Guild at the First Congregational Church in New Gloucester, enjoyed the luncheon served at the church’s annual holiday fair Nov. 15.

Photo credit: Patti Mikkelsen

Fair enough

Billed as a Sweet Little Holiday Fair, this fundraising event annually hosted by the Women’s Evening Guild took place at the First Congregational Church in New Gloucester Nov. 15. It was held in the hallways and Sunday school rooms because the vestry, which serves as the customary venue, is undergoing reconstruction.

Visitors were invited to temporarily suspend their holiday shopping to partake in the homemade chowder, which drew rave reviews in the Snowflake Tea Room. Orlean Sturgis, one of the fair’s organizers and a charter member of the Women’s Evening Guild, declared, “Lord, it’s wonderful.” The other remaining charter member of the guild, Lucille McCann, rated it as the best corn chowder she had ever had.

The fair also had wonderful items available for purchase at one whale of a white elephant sale, as well as on tables lined with delectable baked goods, crafts, and dish cloths. The lucky raffle winner of the beautifully sampler quilt handcrafted by Bea Libby was Annette Tynes, who happens to be the president of the Women’s Evening Guild. This breaks the usual trend of a visitor winning the coveted prize.

According to Rev. Gard, “Our Sweet Little Holiday Fair did well. I’m not sure of the tally, but the Guild will be adopting one of the needs in our vestry project.”

The guild was formed in 1962, and the proceeds raised by this organization have gone into the church’s general fund to support various projects over the years. Anyone interested in joining the group is encouraged to contact Rev. Linda Gard at 926-3260.

Light it up

Attendees are urged to bring canned or boxed food to the New Gloucester tree lighting ceremony at the town hall, Route 231, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Donations will be given to the New Gloucester food pantry. The food drive is a new addition to the event’s traditional festivities, including performances by the Gray-New Gloucester High School Chorus, a sing-along, the lighting of Tiny Timber and open house at the New Gloucester public library, featuring refreshments to thaw out any frosty guests.

So long

You’re invited to a farewell party for assistant librarian Veronica Chaya 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 29 at the New Gloucester Public Library, next to town hall.

Superhighway?

Remember the skinny, one lane bridge on the Mayall Road? Bridge construction is winding down, and the span now resembles a superhighway. We can all rejoice at no longer having to detour around Mayall Road, which provides traffic with a convenient connector between Routes 26 and 100.

Opportunity knocks

Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls recently received a $30,000 grant from U.S. Cellular for its scholarship fund and school supplies. Opportunity Farm is a nonprofit, social service organization in New Gloucester that provides safe and supportive family-style homes for at-risk young people.

Since 1910, Opportunity Farm has successfully served countless numbers of boys who had nowhere else to turn by offering them safe nurturing homes and a path to stable, productive lives. In December 2002, the Farm opened its first girls’ home, located about one-half mile from the boys’ campus and followed up with a second girls’ home in August 2005.

Now every young person who comes to Opportunity Farm can count on the same thing: caring and careful adult supervision, a well-structured daily routine that includes a good mix of chores and fun, physical activity and rest, professional tutoring and regular studying, individual counseling to help them confront emotional challenges, and a chance to realize their dreams. The program offers a second chance to experience childhood, to grow, and to prepare for success.

Thanksgiving break

All town facilities will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 to celebrate Thanksgiving. The transfer station and public library will be open during their normal hours on Saturday, Nov. 29.