Calling all vendors!

New Gloucester resident Laura Campbell has started two new exciting projects that will be getting under way this spring. One of them is a community market that will be set up this season in the Amvets parking lot on Route 100. Market hours will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday from May 9 through October, open rain or shine.

Special event days, which are optional for vendor participation, include a Mother’s Day discount for moms, a Father’s Day discount for dads, a July 4th barbecue featuring live music, and Halloween trick-or-treat specials.

Step one in the process is to solicit vendors, for which two options are available. Option A requires buying a contract, which guarantees a space in the marketplace for the entire season of 25 weeks. The seasonal cost is $200 to be paid before April 15. Option A vendors are listed in the market directory, on the Web site and in print advertising. They also receive a high-quality cloth bag and T-shirt imprinted with the market logo, as well as market postcards.

Vendors interested in only attending a few market days throughout the summer should choose Option B. Option B vendors are placed on a first-come, first-served list with no guarantee of desired market days. The cost for one market day is $20; however, the market price per day is $30 on ‘special event days.’

Market rules for vendors to follow are described in a booklet that also contains a vendor application form and liability release. To obtain a booklet or ask questions, contact Campbell at sweethollowsfarm@gmail.com or 926-5919. Also more information can be found online at http://newgloucestergardens.weebly.com.

New community garden

Plans are under way to establish a community garden on lands owned by Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls on Gloucester Hill. One half of the garden will be specifically designated for a plant-a-row program to benefit the New Gloucester Food Pantry. These plots will be made available to volunteer gardeners with all produce harvested going to the town’s food pantry. The other half of the garden will be farmed by individual town residents for their own use.

Community market

The New Gloucester Community Market seeks vendors. If you grow, bake, or make almost anything you should get an application by contacting Laura Campbell at 926-5919 or e-mailing Sweethollowsfarm@gmail.com. The market will be across the street from Hodgman’s Frozen Custard in the Amvet Hall parking lot on Route 100 every Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Opening day is May 9, so get an application today.

Free catalog

The 2010 Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum catalog will be available around March 15. The catalog is free and lists all the crafts workshops, demonstrations and special events to be held at Shaker Village during the 2010 season. For your free copy, contact the Shaker Museum at 926-4597 or usshakers@aol.com.

Historical society meeting

The next meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, Intervale Road, next to the Town Hall. It will be a business meeting to discuss a proposed purchase and sale agreement for the society’s 1839 Universalist Meetinghouse. All members are urged to attend. For more information, call Leonard Brooks at 926-3188.

SleepOver at the library

It’s almost time for the New Gloucester Public Library’s annual SleepOver. The SleepOver is open to anyone age 8 to 12. The drop-off time is before 7 p.m. on Friday, March 26, and the pick-up time is by 8 a.m. the next day. Suzan Hawkins and Tim Terranova will be the adults who spend the night chaperoning the kids.

Pre-registration is a must, and space is limited to the first 10 (although a waiting list will be compiled), so register early. Parents must fill out and sign an application. For more information, or to receive an application, either come to the library during regular hours or call Sue at 926-4840.

Nomination papers

Nomination papers for two openings on the Board of Selectmen (three-year terms) and two openings on the SAD 15 School Board (three-year terms) are now available at the town office for New Gloucester residents who are interested in running for these posts. A minimum of 25, and not more than 100, signatures are required for certification. The signed papers are due back to the town office by 2 p.m. on Friday, April 23. The town election will take place on June 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road.

Wind energy

The New Gloucester Planning Board will be hosting a public hearing on a new, proposed Wind Energy Ordinance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road. All are welcome to attend.