Launching ?his career

Andrew J. Gilbert of New Gloucester, son of Marc and Diane Gilbert, graduated in May from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a double major in finance and economics.

Gilbert has accepted a position as a consultant at FactSet Research Systems Inc. in the Southeast Investment Management Consulting department in the corporate office in Norwalk, Conn. Factset is a leading provider of financial information and analytic applications to investment professionals around the globe.

Gilbert is a 2006 graduate of St. Dominic Regional High School in Auburn, where he was a three-sport athlete and captain of the varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams. While at Bryant, he was a securities analysis sector manager for the University’s Archway Investment Fund; a member of the Finance Association, Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, Student Senates’ Class of 2010 Committee and the Ski and Snowboard Club.

Intergalactic ?Yurt Band

The Danville Junction-based Intergalactic Yurt Band, featuring blues and bluegrass music, will perform at the New Gloucester Village Coffee House at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The performance will take place in the Community Room of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors. For more information, call Julie Fralich at 926-3161.

Holiday Fair

Women’s Evening Guild of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester, will be sponsoring its annual Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. For more information, call 926-3260 or e-mail fccng@securespeed.net.

Checkmate

On Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, the New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road, will be celebrating National Gaming Day.

Joe Benoit will be present to give pointers on learning how to play chess. Other chess boards will be available to anyone who would like to play. Additional games including, but not limited to, cribbage, dominoes, Parcheesi, I Spy, Chutes and Ladders and Picturesque will be on hand. For the most part, games are geared for ages 5 and up, but I Spy is appropriate for slightly younger.

Those who play any two games are eligible to be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Waldenbooks. Light refreshments will be served.

Any questions should be directed to Suzan Hawkins at 926-4840 or srhawkins@maine.rr.com.

Hoops for horses

Please join Open Gates Equine Rescue at the Maine Red Claws Basketball Team on opening night, Friday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Portland Exposition Building in Portland. As a fundraiser for this New Gloucester-based organization, a $10 per ticket donation is being requested. To purchase your tickets, contact Open Gates by mail at 407 Morse Road, New Gloucester, ME, 04260 or by e-mail at Lwalker7@maine.rr.com.

Dog licenses

Dog licenses for the 2011 year are now available at the New Gloucester town office. Dog licenses all expire Dec. 31 each year. If they are not done by Jan. 31, 2011, there will be an extra fine of $25 per dog.

Holiday assistance

It’s that time of year again to be thinking about neighbors helping neighbors celebrate the holiday spirit. The Caring Community of Gray-New Gloucester has sent out applications for Thanksgiving baskets through the elementary schools in Gray and New Gloucester.

Applications for Thanksgiving assistance are also available for pick up and drop off in Gray at the public library, Town Hall and Russell School; plus in New Gloucester at Town Hall, First Congregational Church, Dunn and Memorial schools. The deadline for returning Thanksgiving assistance forms is Friday, Nov. 12. Christmas applications will be available soon.

The Caring Community of Gray-New Gloucester is a group of citizens providing assistance to individuals and families in the towns of Gray and New Gloucester in the form of Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets through generous contributions of individuals, businesses and groups. In 2009, the organization assisted 89 families at Thanksgiving and approximately 125 families at Christmas by supplying food, clothing and toys.

Given the current economic situation, an even greater hardship during the upcoming holiday season is anticipated, so volunteers are trying to gear up early to meet this need. To make a donation to the Holiday Assistance Program or to sponsor a family, please contact Donna Rand at drand5@maine.rr.com or 671-4458.