Fun on the farm

Pineland Farms in New Gloucester is offering several entertaining family winter programs. Participants are to meet at the Smokehouse on the Valley Farm.

Friday on the Farm will be held Friday, Jan. 21, from 10-11:30 a.m.

Farm Tour and Egg Collection will be offered Saturday, Jan. 22, 10-11:30 a.m. Participants will investigate the life of Organic Golden Comet laying hens and the products they give us and they will collect eggs.

Animal Adaptations will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, from 1-2:30 p.m.

Coping with the Cold will be offered Thursday, Jan. 27, 10-11:30 a.m. Explore the nearby woods learning about the adaptations that animals make to survive Maine’s long winter. Come dressed for an outside adventure.

There is a fee of $5 per person (cash or check) for all programs, which includes a story, craft and farm activity, plus a 10 percent off coupon to The Market. Pre-registration at least 24 hours in advance is appreciated to help organizers plan accordingly, but they do accept registration the day of the program. For more information, directions or to pre-register, contact Paula Letiecq, 926-3913, or pletiecq@pinelandfarms.org.

Please be aware that Pineland Farms does not allow dogs on the premises in an effort to ensure the greatest safety of all visitors to the farm and for the safety of Pineland Farms’ animals.

Cards, coffee and candlepin bowling

Stop by for coffee and stay for cards and board games, bowling or just partake in enjoyable conversation anytime between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Wednesdays at the Pineland Y. Occasionally trips are taken based on group interest.

Everyone is welcome to come, and there is no charge. Although there’s no need to register, please call ahead to check on possible cancellations due to member programs that may cause a scheduling conflict, 688-2255.

Students chronicle local history

The January 2011 meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road (Route 231), next to Town Hall. The program will be presented by a history class from Gray-New Gloucester Middle School that has just completed field trips and projects related to local history. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. The program will be followed by the society’s annual meeting.

Food pantry

The local food pantry, located behind the First Congregational Church in the lower village, currently serves 10-18 families and single people who live in New Gloucester. Distribution hours are the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 8-9:30 a.m.

Due to many generous organizations and individuals, food and monetary donations continue to grow. One of the largest fundraisers is the Crop Walk held annually in May.

The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Auburn provides free produce to the pantry and offers other food at a bargain price. Additionally through Good Shepherd, the pantry receives matching funds for its pledge donation amounts.

Volunteers are needed to pack boxes for distribution. Interested people are encouraged to contact coordinator Erin Pendexter, ependexter@securespeed.us.

Kindergarten screening

If you reside in New Gloucester and have a child that will be 5 on or before Oct. 15, 2011, please call Cindy at 926-4322 to pre-register your child for kindergarten screening at Memorial School. Once you have registered, you will be contacted by mail.

Holiday observance

All town facilities will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17.

New e-mail address

I welcome any submissions pertaining to New Gloucester-related items of interest. Please note that my e-mail address has changed to mikks@maine.rr.com. As always, you can also get in touch with me by phone, 926-5660.