Open House

The monthly New Gloucester Historical Society’s History Barn Open House will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at the History Barn, right behind the Town Hall on Route 231 in New Gloucester. The society’s collection of wagons, sleighs and the town hearse will be on display along with historic photos of the town. The new town history and memorabilia will be for sale as well.

Colonial talk

Ten Gray-New Gloucester Middle School students conducted extensive research on local history and converted their findings into both written and spoken form. They compiled a booklet titled “Colonial Gray and New Gloucester” and gave a presentation at the Jan. 20 New Gloucester Historical Society meeting.

The audience was duly impressed with the scope of the students’ research and the poise with which they delivered their talks. The orators who spoke in groups of two and three were Jasmine Taudvin, Clara Phillips, Emily Edwards, Cameron Blais, Dante Castro, Emma Matusovich, Morgan Brann, Isaac Blake, Izzy Detroy, and Morgan Reilly. The advisory teachers for this project were Lisa Knedler and Amanda Hennessey.

Sabbathday Lake ?Ice Fishing Derby

Saturday, Feb. 5, is the date for the Royal River Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Derby on Sabbathday Lake. The derby will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with sign-in starting at 6:45 a.m. All tickets are $10, and proceeds will be donated to support local charities. Tickets will be available on the day of the derby and are available at some local stores.

Prizes will be awarded for the three largest fish landed and weighed in. First prize is a 6 foot by 6 foot collapsible ice fishing shelter donated by Kittery Trading Post. Second prize is five ice fishing traps with a large carrying basket donated by Jess ‘N Nic’s of Gray. Third prize is a $50 Visa gift card. Door prizes will be awarded at the end of the day.

Sabbathday Lake Grange has graciously provided their hall for Royal River to run registration, weigh-in, and award the prizes. The Grange will also have food and beverages available for sale on the day of the competition. Because Sabbathday Lake is an excellent fishery, a great turn-out and fast-paced fishing is expected. For more information, contact Roger Hines at 926-3943 or rhines@securespeed.us.

Upland Game Hunting Heritage banquet

The National Wild Turkey Federation will host an Upland Game Hunting Heritage banquet on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Keeley the Katerer on Warren Avenue in Portland. The doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. The event will feature both live and silent auctions, plus raffles. Monies from this event will go to youth programs and upland bird habitat improvement in Maine. For ticket information, contact state chapter president Robb Cotiaux at 926-5392.

Wind power

Come join other young people to explore the exciting world of science. The second in a series of six hands-on monthly classes presented at the New Gloucester Public Library is titled “The Power of Wind.” On Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., investigate engineering designs that generate wind power.

The class is open to all youth grades K-12. Any participants under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Adult and teen volunteers are welcome. The class, sponsored by The University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H, is free of charge, and all materials will be provided. Registration by Feb. 5 is encouraged, although no one will be turned away. Contact Suzan Hawkins, 926-4840, or srhawkins@maine.rr.com to pre-register or for more information.

Cabin Fever Sale

The Cabin Fever Sale is coming up Saturday, Feb. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon at the New Gloucester Public Library. Great bargains will abound including its large selection of gently used books (50 cents for hardbacks and 25 cents for paperbacks), games, puzzles and audio-visual items.

In addition, delicious baked goods will be for sale. There will be many great Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetheart. Stock up on items to help you make it through the rest of the winter and keep the kids busy during school break. Come browse and see the terrific deals.

Pie-making class

Learn to make a rich chocolate cream pie. Treat your sweetheart to your own freshly baked pie this Valentine’s Day. Learn the secrets of making a decadent chocolate cream pie with flaky crust from the master, Debbie Thurlow of Debbie’s Pies.

The class will take place at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. The $45 fee includes lunch, pie-making class, a freshly baked pie to take home and Debbie’s Chocolate Cream Pie recipe. For more information or to pre-register, call 926-3913.