Chocolate buffet

Indulge on platters upon platters of decadent chocolates, such as rich raspberry creams, luscious pecan turtles and creamy peanut butter cups at a chocolate buffet to benefit Open Gates Equine Rescue. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, 174 Lower Main Street in Freeport, is the site of this fundraiser.

Visit chocolate heaven on Saturday, May 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. and help raise money for the care and rehabilitation of the equine residents at this New Gloucester facility. Tickets cost $20 each and must be purchased no later than Saturday, April 30. Contact Rose Stansfield, 926-6083 or rstansfield@maine.rr.com.

Patriot Players production

The Gray-New Gloucester High School Patriot Players will be presenting Tom Jones on May 5, 6 and 7. The romantic comedy is the story of the most famous foundling in literary history. All three shows will start at 7:30 p.m. and will take place at the GNGHS cafetorium.

The cast includes Sam Miklovich, Rachel Powell, Jordan Holmes, Brogan Kelley, Lydia Larson, Josh Harper, Rayna Campbell, Grace Powell, Dexter Castro, Dean Blanchard, Jake Malloy, Arden Jordan, Caitlin Field, Tyler Ray, Jasmine Harper, Emily Tynes, Alan Bennett, Kyrie Ovady, Sam Maristany, Paige Berube, Emily Mills, Andie Bolduc, Anna Johnson, Liz Tynes, and Alyssa St. Pierre. Eric Walker is directing, and Michaela Lyons is the production director.

Quilt show

A quilt show will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the New Gloucester History Barn, behind the Town Hall on Route 231. Local quilters working in a variety of styles will be featured. The show, sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society, is free and open to the public.

Furniture Fair

The Made in New Gloucester Furniture Fair will showcase and celebrate the town’s creative economy and furniture-making tradition. Featuring a presentation by renowned local craftsman Chris Becksvoort, the event is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 1-4 p.m., at the historic New Gloucester First Congregational-Christian Church Vestry, located at 19 Gloucester Hill Road.

Several local furniture makers, including Pat Plourde, Eric Ritter, and Lou Charlett, will exhibit their work and discuss their craft. New Gloucester’s original furniture makers, the Sabbathday Lake Shakers, will display pieces from their collection.

Enjoy live music, food from local businesses, and a “build your own toolbox” table for the kids. The fair is the New Gloucester Economic Development Committee’s second annual business forum. For more information, call the Town Planning Department, 926-4126 ext. 4, or visit www.newgloucesteredc.com.

Energy efficiency

The energy efficiency workshop conducted on March 10 was recorded by NGTV volunteers. Featured demonstrations include how to build an interior storm window and operate a Kill-a-Watts monitor.

The 58-minute program will be telecast just in time for Earth Day on Friday, April 22, as well as Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24, at 7 p.m. and the following weekend. It will be shown on public access Channel 3, plus there are two DVDs of the program at the New Gloucester Public Library for viewing by non-cable subscribers.

Sunrise service

New Gloucester’s First Congregational Church will be hosting two ceremonies on Easter Sunday, April 24. The sunrise service will be held at scenic Opportunity Farm at 5:30 a.m., and the worship service in the church sanctuary at 9:30 a.m.

CROP Walk

Help end hunger locally and globally at the CROP Walk on Sunday, May 1. Mark your calendars, organize a team, put your walking shoes on or get out your checkbook.

CROP Walk is an international effort coordinated by Church World Services to end hunger. 25 percent of the funds raised go to the New Gloucester Food Pantry while the remainder goes to relief efforts for people impacted by disasters. To organize a team or sponsor a walker, contact Sharon at 926-3260 or fccng@securespeed.net.

Annual town meeting

New Gloucester’s annual town meeting will take place at the Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road on Monday, May 2, starting at 7 p.m. Copies of the warrant can be found posted around town or online at www.newgloucester.com.

Tip of the Month

The organization known as 21 Reasons offers the following underage drinking prevention Tip of the Month for April. Keep track of the alcohol in your home. Count it and lock it up.

The Gray-New Gloucester Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition meets monthly in either Gray or New Gloucester. They are always looking for new Coalition members and community volunteers to help out on a variety of projects. For more information on how you can get involved, e-mail GNGCoalition@mcd.org or call 773-7737.