Open Barn fundraiser

You’re invited to the annual Open Barn fundraiser at Open Gates Equine Rescue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10. Rain date is Sept. 17. Horse enthusiasts and other shelter supporters won’t want to miss this fun and informative event.

Dr. David Jefferson of Maine Equine Associates will speak on chiropractic practices for horses starting at 10 a.m. Catherine Foley, a horse trainer in Virginia, will present a clinic at 11 a.m. Dr. Thomas A. Judd of Equine Veterinary Services will speak on acupuncture for horses at 12:30 p.m. Saddle fitting instruction by Cohne Goodwin (riding instructor/judge) will start at 2 p.m.

Hot dogs, chips, drinks and baked goods will be available for purchase.

Open Gates Equine Rescue is located at 407 Morse Road, New Gloucester. Note that the road is now open to all traffic. For more information, call 926-5570 or see www.opengatesequinerescue.com.

Smart meter decision time

Central Maine Power is asking New Gloucester utility customers to make an important decision. Will you allow the company to replace your current analog power meter with a new smart meter, or will you decide to opt out of the program?

A lengthy, two-sided discussion of the issue took place at the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen’s Aug. 15 meeting. It will be telecast at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-11, on local access Channel 3 (New Gloucester and Gray). DVD copies of the program are available at the New Gloucester Public Library.

Additionally, New Gloucester Television is now offering video on demand and live streaming through the town’s website by clicking on the “New” Watch Meetings button. To access the Smart Meter presentations, select the town and go to “Previous Meetings – Other.”

What’s happening ?at Shaker Village?

• On Saturday, Sept. 10, participants will make a beautiful accordion book using gel printing techniques and Shaker herbs at a Gel Printing Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All levels of experience are welcome. The fee, which includes materials, is $40, and pre-registration is required. Guided nature hikes will be offered at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The fee is $5 for adults; $2 for children, under 6 are free. Reservations are recommended.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the R & R Spinners will demonstrate their spinning techniques and display their creations, free of charge.

• The Shakers pioneered the use of cloth tape for chair/stool seating, and on Saturday, Sept. 17, you can learn the same traditional method at a Chair Taping Workshop to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $35, and pre-registration is required. Contact the Shaker Village for special workshop instructions.

All programs take place at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26, New Gloucester. For more information or to make reservations, call 926-4597 or email usshakers@aol.com.

Old-fashioned? barn dance

The public is invited to an old-fashioned barn dance, 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, in the Gauvin’s spacious barn at Shady Lane Farm, 97 Cobb’s Bridge Road, New Gloucester. Dance caller Kathryn Larson will have everybody on their feet, a-hootin’ and a-hollerin’ to the sounds of a live band.

Admission is $8 for individuals and $20 for families. There will be refreshments available by donation, too. If you have an item to donate to the silent auction, call the church office at 926-3260. Proceeds will go to the New Gloucester Food Pantry.

Veterans’ roll call

In preparation of New Gloucester’s History Barn Open House Nov. 5, which will feature a program honoring veterans, information is being sought to compile a roll call to be displayed. Any veteran who entered the armed services while a resident of New Gloucester or joined while living in another location but now resides in New Gloucester will be included.

Please email information, such as the veteran’s branch of the Armed Forces and name(s) of war(s) during service, to Jean Libby at jelibby8@maine.rr.com.

‘The Sound of Music’

The most popular movie musical of all time is coming to Gray-New Gloucester High School. The Patriot Players are proud to present “The Sound of Music” on Nov. 17-19. The Broadway play and movie features numerous hit songs including “My Favorite Things” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” Auditions are being held on Monday, Sept. 12.

Scott Jillson of Jillson’s Farm and Sugarhouse in Sabattus waits
on his first customer at the grand opening of New Gloucester’s
community market Sept. 4. Jillson’s Farm also has stands in
Falmouth, Freeport, Winthrop and Lewiston. Carol-Lynn Rossel of
Winthrop is finishing up her order by purchasing a red bell pepper.
The new community market, located at Thompson’s Orchards, is open
Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m.
(Photo by Patti Mikkelsen)