Santa’s annual rounds

Santa will be making his annual rounds for New Gloucester residents on Christmas Eve again this year. Before his 4:30 p.m. arrival at Thompson’s Orchard, Kracker Jack Magic will be performing from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

After Santa’s visit at Thompson’s, he will continue down Gloucester Hill Road toward the Lower Village where he will stop at the Town Hall from about 5:30 to 5:45 p.m. Next, he will proceed to the Upper Village and travel around area roads with a stop at about 6:30 p.m.

People are encouraged to pre-arrange presents that are to be given out at Thompson’s and along Santa’s route. Presents can be dropped off at the Kiley residence at 20 Kiley Road, located off Outlet Road, until the deadline of Friday, Dec. 23, at noon.

If you need more information about pre-arranging or anything else connected with the New Gloucester Santa, please call Lisa or John Kiley at 926-5632.

Santa’s visit is funded by contributions. There are donation cans at local stores, Mario’s and Thompson’s Orchard. Donations can also be mailed to: New Gloucester Santa, PO Box 204, New Gloucester, ME 04260

Holiday story time

The New Gloucester Public Library, located beside Town Hall, will be hosting a holiday story time starting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20. Baxter the Library Cat will be making a special appearance and light refreshments will be served.

Bible Church Christmas observances

The New Gloucester Bible Church, Lewiston Road (Route 100), will be presenting a Christmas program, 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18. Also, a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 24. The Christmas Day service will start at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend. For more information, call Pastor Dan at 926-3140.

NGTV programs available for purchase

DVD copies of programs created by NGTV are now available for $2 each. A list of program titles can be found on the Cable TV Committee page of the town website www.newgloucester.com. To place an order, contact Patti Mikkelsen at 926-5660 or mikks@maine.rr.com with the title(s) and number of copies desired. She will inform you of when your order has been delivered to the town office, where you can pay for and pick up the DVD(s).

Holiday schedule

All town facilities will close at noon on Friday, Dec. 23, for an employee holiday luncheon. Additionally, all town facilities will be closed on Mondays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s, which both fall on Sundays. The public library will be closed on Saturdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

Candlelight service

The First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, will be holding its annual Christmas Eve candlelight service from 7 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 24. The service is open to all.

Military tribute ?to be telecast

A Nov. 5 ceremony honoring military service personnel with ties to New Gloucester was taped by NGTV. The show will be telecast Dec. 16-18 at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on community access Channel 3, available for viewing by New Gloucester and Gray cable customers. DVD copies of the program may be purchased for $2 each. Please refer to the next listing for the procedure to use in placing an order.

Arts grant

The directors of the Maine Community Foundation have approved a Maine Expansion Arts Grant for the 2012 Maine Summer Market and Demonstration to be held on Aug. 25 at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village. The grant money will allow for an increased number of performances by Maine Native American artists. The Market and Demo celebrates in its fourth year not only the achievements of some 15 artists but also the more than 200 year-old connection between the Maine tribes and the Maine Shakers.