Free Open Range Day

All New Gloucester and Gray residents are invited to a free Open Range Day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Royal River Rod and Gun Club, Fish Hatchery Road in New Gloucester. The public is encouraged to check out the club’s 35-yard and 100-yard shooting ranges and meet members to learn about the safety, education, and community programs the club sponsors.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a firearm or two and try the ranges. Sight-in help for the upcoming deer and moose season is available. Interested people who have never handled a firearm are encouraged to come and talk to experienced sports enthusiasts. This year also features a fishing equipment display and an invitation from the Maine State fish hatchery behind the club’s property to take a tour of their facility. For more information contact Pete Thoits, 657-4184, petethoits@maine.rr.com.

Baskets, music,

and more

A schedule of events for the Maine Native American Summer Market and Demonstration at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26, New Gloucester has been announced.

The opening welcome under the tent will occur at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 25. Performances by the Burnurwurbskek Singers and the Sipayik Dance Troupe will take place from 11 a.m.-noon on the Great Lawn. Storytelling and flute playing by David Sanipass will be from 1-2 p.m. on the Great Lawn. Note that if it is raining, these performances will be held in the 1794 Meeting House, across the street from the tent. Starting at 2 p.m. on the Great Lawn, a demonstration of ash splint pounding from a log by Butch Jacobs and sons will take place. If raining, this demonstration will be cancelled.

Admission and parking are free. Call 926-4597 for more information.

Taiji/Qigong for Peace

On Saturdays, Sept. 1 and Sept. 8 from 8-9 a.m., Connemara Farm, 37 Peacock Hill Road, New Gloucester. The program runs from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Valley Farm. The cost is $5 per person, and tickets can be purchased at The Market and Welcome Center, 15 Farm View Drive (off Morse Road), New Gloucester. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to buy tickets and get to the program site. For more information or to register, contact Paula at 688-4800, ext. 15, or pletiecq@pinelandfarms.org.

Town holiday schedule

All town facilities will be closed in observance of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.

New Gloucester’s first gun show

Roger Hines and Joe Beggs are pleased to announce a 34-table gun show to be held Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9 at AMVETS Post 6, Lewiston Road, New Gloucester. Roger and Joe, both dealers who frequent statewide shows, believe it’s high time the New Gloucester area had an annual gun show of its own. Hunters, recreational shooters, collectors, and anyone else interested in firearms will benefit from this local show. For more specifics, please contact Roger Hines at 926-3943 or rhines@maine.rr.com.