Patriot Players’ Public Performance

What do teenagers go through when writing term papers? The Gray-New Gloucester Patriot Players will examine this topic when they present “The Chronicles of Jane, Book Seven” to the public, Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. on the GNGHS stage. There also will be performances by the high school band and choral ensembles. Admission is free.

Chronicles is the Players’ entry in a one-act tournament. The Players will present the show at the regional tournament on Friday, March 8, at Bonny Eagle High School, Standish.

The cast and crew includes Kelcie Brown, Brogan Kelly, Megan Malloy, Aleah Granger, Richard Southard, Stephanie Sailor, Dexter Castro, Megan Ruby, Melody Larson, Rachael Lachance, Josh Moran, Morgan Lindenschmidt, Erica Larrivee, Ceara Buzzell, Kelsey Michaud, Brandon Buck, Ian Maristany, Ariel Catrett, Nick Cavanaugh, Mike Gilligan and Simone Bukovskey.

Smart Growth Mobility Forum

A 21st century vision for passenger rail and transit investments will be explored at a Smart Growth Mobility Forum, 1-6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28 at UNE’s Ludcke Auditorium, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland. The forum will be hosted by the Maine Rail Transit Coalition and Sierra Club Maine.

The agenda will provide attendees with information on the Smart Growth Mobility Project. Note that the proposal for the St. Lawrence line includes a station in New Gloucester.

Features at the forum include a roundtable with experts, discussion of rail-associated legislation in Augusta, networking, refreshments and a cash bar. Register at www.maine.sierraclub.org. The fee is $25 per person. For more information, contact Sierra Club Maine, 761-5616.

Pancake Breakfast

The Royal River Riders will be sponsoring a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m., Saturday, March 2 at Amvets Post 6, 1095 Lewiston Road, New Gloucester. The menu includes eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries and pancakes.

The cost is $7 for adults; $4 for seniors, plus children 13 and under. For more information, contact Andrea Segars, 577-2563, or segarsa@yahoo.com.

New Date for Book and Bake Sale

The new date for the Cabin Fever Book and Bake Sale is Saturday, March 2. The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road. There will be great bargains, including a 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 on sale. Stock up on items to help you make it through until the spring thaw.

Blues Band at Next Coffee House

Bluezberry Jam is an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, rhythm and jam cooked up by five fun folks from Portland. The band will be performing at the next New Gloucester Village Coffee House, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2.

The concert venue will be the Vestry Community Room of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester. Admission at the door is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors and children under 12. Coffee and tea are free, while snacks are available for a small donation. Call the church office at 926-3260 for more information.

Free Shaker Village Workshop Catalog

The 2013 Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village Workshop, Demos and Special Events Catalog will be available soon. The catalog lists multiple workshops in herbal uses, herb garden tours, herb garden internships, home and crafts, and working with wood.

Special events begin in June, including five major events plus monthly nature hikes. To request your free catalog, contact Shaker Village at 926-4597 or usshakers@aol.com.

Appointment Announced

at Shaker Village

Sister Frances Carr, of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community in New Gloucester, has announced the appointment of Michael S. Graham as the new Director of the Shaker Museum, Shaker Library and Herb Department. He will assume his new post on July 1. A graduate of Bates College, Graham has served as the museum’s curator for the past 19 years. He succeeds Leonard L. Brooks, who is retiring after 25 years as director.

Vote for Open Gates Equine Rescue

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will be allocating $100,000 in grant money to 68 nonprofit organizations in Maine through its Community Matters More campaign. In addition to the nonprofits listed on the ballot, each top write-in vote-getter will receive at least $1,000 in grants.

The directors, volunteers and horses at Open Gates Equine Rescue located on Morse Road in New Gloucester are hoping that you will take a minute to post a write-in vote for their organization. The rescue cares for abused and neglected horses.

Vote by visiting www.bangor.com/cmm and clicking on “Cast Your Vote Today.” Go to the Greater Portland/Lewiston/Auburn region, check “Other” and type in Open Gates Equine Rescue. Balloting is open until midnight on Monday, March 11.

New Gloucester voters attending a brief special Town Meeting on Feb. 16 had plenty of time for conversation afterward. There was no discussion on the $2.4 million public water project, which passed after being defeated narrowly last month. The vote allows the town to move forward with a plan, which is backed with $1.4 million of federal and state money, to pipe clean drinking water to contaminated properties in Upper Gloucester along Route 100. Photo by Patti Mikkelsen