New Gloucester Community Market Re-Opens

Filled with a diverse selection of local products, the New Gloucester Community Market will be opening this year on Sunday, Aug. 4. The Market will be located at Thompson’s Orchard, 276 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester.

There you will find products such as vegetables, bread, jams and preserves, eggs, meat, plants, berries, soaps, alpaca yarn and wears, and more. The market will be held Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. until Sunday, Oct. 13, and also on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. during the month of September. For more information, contact Noah Fralich, 370-2027, or norumbegafarm@gmail.com.

Taste of New Gloucester

Come celebrate New Gloucester’s local food network. Taste of New Gloucester will showcase and celebrate the town’s diverse local food economy. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Thompson’s Orchard Gazebo, 276 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester.

Maine food expert Ken Morse will moderate a panel on local food entrepreneurship featuring panelists Mike Thompson, Anne McCormack, Sam Coggeshall and Krista Desjarlais. Many local farms and companies will be there to discuss their business and share free samples. Enjoy live music performed by The Haoles – Rich Lambert and Thomas Gurney.

This event is the New Gloucester Economic Development Committee’s Fourth Annual Business Forum. Donations will be accepted. For more information, contact assistant planner Jessa Berna at 926-4126 ext. 4, or jberna@newgloucester.com.

‘Under the Big Top’ Vacation Bible School

The First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester will be hosting its Summerfest “Under the Big Top” Vacation Bible School, Monday, July 29, through Friday, Aug. 2. The week will be filled with mime, clowning, magic tricks, juggling, crafts, singing, dancing, and fun clownish games.

Summerfest is for children from preschool, age 4, to children who are entering sixth grade in the fall. If you are not in this age range, but would love to join in the fun, contact Kathryn Larson at 926-5114, or the church at 926-3260. For a registration form, go to www.ngucc.org.

Shaker Village Happenings

The public is invited to partake in workshops, and observe a craft demonstration, at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester on Saturday, Aug. 3.

An Heirloom Herbal Wreath and Ornaments Workshop will be taught by Betsey-Ann Golon from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The fee is $40, and pre-registration is required.

Noted furniture maker Chris Becksvoort will be heading up a Dovetails Workshop, from 9 a.m.-noon. for Session 1, and from 1-4 p.m. for Session 2. Choose either session. The fee is $35, and pre-registration is required.

Explore the techniques the Shakers would have used at a Lamb to Loom Demonstration. Antique and contemporary examples of fiber equipment and presentations will be shown throughout the day. The demonstration will be free of charge.

Casting Call

The casting call for the 2013 Library Players summer production will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road. Everyone who wants a role is guaranteed a part, and there are speaking and nonspeaking parts. For more information, call the library at 926-4840.

VAST Program Awarded Coin of Excellence

During its annual meeting, the Maine Military and Community Network (MMCN) selected Pineland Farms’ VAST program as this year’s recipient of the Coin of Excellence Award. MMCN is a collaborative effort by Maine organizations, volunteers, and concerned citizens to raise awareness of the challenges facing and resources available to military service members, military children and their families. Pineland Farms’ Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training (VAST) program provides adaptive sports opportunities for disabled veterans.

The VAST program, which received the second-ever Coin of Excellence offered by MMCN, offers free adaptive sports programming for veterans with physical disabilities, TBI and PTSD, or to veterans willing to volunteer.

VAST summer programming offers archery and running at Pineland Farms every Wednesday through Aug. 28. For more information, contact Kristina Sabasteanski, director of Veterans Adaptive Sports, 310-8694, or ksabaste@maine.rr.com.