What’s to Become of Mario’s?

The Route 100 property in New Gloucester, on which the now-closed Mario’s Restaurant is sited, is owned by RW Michaud Properties LLC, a Lewiston-based real estate company. According to owner Rick Michaud, who also manages Sam’s Italian Foods, there are no immediate plans for the property.

Michaud wrote by email, “Initially, it will be offered for sale or lease. There has already been some interest expressed in the property from a half dozen local individuals and businesses, all with intentions of operating a restaurant.”

Chili, Chowder Contest, March 29

Taste-test and vote for your favorite dish at the Junior Warden Chili and Chowder Contest, Saturday, March 29, 12-2 p.m., at Cumberland Lodge Masonic Hall, 11 Bald Hill Road, New Gloucester. The event, to benefit the Scottish Rite Children’s Dyslexia Center of Portland, is open to the public; all-you-can-eat for $10, free for children under 6. Contact Jerry DeWitt, 926-3240 or jdewitt@tcmhs.org, for more information.

Music Festival

Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester is pleased to announce that its ninth annual Maine Festival of American Music will be held on June 25-28. The Portland String Quartet, musical directors for the festival, have arranged an excellent array of programs that feature the works of Kreisler, Bloch, Mozart, Debussy, and a contemporary work by Stephen Gryc. Composer Kevin Siegfried, who will be collaborating with Brother Arnold Hadd, will be preparing choral arrangements of Shaker songs. Both Gryc and Siegfried will be in attendance at the festival. Guest artist oboist Kathleen McNerney will join the quartet for the Mozart performance.

Maple Sugaring

It’s time to collect the sap from maple trees at Pineland Farms and turn it into delicious maple syrup. The class, open to those ages 3 and up, will learn how the naturally sweet treat is made. This family education program will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, and repeated on Tuesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 27, during the same time slot.

The cost is $5 per person. Buy tickets at The Market and Welcome Center at Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to buy tickets and get to your program.

Spike It

Burn off calories after dinner by playing adult pick-up volleyball, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at the Memorial School gymnasium, 86 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, during the school year. There is no charge to play. Just come and have fun with your friends and neighbors. Note that if school is canceled due to inclement weather, volleyball is off for the evening.

Taxes Due

Town real estate and personal property tax bills for 2013-2014 were mailed out in August 2013. Your second payment is due on Friday, April 11. Interest will begin to accrue on Saturday, April 12, on any unpaid balances at a rate of 7 percent, per annum. Town office hours are Monday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Flood Rates

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is converting its paper Flood Insurance Rate Maps into digital formats. If you own property in a flood plain in New Gloucester, FEMA’s paper maps are available at the planning office in Town Hall for your review.

Property owners will be able to submit comments and requests for revisions to the maps before the maps are digitized. The deadline to submit your comments is Wednesday, April 30. Contact Milan Nevajda, interim town planner, for more information at 926-4126, ext. 4, or mnevajda@newgloucester.com.

Mario’s Restaurant, located along Route 100 in New Gloucester, has closed, as of March 2. Christina and Amos Gray, who operated the restaurant for 30 years, have retired.