Doyle Dunk Donations

Five-month-old Carter Doyle was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder in December 2014 and is currently a patient at Maine Medical Center. His parents Scott and Amanda Doyle are splitting their time between the hospital and home in New Gloucester to be with their other son Ethan.

The Doyles are active community members, generously giving of their time and energy whenever there is a need. Scott is a captain with New Gloucester’s fire department, and Amanda is a teacher at a local school. They have rallied for those in need of support and assistance in our community, and now is time for the community to rally for them as expenses are piling up. No donation is too small. Every little bit will add up to help this family through this trying time.

If you’re up to the challenge, take the Polar Plunge at the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, Jan. 31. Those not willing to submerge themselves into the icy waters of Crystal Lake, a.k.a. Chicken Dippers, may make a donation instead.

Either you could make a direct donation through the ‘Activities’ webpage at www.crystallakederby.com, or you could pledge a donation to sponsor a Doyle Dunk participant. One of these brave souls is Shawn Rioux, who plans to take the plunge with two others comprising Team Glory Days. Glory Days Family Childcare & Preschool in New Gloucester is baby Carter’s daycare center. You can send a check payable to ‘Doyle Dunk’ to Shawn Rioux, 3 Glory Days Dr, New Gloucester, ME 04260 before Friday, Jan. 30.

Pancake Breakfast

The Royal River Riders Snowmobile Club will be hosting its fourth annual pancake breakfast, from 7-10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at the New Gloucester Fire Station, 611 Lewiston Road. The menu includes bacon, sausage, eggs, home fries, beans, pancakes, milk, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

The cost for adults is $7, $4 for seniors and children under 10. Due to the new location, you will not be able to drive your snowmobile to this event. Organizers apologize for any inconvenience that may be incurred.

Register for Lacrosse

Registration for the 2015 lacrosse season will open Sunday, Feb. 1, and extend through Sunday, March 15. Boys and girls in grades 3-8 who are residents of Gray or New Gloucester may join the Patriot Lacrosse Club. The cost is $100, and the season runs from March through June.

For equipment rental information, practice and game schedules, and to create an account to register online, go to www.gngpatriotlacrosse.org. For more information, contact Glen Mercier at 926-4267 or mercier68@gmail.com. Any business interested in sponsoring the fastest growing sport in the country is urged to contact him.

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball

Come to the Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, for Adult Co-Ed Volleyball. Pickup games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7–9 p.m. during the school year. This program is free of charge. If school is canceled due to weather on the day of volleyball, so is this program that evening.

Play Date

Join in on the fun for a family play date at “Winter Wednesday on the Farm.” The classroom at Pineland Farms’ education barn will be open for some hands-on activities geared toward children ages 2-5, from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28. An adult chaperone or parent is required to attend.

The cost is $5 per child. Buy tickets at The Market and Welcome Center, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. For more information, contact the education department at 650-3031 or education@pinelandfarms.org.

Pastor of the Day

Sen. Eric Brakey welcomed the Rev. Linda Gard from the First Congregational-Christian Church, UCC, of New Gloucester, to the State House in Augusta on Thursday, Jan. 8. She served as Pastor of the Day in the Senate, and the church was honored with a Legislative sentiment recognizing the 250th anniversary of its founding.

Tom Hathaway teaches Kate Robinson how to skate ski at Pineland Farms, Jan. 18. Both reside in Scarborough.Photo by Patti Mikkelsen