Hope for Carter Benefit Dance

Put on your dancing shoes for Carter Doyle, 7-month-old son of Scott and Amanda Doyle who was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder in December 2014. Donations to help with their expenses are urgently needed.

The dance will be held from 7:30-11 p.m., Friday, March 27, at Spring Meadows, Route 100, Gray. There will be some nice items to be raffled off, and organizers will also be doing a 50/50 raffle. Munchies will be provided. A cash bar will be available. Don’t miss out on dancing and catching up with your friends after this long winter. Call Mary Rich at 577-1361 for more information.

Visit Pa’s Sugar Shack

Or maybe not… Due to a slow start to the maple sap season, the Maine Maple Sunday celebration at Pa’s Sugar Shack, 272 Morse Road, New Gloucester, is somewhat tentatively scheduled. Co-owner Dennis McIntosh reports that weather conditions have delayed the start of the season by approximately two weeks. Evidence of the poor season is that sugar makers are experiencing much lower than usual yield. Normally McIntosh collects 600 gallons of sap per day, but this year the quantity has slowed to about 200 gallons per day.

If the event does occur, Pa’s Sugar Shack will be open to the public from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, March 22. Visitors will be treated to free samples of ice cream topped with warm maple syrup. Also, products will be available for sale. Maple syrup will be sold in half-pints, pints, quarts, half-gallons and gallons, and baked peanuts coated in maple syrup, which is a specialty item made by his wife Carmen McIntosh, will be available for purchase.

The operation will be functioning, so visitors will be able to see how the sap is processed. To verify that Pa’s Sugar Shack will be open for Maine Maple Sunday, call 576-4608 or email carmenjmcintosh@gmail.com.

Maple Sugaring

It’s time to collect the sap from the maple trees at Pineland Farms and turn it into delicious maple syrup. Learn how this naturally sweet treat is made. This family education program is open to ages 3 and up and takes place 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21. It will be repeated from 10-11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 26.

Buy tickets for $5 per person at The Market and Welcome Center at Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. For more information, call 650-3031.

NG Dems to Meet

The New Gloucester Democratic Committee will be meeting on Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m., at the Chandler House Bed and Breakfast, 337 Intervale Road, New Gloucester. All registered Democrats are invited to attend.

Public Budget Hearing

The public is invited to come to The Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, and comment on the town’s proposed budget for FY 2016, starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. The hearing, which is rescheduled from its original date, is hosted by the town’s budget committee. It will be televised on local access cable Channel 3. The proposed budget is posted at www.newgloucester.com, and printed budget booklets are available for citizens to pick up at the town office.

June Elections

Nomination papers for the June elections are now available at the town office. There are two openings for the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen and two openings for New Gloucester MSAD 15 Board of Directors. Each term of office is for three years.

Nomination papers must be signed by at least 25 registered New Gloucester voters, but not more than 100. Signed papers must be returned by Friday, April 24, before 2 p.m. for certification.

There is also one opening for a trustee on the New Gloucester Water District. Interested parties should contact the town staff to learn the proper protocol to follow.

The elections will take place on Tuesday, June 9, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at the fire station, 611 Lewiston Road, New Gloucester.

Second Tax Payment Due Soon

Town real estate and personal property tax bills for 2014-2015 were mailed out in August 2014. Your second payment is due on Friday, April 10. Interest will begin to accrue on Saturday, April 11, 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.