Open Farm Day

The following area farms are taking part in Open Farm Day on Sunday, July 26:

• Acker’s Acres Angora, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 359 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester. This Angora Rabbit Farm, run by Beth Acker, features a yarn and gift shop, barn tour and spinning demonstrations.

• Foggs Hill Farm, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 943 Intervale Road, New Gloucester. Tour the petting zoo at this farm, which has all-natural meats, sheep, goats, pigs, beef and poultry. Owner Gail Kolda is happy to answer your farm-related questions.

• Pineland Farms, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. You’re invited to come to this diversified farm to partake in family-friendly activities throughout the day. Try your hand at milking a cow or collecting chicken eggs.

• Shaker Village, noon-4:30 p.m., 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester. See Scottish highland cattle, a flock of more than 40 sheep, bees, barn cats, apple orchards, and herb and vegetable gardens. Featured activities of the day include guided tours of the 1830 barns by Brother Arnold Hadd, tractor-drawn wagon rides, honeybee display and hives, tours of the Shakers’ historic herb gardens, traditional craft demonstrations, and book signings by Maine authors. A bake sale and plant sale are scheduled to take place. Barbecue lunch plates are available for purchase, and the Shaker Store and Shaker Museum Visitors’ Center are open.

Casting Call for Library Play

The Library Players will be conducting a casting call for this year’s play on Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 p.m., at the New Gloucester Public Library, 389 Intervale Road. Weather permitting, it will occur in the gazebo. There will be three rehearsals before the performance, set to take place on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

All children are welcome. There will be large roles and small roles, speaking and non-speaking roles, so, something for everyone. If you can’t make the casting call and want a part, please let Sue or Carla know at 926-4840 and a role will be held for you.

Farmers Market Booth

The Sabbathday Lake Shakers will have a booth with culinary herbs, herbal teas, herbal vinegars, herb-infused olive oil, Shaker biscuit mix and pancake mix, plus much more at Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26, Gray, from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 30.

Other local farmers and businesses will offer fresh produce and many other specialties there as well. During that time period, the entire Maine Wildlife Park will be open to the public, free of charge. Come support local growers and producers, plus enjoy the wonderful wildlife the park has to offer. The market will be held rain or shine.

Disc Golf at Pineland Farms

Pineland Farms’ disc golf course officially opened Monday, July 6. Disc golf is played like traditional ‘ball’ golf, but with flying discs – think Frisbees – instead of balls and clubs. At a length of 3,572 feet, the course is considered to be difficult and long for a 9-hole course, offering a decent amount of fun obstacles and varying terrain.

The Outdoor Center, located directly below The Market and Welcome Center, 15 Farm Drive, New Gloucester, serves as a pro shop for the summer months. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. The charge is $5 per round per person and $8 to play all day. Disc rentals are $1 each. A portion of the proceeds from disc golf sales go toward supporting the VAST (Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training) program. For more information, call 688-6599 or go to www.pinelandfarms.org.

Cheering Stunt Camp

A three-day Cheering Stunt Camp will be held at the Memorial School Gym, 86 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, Wednesday, Aug. 5; Thursday, Aug. 6; and Friday, Aug. 7. Students should wear leotards, gym shorts or sweatpants, and snug fitting tops; bare feet only.

The cost of this program, sponsored by New Gloucester Parks and Recreation, is $47 per participant. The registration deadline for this program is Thursday, July 30 at 4 p.m. Chips runs from 9-10 a.m., Big Diamonds from 10-11 a.m., and Super Diamonds 11-noon. Contact Recreation Director Harvey Price at 926-4126 or hprice@newgloucester.com for more information.

Lulu Moody, 8, looks on as Amy Phillips offers a treat to a 6-month-old puppy named Zeus at the 13th annual Pet Show, sponsored by the New Gloucester Public Library on July 7. Zeus is thought to be a Belgian Malinois.Photo by Patti Mikkelsen