Casco Bay Tummlers at The Village Coffeehouse

The Casco Bay Tummlers, based in Portland, have been performing klezmer music since 1988. The band’s repertoire is versatile, ranging from original music to traditional dances and Yiddish theater and ghetto songs – all with original arrangements.

They will perform at the May 5 New Gloucester Village Coffeehouse located at the First Congregational Church community room, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. The concert is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for a cost of $10 adults, $5 children and seniors. Coffee and tea are free, while snacks are available for purchase. For more information, call 926-3260.

A Patriot Players presentation

The classic Jane Austen story, Pride and Prejudice, is coming to the Gray-New Gloucester High School stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5. This Patriot Players presentation, which is a timeless romantic comedy, features Arden Jordan as Elizabeth Bennet and Jake Malloy as Mr. Darcy.

History Barn displays artifacts

The monthly New Gloucester History Barn Open House will be held on Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The barn, owned and operated by the New Gloucester Historical Society, is located behind the Town Hall on Route 231. Admission is free. Spring exhibits will show antique carriages, veterans’ salute, new acquisitions and historic photographs.

Annual town meeting

New Gloucester’s annual town meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7, at Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road. Town meeting booklets are now available at the New Gloucester town office, which will be closing 15 minutes early on May 7. Copies of the warrant articles are posted at various locations around town.

Historical talk

by Louise Knapp

The May meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society will feature an illustrated talk by Louise Knapp about her teaching days in New Gloucester. Her address will take place on Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road (Route 231), next to the Town Hall. The talk is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, and a members’ business meeting will follow.

Friends of the Festival

New Gloucester Friends of the Festival was formed last year to provide local citizens and businesses a chance to support “The Maine Festival of American Music: Its Roots and Traditions,” and the opportunity continues again this year. The festival runs from June 27-30, and detailed information of each program can be found at www.shaker.lib.me.us.

Presented by The United Society of Shakers of Sabbathday Lake in collaboration with the Portland String Quartet, this year’s outstanding guests will be Maine historian Earle Shuttleworth, Shaker Brother Arnold Hadd, master fiddler Gregory Boardman as player and composer, and renowned pianist Virginia Eskin.

Individual support of $50 or business support of $75 will tell our audiences that the New Gloucester community supports this important cultural event. Your name or your business name (you can also choose “anonymous”) will be acknowledged in the festival program booklet, and two complimentary tickets will be held for you for the program of your choice. The deadline to become a New Gloucester Friend of the Festival is Friday, May 18. Checks can be made to “The United Society of Shakers” and mailed to The United Society of Shakers – ATT: Festival, 707 Shaker Rd, New Gloucester ME 04260.

Horseback

Heroes Ride/Hike

for James 10k

Julie Fralich and her family are fundraising in honor of her nephew, 1st Lt. James R. Zimmerman of the U.S. Marine Corps who was killed in action on Nov. 2, 2010 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan at the age of 25. Her team will be riding the Horseback Heroes Ride/Hike for James 10K on Saturday, May 19. The start and finish will be at the Ayer Road/Woodman Road intersection in New Gloucester.

Participants can ride their horses, bike, jog or walk (dogs on leash are welcome). The national Hike For Heroes campaign raises money and awareness for military families in need of help with paying utility and medical bills, avoiding foreclosure, purchasing equipment for their children with special needs, and more.

How can you help? Make a donation, any level of donation is appreciated. Make a pledge based on the number of miles ridden or walked. Join the team by volunteering, walking or riding. Sponsor the Fralich’s team or another participant.

If you are planning to participate, please contact Fralich, 653-6151 or j.fralich@gmail.com, with the following information: your name(s), your activity (bike, horseback ride, walk/jog/run, dog walk, volunteer), your phone number and your email address. Alternatively, contact her if you would like to pledge or donate.