A fair day

Crystal blue skies greeted fair-goers to the annual New Gloucester Community Fair fostering community spirit.

A large area of the fairgrounds was well covered with a sprawling car show sponsored by the Gray-New Gloucester Lions Club ranging from antiques to present day vehicles. Children were busy having fun with bungee jumping, leaping in the bounce house, taking tractor rides, face painting, decorating pumpkins, and listening to stories read by Baxter, The Library Cat.

A large tent housed the bake sale entries and crafts galore. Musical groups took the stage in succession, keeping everyone entertained. A bagpiper preceded a color guard to kick off a noontime ceremony.

The highlight was a presentation by Selectman Nathaniel Berry to Scott Doyle, who founded the community fair several years ago and chaired it annually until this year when his wedding plans took priority.

The food booths were headlined by the firemen’s chicken barbecue. Alternate food selections included seafood, sausage subs, and burgers. Lemonade and cider seemed to be the leading beverages of choice.

The Community Fair Committee would appreciate input from the attendees, both from New Gloucester and away. The members request that fair-goers visit the www.newgloucester.com and complete the online survey by Nov. 15. They ask that only one survey per computer be used for responses.

Shop locally

New Gloucester crafters will open their homes for a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2. Start shopping early and shop locally at four locations in New Gloucester.

Make stops along a route at Lizzie’s Raggs at 80 Peacock Hill Road, Country Craft Shop at 111 Snow Hill Road, Basket Buddies at 115 Penney Road, and The Primitive Country Bug at 400 Morse Road. There will be maps at each location to show you how to travel from one place to the next.

Visitors will be treated to a wonderful selection of gift ideas for friends and family on your list or just buy something special for yourself. Offerings include candles, baskets, felted bags, penny rugs, pillows, dolls, Santas, ornaments, primitive lighting, quilts, primitive signs, primitive cupboards and much more.

There will be refreshments and door prizes at each location. Call 926-4888 with any questions.

Shaker music

Mary Ann Haagen of the Enfield, N.H., Shaker Singers will present a free public program about Shaker music Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Shaker Library in Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26, New Gloucester. The talk complements the Shaker folk art exhibit titled The Human and the Eternal. The exhibit will be open free of charge to the public from 6 until 7 p.m. that evening. For more information, call 926-4597.

In concert

Dear Claudia, featuring Leah Finkelstein, Herb Clarke on drums, and Bill Hansen on bass will perform at the New Gloucester Village Coffee House on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. This group got together in January 2007. Lead vocalist Finkelstein sings blues, jazz and rock in the tradition of Carole King, Bonnie Raitt and Tracy Chapman. Finkelstein ‘s soulful vocals and powerful keyboard style are backed up by Hansen ‘s fluid bass lines and Clarke’s intense earthy beat.

Tickets are available at the door. Suggested donations are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12. The coffee house features local and up and coming musical artists the first Saturday of every month. Proceeds benefit the New Gloucester Congregational Church. The church is located on the corner of Church and Gloucester Hill roads in the center of New Gloucester’s Lower Village.

The concert will take place in the sanctuary as it did last month due to renovations to the vestry. Organizer Julie Fralich reports that the alternate site “worked fine last time and the acoustics are great.” For more information, contact Julie or Michael Fralich at 926-3161 or the church office at 926-3260.

Christopher Dupuis, 6 months, of Gray, reacts to his reflection and the balloon painted on to his face by Ellie Espling Saturday morning at the New Gloucester Community Fair. Fair activities included live music, cow patty bingo, antique tractor rides, fireworks and games.