Pisgah Hill Preserve

Pisgah Hill Preserve is located along New Gloucester’s eastern boundary with Pownal between North Pownal Road and Dougherty Road. With the support of the Land for Maine’s Future program, along with many donors and other funding sources, the Royal River Conservation Trust acquired or placed easements on 176 acres in 2011, creating two blocks of conserved lands. More progress with private landowners in 2013 to expand the two parcels is anticipated.

Currently, the preserve is open for hiking, yet the trail is only informally marked. Snowshoeing and skiing also will be permitted, although the narrow trail will not be groomed and is only suitable for advanced Nordic skiers. The public is welcome to bring dogs, but they must be on leash or under voice control, with attention to pet waste removal. Safe and responsible hunting and trapping are allowed as governed by state and local laws. As a courtesy, trappers should contact RRCT before placing traps within the preserve. Hikers are reminded to wear blaze orange garments during hunting season. Equestrian use is by permission only. The preserve is open for daytime use only, and smoking is prohibited. See www.rrct.org for maps and more information.

Castlebay to Perform at Village Coffee House

Castlebay weaves together Maine’s ageless nautical and British Isles legacies transporting their audience through time and across the Atlantic. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee blend history, legend and experience into their personable performances. Their renditions of traditional and original songs are supported with Celtic harp, 12-string guitar, fiddle and woodwinds. Joining Castlebay for this concert are local musicians Holly Morrison and Sue Mack.

This New Gloucester Village Coffee House concert will start at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, and will be held at the New Gloucester Congregational Church community room, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Admission at the door is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors and children. Coffee is free, and munchies are available by donation. For more information, call 926-3260 or 967-3755.

Visit the History Barn

The monthly New Gloucester History Barn Open House will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the History Barn behind the New Gloucester Town Hall, Route 231. New exhibits include newly-acquired town records and a tuning fork used as a fire alarm. The open house is sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society.

Election Information

The deadline has passed for voting by absentee ballot in person at New Gloucester’s town office, except for those with valid reasons. Absentee ballots that are still out must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Election Day voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road, New Gloucester from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sample ballots are posted around town and are available at www.newgloucester.com. If you have any questions, please call 926-4126 ext. 1 or e-mail bseaver@newgloucester.com.

Dog Licenses

Dog licenses for the 2013 year are now available at the New Gloucester town office. Dog licenses all expire Dec. 31 each year, with a one-month grace period. An extra fine of $25 per dog applies for registrations done after Jan. 31, 2013.

Field Trip for Seniors

Those 55 and older are invited to travel to the Public Theatre in Lewiston with the New Gloucester Parks and Recreation Department for the critically acclaimed holiday production “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday, Dec. 9. The coach bus boards at 11:30 a.m. at the New Gloucester Town Hall and returns at approximately 4:30 p.m. This interval includes a stop at the Ramada for a luncheon buffet before the show.

The cost is $34 for New Gloucester residents and taxpayers; $46 for all others. Registration forms are available at the town office or online at www.newgloucester.com, Town Departments sidebar, Parks and Recreation. Please make your check payable to the Town of New Gloucester and drop it off with your completed registration form at the Town Hall, or mail to Harvey Price Jr., 385 Intervale Rd, New Gloucester, ME 04260. The deadline for registration is Thursday, Nov. 15. For more information, call 926-4126.

From left, Jeff Verrill, Kyle Warren and Alan Stearns of the Royal River Conservation Trust are about to lead a hiking group along a newly-improved trail to the summit of Pisgah Hill, Oct. 19. The trail head for ‘Pisgah Hill Preserve – South’ is marked by a sign located along the Dougherty Road in New Gloucester, near the Pownal town line.