Second Charity Biker Ride Slated

A major fundraiser for New Lungs for George is coming up Sunday, Oct. 7. Bikers are invited to participate in the second running of a fall foliage motorcycle ride headquartered at picturesque Thompson’s Orchard located atop Gloucester Hill Road. Features include a barbecue by Party Time USA and raffle prizes. The cost is $20 per person. Registration opens at 9 a.m., and the ride will start at about 10 a.m.

Last year, 76 motorcycles entered, which translated into almost 150 people since most rode two to a bike. George Carman, for whom the fundraiser is being hosted, is hoping the number of participants will double this year. The proceeds will help underwrite some costs associated with George’s much-needed double-lung transplant operation necessitated by his lifelong struggle with cystic fibrosis.

For more information on the motorcycle ride and barbecue, call 926-5170.

Community Fair Coming Soon

The annual Community Fair will be presented in a different time format this year. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21. Admission is free both days.

Saturday’s features include a classic car show, a Blackhawk helicopter, crafters, food, live music, kids’ games, blood drive, vintage baseball and fireworks. Tethered rides in the RE/MAX hot air balloon will be given from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $10 per person to benefit New Lungs for George. If weather does not permit, rides will be offered on Sunday.

On Oct. 20, there will also be delicious barbecue chicken grilled with pride by our New Gloucester Firefighters. Serving at 11:30 a.m., the meal is $7 per person and includes: chicken, coleslaw, roll, drink and dessert. Come support your local fire department.

Sunday’s activities will be documented in next week’s issue. In the meantime, if you would like more details about the fair, call 926-4126, ext. 7 or check the town’s Web site www.newgloucester.com.

StoryTime Resumes

StoryTime, open to children of all ages, resumes its series today at 9:30 a.m. at the public library. It will be held each Friday at 9:30 a.m. and lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the attention span of the kids. Parents are asked to remain with their children during StoryTime. No pre-registration is required, and it’s free.

Annual Book and Bake Sale

This is the last reminder for The Friends of the New Gloucester Library’s annual Book and Bake Sale being held at the public library next to town hall. To kick things off, children have their own opportunity to shop Friday night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at First Dibs for Kids. Only children’s books (board book to young adult) will be for sale.

The big sale will be held the next day, Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items will be on sale including books, books on tape, videos and computer software. A bake sale will also be held at the same time.

Ride to Rescue Benefit

Equestrians and even non-horse owners can enter the upcoming Ride to Rescue to benefit the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. The ride takes place on Oct. 13.

The organization is welcoming riders for the event, but for those who don’t want to take part in the ride, registrations will be accepted as well. Those who choose not to ride can still be eligible for a post-event party and prizes.

Go to the society’s Web site www.msspa.org to either sign up online to be a rider or download a form to register by mail. The registration fee is $25. All riding and non-riding registrants will receive a special edition T-shirt, pledge form and an invitation to the gala at the Pineland Farms Equestrian Center on Oct. 28 from 1-3 p.m.

Highlights at the gala include a dressage demonstration, barn tours, food and special guest Ginger Kathrens, PBS filmmaker of “Cloud, Wild Stallion of the Rockies.” All registered riders are eligible to win fabulous prizes. FMI: check the web site or call 892-3040.

Local woman to Compete in Ironman

Morse Road resident Mary Lou Lowrie has been training for months and is ready for a challenge of enormous proportions. She will be competing in the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii later this month. The world’s most prestigious triathlon consists of a 26.2 mile marathon on a course with relentless hills; a 112-mile bike ride in extreme winds; and 2-plus mile non-wet suit swim in choppy surf. All of these disciplines occur in oppressive heat and humidity.

As Lowrie reported, she and some family members set off Kona-bound in the wee hours of Oct. 1. She went on to say, “Race day is Saturday, Oct. 13. Start time is 7 a.m. Hawaii Pacific Time (which equates to 1 p.m. EDT). Believe me, I’ll need the extra days leading up to the race to acclimate to the blast-furnace that I’m told it will be! I’m good in really, really cold conditions, but a wimp in the heat! The best I can do is to stay positive, yet also expect and accept the worst conditions I can personally imagine! Strong winds out on the course are also factor…..especially the long trek through the lava fields. And I’m leaving this stellar October Maine weather for that? Nat and my three children, who are traveling from each end and the middle of this continent, will be there to cheer me on, and I’m really looking forward to having them there with me. You can tune into www.ironmanlive.com for live-streaming online coverage of the race, and all kinds of info in the days leading up to it. I’ll be there, #383!”

Lowrie indicated that the Ironman is “a lifetime opportunity, and I’m forever grateful for the good health and strength to be in the race, surrounded by my family.”

Town Board and Committee Meetings

Oct. 8: All town facilities are closed for Columbus Day.

Oct. 8: Library Trustees, 7 p.m., Library.

Oct. 9: Community Fair, 7 p.m., Library.

Oct. 10: Wellhead Protection, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Oct. 12: StoryTime, 9:30 a.m., Library.