Tater pickin’

Don’t mind getting dirty? Help bring in the potato harvest at New Gloucester’s Community Garden at Opportunity Farm from approximately 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 9. The rain date is Oct. 10. A mechanical potato digger will be doing the bulk of the work, so volunteers will just have to pick up the potatoes. All supplies will be provided. For more information, call 926-5919.

Community Market closes up shop

Sunday, Sept. 26, will be your last chance for the season to shop at the New Gloucester Community Market. Originally the market was slated to continue through Halloween, but as the weather has cooled down, so have sales. Bring your extra garden produce, canned and dry goods to the market, and they will be delivered to food pantries in need of supplies. The Community Market is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Amvets Hall parking lot, Route 100.

Apple Saturdays

A series of fall events called Apple Saturdays will be held over the coming weeks at Shaker Village off Route 26 in New Gloucester starting with free cider pressing on Saturday, Sept. 25. Bring your own apples or buy some at the Shaker Store. Please provide your own containers.

Fittingly, the annual New Gloucester Apple Pie Sale sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society also will be held during the Sept. 25 Apple Saturday, 10 a.m., at the Shaker Museum.

One of the best fairs in Maine

During the past 10 years, the New Gloucester Community Fair has grown from a small safety demonstration to one of the fastest growing and best fairs in Maine. Working off a record attendance from 2009, this year will be even larger with added extras, so mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 16.

In addition to the popular car show, new is a kid’s tent dedicated to children and a snowmobile expo. Doors open at 10 a.m., officiated by Miss Maine USA. Meet Slugger from the Portland Sea Dogs 2-4 p.m. and Crusher from the Maine Red Claws 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

All-day events include a bounce house, rock climbing wall, trapeze swing, bungee jump, and laser tag. Musical entertainment includes The Peterson Project 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Intergalactic Yurt Band 1-3 p.m., Ben Grannel 3-4 p.m., Ryan Woodbury 4-5 p.m., and Better Than 5-7 p.m. Three bicycle raffle drawings will take place at 4 p.m., and the day will end with fireworks at 7 p.m. For complete details, visit www.newgloucesterfair.com and friend them on Facebook.

Fall Festival ?of Books

Friends of the New Gloucester Library will be holding their Fall Festival of Books sale soon at the New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road. The sale starts with First Dibs for Kids on Friday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Only children’s items are on sale, and adults must be accompanied by a child on Friday evening to purchase items.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m., all books, CDs, DVDs, video/audio tapes, audio books, and delicious baked goods will be on sale. The Friends are always looking for donations of gently used books, audiovisual items, games, and puzzles. Please leave your donations at the library during regular hours. For more information, call 926-4840.

Student photo contest

New Gloucester students in grades 5-12 are invited to participate in the “My Town” Student Photo Contest sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society. Photos must be recently taken and portray people or places in New Gloucester.

The photos will be displayed in the New Gloucester History Barn. Top three places will be judged by town and school staff, as well as honorable mentions. Deadline for photo submission is Saturday, Oct. 9. For more information, e-mail: nghspix@yahoo.com or visit www.newgloucester.com.

Two Old Friends

Two Old Friends: Mac McHale and Emery Hutchins will perform at the New Gloucester Village Coffee House at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. For the past 17 years, McHale has headed up the Old-Time Radio Gang, a very successful traditional country music band and Hutchins has been a very important part of the Angel Band, a world famous

Irish music group.

The performance will take place in the Community Room of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children and seniors. For more information, call Julie Fralich at 926-3161.

Barn party

You are invited to a good old-fashioned barn party and fundraiser (voluntary donations) for state Rep. David Van Wie’s Sustaining Maine Leadership PAC, an organization supporting candidates and legislation promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Come meet Van Wie and enjoy music by The Bald Hill Boys. Food and drinks will be available. The party will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at 97 Cobb’s Bridge Road, New Gloucester. RSVP: 926-4197 or gsawin@maine.rr.com.

New youth basketball

Come join members of the newly formed G-NG Youth Basketball Association and the Gray Recreation Department at the new Pennell Complex in Gray on Wednesday, Sept. 29, between 6 and 8 p.m. to learn about the exciting new basketball opportunities available to children in Gray and New Gloucester. Information will be shared regarding the specialized programs being offered for boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade. These programs are designed to keep the players challenged while having fun and learning age-appropriate fundamentals and skills.