Sparks Will Fly at Library Play

The summer reading program, sponsored by the New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road, wraps up on Tuesday, Aug. 19. As tradition would dictate, a play written by Tim Terranova, will open the evening’s festivities at 6:30 p.m. This year’s play is entitled, “Spark a Reaction.” Next up will be the handing out of the end-of-summer reading awards, and entertainment by storyteller/mime Antonia Rocha will conclude the ceremony.

The public is welcome to come and show support for the young thespians and readers. For more information, call the library at 926-4840.

School Shopping for Homeless Teens

The Board of Missions of the New Gloucester First Congregational Church is sponsoring an effort to collect school-related products for homeless teens of the Greater Lewiston area. Items most needed include backpacks, gift cards to area retail stores, loose-leaf binders and paper, spiral notebooks, highlighters, book cover material, pencils, pens, rulers, markers, colored pencils, tissues and small containers of hand sanitizer.

You are asked to purchase some of the above items while you are shopping and place them in the “school” box in the church office foyer on Sunday or Tuesday through Friday mornings. The drop-off is located at the green door between the two old buildings at 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Collections will end in mid-September. The homeless teen program is run under the auspices of Lewiston High School. See www.ngucc.org or call 926-3260 for more information.

Maine Native American Summer Market

The sixth annual festival of Maine’s finest, award-winning Native American artists will be held at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, off Route 26, New Gloucester. More than 40 members of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac and Maliseet tribes will demonstrate traditional Wabanaki art forms including basket making, stone carving, bark etching, beadwork and jewelry.

The day will also feature performances of drumming, singing, dancing and storytelling by the Burnurwurbskek Singers, the Sipayik Dance Troup, and Micmac spiritual leader David Sanipass. Admission is free to this event, held rain or shine, on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. It is underwritten by funds from the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Arts Commission, and private donors.

Fun at the Fair

The New Gloucester Fair, the area’s only community-sponsored fair, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at 106 Bald Hill Road, 0.5 mile from the blinking light. A family-friendly fair, it is filled with activities for all ages.

Pony X-Press will be giving pony rides and hosting a petting zoo, specializing in miniature and baby animals for a child’s eye view. Summit Adventure Systems of Maine will offer activities, such as rock climbing. Balloon twisting, juggling, face painting, and other activities for the little ones will keep them entertained, as well.

Vehicles will be taking center stage at the Yankee Cruisers Car Show, anticipated to display 150 or more vehicles, an exhibit of antique tractors, and rides on the towering Big Red Monster Fire Truck. Meet Slugger from the Portland Sea Dogs, Crusher from the Maine Red Claws, and Salty from the Portland Pirates, who will be happy to play a few games of slap-shot with you.

Compete in a contest – be it antler throwing or the bake-off. Place a bid at the silent auction. Watch Dynamic Hapkido Defense Demonstrations, root for a team during a vintage baseball game, and browse through the booths in crafters’ tent. Listen to the great sounds of the Kennebunk River Band, the New England Jazz Band, and The Peterson Project.

For a complete schedule of events, baking contest rules, and to check out the menu of the New Gloucester Fair Cafe?, see www.newgloucesterfair.com.

Veterans Monument Update

It’s not too late to purchase an engraved brick for the Veterans Monument, at a cost of $50. Forms can be found on the New Gloucester Veterans Monument sidebar at www.newgloucester.com, and at Town Hall.

Other fundraisers are in the works as well. Raffle tickets will be sold at the Aug. 23 New Gloucester Community Fair, offering a McCann Fab Fire Pit as the prize. The “Where is Dennis?” Veterans Monument Run has reached the 950-mile mark. Dennis McCann still has some running to do, so donations are still being accepted. A benefit golf tournament will take place at Spring Meadows Golf Club in Gray on Sunday, Oct. 5, with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

The committee is well on its way to its financial goal, but still needs approximately $9,500 for the site preparation. Members are hoping to dedicate the monument in November 2014.