Hard-hearted Hanna

Country star Steve Azar was to be the headliner at the first annual Homefires Music Festival at Thompson’s Orchard on Sept. 6. Tropical Storm Hanna threw a monkey wrench into the plan by causing the cancellation of Azar’s connecting flight in North Carolina. Since he was grounded, he was unable to fulfill his commitment.

The show went on. The organizers decided to move up the schedule slightly, so the nine bands lined up could finish before the impending affects of Hanna were predicted to set in.

Master of ceremonies Kevyn Fowler introduced the bands, credited the list of sponsors, and conducted the raffle. As luck would have it, he won the 50/50 drawing and promptly turned the money back into the cause of benefiting local home heating assistance to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Four acts performed during the time I was in attendance, which started with popular Maine musician Dave Rowe. Rowe performed solo because the remainder of his trio had made previous commitments. During his 50-minute gig, his neo-Celtic sound was well-received by the audience who often clapped their hands and sang along. He wrapped up his segment with a rendition of the chantey “What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor” that morphed into the theme of Gilligan’s Island and back.

Fresh from their appearance at Lewiston-Auburn’s hot air balloon festival, newly-formed jazz combo Three Point Trio featuring guitar, bass and drums performed original songs as well as standards such as Thelonious Monk’s “Blue Monk.”

The band City on a Hill was up next. This group is self-described as “church guys who like to play rock ‘n roll.” New Gloucester-based band Mountain Avenue closed out the afternoon of eclectic music.

Festival organizer Mike Thompson of Thompson’s Orchard reported that several thousand dollars were raised from the benefit. Tentative plans are for holding the festival the same weekend next year, although this may change depending on the number of competing events occurring then.

Historical society to meet

The September meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26 (not at the Meetinghouse as is normally the case). Members are asked to gather promptly at the Shaker Library at 7 p.m. for a free guided tour of the new Shaker folk art exhibit, “The Human and the Eternal.” A business meeting will follow at 8 p.m.

Potluck picnic

The Pineland YMCA is throwing a free potluck picnic Saturday, Sept. 20, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. open to all community members, rain or shine.

The community potluck picnic provides a healthy twist and kicks off the YMCA’s “America on the Move Week.” The goal of this week is to improve the health and quality of life by promoting healthy eating and active living for individuals, families, and communities. The idea is to enjoy a healthy potluck lunch and swap recipes, so participants can make their new favorite healthy dishes at home.

Before and after lunch there will lots of activities to get people moving. Participants who log at least 2,000 steps at this event will receive an America on the Move T-shirt, while supplies last. Activities will include a 1k fun run, one-mile walk, picnic games, obstacle course, bike safety (bring a helmet and bike), open swim, open gym, bowling, and much more.

Call 688-2255 with questions or to sign up, and inform the organizers what style dish you will be bringing from a choice of appetizers, main dish or dessert. All dishes should be healthy, serve 6-8, and be accompanied by the recipe. Dishes must be ready to serve by noon. Crock pots will work out fine, but no stove is available.

Judges will sample food contributions from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m., after which lunch will be served. They will select one winning dish from each group based on nutritional value and taste, and the top chefs in each category will be awarded a prize.

Saddle up

Spirit of Hope Farm Equine Shelter & Rescue in Winterport and Open Gates Equine Rescue in New Gloucester are teaming up to sponsor a very special, first-of-its-kind event in Maine, the Maine Horse Rescue Alumni Benefit Horse Show. It takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Silver Spur Riding Club in Sidney and will start promptly at 9 a.m.

A class list, registration form, and list of approved rescues/shelters can be found at www.opengatesequinerescue.com under “Events.” Call Jen at Spirit of Hope Farm at 441-3974, or Linda at Open Gates 926-5570 for more information.

Singer Hal Phillips of New Gloucester and mandolin-player Ted McHugh of South Portland, part of the group Mountain Avenue, performed at the first annual Homefires Music Festival Saturday. Phillips was a principal organizer of the concert to benefit local home heating assistance.

Hard-hearted Hanna

Country star Steve Azar was to be the headliner at the first annual Homefires Music Festival at Thompson’s Orchard on Sept. 6. Tropical Storm Hanna threw a monkey wrench into the plan by causing the cancellation of Azar’s connecting flight in North Carolina. Since he was grounded, he was unable to fulfill his commitment.

The show went on. The organizers decided to move up the schedule slightly, so the nine bands lined up could finish before the impending affects of Hanna were predicted to set in.

Master of ceremonies Kevyn Fowler introduced the bands, credited the list of sponsors, and conducted the raffle. As luck would have it, he won the 50/50 drawing and promptly turned the money back into the cause of benefiting local home heating assistance to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Four acts performed during the time I was in attendance, which started with popular Maine musician Dave Rowe. Rowe performed solo because the remainder of his trio had made previous commitments. During his 50-minute gig, his neo-Celtic sound was well-received by the audience who often clapped their hands and sang along. He wrapped up his segment with a rendition of the chantey “What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor” that morphed into the theme of Gilligan’s Island and back.

Fresh from their appearance at Lewiston-Auburn’s hot air balloon festival, newly-formed jazz combo Three Point Trio featuring guitar, bass and drums performed original songs as well as standards such as Thelonious Monk’s “Blue Monk.”

The band City on a Hill was up next. This group is self-described as “church guys who like to play rock ‘n roll.” New Gloucester-based band Mountain Avenue closed out the afternoon of eclectic music.

Festival organizer Mike Thompson of Thompson’s Orchard reported that several thousand dollars were raised from the benefit. Tentative plans are for holding the festival the same weekend next year, although this may change depending on the number of competing events occurring then.

Historical society to meet

The September meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26 (not at the Meetinghouse as is normally the case). Members are asked to gather promptly at the Shaker Library at 7 p.m. for a free guided tour of the new Shaker folk art exhibit, “The Human and the Eternal.” A business meeting will follow at 8 p.m.

Potluck picnic

The Pineland YMCA is throwing a free potluck picnic Saturday, Sept. 20, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. open to all community members, rain or shine.

The community potluck picnic provides a healthy twist and kicks off the YMCA’s “America on the Move Week.” The goal of this week is to improve the health and quality of life by promoting healthy eating and active living for individuals, families, and communities. The idea is to enjoy a healthy potluck lunch and swap recipes, so participants can make their new favorite healthy dishes at home.

Before and after lunch there will lots of activities to get people moving. Participants who log at least 2,000 steps at this event will receive an America on the Move T-shirt, while supplies last. Activities will include a 1k fun run, one-mile walk, picnic games, obstacle course, bike safety (bring a helmet and bike), open swim, open gym, bowling, and much more.

Call 688-2255 with questions or to sign up, and inform the organizers what style dish you will be bringing from a choice of appetizers, main dish or dessert. All dishes should be healthy, serve 6-8, and be accompanied by the recipe. Dishes must be ready to serve by noon. Crock pots will work out fine, but no stove is available.

Judges will sample food contributions from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m., after which lunch will be served. They will select one winning dish from each group based on nutritional value and taste, and the top chefs in each category will be awarded a prize.

Saddle up

Spirit of Hope Farm Equine Shelter & Rescue in Winterport and Open Gates Equine Rescue in New Gloucester are teaming up to sponsor a very special, first-of-its-kind event in Maine, the Maine Horse Rescue Alumni Benefit Horse Show. It takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Silver Spur Riding Club in Sidney and will start promptly at 9 a.m.

A class list, registration form, and list of approved rescues/shelters can be found at www.opengatesequinerescue.com under “Events.” Call Jen at Spirit of Hope Farm at 441-3974, or Linda at Open Gates 926-5570 for more information.

Singer Hal Phillips of New Gloucester and mandolin-player Ted McHugh of South Portland, part of the group Mountain Avenue, performed at the first annual Homefires Music Festival Saturday. Phillips was a principal organizer of the concert to benefit local home heating assistance.