At last year’s ice fishing derby by the Royal River Rod and Gun Club, 24 fish were caught, and all of the anglers who entered a fish in the weigh-in went home with a prize. This year’s derby is set for Feb. 11. Contributed / Royal River Rod and Gun Club

Annual ice fishing derby

Royal River Rod and Gun Club is pleased to host their annual Ice Fishing Derby, Saturday, Feb. 11, at Range Pond State Park, Poland. Proceeds from this event will help fund the club’s Youth Field Day event in the spring.

The derby takes place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prizes include an auger, traps, ice shack, rods and more. There will be free ice fishing trap giveaways to kids while supplies last, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.

Tickets for adults cost $20 and under 16 is $5. Tickets will be available at the derby. For more information, contact Will Bartlett at 576-0433 or rrrgc41@gmail.com.

Snowmobile club fundraiser dance

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with the Royal River Riders Snowmobile Club as your host at their annual fundraiser dance beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, at American Legion Post 86, 15 Lewiston Road, Gray.

Live entertainment comes from Maine’s most entertaining function/cover band, Something Stupid. This dance band’s energy on stage, along with their comedic antics, ensures everyone has a great time during each live performance. They play hits from a diverse range of music including rock, pop, modern country, hip-hop and more.

A cash bar is available and door prizes are offered. Tickets are sold online for $12 per person at royalriverriders.net under the shop menu, or at the door.

Library reading challenge

Patti Mikkelsen can be contacted at mikks@maine.rr.com.

The New Gloucester Public Library presents its 2023 Reading Challenge: The Display Dozen. Readers are challenged to read 12 books from any of the library’s various book displays by the end of the year.

Residents of all ages can participate – and win prizes. Download an informational and book-tracking sheet at newgloucesterlibrary.org or pick one up at the library.

Readers write down the books they read or have read to them and their phone number. At the end of the year, take a picture or scan the sheet and email to newgloucesterpubliclibrary@gmail.com. Alternatively, mail it to New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260. Write “Library Reading Challenge” on the envelope.

Physical books, e-books and audio books all count toward the challenge, as well as books from any age range.

One sheet entered is one entry for the chance to win a prize. Three prizes are awarded, each a $25 gift card: one for adults, one for teens and one for children.

Sheets must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2024. Prize winners are drawn that week. Multiple sheets are allowed per person, but each sheet must have different books.

To be eligible to win a prize, readers must have a New Gloucester Public Library card without standing late fees or overdues. NGPL cards are free to all residents of New Gloucester, Gray, Pownal and Durham. NGPL staff and their households may participate but are ineligible to win prizes.