Caption: Emily Terranova, 6, daughter of New Gloucester Public Library Trustee Tim Terranova, had just finished reading one of many books procured through the Libri Foundation. This Oregon-based foundation is a nationwide, nonprofit organization that donates new, hardcover children’s books to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its Books for Children program.

Community Fair

The New Gloucester Community Fair is just around the corner. This year it will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Both Saturday and Sunday will be chock full of music for the whole family. Games will also be offered, and this year a Kid’s Zone will be featured. The Public Safety and crafter’s tent is full of good information and great crafts. The bounces are coming back thanks to the YMCA.

On Saturday, the arrival of a Black Hawk helicopter will start the day off by landing at 10 a.m. The LifeFlight helicopter and crew are due at 11 a.m. The morning will also feature the Lions Club’s annual car show. Antique tractors will be on hand Saturday and Sunday. The trebuchet (aka catapult) is back and will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ever wonder how the game of baseball has evolved? There will be a game in the afternoon, played by the rules of 1861. Maine’s only squad belonging to this organization will be among the competing teams. Come see the difference in the rules. You just might be surprised.

On Sunday, there will be rides drawn by the antique tractors. The Bake-Off will have its judging at 11 a.m., with the food going on sale immediately afterward.

Come join us for all of the fun – admission is free. If you would like more details about the fair, call 926-4126, ext. 7 or check the town’s Web site www.newgloucester.com.

Original Inhabitants of New Gloucester

The Native People who lived in New Gloucester some 10,000 years ago will be the subject of a presentation at the New Gloucester Historical Society on Thursday, Oct. 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse next to the Town Hall on Route 231 (Intervale Road). The presenter will be Canyon Wolf, education director at Ne-Do-Ba, a nonprofit, established to explore the history and culture of the Western Maine Indians.

The presentation will cover the culture and history of these original inhabitants. Discover what family life was like, how they traveled, what their homes and gardens looked like, and many other interesting facets of their existence. Artifacts will be circulated for examination. The public is invited. The program will be an especially good one for interested children as well as adults. Refreshments will be served. A business meeting will follow. For more information, call Leonard Brooks at 926-3188.

Book Club Gathering

The seventh annual Book Club Gathering at the New Gloucester Public Library will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. It is a chance for those in local book clubs to get together to talk books and book clubs. They will pinpoint books that they would highly recommend in contrast to, shall we just say, books at the other end of spectrum. They’ll also plan special events.

The gathering is also a chance for those who would like to join a book group to find out if any groups have openings, or how to start their own club. For more information, call the New Gloucester Public Library during regular hours at 926-4840.

Knit-A-Hat Workshop

Attention knitters: Knit a Shaker wool hat, perfect for winter. Sign up for the knitting workshop on Saturday, Oct. 27 that runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26, New Gloucester. The cost is $25. Shaker yarn is provided. Bring a set of No. 13, 8-inch long, double pointed needles. Pre-registration is required: 926-4597.

Opportunity Farm Fundraiser

What if Opportunity Farm earned a penny every time you searched the Internet or shopped online? Well, now it can! Make your homepage GoodSearch.com. GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it’s powered by Yahoo!, so you get good search results.

Additionally, GoodShop.com is a new, online shopping mall that donates a percentage of each purchase to your favorite cause. More than 100 stores including The Gap, Best Buy and Barnes and Noble have teamed up with GoodSearch, so every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word.

YMCA Socials

Wednesday mornings at the Pineland YMCA feature Cards, Coffee & Bowling from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is free to adults 55 and older.

Also, you may want to start thinking about a costume to wear to the Pineland YMCA’s third annual Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. The party is free to all, but please come in costume.

Gazebo Painting Party

Looking for something to do on Sunday, Oct. 14? Come be a part of New Gloucester history. Volunteers will be applying the final coat of paint to the Bob Leighton Memorial Gazebo that day, starting at 10 a.m. They will paint until they finish (probably early afternoon). Bring your lunch. Dessert and water will be provided.

Town Board and Committee Meetings

Oct. 15, board of selectmen, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Oct. 16, planning board, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Oct. 16, Community Fair, 7 p.m., Library.

Oct. 17, school board, 6:30 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Oct. 18, parks and rec committee, 7 p.m., TBA.

Oct. 18, historical society, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Oct. 19, StoryTime, 9:30 a.m., Library.