Breaking ground

The new community garden located at Opportunity Farm is ready to be sowed thanks to the plowing done by the Maine Antique Tractor Club on May 29. Bob Fowler, one of the garden’s organizers, cited the generosity of Opportunity Farm as another essential element in the development of the garden. Fowler said, “It was a pleasure working with President Ron Scott who was very accommodating and made it all possible.”

The 12-by-15-foot plots are still available at a cost of $20 for New Gloucester residents and $35 for nonresidents for the entire season. For more information, call 926-5919 or visit www.newgloucestergardens.com.

Shaker activities

R & R Spinners will hold a demonstration of their spinning skills beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Route 26, New Gloucester. The demonstration is free and open to the public.

Every aspect of growing and using lavender in the Shaker gardens from best varieties to sachets and lavender recipes will be covered at a workshop to be held June 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shaker Village herbalist Betsey-Ann Golon is the instructor, and the fee is $40.

All the essentials of making proper wood dovetails are the core of a June 12 workshop, which is offered both at 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Two sessions will be offered again on June 19. The instructor is noted craftsman Chris Becksvoort. The fee is $35, and some tools are required.

Pre-registration is required for the lavender and wood dovetail workshops, so call 926-4597 or e-mail usshakers@aol.com.

Open Barn

Open Gates Equine Rescue, 407 Morse Road, New Gloucester, will be hosting an Open Barn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 19 (rain date June 26). Guests include Katie Lisnik from the Humane Society of the United States, equine dentists Jana and Steve Scotia, and animal communicator Louise Poppema. A light lunch will be available, along with a bake sale and a tack sale. You’re invited to come meet the very special horses. For more information, call 926-5570.

Arts Alive

Last month’s inaugural Arts Alive event consisting of an artisan showcase followed by a concert was such a success that a second 1st Saturday Arts Alive will be reprised on Saturday, June 5. Local artisan and painter Johanna Flath will showcase her work from 4:30-6 p.m. at the First Congregational Church community room, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Complimentary 10 percent discount vouchers will be available at the showcase for those wishing to partake of dinner specialties at the nearby Village Store.

Complete your evening experience by returning to the community room at 7:30 to enjoy a musical performance from international folk musician Emilia Dahlin. Concert tickets will be available at the door for a suggested donation of $10 adults, $5 children and seniors. For more information, contact Julie Fralich 926-3161 or j.fralich@gmail.com.

Vote!

Voting on town selectmen, school board members, bond issues, a people’s veto pertaining to taxes, and primaries will occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, in the Memorial School gymnasium. Absentee ballots are available at the town office during regular hours. Specimen ballots can be found on the Elections web page of www.newgloucester.com.

Art show ?and live auction

A jury of arts professionals has selected over one hundred pieces of fine art and fine crafts generously donated by artists, galleries and private collectors for this year’s art auction in support of MPBN at Pineland Farms Equestrian Center, 1545 Intervale Road, New Gloucester.

View the art and tour the farms from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 12. Live bidding begins at 5 p.m. with auctioneer James D. Julia, during which time refreshments will be served. Pre-registration for the live auction is appreciated. Contact Margie at moxman@mpbn.net or 1-800-884-1717, ext. 5167.

Plant sale

The third annual “Rooting for Democracy” plant sale, hosted by the New Gloucester Democratic Committee, will be held on Saturday, June 12, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cloutier’s Market on Route 100 in the Upper Village. Plants of all varieties from members’ personal gardens will be offered at bargain prices. Arrive early for the best selection.

In addition, raffle tickets to win lobsters donated by a local lobsterman will be sold at the plant sale. Two lucky names drawn will each win six of Maine’s premier delicacy. The price of a raffle ticket is $3 each, or 4 tickets for $10. The drawing will be held during the plant sale at noon; you need not be present to win. To purchase advance lobster raffle tickets, call Mary Duggan at 926-4448.