Easter egg hunt

Pineland Farms is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 16, with a start time of 11 a.m. The rain date is Sunday, April 17. There will be games and activities and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny. Meet at the Welcome Center, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. For more information, call 688-4539.

International award

Most people aren’t aware of a small tech company headquartered on the Penney Road in New Gloucester named Planson International Corporation. Recently the Export-Import Bank of the United States has recognized Planson International Corporation, with the 2011 Sub-Saharan Africa Exporter of the Year award.

Planson used a $1.5 million revolving working capital loan guarantee from Export-Import Bank to export computers and software to Sudan for use during the historic referendum for Southern Sudan Independence. This technology was used for voter registration, demographic data analysis, vote tallying, and post-referendum policy development.

Youth substance ?use survey

The Gray-New Gloucester Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition would like to know what you think about youth substance use and other issues impacting young people in our community. Take an anonymous survey online at surveymonkey.com/s/GNGCommunitySurvey before April 26. Paper surveys are available at both towns’ public libraries and town halls.

Lions at the library

As part of a statewide diabetes awareness campaign, the Gray/New Gloucester Lions recently donated $100 to the New Gloucester Library to establish a section featuring books and information on juvenile diabetes. The Lions called upon Ana Lipp, 9, to be their technical consultant for the project. Ana met with Library Director Sue Hawkins and brought along several books that she found helpful in her own experience with juvenile diabetes. The library plans to purchase the recommended books for their collection.

Ana is the daughter of Fred and Kim Lipp of New Gloucester. She says she was proud to be a part of the project and hopes the books will help other kids who are coping with juvenile diabetes.

Barnologist

The New Gloucester Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 21 beginning at 7 p.m. to hear an illustrated talk by Don Perkins, local reporter and noted “barnologist.” Perkins’ talk titled “Our Barns: A History of the Barns of Maine” will include dozens of photos of barns in the local area and will cover the large number of influences on changing barn design. A history of farming in Maine also will be summarized.

The meeting will be held at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, next to the Town Hall on Rte. 231. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. Society members will hold a business meeting following the program.

Hot house detectives

What makes a seed grow? Hot house detectives will be exploring this topic at the New Gloucester Public Library, 389 Intervale Road from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13.

The class is open to all youth grades K-12, and any participants under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s free of charge, and all materials will be provided. Pre-registration is encouraged, although no one will be turned away. Contact Suzan Hawkins, 926-4840, or [email protected].

Nomination papers

Nomination papers for one opening on the New Gloucester board of selectmen (3-year term) and one opening on the MSAD 15 school board (3-year term) are now available at the town office for pick up by residents who are interested in running for these posts. A minimum of 25, and not more than 100, signatures are required for certification. Signed papers are due back to the town office by 2 p.m. on Friday, April 29. The town election will take place on June 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road.

Free Shaker catalog

The 2011 Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum Workshops, Demonstrations and Special Events free catalog is now available on request. The catalog contains information on almost 20 crafts workshops, almost a dozen dates for crafts demonstrations, five nature hikes and eight special events.

The listings cover the areas of arts and crafts for the home, herbs, woodworking, music, garden internships, holiday events, Native American basket-making and a major conference on Shaker studies, as well as important dates related to Open Farm Day and the Shaker orchard. Contact Leonard Brooks at 926-4597 or [email protected].

A game was played at the New Gloucester Public Library Volunteer Recognition party April 3. Participants were, from left, Grace Christian, Kathleen D’Amboise, Morgan Lindenschmidt, Library Director Suzan Hawkins, Assistant Librarian Carla McAllister, Lila Littlefield, Susan Simpson, CeCe Rohrbach, Beverly Leighton, Deb Chandler, and Tim and Emily Terranova. Special recognition was given to Leighton who is stepping down as a trustee after serving for 13 years. (Courtesy photo by Patti Mikkelsen)