Dual performances at Village Coffeehouse

Catch two acts at this month’s Village Coffeehouse of New Gloucester. The first half of the Coffeehouse will feature a local a cappella group, the BluTonic. After intermission, Lousy Cowboy Music, featuring Rhode Island-based musician Dave Moretti, will perform blues, jazz and rhythm/blues.

BluTonic is a newly formed Portland-based mixed voice a cappella group that sings jazz and pop standards with distinctive arrangements. Lousy Cowboy Music possesses diverse musical interests ranging from blues, jazz and old-time, to rhythm and blues and ragtime.

Village Coffeehouse of New Gloucester is located at 19 Gloucester Hill Road, and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors and children. Coffee and tea are free, and munchies are available for a small donation. For more information, call Julie Fralich at 653-6151 or New Gloucester Congregational Church at 926-3260.

Easter services

Everyone is welcome to join an Easter sunrise service hosted by the New Gloucester First Congregational Church atop scenic Gloucester Hill starting at 6 a.m., Sunday, April 8. If the weather is great, the group can drive out to the gazebo at Thompson’s Orchard. For sub-par weather, the service will be held at Opportunity Farm. Park at the barn on Gloucester Hill Road and walk up, or drive up the entrance road to Opportunity Farm and park beyond the red farmhouse. Bring a bell or other gentle noisemaker for the moment of dawn.

The Easter Sunday sanctuary service at the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, will be an intergenerational service for everyone. It will start at 9:30 a.m. and include lots of joyful singing and celebration, yet it will be a service which is not too drawn out being mindful of families with children. Note that the nursery will be open and the preschool class will meet, but there will be no classes held for children over that age group.

Masons in New Gloucester

The New Gloucester Historical Society will be sponsoring two important events in the month of April. The History Barn Open House on Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to noon will feature a new display on the Masons and other town fraternal organizations. On Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, next to the Town Hall on Route 231, Dick McCann will speak about the history of the Masons in New Gloucester, which have been a presence in town since 1803. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. A members’ business meeting will follow.

Shakers on TV

Sister Frances Carr, kitchen deaconess of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community, is the featured speaker of a new program recorded and edited by NGTV volunteers. The talk, presented by the New Gloucester Historical Society on March 15, was primarily about cooking with herbs. Afterward, three of the four other Shakers joined her to field diverse questions posed by the audience.

The show will be telecast April 6-8 and April 13-15 at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on community access Channel 3, available for viewing by New Gloucester and Gray cable customers. Additionally, it can be seen as video on demand at www.newgloucester.com, NGTV Channel 3 sidebar.

Ladies Day Marketplace

Ladies Day Marketplace, a fundraiser for Open Gates Equine Rescue of New Gloucester, will take place Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church Parish House of Gray, located behind McDonald’s. Purchase unique gifts for moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, brides, special friends or just spoil yourself.

Raffles and door prizes will be available from vendors such as Cookie Walk of Fame, Lindt Chocolatiers, CHF Carriage Company, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Macaroni Kid, Inspired Designs Papercrafting & Bling, as well as local artisans and crafters. Limited vendor space is still available for $25 per table or two tables for $40. To obtain a vendor registration form, go to www.OpenGatesEquineRescue.com, Events page or contact Rose Stanfield at [email protected], 926-6083.

Senior potluck luncheon

The monthly senior potluck luncheon for those 55-plus will feature an emphasis on nutrition. Bring recipes to share. Lunch, games, trading recipes and a discussion of nutrition will take place from 12-2 p.m., Thursday, April 12 at the Community Building behind New Gloucester Town Hall. For more information, contact Recreation Director Harvey Price Jr. at 926-4126 or [email protected].

Property taxes due

The second payment on real estate and personal property taxes is due Friday, April 13. The town office is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

Town facilities closed

All town facilities will be closed on Monday, April 16, for Patriot’s Day.