Genetic Genealogy talk

Nancy Milliken Mason will speak on “Genetic Genealogy: How, When, Where and Why” at the Thursday, April 21, meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society, starting at 7 p.m. Mason is a genetic genealogist who has been doing traditional genealogy research for more than 30 years. Genetic DNA testing can help you discover the origins of your paternal and maternal lines. The talk will be held at the Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road. New Gloucester. There is no admission charge, and refreshments will be available.

Take steps to relieve hunger

Hopefully Sunday, May 1, will be a beautiful day for a walk. Even if it isn’t, participants in the annual CROP Walk will be taking a 6.2-mile stroll around some New Gloucester roads anyway.

Register now to walk or to sponsor a walker. To help the cause of relieving hunger here in New Gloucester and around the world, go to http://crophungerwalk.org. Click on the appropriate icon on the U.S. map or enter the 04260 zip code.

The registration time is 10:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:45 a.m. The route will start and finish at the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester. For more information, call the church office at 926-3260.

‘Do What’s Right’ Fun Run

Maine Beer Company’s first annual “Do What’s Right” Fun Run will be held at Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester, on Saturday, May 14. Join the MBC crew for a 5K or 10K run taking runners through woodland trails and to the finish line, where they’ll be snacks and beer. Fire & Company will be offering wood-fired cuisine, and Maine Beer Company will be serving its craft brews.

The 10K starts at 10 a.m., and the race fee is $50. The 5K starts at 10:30 a.m., and the race fee is $40. Registration ends on Friday, May 13, at noon. Sign up at https://runsignup.com/races. If you have any questions about the race, contact the race director at margaret@mainebeercompany.com.

All registration fees will benefit the Royal River Conservation Trust, a community-based nonprofit that has conserved more than 3,300 acres of land, farms, and trails in the Royal River watershed and Casco Bay.

Vacation week programs at Pineland Farms

• Meet birds of prey and animal rehabilitator Hope Douglas who will bring a variety of wild birds to see up close at Wind Over Wings, from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, April 18. The program will be held at the Mt. Washington Room of The Commons.

• Learn about fiber animals and how to turn sheep’s fleece into felted wool items at Felting for Kids, from 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19. The program is open to ages 3 and up.

• Snow one week and wildflowers the next, sound familiar? It’s time to dig the boots out of hibernation and take an exploratory hike in the woods to witness the great transformation of spring. Be prepared for all weather conditions at Searching for Spring Exploration Hike, from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, April 19; Wednesday, April 20; and Thursday, April 21. This family education program is open to ages 5 and up who have the ability to hike 1 to 2 miles.

• Explore the dairy barns at Valley Farm to learn about Holstein cows and how they are cared for at Udderly Amazing Cows, from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 20. Try your hand at milking a cow.

• Come learn how to start your own garden. The topics of soil, composting and how to make a garden grow will be presented at Soil, Seeds and Sprouts, from 10-11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 21.

• Experience the country life at Valley Farm. Help collect eggs, milk a cow, and feed the farm animals at Friday on the Farm, from 10-11:30 a.m., Friday, April 22.

• Watch live shearing and sheep dog demonstrations, plus see how wool harvesting is done, at Pineland Farms’ annual Sheep Shearing Festival, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, April 23. It’s a day of fiber fun for the whole family. The cost is $6 per person, and the rain date is Sunday, April 24.

Unless otherwise specified, programs take place at the Education Barn, are open to all ages, and cost $5 per person. Purchase tickets 15 minutes before the program starts at The Market and Welcome Center at Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. For more information, contact the Education Department at 650-3031 or education@pinelandfarms.org.

A mix of library trustees and volunteers are about to enjoy refreshments served in the New Gloucester Public Library’s community room. They are, from left, Robb Cotiaux, Deb Chandler, Tim Terranova, Ceci Keddy, Lila Littlefield, Tim Rice, Jane Sturgis, Allison Kostovick, Grace Christian, Susan Simpson, CeCe Rohrbach and Paul Morin. The library recognized its dedicated volunteers at a ceremony held on April 3.

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