Two Christmas tree lightings

The Upper Village Christmas tree lighting ceremony, held beside the public works garage on Upper Village Street, will begin at 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26.

The annual town Christmas tree lighting of Tiny Timber, the smallest municipal tree in the United States, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 27, 4:30 p.m., at the New Gloucester Town Hall, 385 Intervale Road. All are invited. Sing along with the Gray-New Gloucester High School Chorus. Free refreshments will be served at the public library. The History Barn will be open.

Shaker Christmas Fair

Experience a nostalgic holiday tradition at the annual Shaker Christmas Fair at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Specialties include Shaker baked goods – wheat bread, cinnamon-raisin bread, Sister Frances’ famous fruitcakes, fresh-baked herbal biscuits, cookies and more. There also will be a wide selection of gifts and holiday items, such as Shaker culinary herbs and herbal teas, pickles, jellies, old-fashioned candy, maple syrup, pickles, cheese, woodenware, furniture, antiques, baskets, knit goods, toys, ornaments, decorated balsam wreaths, hot cider, fresh pressed apple cider and homemade doughnuts. Lunch plates are available for purchase.

Proceeds from the White Elephant Room, a second-time around “garage sale,” benefit local food pantries. Find out more at www.maineshakers.com, or call 926-4597.

The BluTonics to perform

The BluTonics – Nath Anderson, Kate Driver, Jen Chalout, Kim Fox and Nathan Hagelin – will perform blues, swing, soul and some roots rock at the New Gloucester Village Coffeehouse on Saturday, Dec. 3.

The band, with an infectiously funky backbeat, takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Vestry Community Room of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Admission at the door is $10. Call 653-4823 for more information.

Evening holiday story time

Children are invited to a free evening holiday story time at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road. Special guest will be Baxter the Library Cat. Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be served. Call 926-4840 for more information.

Snowmobile club dance

Tickets are now available for a fundraising dance sponsored by the Royal River Riders Snowmobile Club of New Gloucester to be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Dec. 10 at American Legion Post 86, 15 Lewiston Road, Gray. The featured band is Midlife Krisis, a six-piece cover band playing songs mostly from the 70s and 80s. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are $10 per person in advance, $12 at the door. Call Andrea 577-2563 or Candi 831-0449 for ticket reservations.

Businesses invited to summit

The Gray-New Gloucester Development Corporation invites all businesses operating in the two towns to a free business summit, Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5:30-8 p.m., at the Mount Washington Room of The Commons, 59 Pineland Drive on the Pineland campus.

Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres catered by Black Tie Company. The program opens at 6:15 p.m. with updates from Gray and New Gloucester’s economic development committees.

Tyler Hobbs from The Boulos Company will deliver business news pertinent to the Pineland campus, and the GNGDC will introduce the winner and first runner-up of this year’s Grow GNG Challenge.  SAD 15 superintendent, Dr. Craig King, will share his philosophy and vision for the school district. Afterward, discussion continues about a mentoring program connecting GNG high school students with local businesses.

RSVPs are required. Submit your contact information at gngdc.com/business-summit-dec-2016 or leave a message at 657-2033.

Hundreds of girls and their running buddies take part in a 5K at Pineland Farms on Nov. 13 during a Girls on the Run non-timed event. Girls on the Run’s mission is to empower girls in third grade thrugh middle school, an integrates running to buil confidence, the organization says.

The National Junior Honor Society at GNG Middle School held its annual food drive and put together enough donations for 20 Caring Community of GNG food baskets. The group will do the same at Christmastime, too.

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