Treatment foster care talk

Smart Child and Family Services was created in 1995 to support the functioning of foster families. Treatment foster parents provide care for children with emotional and/or behavioral health needs while their families work toward reunifying with them or other permanency options are explored.

Smart CFS Director Susan Percy addressed this topic at a community potluck supper held at the New Gloucester First Congregational Church Vestry on Oct. 6. She explained that the program’s goal is to provide a therapeutic, corrective family experience for children who have lived through abuse, neglect or other trauma. Treatment foster families work with community resources to promote the child’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Regarding eligibility guidelines to become a treatment foster parent, a candidate must be at least 21 years of age and own or rent their home. For more information, contact Percy at the Windham office at 893-0386.

Fall volunteer work day

Support the Sabbathday Lake Shakers and Shaker Museum by readying the Village for winter at the Friends of the Shakers’ Fall Work Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Volunteers will spend the day working at various assignments suitable for all ages and abilities, indoors and outdoors.

Chores include raking, winterizing the herb garden, picking and storing pumpkins, cleaning windows, stacking wood and working on herbs in the Shaker herb department.

A sign-in table will be located on the lawn next to the Brick Dwelling House with a task list to choose from. All tools will be supplied, but if you have a favorite pair of work gloves, feel free to bring them.

Work days bring chores, but fellowship as well. Everyone shares the noon meal by bringing a potluck side dish or dessert to share. Drop off your dish at the sign-in table.

Pre-registration is appreciated. Go to friendsoftheshakers.org, call 926-4597, or email info@friendsoftheshakers.org.

Haunted Woods Walk

In keeping with the spirit of the season, you’re invited to take a Haunted Woods Walk and navigate through a Spooky Corn Maze at Pineland Farms. Walks will depart every 10 minutes and take you through a scare-your-pants-off-journey through the haunted dark forest. End with an optional trip through the corn maze.

The terrifying treks are suggested for mature audiences only and will be held Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27. There are four time slots each day: 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m., 8-9 p.m., and (the spookiest of them all) 9-10 p.m.

Organizers recommend you arrive 15 minutes prior to your Woods Walk departure to allow ample time to make your way to the entrance. Follow signs from the Welcome Center, located at 15 Farm View Drive. Flashlights and adult supervision are required.

Tickets cost $12 per person and are non-refundable or transferable. They are available online at shop.pinelandfarms.org, Classes & Events. In the event of severe weather, organizers reserve the right to cancel the event. In this case, refunds will be granted. Cancellations will be posted on pinelandfarms.org and their Facebook page. For more information contact the Education Department at education@pinelandfarms.org or 650-3031.

Author talk

Maine author Mary Morton Cowan will speak about her new book about Cyrus Field and his transatlantic telegraph cable on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road. The program, sponsored by the New Gloucester Historical Society, will be free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Susan Percy, director of Smart Child and Family Services, discusses  treatment foster care at a community potluck supper Oct. 6 at New Gloucester First Congregational Church.