Winter cook-out

Why wait until Memorial Day to go to a cook-out when you can go to one locally in about a week? Pineland Farms will be hosting a large, outdoor barbecue Saturday, Feb. 21, noon to 3 p.m. Wolfe’s Neck Farm hamburgers and hotdogs, which are new to the line of their products, will be available for purchase.

“Meet Our Purveyors Day” will be held at The Market at the Welcome Center, 15 Farm View Dr., from noon to 4 p.m. Representatives from Olivia’s Garden Hydroponics, Big Sky Breads, Capt’n Eli’s Soda, Debbie’s Pie’s, Wolf’s Neck Natural Meats, and Pineland’s own Creamery will be on hand distributing free samples of their wares. Live music will be provided by guitarist Jim Gallant, and admission is free. For more information, contact Brian Mailhot at 688-4539 or [email protected].

Vacation camp

The Pineland YMCA is offering a Winter Vacation Camp Feb. 16-20 for children ages 5-12. Activities that occur during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. include board games, swimming and bowling. YMCA members pay $42 per day or $165 for the week. Non-members pay $52 per day or $185 for the week. Registration is required. For more information, call 688-2255, or just stop by the Pineland YMCA at 25 Campus Drive on the Pineland campus.

Shaker Mills

Brother Arnold Hadd of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village will make a presentation about the Shaker Mills at the monthly meeting of the New Gloucester Historical Society on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, next to the town hall. All are invited, and refreshments will be served. A business meeting will follow.

Popular project

What would entice approximately 50 residents of New Gloucester out of their warm homes on a 9-degree winter night?

The answer is a special town meeting with only one warrant article: having the town enter into a lease agreement with the Historical Society to construct a History Barn behind the town hall. The proposal was so popular that it took less time to make a motion, vote on the warrant article, and adjourn the meeting than it took to recite the pledge of allegiance.

“The New Gloucester Historical Society thanks all the citizens of New Gloucester who attended the Jan. 26 town meeting and voted unanimously for the land lease that will allow for the society’s construction of the New Gloucester History Barn. The society will now begin a fundraising campaign for the barn’s construction that will be completed in the fall to help celebrate the society’s 75th birthday,” member Leonard L. Brooks said.

Vote for Open Gates

Open Gates Equine Rescue needs your vote before the end of this month. Go to the Bangor Savings Bank Community Service Web site www.bangor.com/CommunityMattersMore.aspx. At the bottom of the page click “Cast Your Votes” and you will see a page of different regions in the state. Go to Greater Portland/Lewiston/Auburn and scroll down to check “Other” and type in Open Gates Equine Rescue, Inc.

This organization has met the criteria to be considered and would appreciate your vote because the non-profit with the most write-in votes receives $1,000.

Tax advice

Doing your taxes and need some help? Marilyn Brinnick, a New Gloucester resident, will be offering one-on-one assistance in filling out your tax form Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the New Gloucester Public Library.

Since this involves your personal information, appointments are suggested. The interval of 3 to 4 p.m. is reserved for teens, and then 4 to 8 p.m. is for adults. For more information, or to make an appointment, call the New Gloucester Public Library at 926-4840.

Hot off the press

The newest edition of the town report is now available at the town hall during regular office hours.

My next column: Feb. 27 issue

Deadline for submissions: Feb. 21

Melody Larson and her dad Keith succumbed to the tantalizing beat of Sean Mencher and His Rhythm Kings Feb. 7 at the New Gloucester Coffee House. The newly-renovated vestry created a perfect venue for the 60-person audience.