9304-R4_NewGloucester_2024-2025_AnnualReport_Web

After Tom shared sentiments from Governor Janet Mills and others who could not attend, the next round of five speakers began. Beverly and Tom presented the mayor with a Pineland Farms gift bag containing spices and teas from Shaker Village, along with the new 2025 calendar, NG250 coin and pencil, and a signed Images of America - New Gloucester book. The mayor then reciprocated with commemorative Gloucester coins and a box of Neptune's Harvest Organic Fertilizers and Plant Food produced in Gloucester. And once again, Patti, Richard, and William were busy taking photographs and recording the event. Sunday, December 8th was the final event of the NG250 celebration, and it was very well received. We were fortunate with the weather, as the 2024 Wreaths Across America Escort to Arlington arrived in Upper Gloucester right on time. Hundreds of people came out to cheer on the impressive convoy, and the half-hour Remembrance Ceremony afterward went off without a hitch. Steve Libby emceed the first half while Tom Blake emceed the wreath-laying portion, featuring several of our local veterans. It was followed by a well-earned round of applause for Jean Libby in recognition of her unwavering efforts with the NG Veterans Monument Committee to make it all happen. The Committee had been given a Wreaths Across America flag and even received a Wreaths Across America coin from the Worcester Family (the WAA directors), who told us our ceremony was one of the nicest they had ever seen. The Select Board recognized and honored the Semiquincentennial Committee in the 229th Annual Report of the Town of New Gloucester published in 2025! The committee was then recognized during the Annual Town Meeting held on Monday, May 5th, 7pm at the Memorial School Gymnasium. Tom has continued to collect information and photographs for an NG250 commemorative book to be published in the coming year, which shall contain many “ thank you ” wishes to the hundreds of people and organizations who made our year of 250 th celebrations so enjoyable! Tom had arranged for guest speakers for the afternoon celebration at the fairgrounds, and had the honor of introducing Steve Libby, Bill Kerbin, Beverly Cadigan, Matt Sturgis, Halsey Frank (who filled in for Susan Collins), State Representative Amy Arata, Brother Arnold Hadd, and Mayor Greg Verga. The first five speakers began at the end of the noon break, with the popular “Money Hunt” occurring after. Country Roads, who were kind enough to share their sound system with the many speakers, performed their award-winning music throughout the afternoon. The free T-shirt tie-dye station at the Pavilion began at 1pm and was a big hit. Another break took place at 1:30pm, with the 2nd winner of the bike raffle announced.

Respectfully submitted, Thomas Blake, vice-chair NG250 Semiquincentennial Celebration Committee

44