Hosted by the New Gloucester Historical Society, the 48th annual Strawberry Festival, held June 27 at the First Congregational Church, drew a large, eager crowd. The kitchen crew consisting of Kelly Nichols, left, Tom Blake, Kathie Anderson, Shelley Blake, Linda Chase, Joan Hunnewell and state Rep. Amy Arata was up to the task. Patti Mikkelsen / For Lakes Region Weekly

Library community concert

Marc Black, New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee, will transport audiences on a nostalgic journey with a free performance, “Boppa Chua! A History of the 1950s and ’60s Through Popular Song,” at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at New Gloucester Public Library, 379 Intervale Road.

Black will lead audiences from bobby socks through the space race and on to the Civil Rights Movement and classic rock. He will perform songs as diverse as “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

The concert will be outside at the library gazebo, weather permitting. Guests can bring folding chairs. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the library.

Send your news about New Gloucester happenings to Patti Mikkelsen at mikks@maine.rr.com.

Church history tour

The town’s 250th anniversary celebration continues for a weekend of church history in July.

Eastgate Christian Fellowship will open its doors from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 13. Pastor Glenn Anderson will discuss the origins of the church and the history of its site, the former Andrew C. Chandler Farm located at 72 Cobb’s Bridge Road.

The First Congregational Church of New Gloucester, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14. John Terison, director of music, will discuss the extensive history of the church and demonstrate its superb 1857 George Stevens pipe organ.

Ice cream social

Gray-New Gloucester Recreation invites residents to the I Scream for Ice Cream Social from 1 to 3 p.m. July 24 at the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road. RSVP by calling 926-4126, ext. 233, or emailing reccoordinator@newgloucester.com.

Shaker postal stamps

The United States Postal Service commemorates the Shakers’ 250th anniversary of their arrival in America with the release of Shaker Design Forever Stamps. The Shakers have made many contributions to the cultural development of United States.

The U.S. Postal Service recently released Shaker Design Forever Stamps to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Shakers in America. Contributed / U.S. Postal Service

Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village collaborated with the USPS beginning nearly two years ago in anticipation of the release of this Shaker Design series. A panel of 12 images for the postal stamps were selected from the portfolio of photographer Michael Freeman, whose photography illustrates a popular Shaker book of the 1980s, “Shaker Life, Work, and Art.”

The First Day Issue of the Shaker Design Forever Stamps was celebrated on June 20 at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where many of the featured objects are preserved.

A USPS Special Dedication Ceremony will be held at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village on Aug. 6 marking the 250th Anniversary of the Shakers’ Arrival Day in America.