Culture

Patti’s April 24 “Inside New Gloucester” Column

This year’s public opening of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Store has been pushed back to July 3 due to coronavirus health concerns. Photo by Patti Mikkelsen

Shaker Village calendar updates

Michael Graham, director of the Shaker Museum and Library, reports changes to their summer season as a result of the ongoing pandemic and public health concerns. Accordingly, Shaker Village will not open to the public until July 3.

In chronological order:

  • Sunday worship services will remain closed to the public while Maine’s stay-at-home executive order remains in effect.
  • The Men’s retreat “Learning from a Latter Day Elder” scheduled for May 5-8 is canceled.
  • Volunteer Work Day on May 9 is canceled.
  • The opening of the Shaker Museum and Shaker Store is postponed until July 3.
  • Birdwatching at the Shaker Bog on May 23 is canceled.
  • Shape Note Singing will not be held on June 6. They will attempt to reschedule this gathering at a later point in the season.
  • Nature’s Outdoor Classroom events on June 6 and 13 are canceled.
  • Craft workshops originally scheduled for June 6 and 13 will not be held on those dates. The staff will work with the instructors and attendees to reschedule those classes at a later point in the season.
  • The Women’s Retreat “Shaker Spirituality” will not take place June 13-16. An attempt will be made to reschedule this program at a later time in the season.
  • The Maine Festival of American Music will not be held June 24-27. The staff will work with the musicians to determine if the event can be rescheduled at a later point in the season.

Office manager Jamie Ribisi-Braley will contact individuals enrolled in retreats and workshops to coordinate full refunds for any canceled programs.

For Patti Mikkelsen’s complete column in the Lakes Region Weekly, go to https://www.pressherald.com/2020/04/24/inside-new-gloucester-april-24/