Culture

Patti’s July 17 “Inside New Gloucester” Column

Mildred is one of the lambs in Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village’s Sponsor a Lamb program. Courtesy photo

Sponsor a Lamb

In 2019, a young ram was donated to Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village to supplement its aging flock. This addition took on mega proportions. As it turns out, this male was not properly neutered and he impregnated 20 Shaker Village ewes.

Complications ensued, which resulted in associated substantial costs. In 2020 alone, the Shakers’ veterinarian bills have totaled more than $3,000 and expenses continue to climb. For example, costs for grain and feed are projected to exceed a whopping $9,000. To offset these unanticipated costs, the Shakers invite you to consider “adopting” one of their lambs into your family.

The Sponsor a Lamb program is an opportunity for you to support Shaker Village. Your one-time donation of $200 provides the support the animal needs for an entire year. Contributions also help improve the Shaker’s hayfields and restore their pastureland. Each donor will receive a handmade tote created from the grain bags that feed the sheep, an 8-by-12-inch photograph of your lamb and a certificate of your sponsorship.

If you choose to sponsor for a friend or relative be sure to provide their name and mailing address. Payment can be made online by selecting your lamb http://maineshakers.com/product-category/lamb at maineshakers.com/product-category/lamb or by addressing a check payable to “The Shaker Society” along with a letter mailed to: Attn: Sheep, The Shaker Society, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260.

For Patti Mikkelsen’s complete column in the Lakes Region Weekly, go to https://www.pressherald.com/2020/07/17/inside-new-gloucester-july-17/