I am stunned at how fast school vacation and the official visitors’ season went this year. This summer was especially fun for me and I am sad to see it end. While this week’s column includes plenty of news on the upcoming school year and events, I hope you will enjoy more summertime fun as the wonderful weather will continue for several more weeks before fall officially starts. For those of you going back home to school and work, I hope you enjoyed the Lakes Region and wonderful community here in Raymond.
Calling all Scouts
Raymond Pack 800 has always had the reputation for being a very strong Cub Scout pack, and currently they are looking for all boys interested in joining the program. Pack 800 will be holding an information and sign-up session during Open House at Raymond Elementary School on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 6-8 p.m. and hopes you will stop by with your son.
Cub Scouts is a multi-year program for boys from first through fifth grades, running from Tiger Cubs to Webelos and on into the adventures in Boy Scouts. Come explore the activities they have planned for 2011-2012 including an overnight at Sebago Lake State Park, the ever-popular Pinewood Derby, and an overnight spring trip to Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts. In the summer, boys enjoy a week-long day camp, an overnight Fun Pack Weekend, and a four-day/three-night Webelos Camp which all take place at Camp Hinds in right here in Raymond.
This is a fun and life-changing program and all age-appropriate boys are welcomed to join. The first den meetings will be held on Monday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Jordan-Small Middle School. For more information, call or email Adam Gaffen, committee chairman and Tiger Den leader, at 627-3324 or adamgaffen@yahoo.com.
Hike and Bike Trek
I have greatly enjoyed riding in the Loon Echo Land Trust’s bike trek for the past 10 years and this year, I am hoping to encourage more people to participate. Cyclists can choose from 25, 50 and 100 mile treks and there is also a 6 mile hike for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground. This is a major fundraiser for LELT and this year, the mission is even more important as they strive to save Hackers Hill. This year’s trek will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, and both the cycling and hiking routes will delight you as they offer breathtaking scenery, supported rest stops and the ever-popular spirited volunteers. Upon completing your trek, you will enjoy a delicious barbecue and music. There is still time to sign up so call 647-4352 or visit loonechotrek.com for complete information and to register.
Back to the books
Some of my fondest early parenting memories are of taking my children to story time at the Raymond Village Library. I had the opportunity to meet other parents while my children were engaged with their children and being exposed to books. Now that summer vacation is over, story times will resume beginning Monday, Sept. 12, and Chrissy Zidle will once again share her enthusiastic energy while leading the children in songs, games and stories. Programs include Baby Time (birth – 18 months) which meets on Mondays at 10 a.m., Toddler Time (18 months – 36 months) which meets on Wednesdays and offers two sessions, one at 10 a.m. and a second at 11 a.m., and Preschool Time which meets on Mondays at 11 a.m. Do yourself and your children a favor and treat yourself to this weekly time of fun and learning. For more information, call the library at 655-4283.
School supplies
Back-to-school shopping can be a daunting chore for many and the Windham Food Pantry and Clothes Closet, in conjunction with State Farm Insurance and Gorham Savings Bank, have teamed up to help you. They will have school supplies and a limited amount of backpacks for Windham and Raymond students who cannot afford to purchase them. Please call the Pantry and ask for Madeline at 892-1931 as soon as possible to sign up for this program.
Getting carded
The American Library Association has deemed September as Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the Raymond Village Library wants to be sure your family has a library card. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Kids can go to the library to get homework help and borrow books, and they can also check out music, DVDs and use the Internet all for free.
The Raymond Village Library encourages everyone to take advantage of this reminder, especially at the start of the new school year. A library card can be the most important school supply of all and costs absolutely nothing. The library is open on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Stop by and get your card today.
Board opening
Also, the Raymond Board of Selectmen is looking for a candidate to fill a three-year position on the Budget/Finance Committee. This committee reviews all budgetary items which will come before the Board of Selectmen in preparing for the annual town meeting. The Budget/Finance Committee also oversees any changes to the town’s financial status regarding major expenditures and receipts including any investigation of bonds, notes or other types of credit. More information is available by contacting Town Manager Don Willard at don.willard@raymondmaine.org or Committee Chairman Rolf Olsen at rolsen001@maine.rr.com or by calling Town Clerk Louise Lester at 655-4742. Please consider volunteering your time to help with this important task.
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