A Gray Pedestrian's Viewpoint
BY MARIANNE SCOTT

Several days ago I decided to take my first wintertime walk into the Gray Village. I had made the two mile trek from my neighborhood beyond the GNG high school frequently last summer, and since the roads appeared bare from the mild weather, I decided it was safe to venture out.
When I reached Route 26 however, and viewed reality, my resolve began to waver. Many areas on the bike trail that bordered the highway were congested with snow and ice, making it much more difficult to keep a safe distance from the enormous vehicles roaring towards me. And matters were worse on the Shaker Road overpass where the trail tapered from about five feet to barely three.

Although some tractor trailer drivers have graciously veered over the yellow line when they noticed me, oncoming traffic in the other direction often ruled out that option. There have also been several occasions where I narrowly missed sharing the bridge with an oversized load carrying a house. If both lanes had been occupied in that situation the amount of space left for me would have been small indeed. So I naturally breathed a sigh of relief when I left the overpass behind and reached the sidewalk a few moments later. It too was submerged in ice in many places but certainly provided a much wider cushion between myself and the traffic racing through the green lights.

The library was my destination that day and as soon as I reached the Civil War Monument on the corner, I began to weigh my options. I knew the quickest way would be to cross where I was over to McDonald's, but the Gray intersection was in its usual state of pandemonium and I felt too invisible to risk the journey without a crosswalk. I decided instead to make my attempt down at the Pennell Institute where there was one. But as I neared the old building, the white lines that had been so obvious last summer were now barely visible to me and probably nonexistent to the cars flying past.

On my return journey I found the other crosswalk at the One Gray Center in the same condition, and the sidewalk adjoining the building completely buried in ice.
Unfortunately this crossing was the best choice I had. As I stood nervously at the corner and pressed the button for the crosswalk light, I wondered if it was in better working order than the other pedestrian aids I'd used. Sure enough it gave the go signal just long enough for me to step on to the crosswalk and then turned red. Hoping I wouldn't get run over, I dashed to the other side. Walking to town in Gray may be good excercise, but it certainly isn't for the faint of heart.

Ukrainian Egg Painting comes to Fiddlehead's! This fun workshop for teens and adults is just in time to celebrate the spring season and Easter with a touch of Eastern European tradition. Students need to bring at least three extra large white eggs that have been washed in a mixture of vinegar and water, a taper candle (any color) and a candle holder. Material fee includes the medium kistka, a block of wax and enough dyes to continue making these beautiful creations at home. The class is scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd from 9 a.m. - noon at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts located at One Gray Center in Gray. For registration on this workshop and the other after school spring session classes call 657-2255.

Meet the Author @ The Gray Public Library Young Adult author, Franny Billingsley, will present a program at the Gray Public Library on Wednesday, March 20 at 2:30 P.M. Ms. Billingsley wrote the novels Folk Keeper and Well Wished. Folk Keepr was the winner of the Boston Globe/Hornbook award for the year 2000. Both books have made a variety of lists of Best Books of the Year for Young Adults. This is a program that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It is a real privilege for us to be able have Franny Billingsley as our guest.
On April 18, 2002 the Gray Public Library and the MSAD#15 Adult Education Department will co-sponsor a "Lunch and Learn" program on the Middle East. Delores Lanai will present the program. She has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East and will discuss Ethnicity, Religion, Culture and other aspects of that area. Lunch will be provided. Please call the library at 657-4110 to sign up or for more information.

Local RC&D Members Recognized for Outstanding Conservation Efforts

The Threshold to Maine Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area held their annual awards banquet on Saturday, February 16, 2002, at Cole Farms Restaurant in Gray, Maine. Working to Save Maine Agriculture was the theme for the evening, and sparked much excitement about three new projects to support Maine’s farming communities: an Agriculture Support Center, a Mobile Kitchen, and a national storytelling piece. Norris Conant, chairman of Threshold to Maine, said "We envision farms flourishing, not vanishing from the landscape of southern and western Maine". He also noted that "These projects build local support for the future of farms because the business of farming has long been considered one of Maine’s economic foundations."

Ned Porter, Deputy Chief of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, was on hand for the awards presentation which recognized board members and community volunteers for their support and dedication. The following awards were presented:

Longevity of Continuous Service Award:
Harry Bell, representing Cumberland County Soil Water Conservation District
Freshman Cheerleader:
Eileen Curtis, representing Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
RC&D Volunteer Assistance:
Kathleen Perry, assistance on the Agriculture Incubator Project
Partnership Cooperation:
George Flaherty, representing Greater Portland Council of Governments
Outstanding Program Development:
Andrew McNeally, representing Cumberland County Commissioners, for development of the new professional logo designs
Successful Project:
Eileen Curtis, representing Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
Andrew McNeally, representing Cumberland County Commissioners, for development of the Threshold to Maine Café display and promotion of agricultural products.
Outstanding Council Member:
Norris Conant, representing Oxford County Commissioners

Established as a nonprofit organization in 1970, Threshold to Maine has expanded opportunities for people in Cumberland, Franklin, Oxford, and York Counties to improve communities by serving as a catalyst for addressing rural development needs. Today, we are expanding opportunities once again by championing the development of a viable agriculture industry locally, regionally, and statewide. All programs of Threshold to Maine are provided on an equal opportunity basis. For more information contact the office in Gray at (207) 657-3131 or visit our website at www.thresholdtomaine.org.

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2002 Due to parent-teacher conferences, there will be no school in MSAD 15 on March 22nd.

MSAD 15: Early Release for Staff Development
On March 25, students will be released from school early so that staff can participate in K-12 staff development activities. Lunch will be served to students before their dismissal at the following times: * Both AM and PM Kindergarten students will go to the AM session and be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. * Grades 1-5 will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. * Grades 6 -12 will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m.