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Citizen Corps Offers Free Snowmobile Safety Class
It's already the time of year when families prepare their snowmobiles for winter. Why not also prepare yourself for your snowmobile? Thousands of Americans are injured annually in snowmobile accidents. A free snowmobile safety class is being offered by the Gray Region Citizen Corps on Friday, November 12th. The class is for all ages and will be held in Stimson Hall in Gray Village beginning at 6:30 PM.

The non-profit Gray Region Citizen Corps volunteers provide monthly safety and emergency preparedness seminars on the second Friday of the month to residents from Yarmouth to Casco. Past monthly seminar topics have included chainsaw safety, home fire extinguisher practice, pet first aid, and cooking without electricity. Future seminars are scheduled on how to help in a disaster shelter and on the so-called "dirty bomb" scenario. More information about the federal Citizen Corps program may be found at www.citizencorps.gov. Their motto is "Uniting Communities -- Preparing the Nation". The local group publishes a monthly electronic newsletter. Messages for the GRCC may be left with Gray Public Safety at 657-3931.

Maine Kids Count Announces Eleventh Annual Photo Search
The Maine Childrens Alliance is seeking photographs of Maine children for the 2005 Maine KIDS COUNT Data Book. Photographs selected will be those which best capture the essence of what it means to be a child in the state of Maine. Professional and amateur photographers are invited to submit photographs for the Data Book.

The annual Maine KIDS COUNT Data Book offers a statistical outlook of how children and families are faring in the state of Maine. Although targeted to researchers, service providers, and policy makers throughout Maine, the book is widely distributed to the general public as well. The photographs set the tone for the book and add the human dimension to the numbers contained within.

Names of the photographers whose works are selected for publication will be announced through a statewide media release and will be credited in the book.

Deadline for submission is November 30, 2004. For entry forms and photo release, call 623-1868 x202; email maineKids@mekids.org; visit our website at www.mekids.org to download the entry forms; or write to: PHOTO SEARCH, Maine Children's Alliance, 303 State Street, Augusta 04330.

First Fridays YMCA at Pineland
The YMCA at Pineland is opening its doors FREE to the public, the First Friday of every Month.

Bring your family and friends to the Y and enjoy a night of bowling, swimming, games in the gymnasium and even get a workout. What a great way to get to know us and meet new people!
Starts: Friday November 5th, 4:00-8:00 P.M.
For more information please contact Philip DiRusso at 688-2255.

Welcome Babies!

Jon & Jan Ruona are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Elise Katherine Ruona on 10/12/04 at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Grandparents are James & Linda Sturgis of Standish and Keith & Yvonne Ruona of Brunswick. Great Grandparents are Florence Sturgis of Standish and Elizabeth Dresser of Saco.

Steve Shutts II & Amanda Chute are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Alexis Linda Shutts at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Grandparents are Neal & Linda Chute of Limington, ME., Cheryl Brown of Naples, FL. and Steven Shutts of Buxton, ME. Great Grandparents are Janet Douglass of Westbrook, ME., Becky & Lester Chute of San Manuel, AZ., and George Shutts of South Portland, ME.

Dirigo Health Choice Info: The Gray Business Association in conjunction with the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to an informative gathering concerning Dirigo Choice Health Plan. Small business owners or representatives of small businesses with 2-50 employees who currently are without health insurance or are looking to investigate other insurance options. Tuesday, November 16th 4-5 pm. Conference Center at Pineland Farms - New Gloucester, Maine. Sharon Roberts - Anthem representative For directions go to www.pinelandfarms.org or call 207-688-4691. If you have any questions please contact: Leo Credit - President Gray Business Association 657-5600. Barbara Clark - Executive Director - Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce 892-8214.

Card of Thanks
Gray Business Association President Leo Credit writes:

I want to thank everyone involved in making GBA TV Auction 2004 a huge success. We raised over $3500 for the organization - with most of the proceeds going towards community activities and scholarship money for well deserving Gray/New Gloucester residents. A special thank you also goes out to the Town of Gray, town council and Brad Fogg for allowing us to hold the event at Stimson Hall and airing it on Channel 2. The excellent work and professionalism of the Cable TV staff was greatly appreciated and made for a smooth running program. The event wouldn't have been possible without the had work and efforts of John and Lee Couture and Chris Dombrowski. Finally the festive atmosphere of the evening was mad possible by our "runners" - Mark Olson, Bryan Lewis, Mark Bacon and the entertaining emcees - Mark Persky, Mitch Berkowitz, Mike Vadas and Matt McDonald. I apologize if I missed anyone.

Thank you all who support the local businesses and our efforts to give back to the community.