News

Wnter Festival highlighted by land donation
Libbey family recognized at festival
By David Martineau

Gray--Under a clear blue sky, a group of thirteen young ski racers gathered at the starting line of the Libby Hill Festival's 3rd annual Children's Cross Country ski race. Gray Parks and Recreation Director Dean Bennett and volunteer Carl Holmquist gave the skiers an official start and they were off. Several of the older skiers sprinted to an early lead but like a stock car race gone awry, the field behind them piled up into a tangle of skis, poles and bodies. One by one they got to their feet and chased the leaders hoping to win a medal of any color.

Finishing in first and winning the gold for the older youth group division was Brent Maurice with a finishing time of 1:36. Placing second and third were Tyler Holmquist (2:01) and Danny Content (2:20) respectively. The younger youth group division raced a shorter leg of the overall course and Paul Fotter was proud to win his gold medal with a finishing time of 1:41. Bringing home a silver medal for a time of 2:10, Caitlen Holmquist edged out Danny Marshall who finished third with a time of 2:31. The thirteen skiers from both divisions all gave a superb effort.

The Libby Hill Festival took place on the 28th of February and featured a variety of races and winter activities for the public to enjoy and participate. Competition was fierce in the 3-1/2 mile adult cross country ski race as well as in the youth and adult snowshoe races. There was a sliding competition where competitors tried to slam dunk a ball into a bucket as they whizzed by and a new event called the "Human Dogsled." In this racing event one person on snow shoes is harnessed to a sled carrying a teammate, with the human dog and the musher racing against other teams.

Above, Danny Marshall is proud of his Third Place medal for participation in the younger Youth Division x-country ski race.
The Monument: David Martineau photo

In between events people warmed themselves by a large bonfire, making S'mores and enjoying the moderate temperatures. The G.N.G./Poland Hockey booster club sold baked goods while the Lions Club doled out steaming bowls of chili for the spectators. An ice fishing exhibition was given and Stillbrook Acres a horse drawn hay wagon lazily carted people up and down the road near the Libbey Hill Recreation area.Below, horse drawn rides. The Monument: David Martineau photo

The 70 acre recreation area was given to the town of Gray by the Libbey Family in 1970 and was improved for use as a non motorized recreational area by the efforts of the Gray Community Endowment, the Holmquist family, and many other volunteer families and organizations. The highlight of this year's festival was the presentation of an additional 45 acres of land to the Gray Community Endowment. "It was the right time and the right thing to do," said benefactor Richard Libbey. This gift from the Libbey family will not only expand the area for use by the public but also provide a new means of income for the endowment.
Left, Emily Baker loves the s-mores! The Monument: David Martineau photo


Dean Bennett of Gray Parks & Recreation organized the event, as well as numerous volunteers. It is definitely a "must see" event for next year and to anyone who has not attended one of these festivals, it is a great way to say goodbye to old man winter and to ring in spring.

At right, Left, Brent Maurice shows off his First Place medal for the X-country Ski race in the Older youth Division. Right, volunteer Sam Bennett and Gray Parks and Rec Director Dean Bennett (and his megaphone) standing behind.
The Monument: David Martineau Photo