Community News

Gray Library notes
Book Sale coming

The Gray Public Library semi-annual book and bake sale will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2004 from 9 am -1 pm. There have been many donations and this looks to be one of the best sales. If you would like to bake for the sale give us a call at 657-4110.

This spring will also feature a yard sale on the same day as the book sale so we are looking for good quality donations for the yard sale. If you would like to volunteer to work on the book, bake or yard sale please call the library at 657-4110.

Making May baskets
Have you ever wanted to make a special May Basket? Well this is your opportunity. On Saturday, May 1, 2004 a basket workshop will be held at the Gray Public Library at 10:00 am. This is for children from the age of six up, accompanied by a parent or other adult. Basket kits will be
available. The cost will be $10 per child. This is sponsored by the Gray Public Library and the MSAD #15 Adult Education Department. Pat Libby will be the instructor. Please sign up for this event by calling the Gray Public Library at 657-4110 or by emailing graylib@gray.lib.me.us. Please pay in advance since the kits need to be paid for at time of ordering.

Book Club
Coehlo. This is a short (177p.) but meaningful book. It is describes as "A fable about undauntingly following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, and reading life's omens features dialogue between a boy and an unnamed being."

There are many topics for discussion in this book. The library will purchase additional copies. Please let us know if you are interested. The discussion will take place on May 19 at 7 p.m.

Gray Recreation Dept.-Program Up-Date
Submitted by Dean Bennett

Annual Easter Egg Hunt: On Saturday, April10th approximately 120 children arrived with parents in tow to participate in the egg hunt held at Newbegin/Pennell. The hunt for the 5 year old children was held behind Pennell and the 6 years old children were out in the softball field. Each area contained approximately 75 lbs. of chocolate eggs, jelly beans and other delicious candy. We also hid 60 plastic eggs containing tickets that children could redeem for prizes ranging from Easter baskets to Pez dispensers. The events was a huge success due in part to the local businesses that contributed. Thank you very much. Bruns Bros, Gray Family Vision Center, Cole Farms, Frank's Garage, Hill's Auto, Wilson Funeral Home And Gray Physical Therapy Center. Special thank you to Ashley Preble for her being Peter Rabbit.

Spring Programs Coming Up:
Jr. Indoor Soccer (ages 4 to 7), starts this Saturday. Space still available.
Gymnastic Lessons, starts on Wednesday, April 28th. Space still available.
Ping Pong, Thursday nights 6:00-7:00 beginners / 7:00-8:00 intermediate players.

New England Aquarium Trip: Monday, April 19th leaves at 8:00 and returns at 5:00pm.

Supervision provided for children ages 10 and older. Room for 6 more!

Portland Sea Dogs Game, cancelled.

Recreation Night at Newbegin, (5/1, Teens only 7 to 10:00pm) (5/8, 11 to 13 year old from 6:30-9:30) and (5/15, Family night from 6:30-9:30) .

Summer Day Camp Information:
Evening registrations for fulltime, weekly and even daily campers will be held on the following dates and times: Monday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 28th from 6 to 7:30 at Newbegin (recreation room). After these dates all registration are by appointment only (call 657-2323). Camp starts this year on Tuesday, July 6th and ends on Friday, August 20th (7 weeks this summer). Program times are from 8:00 to 4:00 pm with 1 hour early drop-off at 7:00am and late pick-up at 5:30 pm. Field trips, arts & crafts, sports and games, special events, swimming and much, much more. Call us for more information.

Camp is limited to children ages 6 to 12. Limited space available (65 maximum).

Other summer programs will include:
Kinder Camp: Day camp for children ages 4-6, 4 days a week, 1/2 day & full day.

Major League Soccer Camp: July 26 to 30
American Red Cross Swim Lessons
Patriot Basketball Camps
Adult Co-ed Softball
Men'sTop Flight Basketball League
Teen Adventure Trips
Field Hockey Camp
7/8th grade girls and boys Summer Basketball


The summer brochure wil be available through the schools by the first of May.

Updating Bulletin Board Services on local access GCTV

Bulletin Board being fixed: Many town organizations, churches, clubs and the schools use the GCTV-2 bulletin board to pass on important information and schedules of events. Recently the bulletin board software has been malfunctioning and GCTV is moving to install new software.

GCTV is asking all organizations, churches, clubs etc that post notices on the bulletin board to send us updated information, if your group has a digital photo that we may use, please send it along. Bulletin board updates will be taking place over the next two weeks.

The mailing address for all information is: GCTV, 4 Shaker Road, Gray, ME 04039 or email us at GCTV2@graymaine.org.

Pick up tapes: For all of those churches that have left tapes with us to broadcast over the past several months, please stop at the station on Tuesday evening, April 20th and pick them up. Tapes not picked up will be disposed of.

POLITICAL CANDIDATES
Running for a municipal, county or state office that represents the People of Gray? GCTV will record your campaign message, up to fifteen minutes, on Sunday afternoon May 2 starting a 3 p.m. at Stimson Hall in Gray. Please contactus at GCTV2@graymaine.org if you wish to make use of this service and we will set a time specific on that day to record your message. Candidate's presentations will be aired up to six times between May 9th and Election Day. Candidates running for federal office will have a similar opportunity in September.

Maine WIldlife Park
2004 Event Calendar
'Summer Wildlife Days'

All programs run from approximately 11:00am to 2:00pm unless otherwise noted. Rt. 26 in Gray, just 3 miles north of Gray Village

Sunday May 9: WBLM Day with radio personality Mark Persky on Mother's Day from10:30am-1PM; meet Mark and his crew! Musicians, jugglers & other great acts! Balloons for everyone!

Learn about Lobsters: with Captain Tom & Crew from the lobster boat Lucky Catch: live lobsters & real equipment

Saturday May 15: Sparks Ark: owner Dave Sparks has great information & displays about wild animal emergencies & nuisance wildlife removal: bats in your belfry? Skunks under the porch?

Saturday May 22: The Creature Catcher: Using a dozen beautifully mounted specimans, Dana Johnson, registered Animal Damage Control agent, will answer visitors' questions about common local furbearers, their habits and habitats. Dana will also demonstrate & give advise on use of havahart and other live traps.

May 29-31: Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park Annual Plant Sale: this volunteer group helps out in so many ways, learn more about their ongoing projects and enjoy great spring plant deals!

Saturday, June 5 Maine Conservation School: learn more about exciting outdoor camp sessions at Bryant Pond for boys & girls ages 8-17; your kids can become woodswise & safety conscious

Saturday June 12 ReMaine WILD: Representatives of this professional group of wildlife rehabilitators will staff an informative display. What do you do if you find a baby robin, raccoon or injured animal?

Saturday June 19 Maine Custom Wood Sculpture: Join Bill Fournier as he uses a chain saw to create eagles, bears and more. Watch a block of wood become a work of art. Finished pieces will be for sale.

Saturday June 26 Fly Tying & Fly Casting with Trout Unlimited: Sebego TU Chapter members will be on hand to teach these popular fishing techniques. Learn to cast; and tie a fly and bring it home to try on your next fishing trip!
Saturday July 3 Maine Forest Service: meet a District Forest Ranger and learn how they help protect Maine's forests & manage our woodlands. A special photo opportunity with Smokey the Bear from 12 noon to 12:30. Bring your cameras!

Saturday July 10 The Deer Tracker: Join Dick Bernier for an unbelievable amount of great information about the white-tailed deer. Learn how to become a better observer or hunter of deer. Slide show, too!

Saturday July 17 Maine Bowhunters Association: Learn more about the growing sport of bowhunting. Also, Wild Turkey Federation: A detailed exhibit about a wildlife success story for Maine.

Saturday July 24 Randy's Taxidermy: owner Randy Brooks will have an extensive display of the tools of his trade and several finished mounts; a fascinating look at this popular form of wildlife art

Saturday July 31 Full Moon Night Hike: Creatures of the Night: 8:00-10:00PM

Learn what wildlife does at night by the light of the full moon and your flashlight. Special exhibits. Regular admission fee. (Cancelled if raining) Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open!

Saturday August 7 The Creature Catcher: Using a dozen beautifully mounted specimans, Dana Johnson, registered Animal Damage Control agent, will answer visitors' questions about common local furbearers, their habits and habitats. Dana will also demonstrate & give advise on use of havahart & other live traps.

Saturday August 14 Maine Custom Wood Sculpture: Join Bill Fournier again as he uses a chain saw to create eagles, bears and more. Watch a block of wood become a work of art. Finished pieces will be for sale.

Saturday August 21 Wildlife Chalk Art Contest for Kids: Local artist Pat Chandler will give kids instructions on creating wildlife art with chalk on our paved surfaces; prizes awarded (Rain date: Sunday August 22)

Saturday August 28 Full Moon Owl Prowl: 8:00-10:00PM: Learn what wildlife does at night under the light of the full moon and your flashlight. Special owl displays! Regular admission fee. (Cancelled if raining)

Saturday Sept. 11 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Annual OPEN HOUSE: 9:30am-3:30pm: Free admission, Donations appreciated, IFW biologists, wardens and hatchery staff with a variety of special fish & wildlife exhibits and displays

Wed. October 27 Halloween Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse Night Hike: 6:00-8:00PM: Get into the spirt! Special Halloween Displays! Wear your costumes! Door Prizes! Regular Admission (Cancelled if raining)

Sunday October 31 HALLOWEEN II Night Hike: 6:00-8:00PM: A great place to start your Halloween trick or treating! Special Halloween Displays! Wear your costumes! Door Prizes! Regular Admission (Cancelled if raining)