Furthermore

Snow cancellation: reschedule
Friday, December 9th's Citizen Corps meeting topic was "Preparing for Winter Emergencies", but for safety's sake, the snowy weather forced a postponement until next month. The January meeting will be held on Friday the thirteenth.

Gray Snowmobile Club News
We have had some trail changes so please be aware of this fact. We are working with landowners to reroute some of the trails and keep others open by helping the landowner clearly mark the path that they would like people to use while crossing their property. Please be respectful of the landowners property, it is a privilege, not a right to ride on their property...please stay on marked trails. Some trails are not open. Our next meeting will be on January 10th, 2006 at 7p.m. at the Fish and Wildlife Bldg. on Rt. 26. Come on out and support us. A mailing went to every home that owns a snowmobile...if you use our trails, we could use your support! We maintain about 38 miles of trail. Mark your calendars for our annual Poker Run to be held on March 4th, 2006 at St. Gregory's church.
For more info, contact Kim Shelley 428-3244 http://home.maine.rr.com/snowwolves

Maine Audubon December Programs Celebrate Birds, Winter Solstice
At 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19, Maine Audubon will host a holiday potluck dinner followed at 7 p.m. by a presentation on birdsong. Several days later, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, the organization will host a winter solstice celebration.

Bring a main dish, salad, or dessert and whatever you'd like to drink to the potluck dinner. The post-dinner presentation features renowned birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts and a visiting fellow at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Kroodsma has studied birdsong for more than thirty years and recently wrote "The Singing Life of Birds." The dinner and presentation are free; no registration is necessary.

The winter solstice celebration several days later includes candle lighting, a seasonal craft, a ceremony honoring the four directions, and a storyteller who will weave a tale about wildlife and the season. December 21 marks the return of lengthening daylight hours, which since prehistoric times people have observed and developed traditions to celebrate.
The solstice celebration is $8/adult and $3/child for Maine Audubon members, $10/adult and $4/child for nonmembers. Advance registration is necessary.

For more information or to register, call (207) 781-2330 or visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Let's Play Ball!

We are still looking for a few baseball players ages 10-12 to play in the Batcve league in Westbrook for session 2. Starts first week in January, lasts 7 weeks, play once a week. Cost $75 per player

Public baked bean supper

AMVET Hall, Rt. 100, New Gloucester, Sat., Dec. 17, from 5-6 p.m. Beans, chop suey, Cole slaw, biscuits, hot dogs, brown bread, pie. Adults $6, children $2. FMI call 926-4402.

Discover your inner diva this January

Experience singing with Maine's most acclaimed chorus for women, The Royal River Chorus. In four group lessons, you'll learn the basics of a cappella harmony, barbershop style, from Master Director Chris Ferguson. By the end of the lessons, you will know whether singing and improving your voice is something that interests you.

Then you'll be offered a one-month trial membership with no strings attached, to get the total chorus experience. Weekly lessons start Jan. 12, 7 pm, at Wescustogo Hall, No. Yarmouth. $10 materials fee. Open to women of all ages and abilities; deep-voice singers especially welcome! Boxed certificates are available for holiday gift-giving. Leave a message at 846-4331 or e- mail bjh@maine.rr.com. For more information visit www.sweetadlineintl.org or www.royalriver.org.

Maine Audubon Needs Volunteers to Lead Nature Walks

Maine Audubon needs volunteers on weekdays from January 11 to March 31 to lead one-and-a-half-hour nature explorations at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth.

No previous knowledge or teaching experience is necessary to lead the explorations, just a love of nature and a desire to share it with others. Volunteers will learn teaching techniques, seasonal changes in plants and animals and general ecology. Most programs participants are school groups. Training is from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, January 6; Tuesday, January 10; and Thursday, January 12; and from 1-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 17. Participation in all the training sessions is encouraged but special arrangements can be made for those who cannot do so.
In-depth internships are also available.

For more information or to arrange training, contact Linda Woodard at (207) 781-2330, ext. 213, or lwoodard@maineaudubon.org. For more information on Maine Audubon environmental education programs, trips and volunteer opportunities, please call (207) 781-2330 or visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Aerial photos of Crystal Lake

For Sale: Photo quality 20"x26" aerial prints of Crystal Lake. Asking $35 each with all profits going to support the mission of the Crystal Lake Association. To place an order call Jan at 657-6828 or e-mail janmth@maine.rr.com

Aerial Imagery provided courtesy of DeLorme using XMap.

What's on GCTV?

Monday through Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. starting December 12, 2005, channel 2,
"A Visit to Shaker Village"

Gray Business Association Business Break on December 15, 2005

Please join the GBA and your host, Phil DiRusso, at the Cumberland County YMCA located at the Pineland Campus on Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to network your business and to learn more about the "Y" and the GBA. Refreshments will be served and the GBA Board of Directors meeting will follow directly at 7pm. We we strongly urge all members to attend both!

GBA Annual Banquet

The GBA is holding the annual banquet at Spring Meadows on Saturday, January 21, 2006. The banquet starts at 6 p.m. with a social and cash bar. A sit down dinner will be served from 7-8 p.m. The membership meeting will begin at 8 p.m. There is a guest speaker to be announced and we have many important changes to consider this year. Tickets are $25/pp & go on sale in December.

Happy Hands Play Group

The group is open to the public and meets each Wednesday in the New Begin Center basement from 9:30 to 11 a.m.. The cost is 50 cents per child and covers the cost of a snack. Parents or caregivers are to remain with their children over the duration of the session. For more information, call Mike or Heather Maines at 657-4425. All are welcome!

Wanted Women Ages 40-64

Mammograms and pap tests through the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program at No Cost to you. Special Screening Day, October 29th For more information, call 874-8942 or 1-800 350-5180.

New Location for FA (Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous)

Tuesday evenings 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Roosevelt Trail (Rt. 302) Windham, Maine.
Does food control your life? There is help and hope. Food addicts in Recovery Anonymous(FA), is a twelve step program. No dues, fees, or weigh ins. For more information please call the Maine FA hotline at(207) 775-2132 or go to www.foodaddicts.org

Donate your unwanted car, get a Last-Minute Deduction of $500 or more and help charities

cars4charities has a unique opportunity for you to get a year-end tax deduction and help one of over 250 respected charities at the same time. Donate your unwanted car to cars4charities and you'll be eligible for a tax deduction of $500 or what the car is sold for, whichever is greater.
cars4charities will handle the entire donation process, from start to finish. They'll turn your unwanted vehicle into cash and send the entire net proceeds to the charity you select from their impressive list. The process is effortless. Owners simply log onto www.cars4charities.org or call cars4charities at 1-866-448-3487. Your vehicle will be picked up in a matter of days, free of charge. cars4charities will provide you with all the appropriate tax paperwork you'll need to claim your deduction. To claim your 2005 deduction, your title must be signed and postmarked by December 31, 2005.

For more information, visit www.cars4charities.org or call 1-866-448-3487 (GIVE-4-US)