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Gray Library notes

The Smartest Card, Get it, Use it @ your library

September is Library card sign-up month. This is the most important school supply you can get for your children and it is free to residents of Gray and New Gloucester! Libraries play an important role in the education and development of our children. Preschool story hours are intended to expose children to the joy of reading. There are many studies documenting that use of libraries that are well-staffed and that allow children to participate in a good variety of self selected reading materials is an important factor in a child's success in school. The library offers books, magazines, audiobooks, videos and other materials for children and adults. The staff also offers home-work help to students when school libraries are closed.

All families, single persons, seniors, anyone and everyone is welcome. If you have a library card and have misplaced it we will be happy to give you a new one. We do encourage you to bring the card when you check out books.

We offer public access computers that allow users to do research. There is also a wireless computer network that allows people with laptop computers equipped with a wireless card to come in and use our network for school work, business related activities, checking email or other such activities.

What a bargain! Where can you get so much for so little? Did you realize that the per capita cost to support the Gray Public Library is approximately $23. 07, which is less that the cost of an adult best selling novel?

Priscilla Payne, Library Director
Gray Public Library, 5 Hancock Street
Gray, Maine 04039. 207-657-4110 ppayne@gray.lib.me.us

New Gloucester Library notes

Bake-Off!

It may be a month and a half away, but it is time to start thinking about the baking contest at the New Gloucester Community Fair. This year's Baking Contest is going to be just a bit different. There will be 3 categories. They are:

Sweets -- Cookies, cakes, pies, bars and such
Breads -- Bread, rolls, muffins, and scones
Jr. Division -- Bakers must be 13 or under.

And then out of those three winners a Best All-Round award will be given out.

Copies of recipes are encouraged. The New Gloucester Community Fair would like to be able to put out a cookbook in the future of winning, and maybe not winning recipes. Start planning your award winning entry now! The Fair is the 15th of October, and that's not really that far away.

For more information call the library at 926-4840 or e-mail Suzan Hawkins at srhawkins@maine.rr.com

Location and contacts
New Gloucester Public Library, P.O. Box 105, 379 Intervale Rd, New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207) 926-4840. Hours: Tues., Wed., & Thurs. 9 -12 and 1-8, Fri. 9 - 12 and 1 - 5, Sat. 9 - 12.

Extension gears up

The Gray Extension will resume their fall schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 7. The meetings are held in the Congregational Church Parish Hall on Brown Street, at 10 a.m. This will be a planning session for the coming year's programs, as well as finalizing plans for an entry at the Cumberland Fair. New members for guests are always welcome. FMI call 428-3893 or 657-3636.

22nd Annual Gem and Mineral Show

September 17-18 Portland, Maine

Gem and Mineral Show features dealers presenting jewelry, gems and minerals, children's attractions, demonstrations, silent auction, displays, door prizes and more; presented by the Maine Mineralogical & Geological Society at the Finley Gym, University of New England, 716 Stevens Ave. Saturday & Sunday 10 to 5; adults $4, seniors and teens under 18 $3, children 12 and under FREE; contact Roberta Goldsmith, Show Chair at merockhound@xpressamerica.net or (207) 459-7986.

Senior Lunch each month

Senior lunch at the American Legion Hall Lewiston Road, Gray, ME, the last Tuesday of each month. Call 1-800-400-6325 for reservations. Entertainment and lunch sponsored by Southern Maine Agency on Aging. Suggested donation of $ 4. FMI Call Andi Leavitt-318-8991.

Wildlife Park Open House

The 7th annual Fish And Wildlife Open House will be held on Saturday, September 10th, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. This event is designed to showcase the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's programs, projects and personnel. Wildlife and fisheries biologists, safety officers, hatchery staff and game wardens will be on hand and in person, to talk about their fishery, wildlife, safety and enforcement programs and projects throughout the day.

Admission is free for all those attending on September 10th, although a $1 donation to benefit the Maine Wildlife Park would be greatly welcomed to help support improvements to the park's wildlife exhibits and displays. Fall is a great time to visit the park; the weather is cooler, the many demonstration wildlife and flower gardens are in spectacular form; and the wildlife is displaying full sets of antlers and attractive fall fur coats.

September 10th will also be the last open day of this season for the new Wildlife Art Gallery at the Park, which was launched this summer. Patricia Chandler, the artist who curated both of its summer shows, was very upbeat about what 'The Gallery' had already accomplished. Another important aspect of 'The Gallery's purpose is to use art to bring the public's attention to the environment, and the importance of maintaining wildlife habitats, both directly in line with the mission of the Wildlife Park.

Toni Seger, founder of the Western Oxford Foothills Cultural Council, sponsor of 'The Gallery', says she thinks the alliance of a gallery and a wildlife park has been a good one for the public. "The Gallery's current show features work by Persis Weirs, a nationally known artist, former Maine Duck Stamp winner.

Work by the Maine Indian Basket Alliance has proved to be quite popular. Another exhibitor, watercolorist Thomas Merriam, has produced a limited edition Commissioner's print and a Volunteer Print for Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W), and has recently finished a mural in Naples. Other exhibitors include the photography of Dirk McKnight, the symbolic paintings of Shaman Scarlet Kinney and The Gallery's curator, Patricia Chandler, as well as other artists including a themed exhibit of hand painted vases, lamps and other items by June and Paul Brown of Forest Creations.

There is no admission fee to the park on 'Open House' day, and 'The Gallery' will open at 11 a.m. through closing time. And on Sunday, September 11, the officially designated Grandparents Day, Maine grandparents will be honored and appreciated at the park by being admitted free, when accompanied by their children and/or grandchildren.

For more information about any of these programs, please call the Maine Wildlife Park at 207-657-4977 or check us out online at www.mainewildlifepark.com
or www.mefishwildlife.com

Post Card Club Fall meeting hours

The Pine Tree Post Card Club will resume its monthly meetings, starting on Monday, Sept. 12, 2005, at Cole Farms Restaurant, upstairs over the counter area, from 6-7:30 p.m. There is ample opportunity to buy, sell, swap and discuss antique post cards of all interests. Our usual meeting time is the FIRST Monday of each month, same time and place, with the difference of the Labor Day holiday requiring the change for September. Hope to see you there! Any questions, please contact Patti Vierra, Corresponding Secretary, at 657-4399, after 6 p.m.

Public supper - Saturday, Sept. 3rd, 5 to 6 p.m. - American Legion, 15 Lewiston Road, Gray. Beans, chop suey, cole slaw, hot dogs, breads & pies. Adults $6; children u/12 $2.50; u/5 free.