Community News

Military News

Air Force Capt. Sandra J. Wardwell is currently deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

The captain is a women's health nurse practitioner regularly assigned to the 59th Medical Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of George and Gilberte Langlais of Granite Ridge Road, New Gloucester, Maine. Wardwell graduated in 1974 from Brewer High School, Maine, and received a bachelor's degree in 1978 from the University of Southern Maine, Portland. She earned a master's degree in 2002 from the University of Maine, Orono.

Army Pvt. Nicholas M. Newell has graduated from the Power-Generation Equipment Repairer Advanced Individual Training (AIT) course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md. During AIT, the soldier was trained to perform unit, direct support or general support maintenance functions on power-generation equipment. This included repair and overhauling internal combustion engines, tactical utility, precise power generation sets, and other associated equipment. He is the son of Patty M. Newell of Abby Road, Windham, Maine.

Army Spec. Erika L. Fleury has deployed to the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as a member of Joint Task Force-GTMO in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in a joint-military operation whose mission is to conduct detention and interrogation operations to collect and exploit intelligence in support of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism. She is the daughter of Mike B. and stepdaughter of Barbara M. Fleury of Rolly's Camp Road, Poland, Maine. Fleury graduated in 1998 from Edward Little High School, Auburn, Maine, and earned a bachelor's degree in 2001 from the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine.

Acclaimed Photographer to Discuss New Book
At 7 p.m. on Monday, November 28 at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth , Maine Audubon will host acclaimed photographer Bill Curtsinger as he presents a free program on his new book, " Extreme Nature."
Curtsinger will share many of the 300 images from "Extreme Nature, including underwater photographs of emperor penguins, sea turtles, sharks and seals.

Curtsinger has always been drawn to remote regions, severe landscapes, and shy and elusive animals. In addition to photographs, his new book includes musings about nature, why he's drawn to "hidden nature," and why he finds places like the Gulf of Maine more interesting than any coral reef. Curtsinger has had over thirty-three articles published in National Geographic, has had articles and photographs in Smithsonian Magazine, and has been published in every other major magazine, as well.

For more information about this or other Maine Audubon programs, call (207) 781-2330 or visit www.maineaudubon.org .

News From The Raymond Village Library

Annual Meeting of the Raymond Village Library Corporation

The second annual meeting of the Raymond Village Library Corporation was held at the library on September 30. Reports were given by officers and committees. A printed report of the Year in Review, listing many of the activities accomplished in the past year as well as the some of the programs including Community Liaison, Children's Programs, Adult and Family Programs, professional Development for the Staff, Volunteers and Board.

Four new members were elected to the Board of Trustees, expanding the Board to nine members, to help implement the Three-Year Plan. The new members are: Brenda Stevenson, Cheryl Laz, Monica Hanson and Suzanne Bruno. The remaining members are Laurie Forbes, President, Lori Rand, Vice-President, Deb Hutchinson, Secretary, Carol Meader, Treasurer, and Louise Murray, Past President. Among those attending the meeting were Don Willard, Town Manager, Betty McDermott and Lonnie Taylor, Town Selectmen.

Holiday Raffle
Generous patrons have made donations to be raffled as a fund raiser for the library. There are six items to be raffled: 1) a Ladybug Beaded Bag, 2) a White Beaded Bag, 3) a Black and White Beaded Bag, 4) a Purple Beaded Bag, 5) an Afghan and Pillow Set and 6) a whimsical Noah's Ark Picture. These beautiful items can be seen at the library and the tickets, $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00, can be purchased at the library. Please be sure to indicate the item you wish on your ticket. The drawing will be held at the Holiday Bake Sale on December 11.

Art Exhibit
A truly lovely and most unusual exhibit is now on display at the library. A local artist from Casco, Om Devi Reynolds says she mostly paints in an abstract mode, with oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas or paper; and Sumi-e ink on paper or cloth. This is a definite "not to be missed" treat.

Pajama Story Time
The Pajama Party with stories, songs and other fun, will be held at the library, November 16 at 6:30 p.m. Once again we will be treated to Jody Fein, super storyteller. This year, this special story time is sponsored by the Raymond Village Library and the Raymond PTA. This is a fun time for everyone and Pajama wearing is strongly encouraged to add to the fun and insure all are in bed on time!

Tree Lighting
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Raymond Lions Club, will be held November 27 at 5 p.m., at the library. This is a community affair and everyone is cordially invited to join us for fun and refreshments.

Reading Group
The reading group will meet November 30 at 7 pm, to discuss Malcolm Gladwell's, "The Tipping Point". Mr. Gladwell is also known for his book, "Blink". New members are always welcome. The Reading Group will not be meeting in December, but will resume in January, 2006.

Gray Recreation Department - movies, movies movies!

Drive-In Movies Night At Newbegin
Drive-In theatre atmosphere without fogging up the windows! It's New! It's gonna be alot of Fun! We are planning to bring in a 12 foot movie screen into Newbegin for your viewing pleasure. Bring your best friend or the whole family, a comfortable bean bag/chair or sleeping bag and your own munchies (beverages must have lids/caps. There will also be door prizes.

Cost: $6 per person / $20 per family (up to 5 members) or $4 per person if you buy 6 or more tickets.

In order to take advantage of this special event you must pre-purchase your tickets (limited to 50 participants per showing ). Tickets can be purchased at Newbegin Gym (call 657-2323 FMI). Check out the movie schedule that will be shown.

Friday, Novemeber 18th: 6:30 Madagascar (G), 8:30 Batman Begins (PG-13)

Saturday, November 19th: 6:30 Christmas With The Kranks (PG), 8:30 The Longest Yard (PG-13; must be at least 14 years of age).
*children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by and adult

Accolades
Dick Wood Announces Farm of Year
Dick Wood, Chairman of the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, announced that William H Jordan Farm, operated by the Jordan family in Cape Elizabeth, was selected as the District's 2005 Outstanding Conservation Farm of the Year. The Jordan family was presented with the award at the Cumberland County Farm Bureau's Annual Banquet held on October 26, 2005 at the Verillo's Convention Center in Portland.

The William H. Jordan Farm is one of just a few working farms remaining in Cape Elizabeth. Not only does the farm produce a large variety of freshly grown fruits and vegetables, but the farm's scenic vistas are also a major contributor to the town's rural character. The Jordan Family has been active Conservationists and a Cumberland County Conservation District Cooperator since 1950.

Crops recently grown on more than 47 acres of cropland include sweet corn, strawberries, and pumpkins, mixed vegetables such as squash, beans, peas, tomatoes and other market garden crops. The Jordan Family has a rich conservation history including the following soil and water conservation practices: Crop Rotation & Winter Cover Cropping, Pest Management, Contour Farming, Diversion, Field Border, Grassed Waterway, Irrigation Pond, Irrigation Water Conveyance, Irrigation Sprinkler Systems, Irrigation Water Management, Pest Management, Riparian Conservation Buffer, Upland Wildlife Habitat Management, Woodland Management Practices.

In 2004 the Jordan Family sold the Development rights in exchange for the grant of an Agricultural Conservation Easement on a 47-acre parcel of the William H. Jordan Farm in Cape Elizabeth. The sale allows the Jordan family to steward the land and keep it productive for many, many years to come. The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust and the Department of Agriculture will steward the easement to ensure that the land will remain available for agricultural use, forever.