Community Briefs

New Lungs for George
George Carman is a New Gloucester resident and volunteer firefighter. He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and needs a lung transplant. George is currently waiting to be placed on a donor list to receive a set of lungs. CF is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

George has recently formed a group of friends and family to move forward with fundraisers to help support his family during his double lung transplant operation. The organization is "Lungs For George." George has a goal of $300,000. George has been in contact with other people that have had a lung transplant, and they have prepped him for what he may need.

The New Lungs for George account stands just above $12,500 of the $300,000 needed. The new, green rubber bracelets with "Lungs For George" engraved can be found at the Gray Market Place, in Gray; Cloutier's Market and Mario's in New Gloucester; The Village Kitchen on Route 26 in Poland; Federal Jacks Restaurant in Kennebunkport, and the Shipyard Brewing Company Gift Store in Portland. The bracelets can also be obtained at the New Gloucester, Yarmouth, and North Yarmouth Fire Departments during business hours. They are just $5.

On March 4th: Benefit Dance at The Roost on the Chicopee Road in Buxton. 8pm-midnight. Enjoy music, auction items, and a wild time! For More Info call 926-4142.

New Lungs for George is also raffling a Lobster Bake for 50! Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10, the drawing is on April 15, 2005. Thanks to Party Time USA for helping us out with this raffle.

For More Information as to how you can help "Lungs for George" call Mary at 926-4026, Amy at 926-5170 or New Gloucester Fire/Rescue at 926-4142. Check the New Gloucester Town Website at www.newgloucester.com for a George link that lists ways to help and upcoming beenfits.

Gray Library Notes

Art Display
Beginning March 1, 2005 there will be a display of the art of Denise Duda at the Gray Public Library. Denise is a Gray resident whose paintings express her love of the natural beauty of the area and the desire to see it preserved. I hope you will stop by to see these paintings. I think you will really enjoy seeing her depiction of familiar Gray landscapes. Her landscapes include the Icing on Hunts Hill Road, The Whitney Barns in a snow storm and the Winter Marshes. The library is pleased to display her works.

Victorian Tea
Be sure to save the date for the annual Victorian Tea Party for children. The big day is Saturday, March 19 at 10:30 am. Not only will the children be served hot chocolate, tea, fancy sandwiches and desserts but they will be entertained by Jared Mongeau. Jared will be doing a magic show for the children. Be sure to come on time so the kids won't miss the show.

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

Raymond Village Library News

This Month at a Glance
Monday, March 7 - Long Range Planning Committee Meeting at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9 - Meet the Author of "The Three Grumpies" at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 - Garden Series, Starting Seeds at 7 p.m.
Wednesday. March 30 - Reading Group at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6 - Computer Series, Internet and Dealing with Viruses

Meet the Author
The Raymond Village Library is so proud to be able to bring Tamra Wight, the author of "The Three Grumpies", to meet with our library patrons. Tamra will read her book, which is intended for the 3-8 years old age group. There will be a Grumpies page and crayons provided for children to color in while they listen to the tale of what happens when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Books will be available for purchase and autograph signing. This is an evening for the whole family and we invite you to Meet the Author at the library on Wednesday, March 9, from 7 to 8:30 pm.

Garden Series
Forget the snow and think Spring! On Wednesday, March 23, Martin Berwick, master gardener from the U of M Cooperative Extension Program will give a talk and slide show at the library beginning at 7 p.m. Mr. Berwick will explain the mysteries of successfully starting flowers and vegetables from seed. Open to the public and all are invited to attend. For more information, call the library at 655-4283.

Long Range Planning Committee
On Monday, March 7 there will be a Long Range Planning Committee Meeting at 7 p.m. at the library. The public is welcome.

Library Closed
The library will be closed on Sunday, March 27 in observance of Easter Sunday.

Tax Forms
Both State and Federal tax forms are available at the library. You can also download them from your computer at irs.gov

Reading Group
This group of readers meets the last Wednesday of the month at the library at 7 p.m. to discuss a mutually chosen piece of writing. This may be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, plays, etc. All interested persons are invited to attend. Please call the library, 655-4283 for this month's selection. Wednesday, March 30, is the next meeting of this group.

Do You Know a Raymond Veteran?
The Raymond Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are working together with the Raymond Village Library to honor our Raymond veterans - male and female - past or present, living or deceased. If you are a veteran or you know of a Raymond veteran, please contact Susan Rehm at srehm@maine.rr.com or by calling the library at 655-4283. The library will host a program honoring all our veterans on Monday, May 23 at 7 p.m. During the program, those honored vets who wish to will speak about their service and experiences. Please help us with this worthwhile community project.

SAD 15 School News

Recognition

Principal Donna Beeley recognizes Betty Haymon and Joan Austin for the contributions they make to the culture of Memorial School. Together they plan numerous events for staff to enjoy, from monthly luncheons to holiday celebrations. There is always something special to enjoy as a staff through the efforts of these two teachers, making Memorial School a terrific place to work.

Mrs. Beeley recognizes Paula Spruill, Martha Bartlett and Elaine Williams for their continued leadership in the area of assessments. These outstanding teachers keep all of the staff on course with the work of the district with assessments this year. We are fortunate to have them direct some of the most important work we are doing now."

Memorial School Topics of Interest for the Month

The kindergarten staff and the Special Education teachers in our building have been meting regularly to discuss how to provide information to parents of incoming Kindergarten students regarding specific pre reading skills they can work on during the summer months preceding school enrollment.

Short-term Goals for Memorial School

Preparing for an evening with incoming Kindergarten parents. Also, preparing for the Kindergarten screening itself. And preparation for the school Science Fair.

Maine Audubon March Programs and Trips
Some upcoming programs, excerpted
Gilsland Farm Public Programs. Unless noted otherwise, all programs are held at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth. For reservations and details call (207) 781-2330, ext. 215.

Family Program: Good Night Nature
Bring your children ages 3-6 to Gilsland Farm for the evening to listen to the bedtime story "Wonderful Bats." Snacks and activities will accompany the program. Don't forget to wear your PJs! Adults must accompany children. Thursday, March 10, 6:30-7:30 pm. $8/member child, $10/nonmember child. Reservations necessary.

Family Program: Building Bird Houses
Common to many Maine back yards, chickadees, tufted titmice, tree swallows and bluebirds are all "secondary cavity nesters," meaning they don't excavate nests themselves but instead use old woodpecker holes or other natural or man-made cavities. Naturalist Maurice Dauphin will teach us how to construct a standard bluebird house. All supplies included, but please bring a Phillips head screwdriver. Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m.-noon. Per box: $25/member, $30/nonmember, Reservations necessary.

Nature Book Discussion Group:
"Run, River, Run: A Naturalist's Journey Down One of the Great Rivers of the American West" by Ann Zwinger. A seamless narrative traversing the Green River from its source to its meeting with the Colorado, this book visits the river both from a naturalist's and a historian's viewpoint, with plenty of metaphors and visualization of an almost lyrical nature. The author's charcoal sketches of plants, birds and historical items are a wonderful addition to the book. Monday, March 14, 7 p.m. Free.