By Dean Bennett

Gray Recreation Director

The 2007 Fall Program flier will be available Thursday, Sept. 20. These fliers will be distributed through the totes at all of the schools (with the exception of the high school). Fliers will also be available at Newbegin Gym, Gray Town Office and library. For more information, call 657-2323.

Fall Gymnastics:

Classes are offered at Newbegin Gym on Wednesdays, starting Oct. 3 and ending Nov. 28 (no classes on Oct. 31). Lessons will offer boys and girls (ages 4 and up) the basic skills in floor exercise, balance beam and low bars. The eight weeks of classes are broken down into three levels (based on enrollment). Beginners 3:15 p.m. Advanced beginners 4 p.m. Intermediate 4:45 p.m. Should you have any questions on your child level please call our instructor, Becky Norton at 926-4735. Fees: $48 (Gray residents) $56 (non-residents).

Mad Science Class:

This fall we will be offering System #3 (“Aerodynamics, Fun-damental Forces & Current events). Students will be learning the elements of science and having a blast. Each student will also be taking home great projects like flying stunt planes, electro-scopes and football gliders. Classes at Dunn School will be held on Wednesdays, starting Sept. 19 and at Russell School on Thursdays, starting Sept. 20. Both classes start at 3:15 p.m. and end at 4:15 p.m. and are six weeks long. Cost: $64. Class space is limited so register by going to: www.madscience.org/maine or call 878-2222.

Libby Hill Trail Runners:

This program is in its second year and is designed for younger children to get out on the trails at Libby Hill (based at the bottom of G-NG Middle School) and run, run, run! Boys and girls ages 6 to 10 are encouraged to participate. Short distance trails will be laid out and parents and some of the middle/high school runners will be running with the participants. This program will be held on Saturday afternoons starting Sept. 29 and ending Oct. 13. Children ages 6 and 7 will run at 3 p.m. and ages 8, 9 and 10 at 3:45 p.m. Cost: $20 (includes a t-shirt). For more information, call Dean at 657-2323.

U.S. Youth Track & Field – Cross Country program:

G-NG Middle School track coach, Dennis Smith will be leading the group through the proper warm-ups, techniques, strategies and how to properly train to become a better runner. This program is open for all children who like to run regardless of ability and experience. New members to UST&F will be required to register as a member (anybody who participated in the summer U.S. Track & Field program will be exempt). Boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are welcome. This program will be held on Monday/Wednesday/Friday starting Oct. 22 and ending Nov. 19. at G-NG Middle School. Middle School runners are from 2-3:15 p.m. and elementary school runners (must be 9 years of age) from 3:15-4:15 p.m. More information will be available about the competitive meet schedule in the fall flier. Fee: $45 for new member/$30 for current U.S.T.F. members. FMI, call Dean at 657-2323.

Travel Basketball Team try-outs:

We will be offering travel basketball again this year. Travel basketball is offered for boys and girls in grades 5 through 8. We will be offering one team from the following grades: 5th girls / 6th girls / 5th boys / 6th boys / 7th girls / 8th girls. The 7th and 8th boys will play after the school season.

The league will be offered through the Freeport Recreation Department with games scheduled at various sites on weekends. Practices are held 2-3 times per week at our local facilities. Try-outs are mandatory! TRY-OUT date: Tuesday, Oct. 16 at G-NG Middle School. Girls in 5th & 6th grades at 5:30 / Boys in grades 5 & 6 at 6:15 p.m./ Girls in grades 7 & 8 at 7 p.m. Please show up 15 minutes early and be ready to play at the scheduled time. Cost: $100 7/8th graders; $110 5/6th graders. FMI, call Roger at 657-2323.

Other programs:

Bushido Karate Lesson at Dunn School, Happy Hands Play Group, Men’s Top Flight 4 vs 4 Basketball League, radKIDS at Russell and Memorial School, Men’s Pick-Up Basketball where each team will be limited to no more than 12 players with a minimum of eight.