‘Fiddlehead Unlimited’ after-school program

Fiddlehead Center of the Arts, as part of its Fiddlehead Unlimited program, is offering a new after-school child care program geared for “tweens” (kids 11-13) who need a safe after-school care option.

It’s difficult to find after-school programs for tweens, leaving many unsupervised for several hours every day.

In Maine, a lot of kids are at risk. A recent article on the Maine.gov Web site by Reps. Chris Barstow and Carol Grose states, “Every weekday afternoon, when school bells ring across Maine, some 53,000 children leave school, and are essentially on their own for the rest of the day. No adult supervision, no organized activity, and no one to help them with homework or to make sure they get some exercise. For many of those kids, it’s time to watch television, play video games, and surf the Internet mindlessly. For others, it’s an opportunity for trouble in a variety of forms, from illegal substances to juvenile crime.”

Fiddleheads Center for the Arts, on Shaker Road in Gray Village, has expanded the Fiddlehead Unlimited program to include students in grades 6-8. The program runs from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and students can choose from a variety of classes including Lego Robotics, Spanish, Pottery or Claymation. After class, they can work on homework, complete independent projects or play and read quietly.

The cost to participate is $200 per month for each child. This reasonable rate provides families with tweens an affordable peace of mind along with experience in first-rate enrichment programming. For more information contact Kim at 657-2244.

Simplicity Study Discussion Group starting soon

Want to learn about living more simply? Join other local people interested in voluntary simplicity – a movement to reduce spending, simplify personal commitments, and lessen impact on natural resources.

This free discussion group will meet on a regular basis this fall. The date and time of the meetings will be determined by the participants. Topics include material consumption, money, work, housing, time, transportation, inner simplicity, health, relationships, community, and the environment. This program is offered through the G-NG Adult Education, and is free!

For more info regarding the Simplicity Discussion Group contact Deb Fralich at olioliok@maine.rr.com, call 926-5616 or through Adult Education at 657-2620.

At the Wildife Park

Nature Store Super Sale on Oct. 6-8; Halloween Night Hike, 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 26; and Veterans and U.S. military personnel free day on Nov. 11. Then it’s “See you next year!”

Donations needed for Annual G-NGBA TV Auction

Get some great advertising for your business and support community programs at the same time.

Businesses are invited to sponsor hour slots of air time during the broadcast on Gray Cable Channel 2 on Oct. 19. This is terrific exposure for your business and your company sign will be featured during the sponsored time slot.

What can your business donate? Just about anything. Most donate goods or gift certificates for services and some donate gift certificates to local eateries, or savings bonds, etc. Be creative and show the viewers and bidders the quality products and services upon which your company has built its success.

Items may be dropped off at Androscoggin Bank, 24 Portland Road, or mailed to PO Box 843, Gray, ME 04039. If you can’t drop the item off or need more information give the Gray-New Gloucester Business Association a call at 657-2033 or e-mail info@gbamaine.org.

Used Book Sale

The Gray Public Library Association will hold its annual fall used book sale on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library basement.

There is a wide assortment of books for sale in both hardcover and paperback. All books are sorted by genre, and in many cases by author, to make browsing easy. Most paperbacks are priced at 50 cents and most hardcovers are a $1.

The sale also includes magazines, records, audio books, music CD’s and video tapes. The public is invited to come early and stock up for their winter reading pleasure. Proceeds from the sale will help support the programs and activities of the Gray Public Library.

Take a class

Gray-New Gloucester Adult and Community Education offers a little something for everyone. Check out the following classes and workshops. Save your spot by calling Joan or Glenda at 657-2620 for information and to register.

• Recipe Box: Make a unique recipe box with stamps and decorative papers. You will decorate a tin box, six divider cards and 12 recipe cards.

• Notary Public Preparation: A Notary Public is a sworn public official with the powers to perform a number of official acts. This class is designed to assist the person in applying for a Notary Public commission in Maine. Discussion will include history, enabling legislation, power and duties, qualifications, procedures of a notary public and the application process with the Secretary of State’s office.

• Latin Line Dancing: If you have taken country line dancing and would like to try something new, you’ll love this. This class is intended for beginners and those who just want to have fun. Learn the merengue, salsa and cha-cha. No partner is needed.

• Pediatric First Aid and CPR: The Heartsaver CPR Course teaches CPR and relief of choking in adults and children, and infant CPR and relief of choking, and use of barrier devices for all ages. The intended audience is those who have a duty to respond to a cardiac emergency because of job responsibilities or regulatory requirements. The class is taught by a veteran CPR instructor and everyone will practice on mannequins during the class.

• Intro to Computer Applications: This course provides a comprehensive study of the basic skills needed to manage, maintain and operate hardware and software and information management programs such as word processing, electronic spreadsheets and presentation graphics. Develop practical problem-solving skills at the entry level. This course may be used for a college credit.

• Canine CPR/First Aid: Utilizing video presentations and manikin practice, students learn canine CPR and first aid. Some topics covered will be choking, handling a broken limb, treating a poisoning case and preventing heat stroke. This 2 1/2 hour class, taught by a veteran CPR and first aid instructor, will give you confidence to deal with dog emergencies.

• Be Your Own Boss – From Business Idea to Reality: You’ve got a great idea, but what do you do next? Find out how to make your dream come true.

Run for fun fund raiser

Gray-New Gloucester Athletic Boosters are offering The Pathfinders Trail Run, a 5K Race, 10K Race, and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Pineland. The 5K and 10K races will begin at 9 a.m. The Kids Fun Run is for children 12 and under and will immediately follow the 10K race.

Registration fee is $10 in advance, $12 on day of race. Kids Fun Run is free. Check-in on race day is at the Visitors Center from 7 a.m. until the start of the race. The first 100 registered runners will receive a race T-shirt. The race course is a 5-kilometer loop of well-maintained trails at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. The 10K participants will complete two laps of the course. To register contact David Eldridge at 657-3275, www.gngboosters.org.

An incentive? Among the prizes listed are fresh homemade bread and pies.

A handy number for your cell phone

Get weather information from the Automated Weather Information Forecast: You get eight menu options about the local weather plus Portland tides. Might come in handy when you’re out on the water or choosing which trail to take. The number is 207-688-3210, http://www.erh.noaa.gov/gyx/.

Meetings scheduled this week:

Monday, Sept. 24: Council Workshop at 6 p.m. in Stimson Hall to discuss Area 8 zoning.

Tuesday, Sept. 25: Public Safety Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at the Public Safety Building on Route 26.

Wednesday, Sept. 26: Zoning Board of Appeals at 7 p.m. in Stimson Hall; Dry Hydrant Committee at 7 p.m. at Public Safety Building.

Thursday, Sept. 27: Planning Board at 7 p.m. at Stimson.