An Apple a Day

‘Tis the season for apple picking. I’m not sure what it is about the act of picking fruit from a tree, but my family and I find it delightful. We spent time on a gorgeous, sunny Saturday afternoon walking up and down the rows of trees at Meadowbrook Orchard looking for the best of the best. After having lots of fun and with our bags full, we headed home to immediately start turning our apples into our favorite desserts. We have made – and eaten – apple pies, apple crisp, applesauce and of course, we have been just eating apples every day.

Despite the pounds of sugar I seem to be using, we still consider this a healthy treat and I feel good picking, cooking and eating apples. Many quotes have been made in reference to apples, some Biblical, some philosophical and of course, many referencing the repercussions on modern day women by Eve.

Shakespeare stated, “There is little choice in a barrel of rotten apples.” Emerson said, “We are born believing. A man bears beliefs as a tree bears apples.” And Frost, “How many apples fell on Newton’s head before he took the hint? Nature is always hinting at us. It hints over and over again. And suddenly we take the hint.” There are many more and I like them all but my current favorite is, “Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious.” I will give this some thought as I go munch on another apple.

Beads Spreading Sunshine

A group of Raymond women have been busy making bracelets that will be sold at Camp Sunshine’s upcoming Pumpkin Festival, to be held in Boston on Oct. 20. This is an exciting event for Camp Sunshine of Casco, and also a profitable fund raiser.

Last year’s Boston Pumpkin Festival shattered the Guinness world record with a total of 30,128 lit jack o’ lanterns and raised more than $280,000 for Camp Sunshine. This year’s event promises to be just as exciting with live music, magic shows, face painting, children’s activities, great food, and, of course, pumpkin carving.

Lisa Schadler of Raymond began stringing yellow, orange and red beads together this summer to create beautiful bracelets. With the help of her family, she made more than 100 bracelets. She didn’t stop there. She recruited several of her friends to join her this week and together they made another 100 bracelets, and she is still stringing. The bracelets will be sold for $1 each at the Pumpkin Festival, which Schadler and her family will attend. These colorful bracelets are sure to spread sunshine to all those who buy and wear them as well as the recipients of the sales. All the proceeds from the event will benefit Camp Sunshine, a national retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Nestled alongside the shores of beautiful Sebago Lake, Camp Sunshine provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families through various stages of a child’s illness. The year-round program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour on-site medical and psycho-social support. Bereavement groups are also offered for families who have lost a child to an illness.

Camp Sunshine also offers the opportunity to purchase Glow Heart Pumpkins in honor of someone battling, or who has survived, a life-threatening illness, or in memory of someone who has lost their life to a life-threatening illness. In 2006, more than 700 Glow Hearts were purchased (carved by festival volunteers) and filled the giant Pumpkin Tower. These special pumpkins lit the night for all to see and added a very emotional touch to the event. It is the hope of Camp Sunshine that this year, people will again use this unique opportunity to honor a loved one while supporting Camp Sunshine. They would also like to break the Guinness world record that they set last year. For more information on the festival or to purchase a bracelet or Glow Heart, please go to campsunshine.org.

Schadler enjoys volunteering for Camp Sunshine. “Camp Sunshine is such a wonderful place. The positive energy that you feel when you walk through those doors is inspiring and uplifting,” she said.

Parent Teacher Organization Making a Difference

Exciting things are happening with the Raymond Parent Teacher Organization. The organization’s mission is to advocate for our children, provide educational enrichment programs, support school faculty and staff, and collaborate with community organizations.

At its meeting this week, discussions were held regarding upcoming events, fund raisers and ways to support the schools. A group of dedicated parents, teachers and administrators discussed the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, which will be held Nov. 12-16 at the Raymond Elementary School. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase books at a reasonable price while supporting our schools. Also, the annual Holiday Fair is scheduled for Nov. 15. This is a fun night for children of all ages featuring crafts, a cookie table, gift walk and pie sale.

The Parent Teacher Organization prides itself on providing funding to assist the schools in enrichment programs. At the October meeting, the group agreed to bring Skip Gorman, a singer, storyteller and instrumentalist to Raymond Elementary School for two performances, which will complement the second grade pioneer unit. The group also agreed to fund the popular Pajama Story Time program with phenomenal storyteller Jody Fein held at the Raymond Village Library in November.

The organization strives to assist teachers and staff by enhancing the education of all children and also welcomes your help. Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, members invite everyone to join this friendly, productive group.

Church Hosts Bean Supper to Support Honduras

Don’t forget to join me on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Raymond Village Community Church for a Bean Supper featuring hot dogs, baked beans, salad, biscuits, dessert and beverages and, most importantly, great people. The Bean Supper will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. and costs $6 for adults and $4 for children. Not only will you enjoy a delicious, inexpensively priced meal while chatting with friends, but you will be helping the the church as it continues to raise money for a mission trip to Honduras in August 2008. Please support this wonderful cause.

Cub Scouts

Raymond’s Pack 800 Cub Scouts are selling popcorn. This is their only major fund raiser and they heavily rely on the proceeds. Please support our Scouts by purchasing some popcorn or making a donation. If you have not yet been approached, you can contact Ken Bergeron at kbergeron@maine.rr.com and he’ll be sure your order is taken.