Special Olympian Shines

Jordan Small Middle School student Andrew Tanguay turned in an impressive performance at the recent Special Olympics Winter Games Sugarloaf. Tanguay competed in two snowshoe events at Carrabassett Valley Academy. In the junior age group 50-meter snowshoe race, he out-sprinted two other competitors to win a gold medal.

In the 25-meter race, he earned a bronze medal. Tanguay’s coach, John Keller, would like to express his sincere thanks to Brian Murray who helped train Tanguay; and Sue and Scott Crockett, who provided housing for Tanguay, his father, and his coach. Additional thanks go to Jordan Small Middle School’s Randy Crockett, Pat Menzel, Joni Merrill, and Barb Loux for their support.

Webelos Win Klondike Derby

Two second-year Webelo dens from Pack 800 joined forces and competed this weekend in the Casco Bay Klondike Derby at Point Sebago Golf Course. Their dedication and teamwork led them first place their division. The derby is a Boy Scout winter skills event. Groups of boys compete against each other using a dog-type sled propelled Scout power.

The Scouts pull the sleds that are loaded with their personal and patrol equipment through woods and fields, and stop at different activity stations where they are tested on different Scouting skills. There were nine stations in this year’s derby including knot tying, first aid, an obstacle course, map plotting, and building a friction bridge. The sled used by the Raymond Webelos was made by fifth-grader Luis Allen and his dad.

Under the direction of den leaders Kim Fisher and Sandy Winde, members of the winning team included Dustin Fisher, Ethan Winde, Noah Larsen, Peter Emery, Daniel Hanson, Luis Allen, Brady Southerland, Jared Jordan, Danny Pike and Errol Kurtz.

Students Spreading AWAREness

A core group of eighth-grade students have been working with Project AWARE over the past few weeks to create skits involving issues they want to talk about with adults, including substance abuse, bullying and harassment.

Project AWARE was created in 2003 in response to the epidemic of youth prescription drug abuse. The program has expanded its mission to include all issues of concern to our youth. Accomplishments include reaching over 4,500 young people across the state through direct presentations including 80 Youth Empowerment Workshops. On Wednesday, this group of eighth-graders performed these powerful interactive theater presentations to middle and high school students and their parents.

Valentine Craft Day

Children in kindergarten through third-grade are invited to join in a Valentine’s Day celebration at the library on Sunday, Feb. 10. Along with a parent, the children will listen to a story and make a Valentine card. This event will start at 3 p.m. and it is requested that participants register early as space is limited. For more information, please call the library at 655-4283.

Bottles for Books

You have likely noticed the bottle return center located at the entrance of the North Windham Hannaford supermarket. Customers simply drop off their empty cans and bottles in bags marked with their identification number and their accounts are credited with the value of the empties. The Raymond Village Library has an account and provides empty bags for your use. Simply pick up a bag at the library, fill it with your returnables and drop it off at the CLYNK counter at Hannaford. The CLYNK employees will sort and count the contents and credit will be given to the library. The library depends on its fundraising for daily operation and appreciates its patrons’ continued generosity.

District Music Festival

The seventh- and eighth-grade District II Honors Music Festivals were recently held and Jordan Small Middle School’s best musicians participated. Festival coordinators hired exceptional guest conductors and directors from all over New England. Students learned and rehearsed for most of the day and then performed a concert that evening.

After auditioning in October for the Instrumental Festival, trombone player Tim Morris and trumpet player Patrick LaChance attended the festival. Sarah Libby, Georgia Noonan, Marybeth Noonan, Casey Hutchinson, and Kaylee Ayers attended the Vocal Festival. Fifth- and sixth-grade level instrumental and vocal festivals will be held together in April.

Musicians have been chosen by teacher recommendation and include instrumentalists trumpet player Brad Meader, clarinetist Abby Gardner, and flutist Sara Hoffman. McKenzie Larson and Crystal Handy have been selected for their excellent vocal talent.

Inside RaymondFirst place Webelo winners of Casco Bay Klondike Derby