Standing alone

Sue Gendron, Maine Commissioner of Education approved School Administrative District 15’s alternative plan for consolidation. The School Board worked diligently throughout the year to find a suitable partner for school consolidation.

District officials contacted every adjoining school district to determine any interest in consolidating with SAD 15. Ultimately, most districts had existing relationships that did not include Gray and New Gloucester. SAD 15 did form a Reorganization Committee with Union 29, covering Poland, Minot, Mechanic Falls.

Union 29 decided to submit an alternative plan to the commissioner to form its own school district. Without a viable partner for consolidation, SAD 15 asked the commissioner to approve its alternative plan to remain intact as a school district. The approval of the alternative plan means that SAD 15 will not consolidate with another districts to form a new school region.

School is beginning

Bible Believing Baptist Church will be holding a vacation bible school beginning Sunday, July 6, from 1:30-3:15 p.m. The classes continue from Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 7, from 6-8:30 p.m. Join in for great Bible stories, crafts, fun games, puppets, skits, prizes and snacks. Bring your friends and family and enjoy. The church is located on Center Road in Gray.

Say hello to Lawrence

On Saturday, July 5, you can meet a live bald eagle. Join Maine Wildlife Park staffers Pam and Nikki Richardson with immature bald eagle named Lawrence to learn about eagles in Maine. Although this eagle does not have the white head and tail of a 4-year-old adult bird, he is impressive to see and photograph up close.

Lawrence will be available for viewing at 11 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. For more information visit www.maine.gov/ifw/education/wildlifepark/index.htm or call 657-4977, ext. 0.

Cool beans

The American Legion Post 86, 15 Lewiston Road, (Route 100), Gray on will be holding its monthly baked bean supper Saturday, July 5, from 5-6 p.m. Baked beans, American chop suey, coleslaw, hot dogs, breads, desserts and pies will be served. The cost is $6 for adults, $2.50 for children under 12 and children under 5 eat for free.

Join the board

On Tuesday, July 8, Gray Public Library Board of Trustees will have its monthly meeting. There are several board openings and are looking for folks who would like to invest in the future of the library. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. Please speak with Marie, the library director, for more detailed information.

The library will be closed Saturday, July 5, for the holiday weekend. The Gray Public Library is also closed on Sunday and Monday and reopens Tuesday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. The library will also be open Wednesday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.gray.lib.me.us or call 657-4110 for more information.

Take it to the streets

If you are a young person from elementary through middle school age, you are invited to play street soccer behind Newbegin Gym on Wednesday nights.

For middle school ages, there will be more game time and less instruction unless asked for by the players. With enough players on hand, they will be playing a scrimmage a good part of the time.

For the younger players, there will be organized chaos. They can plan on different games such as Extreme Tag, Red Light Green Light, Bulldog, and “ouch” (safe for all players except the coach) and many others including a scrimmage at the end.

This is a free offering by Patriot Soccer Club. There will be coaches on hand from 6-7:30 p.m. to offer instruction where needed and to organize the children by age groups. They will have sessions on Wednesday nights July 9 and 16.

Please have the children bring plenty of water, wear shin guards and bring a soccer ball if they have one. For more information contact Jim Moreau, director of coaching and player development for the Patriot Soccer Club at 657-5581 or e-mail Jmoreau1@maine.rr.com.

Lawrence the eagle will be the feature of a special educational program at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray Saturday, July 5. Visitors can see Larewnce and learn about eagles in Maine at 11 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.