Captions:

A manger scene from Mary Blackfeather’s extensive mural at The First Gray Congregational Church.

Staff photo by Marilyn Keating-Porcaro

Like to read? Join the Club!

Two monthly Gray Public Library book groups have been formed for adults. Jane Kidder is facilitating an evening group and an afternoon group is being organized by its members. In initial meetings last month the groups talked about ways to organize and schedule meetings, and strategies for choosing and locating books to read. They will be reading selections readily available through Minerva libraries so that members won’t have to purchase copies unless they want to.

The December meeting for the daytime group will be Thursday Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. with the book The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen. Their other meetings will be the third Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. in the Hancock Room.

The evening group will meet Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6:45 p.m with the book Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Subsequent meetings will be held at the library the third Wednesday of every month at 6:45 p.m.

A reminder to all of you who may be stopping in: they have board games for all age groups that are available to play there in the library.

New book release: On Dec. 23 Abraham Lincoln by George McGovern will be available. “His story has been told many times, but never by a man who himself sought the office of president and contemplated the awesome responsibilities that come with it.”

Consider donating money toward the purchase of special books to honor loved ones during the holidays!

The Gray Public Library is open Tuesday, 9 a.m. -8 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. -8 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Call 657-4110 or check on-line at www.gray.lib.me.us

Long walk on the shortest day

Celebrate this special occasion at Libby Hill’s Solstice Walk Dec. 21, 1-2:30 p.m. Take a break from the craziness of the holidays and enjoy a social, 1 1/2 hour walk on the trails with some new friends. Get some tips on how to explore the trails in winter. Bring your snowshoes if there is more than six inches of snow, otherwise hiking boots are fine. Just show up or register at www.LibbyHill.Org

Stove Raffle Winner picked Dec. 1. Congratulations to Cheri Sarton of Gray, who won the wood stove raffle. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets and helped raise over $1,100 to Save Libby Hill. Also ,special thanks to Jotul USA, which donated the great stove.

If you want to just make a donation you can mail a check made out to: Gray Community Endowment, P.O. Box 1376, Gray, ME 04039. You can also go to our web site, www.libbyhill.org, or visit the new donation post which is located at the parking area.

Besides our Save Libby Hill campaign, it costs several thousand dollars a year to keep our trail grooming equipment running. Consider paying as you go; a few dollars every trip really helps keep the trail going.

To learn more about Libby Hill, please visit www.LibbyHill.Org or call Steve McPike at 657-2114.

Gray’s Finest

Gray’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held Nov. 21 at Spring Meadows in Gray. Each year, the town recognizes volunteers throughout the community for their exemplary citizenship and volunteering.

Ralph Wink was chosen as the Volunteer of the Year. He is the person who during the last year has gone above and beyond to improve our community through volunteering.

Committee of the Year is the Community Economic Development Committee, a Town Council appointed committee that has provided exemplary community service through its activities throughout the year.

Organization of the Year is Gray Community Television, which proved to be the organization serving the citizens of Gray that has made a substantial positive impact in our community in the last year.

Lifetime Achievement was awarded to Howard and Barbara Hughes, citizens who have displayed a lifetime of volunteer service to Gray.

And finally the Evelyn Morrill Durgin Award, named for an unsolicited, tireless volunteer toward the care and upkeep of the Civil War Monument, was awarded to Robbie Orlando.

Parent’s Night Out

Get some holiday shopping done and/or enjoy a night out without the kids Friday, Dec. 12, 6-9 p.m. Pizza, craft project, games and activities included. The fee is $25 for one child and $15 for each additional child in same family. Contact Fiddlehead, Rt. 26 in Gray, at 657-2244 or for more information or check out their web site at: www.fiddleheadcenter.org.

Visualizing Christmas

Gray artist Mary Blackfeather has been very busy at The First Gray Congregational Church parish house painting murals depicting scenes of the Nativity. Mary was acting on an idea given to her by Jerry and Nancy Cobb, Sunday school superintendents, as a way to make the building more child friendly. Mary started her volunteer project early in November using paint she has rescued from the Gray Transfer Station, and her work is almost completed. This artist has taken dull plain walls and has filled them with animals, angels, landscapes and people from the first Christmas story. Mary has transformed the regular hollow core doors throughout the hall ways with paint and brush into rustic wood doorways. She has also added some real props into the scenes (bowls, baskets, etc) to give some of the areas a “3D” effect. This project in particular, I think, reflects her warmth, humor and love of animals and God.

An open house will be planned soon so everyone can see what a lovely job this artist has done. Another sample of Mary’s work can be seen on the walls of B & R Dairy in the Gray Plaza.