Photo – 1212Raymond

Courtesy photo from Pat Smith

Caption – Priscilla Barber of Raymond receives fruit from Pat Smith as part of the Raymond Recreation Association’s annual citrus fundraiser.

Swimming in citrus

The Raymond Recreation Association wishes to thank everyone who participated in their annual citrus fundraiser. With this week’s deliveries, many of us are enjoying delicious fresh fruit. If you missed the sale, it is not too late to enjoy fruit for Christmas. Please call Pat Smith, president of RRA, at 329-3614 if you would like a box of oranges or grapefruit. All the proceeds from this fundraiser support the summer Red Cross swim program.

From the oven

The Raymond Village Library will hold its annual bake sale Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The incredible volunteers who bake for this sale are notorious for their delicious specialties, so be sure to stop by early. This is the perfect opportunity to pick up goodies for your holiday gatherings. Breads, pies, fancy cookies and other treats in decorative packages will be for sale and this year, and lovely houseplants will also be available to purchase. Both the baked items and plants will bring joy to your home or will make thoughtful gifts for those on your list.

Kids Night Out

Do you need some time to get ready for the holidays? Here is a great opportunity to get your holiday shopping finished or relax and grab a bite to eat. The Windham High School French students present Kids Night Out, an event open to Raymond kids ages 3-12.

Bring your child to the “guacamole pod” at Windham High School for safe and exciting fun. Kids will have a pizza dinner with their new friends and enjoy activities which include learning the French version of “Frosty the Snowman,” completing arts and crafts, and watching a movie.

Kids Night Out will be held Friday, Dec. 12 and 19, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The fee is $20 per child and $10 for each additional child within the same family. All proceeds will go towards the spring trip to France.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited, so contact Madame Dresnok at 892-1810 ext. 363 or kdresnok@windham.k12.me.us.

Christmas at Casco Village Church

The Casco Village Church invites you to enjoy their upcoming events that are sure to make your holiday more meaningful.

“Music for the Christmas Season” will be held Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. This choir concert is under the direction of Eugene Long, with accompanist Lynn Foss. Come and enjoy classical and contemporary musical selections.

“A Christmas Breath” will be presented Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come out of the bustle into the sanctuary with candlelight and soft peaceful music, and breathe.

Times are a-changing

Change is never easy and it seems like change is happening in our schools every day. With the recent approval by both Raymond and Windham to consolidate, aggressive actions are being made to put our new RSU in place.

The Raymond and Windham school boards have met to begin the transition period. A new school board will be formed in 2009 and will be composed of nine members, three from Raymond and six from Windham. An election will be held Jan. 27 to elect the new members. Please consider being a part of this very important board. Stop by the Town Office to pick up the nomination papers to begin the process

Despite trying to stay positive about our consolidated future, we are in the midst of difficult times. With the recent state-wide cuts to current school budgets, we are now being forced to eliminate some programs and services. Cutting $228,000 from an already bare budget is a difficult challenge and prompting several ideas.

An immediate plan is to turn down the heat and lights saving on utility costs. Other suggestions include incorporating a pay-to-play policy for athletic programs whereby a fee would be charged to have a school open in the evenings or on weekends. Another idea is to change the schedules of the two schools to operate the same hours. This would eliminate one bus run, and buses that are now only half full would be at capacity and restricted to only those kids on that route.

Discussions are also being held regarding substitute teachers with thoughts of no longer hiring subs during teacher absences. Instead, another staff member would run that class or the students will be divided and sent to a variety of rooms.

This last idea, in my opinion, needs rethinking. Wherever we cut the quarter million dollars, I hope focus remains on our children and providing the best possible education for them.

On giving

‘Tis the season for buying gifts and when I think about the list of special people in my life, I could be shopping well into the New Year. I am blessed to have a large family, many friends, neighbors, wonderful teachers, bus drivers, coaches, etc. Most people already have more than they need and once again, I invite you to join me in foregoing those well-intentioned gifts and instead, drop your extra change in the church collection, Salvation Army buckets or donate it to your favorite charity.

Or consider giving the gift that will really be appreciated and could make a difference in someone’s life – the gift of time. Time is our most treasured commodity and giving a little of yours to help someone else could be the best gift of all. Giving the gift of time also adds less “stuff” to the planet and we will all benefit. As Winston Churchill said, “we make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

This year, give carefully and thoughtfully.