Ice is beckoning

With bright blue skies and the thermometer boasting temperatures in the mid 20s, I went for a run on the trails by Panther Pond and was marveling at the thick ice that has formed over the past several weeks. When I got home, we dug out our skates, and soon thereafter a hockey game was in full throttle. It amazes me how just a few weeks ago this same lake was open with dark freezing waters crashing at the shore. We have an instant playground, and no man, machine, work or money was required, just Mother Nature doing her job.

If you take a drive by any of our lakes, you will see trucks parked on both side of the road. No, it is not boating season quite yet, but with the recent cold temperatures, ice fishing has begun. I hope all our fishing enthusiasts have a wonderful and safe season this year. Please remember to check the safety of the ice before entering. Also, you must hold a license to fish, and purchasing a license has become easier than ever. You can stop by the town office during open hours or purchase a license by visiting online services provided by the State of Maine.

MOSES is the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s online hunting and fishing licensing system. With MOSES, you can purchase licenses any time of the day or night and print your license in your home or office in just minutes. In addition, you can renew your ATV or resident snowmobile registration or obtain a non-resident snowmobile registration. Simply go to www.informe.org/moses and follow the directions. The cost for a resident license for those 16 and older is $21. Junior licenses are available for $9.

I hope the fish are biting and again, everyone has a safe season.

‘Grab and Go’ breakfast

Research shows that students perform better, have higher test scores and have improved classroom behavior when they have eaten a good breakfast. Unfortunately, the reality is that some students are unable to eat breakfast before going to school. Also, many students with long bus rides eat breakfast very early and are hungry by the time they get to school.

In order to better support student learning, a new pilot breakfast program will begin Jan. 12 at Raymond Elementary School. This program will be a “Grab and Go” breakfast that students will take into their classroom to eat. These breakfasts may be a bagel, yogurt and milk or juice, or fruit, cereal and milk or juice.

Breakfast at school will be nutritious and also affordable. It will be free for all students who currently qualify for free or reduced lunch. All other students will only be charged $1. Consider signing your child up for breakfast instead of sending in a morning snack. This is a healthy, affordable and easy way to be sure your child is well fed and thus performing to their capabilities.

Rabies clinic

Diane Shively, DVM, and her staff will be administering rabies vaccinations Saturday, Jan. 24 from 1-3 p.m. at the town office. There will be a fee of $10 per dog or cat. You will receive a certificate of rabies vaccination, which will be your only record of vaccination. Town staff will also be licensing dogs for 2009 at this same time. The cost for licensing a dog is $11 but only $6 if they have been neutered. Cash or checks will be accepted for licensing but only cash will be accepted for the vaccinations.

Election of the new school board

As the towns of Raymond and Windham continue to move forward with the consolidation plan, the new school board is being formed. Several people are vying for the three Raymond seats, and there will be an election Tuesday, Jan. 27 to elect the three members of the new RSU school board. This election will take place at the Jordan Small Middle School gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

At the library

Due to the continued generosity of members of this community, the Raymond Village Library has passes for the Portland Art Museum which can be used by patrons. Admission to the museum is normally $10 but is free to anyone who wishes to visit using the passes. Simply stop by the library and request the pass for a day.

The library depends on your support to provide the quality service you have grown to love. As always, this town proves to be very charitable. The recent holiday bake sale was a great success. Thank you to the organizers and the many bakers who gave their time and imagination in festively packaging the goodies prepared for this event. The library especially wishes to thank all those who came to the sale and purchased the special treats.

The nonfiction/classics book group will be discussing My Stroke of Insight, by Jill Bolte Taylor, during their January meeting. The group will meet at the library Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. As always, they eagerly welcome new members to join in their lively discussions. Copies of the book are available upon request. For more information please call the library at 655-4283.

Earlier deadline

Committed to maintaining growth and a high quality newspaper, changes are being made to the format of this paper. Starting next week, this column will only appear on the second and fourth weeks of the month, allowing ample space for all the other fine features, columns and news that make the Lakes Region the best in its class. I enjoy including your news, so please keep the date change in mind and get your information to me two weeks in advance.