Cutlines:

Megan LaFontaine and Firefly take a swim in the ocean. Megan is seeking sponsors for the Barn To Beach Ride benefiting Riding to the Top, where she volunteers.

Summer soccer

Kids looking for soccer action this summer will find it at the Gray-New Gloucester Middle School field from July 20-24 at the Major League Soccer Camp.

Times and costs are as follows:

Ages 4 to 6, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., $78.

Ages 7 to 12, recreational camp, 9 a.m. to noon, $118.

Ages 7 to 12, competitive camp, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., $118.

Fees include a ball, shirt and player evaluation.

MLS is the official camp of Major League Soccer. All of the coaches are professionally educated and trained. For more information or to register, visit MLScamps.com. Registration forms are also available at Newbegin, Gray Town Office or online at www.graymaine.org.

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Staycation in Gray

Go Hawaiian on July 11 by attending a luau at Newbegin, Main Street, Gray, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is a family event – all ages are welcome! There will be beach volleyball, races, watermelon eating, and limboing, along with music, food, tropical drinks and more. Admission of $5 per person/$15 family will benefit the Danielle Doyle Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 657-2323.

Beach ride

The Barn To Beach 2009 ride to benefit Riding To the Top will take place Aug. 8 at Spurwink Farm in Cape Elizabeth. Megan LaFontaine of Gray is looking for sponsors for her ride. Sponsors’ donations will make a difference for the disabled people whom she volunteers to help during the summer and school breaks. The economy being what it is, Riding To The Top is in dire need of help. Go to www.firstgiving.com/meganlafontaine to pledge.

Riding To The Top in New Gloucester and Windham provides therapeutic riding services to children and adults with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities. It serves approximately 250 clients per year, most of them children.

Books and bake sale

The Gray Public Library Book/Bake Sale is on Saturday, July 11, at Hancock Street library from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds from the bake sale will go to support the Community Auxiliary Food Pantry at the First Congregational Hall. So go pick out a few good books, then grab some sweets on the way out.

The Gray Public Library hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 657-4110 or go to www.gray.lib.me.us for more information.

Are you hungry?

On Friday, July 17, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. the Community Auxiliary Food Pantry will be open at the First Congregational Parish House, Brown Street, Gray.

Fresh produce, anyone?

The second Cumberland Farmers Market is coming to Gray on Thursday, July 16, from 2:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. It will set up behind the Gray Town Hall and old post office on Route 26.

What’s up with the wildlife?

You’re invited to wear your pajamas for a night visit July 11 at the Maine Wildlife Park. Regular admission fees apply for this 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. special event. Visitors will be given a short learning tour exploring how park animals prepare for and survive during the dark hours. The park is located on Route 26 in Gray. The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open for snacks and souvenirs. Call the office, 657-4977, if it is raining.

On the following Saturday, July 18, the park will feature “Maine Woodsman Days.” Join Maine Custom Wood sculptor Bill Fournier as he uses a chainsaw to create eagles, bears and more. Also on hand will be the Streaked Mountain Wood Carvers, a nonprofit organization that teaches, preserves and promotes the art of woodcarving. There will be hands-on soap carving for the kids! Nate Gould, assistance superintendent at the park, will demonstrate using a chainsaw to carve a wooden chain with moveable links and accessories out of a solid beam. Bring your cameras and earplugs!

These events are sponsored by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park. For more information, call 657-4977, ext. 0.

Calling all GNGHS athletes

All high school fall sports will begin on Monday, Aug. 17. All athletes will receive a complete preseason schedule from their coaches on that day. Fall schedules are posted on www.highschoolsports.net.

Prior to the 17th, the following must be completed and turned into the athletic office:

1. $25 to MSAD 15 for activity fee (or proof of free or reduced lunch)

2. Football only: $125 to MSAD 15 for football fee.

3. Copy of current physical on file with school nurse; “current” being within the past two years until Nov. 1, 2009. That means a physical has taken place since November 1, 2007 the nurse has a copy on file.

4. Health questionaire/emergency form completely filled out, including insurance information. This form can be found on the athletic Web page under “Health Questionnaire.” Please make sure all sections are appropriately filled out and signed. Go to www.msad15.org.

Culture Fest ’09

The Culture Fest celebrating Culture & Community Compassion will be held Sunday, July 19 (rain date: Sunday, July 26)from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church.

Experience live music, food and games from around the world. Drawings will be held for prizes including a night at a B&B, a massage and jewelry. Admission is free. The church is located on Route 100 in Gray Village, across the street from the American Legion Hall.

Crossroads Cafa will also be open during this event. All donations received for their menu items will go to help people in need in the community of Gray and New Gloucester.

Musical guests will include: African Gospel Rhythms (Pezzy, Maria, Natasha and Natalie Kudakwashe), Stephanie Dunn from Gray playing classical and Celtic music and Grimaldi Martinez playing music from his Puerto Rican roots.

For more information visit www.crossroadsmaine.org; e-mail Anthony McKeown at amckeown@crossroadsmaine.org, or call 233-6086.

Please help Megan make someone else