On the hill

Gray Community Endowment closed another chapter of its Save Libby Hill fundraising in October, when it completed the paperwork that allowed it to take possession of a $69,000 grant from the Land for Maine’s Future program and also saw the transfer to GCE of the $25,000 Gray taxpayers approved in June 2008.

The Save Libby Hill campaign continues, however. Of the original $160, 000 goal, GCE has raised approximately $137, 000. In addition to the LMF and the town of Gray grants, GCE has received grants from the Davis Conservation Foundation, the Fields Pond Foundation, Hannaford Corporation, and a wide range of private donors. GCE has organized several successful fundraising events as well. A variety of events and activities are planned for the next six months to bring the campaign to a successful close by the June 2010 deadline. Your tax-deductible contribution is welcome! Donate online at www.libbyhill.org or send checks to Gray Community Endowment, P.O. Box 1376, Gray, ME 04039.

A thorough cleanup is required every several years to keep the trails in tip-top shape; this includes thinning tree seedlings, trimming overhanging branches and removing dead trees threatening to drop on the trail. Also two new trails were planned to open before the winter season.

Last month two trail days were held and over 25 volunteers arrived each day to completely clean up five miles of ski trails and open over 1.3 miles of new trails! Thanks to this great turnout, the trails are ready for winter and the new Lynx Trail was completed. Check out the trails online on the Web site.

A solstice hike/snowshoe event will be held Sunday, Dec. 20, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Meet at the parking lot at 3:30 for a loop hike or snowshoe around the hill. Participants may go for supper afterward. For information, contact Steve McPike at 657-2114.

Fiddleheads in December

Fiddlehead Center for the Arts will hold an open house and registration night Friday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. A Student Showcase will feature great pieces of art and science projects that kids have created. It’s open to the public.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, a yoga master class and potluck will be held, 8:30- 9:45 a.m.- class; 9:45 -10:30 a.m. – potluck.

Also Dec. 12, a book launch, reading, signing and celebration will be held from 5-7 p.m. featuring Wendy Newbold Patterson. A local artist and frequent teacher of art at Fiddlehead, Patterson has written her first book, about her mentor, LeRoy Jensen, master painter from British Columbia, Canada.

A Winter Solstice Celebration and Hand Drumming will be held Sunday, Dec. 20, with a $5 donation. Potluck is at noon. Bring your favorite dish to share. Hand drumming with Annegret of Inanna is at 1 p.m.

Fiddlehead Center For The Arts, is located at 25 Shaker Road.

Toys for Tots

American Legion Post 86 in Gray will hold its holiday party Saturday, Dec. 19, from 7 p.m. to midnight. Those attending are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys For Tots collection.

The evening will include food, music (featuring DJ Dave Winsor from 99.9 The Wolf), prizes, a cash bar and a 50/50 raffle. Dress is business casual. Proceeds benefit Caring Communities of Gray and New Gloucester. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at The Gray Laundromat, Beaches Tanning Salon, American Legion Post 86 in Gray or by calling 310-1046. Redeem your ticket for a free tanning session at Beaches Tanning Salon! For more information, contact Sgt. Craig S. Harriman at craig.s.harriman@usmc.mil. To sponsor or help with the event, call The Gray Laundromat at 310-1046. Ticket purchases are tax-deductible

Dog licenses due

All dogs aged 6 months or older must be licensed by Dec. 31. To register your dog, you will need to show a current rabies certificate.

Dogs can be licensed at the Gray Town Office in person or online at www10.informe.org/dog_license/.

Fees for neutered/spayed dogs are $6 per year, others are $11 per year. If the dog has been spayed or neutered, a certificate of neutering must be presented at the time of the first registration.

A $15 late fee will be charged beginning Feb. 1.

Town Hall hours are Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon.

Silent auction thank you

The Gray New Gloucester Business Association had another successful silent auction early in November.

They had plenty of donations from area businesses and the folks who attended got some wonderful deals on great items for themselves or to give as gifts this holiday. Spring Meadows, as always, was warm and cozy and put on a nice spread. The proceeds went to the Gray-New Gloucester High School Scholarship.

Thanks to the following businesses and individuals for their donations: Enercon, Maine Wildlife Park, A Finished Look Nail Salon, Kimball and Dube Garage, Ride-Away Handicapped Equip., Maine Cosmetic Dentistry, Pine Tree Food Equipment, Splash Car Wash, M. Keating-Porcaro, Gray-New Gloucester Animal Hospital, Sharlena/John Biron, Ind. Maine Reliv, Lifetime Auto Care, S.W. Cole Engineering, State Farm Insurance, Spring Meadows, Gray Supermarket, Whitney Tree Service, Jess & Nic’s, Key Bank, Androscoggin Savings Bank, Lonnie Dogs, Gray True Value Hardware, Richard Small CPA, Syris Scientific, Mario’s, T.D. BankNorth, MSAD #15, Cook’s Ace Hardware, Gray Physical Therapy, Gray Chiropractic, George Perley House, Hannaford Supermarket, China Village Restaurant, Dead River Convenience, Maine Bank & Trust, Mardens, Pineland Farms, Bartlett Glass, Edward Jones, Cole Farms, Tsukroff Photography, Pine Tree Network, Something to Talk About Salon and Day Spa, K & K Video, Sheer Bliss Salon & Spa, Time Warner Cable, Gray Family Vision, Edmiston Heating and Us and Company Computers, LLC.