Casco Days

I am impressed when a small town can do it big and once again, Casco Days was a huge success. Besides the spectacular fireworks display, ride on the Ferris wheel and too much junk food, I especially enjoyed watching the road race on Saturday morning in which 550 racers of all ages and fitness levels ran the four-mile course under hot sunny skies while hundreds of spectators cheered them on. This race attracts many teenagers from our community’s summer camps and it is so rewarding to see them all out there running together and supporting one another. I also loved seeing the runners as young as 6 and old as 76. I was especially excited to see my friend Suzie Brockelbank cross the finish line in less than 29 minutes, clocking an astonishing 7:15 pace on this hilly course and making her the seventh fastest woman on the course! Despite her incredible speed, however, youth prevails and her 16-year-old son, Sam, ran the course almost a minute faster in 28:07. Both were smiling after the race and both looked ready for a rematch.

Clearly, I am passionate about people challenging themselves in various athletic activities, particularly while helping others, and athletic fundraisers are my favorite venues. Last weekend, hundreds of cyclists participated in the Bike MS, a 150-mile bike tour that rolled out of St. Joseph’s College to benefit those suffering from multiple sclerosis. This weekend, thousands of runners will participate in the popular Beach to Beacon 10K road race whose benefactor this year will be Junior Achievement of Maine, an organization that helps our students develop skills, attitudes and behaviors of success in a global economy. And on Aug. 15, 500 women will give their best try at swimming, cycling and running in the Tri for a Cure, a triathlon raising money for cancer awareness. Many people from Raymond are participating in all these events and have spent months training to prepare. It is finally time for the big day, and I wish you all a fun and safe event and absolutely cannot wait to see you all cross the finish line.

State parks

at the library

Did you know you could get into a state park for free simply by going to the library? That’s right; while picking up your summer reading material, inquire about the season pass which can be used for a day or weekend spent at any of Maine’s state parks. The state parks are celebrating their 75th year this summer and in order for everyone to be able to enjoy the parks, the Lakes Region Healthy Maine Partnership is providing free season passes through the local libraries.

In addition, as part of the parks’ 75th celebration, the Department of Conservation has developed a passport to reward people who use the parks. Upon visiting the park, visitors can present the passport to be stamped and once stamps are collected, they earn prizes such as free passes and water bottles. Collecting the stamps is also fun and motivating to visit many different parks.

When planning your next trip to your favorite state park, call the library at 655-4283 to reserve the pass. I love it when organizations work together to provide a wonderful service, and I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.

Time to dance

Center Stage Performing Arts is a fabulous place for dancers of all ages and abilities to learn jazz, ballet, tap, street funk, cheer dance, Pilates and zumba. In a nutshell, this is the place to be where you are sure to have fun while perfecting your moves.

This year’s fall open house will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 4-6:30 p.m. Teachers will be available to answer placement questions and discuss classes so stop by to meet them, see the facility and register for the upcoming season. The fall schedule is now posted at www.centerstagepa.com if you would like to check it out before open house. Classes start the week of Sept. 13. For more information, contact Beth Gaudet at centerstage@maine.rr.com.

Gleaning days

One of the goals of the Raymond Community Garden was to grow vegetables for the benefit of the Raymond Food Pantry, and a date has been set to glean the garden. Please mark your calendars for the mornings of Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. Anyone interested in helping in this effort may contact either Leigh Walker at 655-2135 or Elissa Gifford at 655-3399 for the exact time they will be gathering the produce. In addition, home gardeners with extra produce who wish to contribute to the pantry are invited to bring donations to the library on Aug. 11 or Aug. 25 for inclusion in the donation.

Fingerprinting for safety

Having something tragic happen to our children is every parent’s worse nightmare and we all take great steps to avoid this and keep our children safe. While no one wants to think about abduction, it is a reality and there are things we can do in advance to help should such a crisis occur. If a child becomes missing, parents greatly increase their chance of quickly recovering their child if they can quickly provide fingerprints, DNA samples and a photograph complete with current statistical information.

Most of us do not have this type of technical information for our children; however, there is now a way to easily obtain this data and it is free and confidential. Any student in kindergarten through sixth grade may be fingerprinted for free at Berlin City Toyota Scion Lexus located at 191 Riverside St. in Portland. Parents will not be solicited or asked to fill out information or to test products. This program is offered through DNA LifePrint, endorsed by John Walsh, and students will get an FBI certified biometric 10 digit fingerprint profile and a high resolution full-color digital photograph. Parents will also receive a free home DNA identification kit that is easy to use. Parents are handed everything as their child goes through the line and there is no record of the visit. This event will be held on Aug. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.