Wiley is going to States!

Congratulations to the Windham High School One Act team who won the Maine Drama Festival Regional Class A Competition held this weekend. In their infamous way, our talented students performed “Wiley and the Hairy Man” to perfection and received an instant standing ovation.

Under the direction of Matthew Ryder, they competed against eight other schools and in addition to receiving many individual awards, were named the champions, received the highly coveted trophy, and will now advance to the state competition. Two of the three judges gave the performance a perfect score sending excitement throughout the building. Raymond’s very own Maria Sepulveda did an outstanding job playing the lead role of Wiley and also won an All Cast Acting Award. The students will now compete against the top eight schools at the state competition, which will be held in Falmouth on March 24. Make room on the town signs it would not surprise me at all to see Windham High School boasting another state championship title.

Play ball!

Spring is just around the corner and soon America’s favorite pastime will be in full swing. Those who run the Raymond baseball and softball program are busy making plans for the 2012 season. If you missed registrations last week, it is important that you register immediately as teams are being formed. This program is open to boys and girls ages 5-15 playing all levels of ball rom tT-ball through the senior league. Registration can be done online at www.raymondbaseballsoftball.com and all registrations must be in by March 24. For more information and a schedule of tryouts, please contact Kevin MacDonald at Kevin@raymondbaseballsoftball.com.

Calling all kindergartners

September may seem far away, but now is the time to register your child for the upcoming school year. If you have a child who will be turning 5 years old on or before Oct. 15 and is a resident of Raymond, please register your child for the fall of 2012 by completing the online registration form which can be found at http://www.windham.k12.me.us/wsd_re/kindergarten_registration/index.cfm.

Once you have submitted the on-line registration forms, the Raymond Elementary School will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you are unable to complete the registration online or have any questions regarding the online registration process, please call 655-8672. A parent orientation and kindergarten student screenings of all eligible children will be held on May 16 or 23. For further information, please contact Assistant Principal/Guidance Counselor Deborah Hutchinson at Raymond Elementary School at 655-8672, ext. 400 or dhutchinson@windhamraymondschools.org.

Walk and weed

Spring is upon us and the fabulous members of the Raymond Beautification Committee are ready to begin their Friday morning Walk and Weeds. All those interested should meet on Friday mornings at 8 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park. Please join other adult volunteers to help maintain the 70-plus plantings on the Route 302 corridor and be ready with gloves, cultivator, bucket and pruners. You can expect to learn more about the project, make new friends, get a bit dirty, and have lots of fun. You do not have to commit to every Friday, simply attend whenever you choose. For more information, call the town office at 655-4742.

Run for office

The 2012 Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at the Jordan-Small Middle School, and the election will be the following Tuesday, June 12. There are several vacancies, and nomination papers are now available. Offices to be elected include Selectmen: one seat for a 3-year term;

Budget/Finance Committee: three seats for three-year terms and one seat for a two-year term; and RSU 14 School Board: one seat for a three-year term. The nomination papers must be returned to the town office by Friday, May 3, at 4 p.m. For more information, call the town clerk at 655-4742, ext. 121. Our town’s success depends on people filling these roles. Please consider running for office.

Craft sale

Don’t forget to stop by the Jordan-Small Middle School this Saturday, March 17, to check out the Spring Craft Fair which will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the eighth-grade year-end celebration, an event not funded by the school budget. In addition to a large selection of crafts, chili, soups, sandwiches, baked goods and other refreshments will be on sale. For more information, contact Jen Mains at jenn0408@yahoo.com or 653-6142.

Mattress sale

I also want to remind you of the Mattress Sale being held on Saturday, March 17, at Windham High School to benefit the Class of 2012 Project Graduation. Do you need a new mattress for your home or know anyone who might? Stop by between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will be 18 different styles of mattress sets. Prices will be marked down 30-60 percent off retail store prices and start at only $199. Don’t put off that good night’s sleep any longer. Treat yourself to a new mattress while supporting the class. For more information, please contact Julie Dudley at barker034@gmail.com.

Kelly Parker Band

The Windham High School Project Graduation Class of 2012 is also excited to present the Kelly Parker Band on March 24 at 7 p.m. at the Windham Performing Arts Center. I am told that Kelly “evokes modern yet classic country with a pinch of Red Dirt rebel” and was recently crowned “Maine and New England’s Best Country Band 2011.” Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the high school, The Good Life Market or by calling Sandie Rogers at 892-9463. For more information or Project Graduation, please contact committee chairperson Julie Dudley at to barker034@gmail.com.

Defying Gravity

The Jordan-Small Middle School Drama Club is excited to announce a very different type of dramatic production than the traditional spring musical. This year, students will be presenting “Defying Gravity, An Evening of Song and Story,” which will be comprised of three musical numbers incorporating both singing and choreography, telling three stories in a theatrical version of Reader’s Theater, and students performing a series of monologs. Defying Gravity will be held on Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at JSMS. Tickets are available at the door and are $5. Treat yourself to a fun evening and come watch our stars shine.