Winning on Wall Street

Four teams from Jordan-Small Middle School were entered in the statewide stock market competition and had the highest investment returns in the online investment program for the elementary school division. The winning year-long team members were Sophie Sangster, Maggi Bradford, and Alexis Peet. The second place team members were Hannah Gagne, Hannah Bernier, Haley Froisland and Kaitlyn Gedicks. The spring winners were Hayden Dearing, RJ Plummer, and Avery Lind and the second place team consisted of Andrew Wing, Deven Young and Devon Griffeth.

The Stock Market Game program teaches students about the world of investments, helping them to research companies, make sound investment decisions, and follow those investments over a number of months during the school year. All of the teams began with a virtual cash account with which they created and managed a portfolio of stocks. All teams researched and evaluated potential investments. Even though the money is not real, stock transactions are processed at real-time prices, connecting The Stock Market experience with real life.

The students of the winning teams will receive their awards on May 29 at the University of Southern Maine. There will be a luncheon and an awards ceremony where the top teams in all of the divisions will have an opportunity to talk about their investment strategies. The Stock Market Game is made available to all schools in the state, at no cost, through the SIFMA Foundation. This program has proven to excite students as it taps into and strengthens their math skills and potential.

Let’s Play Soccer

It’s finally here; another incredible summer on the lakes filled with fun outdoor activities. If you are like me, you haven’t given any thought to cooler weather and fall sports and won’t for a long time. However, it takes time to formulate teams and recruit coaches so registrations for fall programs need to be held early. Registration for the Raymond Recreation fall soccer program will take place Thursday, May 31, from 5:30-7 p.m. and Monday, June 4, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Jordan Small Middle School.

The Raymond Recreation fall soccer program is for boys and girls in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, and only costs $30 per player. Soccer practices will begin the last week in August and games will be played on Saturday mornings beginning in September and running through the last week of October. Volunteer coaches for all ages and field volunteers are needed. Being involved with the kids, helping them hone their skills while witnessing their growth and love for the sport is a very fun and rewarding job. Please give this consideration.

For more information, contact program coordinator Stacey Richmond at 655-5097 or starrich@maine.rr.com immediately.

Vaccinations, ?you tell us

Local pediatrician, Christopher Pezzullo, received a grant to study how to increase access to immunizations for children in Cumberland County and he is interested in learning parents’ ideas, recommendations and suggestions on vaccinating children. “Share your Thoughts on Vaccines” will be held at the Windham High School on Thursday, May 31, from 5-6:30 p.m. and you are invited to attend if you have thoughts on ways to make getting children vaccinated easier. Just for participating in the discussion, you will receive a $40 Hannaford gift card, a light dinner and beverages, and someone to read and play with your children while you are part of the discussion. To participate, contact Gina Marquis at 661-7546.

Basketball director needed

I know I speak on behalf of the entire community when I offer a heart-felt thank you to Kevin MacDonald for coordinating the Raymond Recreation Association’s basketball program for the last several years. Kevin has given many hours and done a wonderful job but is stepping down; therefore, a new director is needed in order for this important skills building program to continue. Kevin will be available to help the new director and will continue to be involved in a supporting role. If you are able to help, please contact Kevin at kevin@raymondbaseballsoftball.com immediately so plans can be made for a great program next winter.

Robotics champs

Congratulations to the Jordan-Small Middle School Robotics Team for another outstanding performance at the Southern Maine Robot Track Meet held last week. Twenty teams participated with more than 100 students competing in eight events including slope climber, table top clearing mission, delivery mission, fastest robot, strongest robot, strongest bridge, ping pong shot put, and robot speed build. JSMS competed in several of these events and earned the prestigious title of first place champions. In addition to the team victory, they brought home three individual first place trophies, a second place trophy and four gold standard ribbons.

Robotics programs give 9- to 14-year-old future engineers a chance to focus on building, designing, and testing robots made out of only Legos and based on basic principles of physics, engineering and science. Competitors must comply with specific guidelines and restrictions and build a robot to meet those restrictions. Not having an engineering mind, I am in awe at what these kids can design.

The JSMS Robotics Team consists of Thomas Carroll, Hayden Dearing, Liam Flynn, Jack Hermansen, Avery Lind, Greg Meader, Kyle Nelson, Kieran Rowe, Kyle Sullivan, and Brandon Wood and is coached by the school’s Gifted and Talented teacher Chris Newcomb. Congratulations to all of them for another successful competition.

Great Maine ?Yard Sale

With hopes to increase traffic for its annual June yard sale, the Raymond Village Community Church is encouraging fellow residents of Main Street to participate in the RVCC sale or to hold their own yard sale on the same day. The Great Maine Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, June 9 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The sale is the brainchild of RVCC Moderator Rolf Olsen and his wife, Brenda. “We wanted to improve attendance at the annual church yard sale and to more fully involve the community,” said Olsen. “We got to thinking; what would it be like if the more than 50 residents of Raymond’s Main Street all had their yard sales on the same day? It would be amazing.”

The church’s annual yard sale is always worth attending in its own right. Held at the church, it features a wide variety of treasures including handmade knit goods, baked goods, books, kitchen utensils, electronics, bric-a-brac, antiques, and many other items. Olsen says that they are making efforts to include a variety of larger items in the sale as well. This year will also feature a pet contest with blessings of the pets by Reverend Nancy Foran as well as demonstrations of Zumba and line dancing. Brenda Olsen points out that, “you don’t need to be a resident of Main Street or a member of the church to be involved. You can donate merchandise or sell your own goods at this sale. The church rents tables to people who want to take advantage of the traffic the sale generates.” Anyone wishing to rent a table should contact Polly Dyer at 892-4301. People wishing to donate merchandise or get more information, should contact Rolf Olsen at 655-4670 or rolsen@maine.rr.com.

Every Child ?a Swimmer

Summer is rapidly approaching, and it will not be long before the Raymond Recreation’s “Every Child a Swimmer” swim program begins. This is an excellent program for swimmers 5 years old and older. Half-hour lessons are held Monday through Friday from June 25 through July 29 at Crescent Beach and the cost for the program is $25 per child. There will also be a Red Cross Emergency Water Safety course for anyone in seventh grade or older and offers good orientation for those interested in training to become a lifeguard.

Red Cross-certified Water Safety Instructor Sarah Knights is returning for her fourth summer to help make your children better swimmers. Sarah knows our families, the facility, and the program. She is excited to be returning to work with the children and will be assisted by Tucker Olsen, a Red Cross-certified lifeguard. Parent volunteers are needed to supervise the beach and support the instructors for each week.

To register, visit www.raymondmaine.org and click on Raymond Recreation Association/Swimming or contact Pat Smith immediately at 655-4657 to secure a spot for your child.

Town Meeting and Elections

Mark your calendars for this year’s annual town meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at the Jordan-Small Middle School. Copies of the warrant articles can be found at the town office or on the town’s website at www.raymondmaine.org. Municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, June 12, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Please take time to attend the town meeting and to vote; it is a privilege. If you are unable to attend the meeting or elections, your vote is still important. Absentee voting has begun and you may stop by the town office during regular business hours to vote.

Having just won the statewide Stock Market Game, Jordan-Small Middle School’s best investors will receive their awards at a ceremony next week at the University of Southern Maine. (Photo courtesy of Jack Fitch)