Bring Your Pine

This January when it’s time to retire the Christmas tree, the Gray Transfer Station is making that job easy and charitable. There will be no charge to dispose of Christmas trees for the months of January and February. However, monetary donations will be accepted in lieu of the disposal fee with all money benefiting the Gray Food Pantry.

What Do You Want?

The Gray tax bills this year included a newsletter, that has a communication survey, that they hope will help provide the town with information efficiently and effectively. To date, about 100 citizens have responded to the survey either online or on paper. Go to Town Communications Survey: www.graymaine.org to fill a survey out today.

Cold Fish

The 2013 Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby is Jan. 26 at Camp Gregory, 24 North Raymond Road, Gray, Maine.

Some of the events at this derby are: All-Ages Derby, Kids Derby, helicopter rides, the Patriotic Ice Shack Competition, free ice fishing instruction, dog sled rides, great food, a military fly over, a Military Color Guard Team, US Army vehicles, USO VIPs and the Patriot Polar Plunge at the conclusion of the day.

The primary mission of this event is to support the Maine military, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the local community schools. For rules, registration, prizes, and other information, go to www.crystallakederby.com.

Winter Parking Ban

From Nov. 15 to April 15, between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., no vehicle can be parked at any time on a public way, public street or within a town-owned parking lot, due to snow removal. Vehicles in violation of the ordinance (Section 502.3) will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Is Fido Legal?

All dog licenses expire each year on Dec. 31, and must be renewed before Jan. 31, 2013 to avoid a $25 late fee per dog. Fees for neutered or spayed dogs are $6 per year and non-neutered/non-spayed dogs are $11 per year. If the dog is no longer in your possession or if you have any questions, please contact the Town Office at 657-3339 or e-mail us at admin@graymaine.org. A current rabies certificate is required for registration. You may license your dog(s) via the mail or in person. Dogs may also be licensed via the Internet until Jan. 31 at www10.informe.org/ dog_license/.

Kindle Class

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. or Thursday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m., the Gray Public Library will be offering a free one-hour beginners class on using your Kindle. Learn how to download free books from the library’s website. Sign up at the circulation desk or call 657-4110.

A Nook class will be scheduled at a later date. Please watch for that class here or on the website at www.gray.lib.me.us.

Relax, Recharge?and Rejuvenate

Fiddlehead Center for the Art has new winter classes for children and adults. Choose from a great array of classes for kids: wizardry of chemistry, comic book creation, yoga, Spanish, storybook theater and more. Classes begin the week of Jan. 7.

New classes for adults are: Hand drumming, clay on the wheel, watercolor, Cezanne inspired, cooking classes, etc. They have also added one more yoga class this session (Tuesday and Thursdays) and you can now purchase punch cards, allowing more flexibility for your schedule. Punch cards are valid from January through June.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, there will be a Cabin Fever Reliever at Fiddlehead. This is their annual fundraiser and tickets through Jan. 14 are $15. Ticket prices will go up after that date. Buy your ticket now, at the center or on line and join them in a fun party.

Check out the details for this event and all classes on www.fiddleheadcenter.org.

That’s Entertainment

Gray Recreation is bringing The Tardy Brothers dynamic duo to you for one night only. These two brothers are here to show everyone what high energy juggling is all about. Also a Special Guest appearance from The Studio for the Living Arts.

This event will be held at the GNG High School Cafetorium, on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m.

All proceeds go to the Gray Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund. Refreshments will be available. (Donations of baked goods and snacks/drinks are greatly appreciated.) For more information go to: www.grayrec.com or call 657-2323.

Better Weather ?is Coming

The Gray Community Endowment (GCE) is partnering with the Gray Parks and Recreation Department on an initiative to identify and develop bicycle and pedestrian friendly paths in the region. In addition to feasibility research, the Bike-Ped Advocacy Committee is seeking input from citizens of all ages to help formulate a Bike-Ped plan for the community.

Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/57BDSW5 to complete the survey. Paper versions will also be placed in the Gray Public Library, at Pennell, and at Fiddlehead. The survey will just take a few minutes to complete.

Movie Night

A showing of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3” will be held on Friday, Jan. 11, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Dunn School, Morse Road, New Gloucester. All proceeds to benefit Dunn Patriot Parents. Call Christina at 233-0828 for more information.

Love Snow

The Gray Sno Wolves’ next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. at the State Police Barracks on Route 26. The trail map has been updated and put out for sale at Circle K/Irving, and Tailgate Restaurant. You can also contact the club for a copy. They’re planning some upcoming club rides, and will post more info once they have them locked in. Call 428-3308 or www.graysnowolves.com.