Gray Rec News

Gray Parks and recreation raised $767.14 in pennies over the course of the eight-week summer camp to donate to DEW Animal Kingdom. A car wash, bake sale, penny carnival, pig kissing contest… and they ended it by presenting a very large check to DEW and getting to see all the animals. Thank you to all that helped with this community service project.

Junior Kids Club – An affordable six-week program just for the “mini kids” ages 3-5 (potty trained only). Starts Sept. 9, 9-11:30 a.m.

Mommy and Me – A program designed exclusively for the parent /guardian and the child to participate in together. Starts September 8, 9-11 a.m.

Call 657-2323 or go to www.grayrec.com for more information.

Charter Change

Notice is hereby given that the Gray Town Council will consider the following proposed charter amendment at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Henry Pennell Municipal Complex, 24 Main Street, Gray.

1. Shall the town of Gray voters approve a proposed amendment to Sec. 8 of Article V of the Town Charter, regarding the annual budget, that combines the so-called “crisis fund” and the so-called “undesignated general fund balance” into a single account for audit tracking purposes. It amends the requirement to maintain in reserve an amount of money equal to 3/12s of the town’s annual operating budget (technically, its “Net Assessment for Commitment”), and instead, to maintain an amount of money to be no less than 2/12’s and up to 3/12’s of that amount. It continues to reserve solely to town meeting the authority to appropriate any of those monies and continues to require identification of the precise uses of any such funds for town meeting consideration and the formulation of a plan to reimburse such account within five years. The remaining provisions of Sec. 8 are unchanged.

A true copy of the proposed changes in language, shown in strike-out’s and underlining, will be available at the polling place at all times the polls are open, at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours and available at all times on the Town’s electronic website, www.graymaine.org

No-Labor Day

The Gray Town Office, transfer station, public works and library will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day.

Bees, Shrubbery and Rick Charette

On Saturday Aug. 30, at The Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26 in Gray, the Life of the Honeybee will be explored. Parts of the beehive and beekeeping equipment will be on display and experienced bee keepers will be available to answer your questions. A variety of delicious native Maine honey and other natural products from the hive will be on sale.

Landscaping for Wildlife with Skillins Greenhouses will also be featured that same day. An expert native landscaping staff will be on hand with a wide selection of native shrubs, small trees and other plants that are hardy and attractive, while providing food and shelter for our birds and other wildlife. Fall is a great time to plant and these quality plants are on sale and ready to install into your yard or landscape.

On the following Saturday, Sept. 6, Rick Charette will be in concert. As a singer and songwriter, Charette has been capturing the hearts and spirits of young and old alike with his delightful and inspiring children’s songs. His performances blend original contemporary pop music and lyrics with imaginative activities that generate all kinds of audience participation. Many songs performed will be about Maine’s wild animals. He will sign autographs and sell CDs after the show. Concert show time is 11 a.m.-noon, rain or shine. The event is sponsored by Cook’s Hardware, Harvest Hill Farms and Friends of the Wildlife Park.

From Aug. 22-Sept. 2, The Final Charge, a massive, museum quality display showing two huge bull moose with locked antlers, created by taxidermist Mark Dufresne of Nature’s Reflections Taxidermy in Gray, will be on exhibit.

All programs are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. unless otherwise specified. For more information, go to www.mainewildlifepark.com or call 207-657-4977.

Tourney Time

The Patriot Soccer Club holds its 15th Annual Crossroad’s Challenge Tournament on Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 11 and 12, for boys’ and girls’ “classic” teams ages Under 9-Under 14. It is an extremely well-run, two-day soccer tournament offering a fun and festive atmosphere. Last year, 89 teams registered.

U9 and U10 teams will play three games each either on Saturday or Sunday. U11 teams will also play three games spread out over Saturday and Sunday. U12-U14 “competitive” teams will play a minimum of three games with the opportunity to advance to the championship game.

The 2014 Crossroads Challenge roster is now full. Please contact Tournament Director Tim Anketell at crossroadchallenge@patriotsoccerclub.org or 1-207-415-8986, if you’d like to be placed on the wait list.

School Days

You will soon be seeing and hearing the yellow school buses along our roads. Please watch out for the children who will be taking those buses to return to school on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Updated bus routes are now available for viewing at www.msad15.com.

Adult Ed to Begin

The GNG Adult and Community Education catalog is now out for your perusal. Check your mailbox, the counter at the Gray Town Hall or Gray Public Library or go to www.msad15.org – Adult Ed for more information. Everything from medical professional courses to music and dance, one-session courses to complete programs are available for you. Check it out, classes are ready to begin soon.

Get trained and nationally certified to work in portable, high-demand jobs through The Academy of Medical Professions being held on-site at Gray-New Gloucester Adult and Community Education. Attend a free information night on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. and learn more about these opportunities.