Wild Nights

Halloweenfest at the Maine Wildlife Park, on Route 26 in Gray, will be on two nights, Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18, from 5:30-9 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween in two nights of fun with the park’s native wildlife. Don’t miss new Halloween displays, haunted hayrides, games, contests, huge door prizes and more. Wear your costumes. Regular admission fees. Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open. Call the office for more information at 657-4977 if raining.

From Oct. 15 through the last day of the season on Nov. 11, the park’s admissions gate will close at 3:30 p.m. and visitors must exit the park by 5 p.m. due to earlier sunsets and associated darkness.

Soccer Time

The Patriot Soccer Club holds its 15th Annual Crossroad’s Challenge Tournament on Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 11 and 12, at the G-NG High School fields, for boys and girls “classic” teams ages U9-U14.

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.

B-Ball

Newbegin Men’s 4 on 4 Basketball League Starts Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Newbegin Gym. Game times are 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30. Please contact Dan Peacock at 657-6762 for more details.

Adult Pick-up Basketball Wednesday evenings starting in late October at Newbegin Gym from 7 to 9 p.m. Fee is $2 per person. More information now available at www.grayrec.com.

Community Forums

The MSAD 15 board of directors has approved two separate bond referendum questions to be presented to voters of Gray and New Gloucester on the Nov. 4 ballot. Please check the www.msad15.org website often as material will be updated regularly until early November.

Question 1: Do you favor authorizing the board of directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 15 (the “District”) to issue bonds or notes in the name of the District for school construction and minor capital project purposes in an amount not to exceed $6,623,080 for school construction, renovations, and improvements at existing District schools, including (i) a classroom addition to Gray-New Gloucester Middle School; and (ii) renovations and improvements to Gray-New Gloucester High School and to Gray-New Gloucester Middle School, including the school buildings, facilities, and athletic fields?

Question 2: If Question 1 is approved, do you favor authorizing the board of directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 15 (the “District”) to issue additional bonds or notes in the name of the District for that Project in an amount not to exceed $738,000 in order that the Project budget may include artificial turf instead of grass turf for the high school stadium field improvements made as part of that Project?

Dates for Community Forums on the Bond Referendum that will be held on: Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the High School Library 6-8 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Middle School Gymnasium from 6-8 p.m. If at anytime you have questions, feel free to call 657-9201.

Author Reading and Book Sale

Please come to the first author talk and signing at the Gray Public Library’s new facilities. Russell Warnberg, will be there on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. to do some reading and book signing of his work: “The Chalk Line Killer,” the second in the Detective Cole Sullivan series. Sullivan and his team in Maine join forces with a team from Minnesota when murders happen in both states with the same method of operation.

Russell Warnberg, a teacher, writer, artist and woodworker, grew up in Minnesota, but after joining the Navy, has spent most of his life in Maine. He currently resides in Windham. Books will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be provided.

A Book Sale will be held starting on Friday, Oct. 24, with an Early Bird Sale $5 per person fee, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The regular Book Sale will be free and open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information, call the Circulation Desk at 657-4110 or email graylib@gray.lib.me.us.

Ve Vant Your Blood

On Monday, Oct. 13 from 1-6 p.m. at the American Legion Post No. 86, 15 Lewiston Road, Gray, a Blood Drive will be held where whole blood and double red cells donations will be accepted. To schedule an appointment or for any questions, call Jason Hall at 522-5471.

Create a Logo

The Gray Bike-Ped Committee is holding a logo design competition for the proposed Village Area Loop Trail, a series of connected paths that will allow people to travel around the village more safely and more enjoyably by foot or by bike. A logo (recognizable design) is needed that will be used on the signs that will guide people around the loop.

The signs will be of varying sizes, and will be placed on posts, sides of buildings, or incorporated into larger kiosks. Entries should be of a simple design that would be legible at some distance.

The designer will be recognized on the town website and in news releases. The winning entry will become the property of the town of Gray. Submit VALT designs to: Dean Bennett, Town of Gray Department of Recreation, Gray Town Hall, 24 Main Street, Gray, ME 04039. For more information, see www.graymaine.org.

Renovate the Building? Tear it Down?

On Nov. 4 there will be a ballot question asking what the citizens of Gray would like to do with Stimson Hall. A discussion forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14 on local cable channel GCTV2. Tune in to learn some of the history of Stimson Hall and to hear more about current options/choices for its future. The forum discussion group encourages you to send ideas, suggestions, and/or questions regarding Stimson Hall to Donnie Carroll or Deb Cabana. Questions will be discussed as time permits.

On the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 14, Don Whitney will have Stimson Hall open for you to come and view.

You can also call the Town of Gray at 657-3339.

Columbus Day

On Monday, Oct. 13, the Gray Town Office, Transfer Station, Public Works, and Library will be closed for Columbus Day.

Senior Event

A Medicare Plan Options Informational Session is to be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. Presented by Buckner’s Insurance, this is a free community event for seniors and will be at the Henry Pennell Municipal Complex Council Chamber on Main Street in Gray.

A reading and book signing at the Gray Public Library featuring author Russell Warnberg will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 15.