Summer’s Last Hurray

Attend a free movie this summer in the Gray Public Library’s cool new “theater.” Now showing: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2 p.m., “Far From the Madding Crowd,” Rated PG-13 and Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m., “Mad Max: Fury Road” Rated R.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m., the Gray Library will welcome Maine authors John Ford and Mark Nickerson. Ford, author of “Suddenly, The Cider Didn’t Taste So Good,” is a retired Maine Warden and Nickerson, author of “Blue Lights in the Night,” is a retired Maine State Trooper. Free and open to all. Presented as part of the Pat Barter Speaker Series.

These events are free and open to all.

Holiday Closing

On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, the Gray Town Offices, Transfer Station and Gray Public Library will be closed.

Touch a Truck

On Saturday, Sept. 12, in the Gray Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine) a hands-on “Touch a Truck” Fair for kids of all ages will be sponsored by Gray Shop ’n Save. Families can explore multiple kinds of vehicles and modes of transportation. Face painting, raffles, food and drinks will be provided. This is a free event with donation happily accepted for the Gray Community Food Pantry.

School Days

Russell School, Dunn School, and Memorial School will be holding an Ice Cream Social to welcome students back from summer vacation. This is an opportunity for parents/guardians and their children to visit the schools, teachers and meet members of the staff, tour the classrooms and school, and mingle with other school families. Schools and dates for this events are: Russell School, Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5-6 p.m.; Memorial School, Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5-6 p.m.; and Dunn School, Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The middle school will have an Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Families can meet the staff, find classrooms, tour the building, and enjoy a Popsicle.

First Day of School is Tuesday, Sept. 8.

2015-2016 Bus routes are now posted. Please check your child’s bus route for the schedule of bus stop locations and pick up/drop-off times. Please plan to arrive at the bus stop location 10 minutes prior to scheduled time. Please be aware the times will vary slightly during the first few weeks of school until a solid bus routine is in place. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

SAD 15 has hired Amanda Hennessey as principal at Memorial School. Mrs. Hennessey has served as the assistant principal at G-NG Middle School for the past four years. Amanda is looking forward to working with the families, students and staff at the K-2 school in New Gloucester.

SAD 15 has also hired Ted Finn as principal at GNG High School. Mr. Finn comes to Gray-New Gloucester after serving five years in SAD 61 as principal at Lake Region High School.

For more information, call 657-3335 or go to www.msad15.org.

Gray Rec Fall Activities

Fall Youth Soccer for grades K-2 starts on Saturday, Sept. 12, to Oct. 31. Midfield Division (Grade 1) 8:30-10 a.m., Striker Division (Grade 2) 10:15-11:30 a.m., Stopper Division (K) 11:45-12:45 p.m.

Aug. 31 is the deadline to register before late fee. ($15 fee after this date, Pre-K signup at this time (no additional fee).

Zumba for Kids starts Sept. 22 at 3:30 p.m., at the Newbegin Community Center Gym and will be taught by a certified instructor from our community. Zumba Kids and Zumba Kids Jr. classes are designed exclusively for kids (ages 4-9 and 5-11 respectively) to combine movement, music and community in a class for both boys and girls.

Go to www.grayrec.com or call at 207-657-2323, ext. 117, for more information about these and other activities available.

Fairies and Flowers

On Saturday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. at the Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26 in Gray, “Enchanted Forests” will be featured. Fairy houses and gardens are incredibly popular with children today. Bring the kids to visit our fabulous human-sized fairy house, meet and have your photos taken with some “real” fairies; then work with all-natural materials to create your own miniature fairy habitats to take home with you. This is a great activity for all kids, young and old.

On the following Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 7, Landscaping For Wildlife will be the program. Skillins Greenhouse will set up a garden show-type display featuring native shrubs and plants that are very beneficial to local wildlife. Their plants are hardy and attractive, while providing food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. www.skillins.com

For more information about any of these programs, call the Maine Wildlife Park at 657-4977 or go online to www.mainewildlifepark.com.

Change the Future

If you can spare a few hours each month, and have a vision for Gray’s future, you will be a welcome addition to one of these Gray boards or committees: Board of Assessment Review, Community Economic Development Committee, Planning Board, Public Safety Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals. Call 657-3339 for more information.

Cleanup Weekend

The Gray Transfer Station will have one of their annual cleanup weekends on Friday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 30, on Seagull Drive in Gray. It will take place Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

You can bring: carpeting – limited to the equivalent of one pickup load, mattresses and box springs, sofas, chairs, loveseats, televisions, computer monitors, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters, dishwashers and automobile batteries. Branches and yard waste are limited to the equivalent of one pickup load (usual disposal fees apply on additional loads), tires – limit four passenger size only – $2 each additional, $4 each additional on rim. Wood waste, construction debris, and demolition materials charged at usual rate.

All vehicles must have a valid 2015 transfer station permit, strictly enforced.

Also, Saturday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. only, there will be a household hazardous waste drop-off available. More information on the “cleanup weekend” and the household hazardous waste dropoff will be available at the transfer station.

Be sure to take advantage of these two opportunities to dispose of unwanted and dangerous materials. Contact the Gray Transfer Station at 657-2343 for more information.