Hooray volunteers

Each year, Gray recognizes and celebrates the folks who are the backbone of the community, dedicated volunteers who truly define the spirit of Gray and enhance their community in otherwise untold service.

The Gray Town Council welcomes nominations from Gray citizens who wish to recognize volunteers for their contributions for: Volunteer of the Year, Committee of the Year, Organization of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award and the Evelyn Morrill Durgin Award. Nomination forms are available on the town’s website or at the Town Office. The deadline date for nominations will be close of business on Friday, Nov. 20. Nominations are reviewed in early December. The 2015 Volunteer Recognition Night is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2015. For more information go to www.graymaine.org.

Parking ban

From Nov. 15 to April 15, between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., no vehicle shall be parked at any time on a town of Gray public way, public street or within any 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.

4th Annual? Day of Giving

The Gray and New Gloucester Caring Community is gearing up for an amazing “Day of Giving” here in our community on Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Spring Meadows Golf Course in Gray. Coffee, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, donuts and donut holes will be served.

The Caring Communities Organization is a small group of caring citizens providing holiday assistance to individuals and families without discrimination in the towns of Gray and New Gloucester. The assistance is offered in the form of Christmas meal baskets and toys for children.

Caring Communities is seeking sponsors for families. The age of children in need are 0-18 years old. The meals are a complete holiday meal and the gifts are not to exceed $75-$100 per child. At this event, CC members will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding the family you choose to sponsor. In addition, they will have a gift tree with “gift card ornaments” that community members may choose, if preferred. Monetary gifts are always welcome as well.

Sponsorship interests may be directed to gngcaring@gmail.com. Subject line: Mike Marcotte.

Need a holiday meal?

Applications for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets are available at all G-NG schools, both town halls and the Gray Public Library. Complete and return applications immediately to any of these locations for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, submit applications by Dec. 8.

Any questions? Contact Christina Foster at winkers92@yahoo.com or at 233-0828.

For more information, go to http://www.msad15.org/community/caring-communities/ or “like” G-NG Caring Community on Facebook.

A Book Signing

Kevin Hancock, of Hancock Lumber, will be signing his book “Not for Sale” at Fiddlehead Art and Science Center in Gray, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m.

A graduate of Lake Region High School and Bowdoin College, Kevin travels often to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Kevin has created a nonprofit called “The Seventh Power” to support initiatives on the reservation and has published a book titled, “Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse,” about his personal journey to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, as well as the history and modern-day life of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Gray Public Library

Gingerbread Houses, Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Attend free movies in the Gray Public Library’s new “theater.” Now showing: “Anne of Green Gables” (Part 2) (G), Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.; “Inside Out” (PG), Wednesday, Nov. 25, 10:30 a.m.; “Jurassic World” (PG-13), Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m.; “Mr. Holmes” (PG), Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m.; “Polar Express” (G) Thursday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. and “Christmas in Connecticut” (NR), 2 p.m.

Most of these events are free and open to all. Gray Public Library, 5 Hancock St., Gray, Maine 04039. For more information, go to graylib@gray.lib.me.us or phone 657-4110.

Craft Fairs

• Fiddlehead’s 12th Holiday Artisan Fair and Raffle supporting local artists. Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 25 Shaker Road, in Gray. Come browse the many beautifully handmade pieces ranging from hand-crafted jewelry, fabric journals, knitted goods, felting and more. Raffle items will be donated to benefit Fiddlehead Center. Donations to the local food bank are welcome.

• Holly Fair and Chowder Luncheon at the First Congregational Church of Gray is on Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Parish House (behind McDonald’s) in Gray Center. Purchase handmade gifts, Cabot’s Private Stock cheddar, whoopie pies, freshly made wreaths or some delicious baked goods. Fill a can with cookies from the Cookie Trail or stock up on your favorite Rada knives. Children can attend a movie and cookie decorating while parents shop. Early shoppers can enjoy Thompson’s donuts and coffee. For lunch there will be haddock chowder, corn chowder and a variety of sandwiches all made by Women’s Fellowship. Any questions? Contact Rose at 657-4279.

Annual Tree Lighting

Gray’s Annual Tree Lighting and visit with Santa takes place Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Newbegin Gym. Please check www.graymaine.org or call 657-2323 for more information.

‘White Christmas’

The Patriot Players of Gray-New Gloucester High School will perform, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” a musical, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19, 20 and 21, at 7 p.m., along with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 21. Admission prices are $6 for adults, $4 for students, and $20 for a family.

Holiday closures

Gray Town Office, Transfer Station, Public Works and Library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

At Gray Recreation

Shoebox Greeting, stop by the Gray Town Hall to pick up a shoebox (or wrap your own). Fill it with items for a child (you pick age and gender). A few gift suggestions are candy, school supplies, toys, toothbrush, etc. Return by Thursday, Dec. 10, to Gray Parks and Recreation, 24 Main St. All shoeboxes will go to local children in need.

Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Lost Valley for ages 7-13. Many packages available, including rentals. Register as soon as possible to reserve your spot on the bus.

Discount tickets available for skiing at Attitash/Wildcat, Mt. Abram, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, Cranmore or Camden Snow Bowl, Check also for the Portland Dine Around Card, $25, (regularly $29.95) and the 2015-2016 Portland Pirates season.

Call 657-2323, ext. 117 or go to www.grayrec.com for more information.

Got yarn?

A community member is willing to knit scarves for Gray Recreation’s Caring Community Shoe Box Giving Campaign. If anyone has some yarn they are willing to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Please drop it off at the Gray Recreation Office, 24 Main St.

Relax

A Paint and Sip event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4-7 p.m., $40/per person, includes art materials. Must be 21 years and over. Fiddlehead Art and Science Center, 25 Shaker Road, Gray, 657-2244.

Kevin Hancock, at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, will be signing his new book, “Not for Sale,” at Fiddlehead in Gray, which will also receive a portion of the proceeds.