Caring Community’s holiday help

The leaves are changing colors, the temperature is dropping and the holidays are around the corner.

Applications for Thanksgiving assistance are available on Oct. 13 and completed forms are due back no later than Thursday, Nov. 10.The forms will be distributed in the elementary school totes as well as through the electronic school email and can be picked up and dropped off at the elementary schools at in the CCGNG boxes at the Gray Public Library and Gray Town Hall. Applications also will be available at the middle school and high school guidance offices.

Sponsors, who “adopt” a family/individual and provide “all the fixings for a holiday meal,” are so important to this effort.  Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor for Thanksgiving can contact Kathy George at kgeorge2@maine.rr.com.  For Christmas sponsors, contact Mike Marcotte at gngcaring@gmail.com

Every year there are more families than there are sponsors, so monetary donations are needed and appreciated. Donations can be sent to CCGNG, P.O. 1244 Gray, Maine 04039

CCGNG is a volunteer group organized in 2007 to provide holiday assistance to individuals and families in the towns of Gray and New Gloucester. For more information or questions, contact Christina Foster at winkers92@yahoo.com or 233-0828.

Harvest Supper
A Public Church Supper, consisting of baked beans, casseroles, salads, homemade breads, desserts and beverages will be held on Saturday Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Gray, Route 115. Cost for adults $8, children under 12, $4. The hall is handicapped accessible. Call 657-4279 for more information, or the day of the supper 657-3279.

Fiddlehead news

The band, Hymn For Her, returns to Fiddlehead on Friday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. for a night of family, dancing and music. All proceeds will  benefit the private music scholarship fund. Admission will be $15 for a single adult, $20 for two adults and $5 for those under 18.

In addition, Fiddlehead will soon offer teen and adult classes in dying wool and yarns and in Kundalini yoga.

The Fiddlehead Art and Science Center is located at 25 Shaker Road. Call 657-2244 or go to www.fiddleheadcenter.org.

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

The Gray Town Council encourages and welcomes nominations from Gray citizens who wish to recognize other community members for their volunteer contributions as they relate to the five categories of awards: Volunteer of the Year, Committee of the Year, Organization of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award and Evelyn Morrill Durgin Award. Nomination forms are available at the town office, 24 Main St. The deadline date for nominations will be in late November, TBA. The nominations will be reviewed in early December. An awards reception will follow.

A new look
The Town of Gray new website launched on Oct. 1, with a focus on providing online content in a responsive format. The format looks good on both desktop PCs and mobile devices, where more than 60 percent site visitors view the site. Go to www.graymaine.org and check it out.

Bike and Run
Libby Hill’s 2nd Annual Duathlon Allterra Bike and Run will be held on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Libby Hill Forest, Gray. The start time is 10 a.m. Entry fee is $35, free for Gray-New Gloucester children. There will be awards for the top male and female finishers and post-race refreshments will be provided. Go to www.libbyhill.org for more information.

Movie time
Attend a movie and enjoy a tasty snack at the Gray Public Library’s theater. Showing soon are: Saturday, Oct. 22, “Ghostbusters” (2016, PG-13), 10:30 a.m.,  “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” (PG), 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 25, “Young Frankenstein” (PG), 2 p.m., and “Lights Out” (PG-13), 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 27, “Sergeant York” (PG), 2 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 29, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” (PG-13), 10:30 a.m., and “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows: Part 2” (PG-13), 1 p.m.

For more information, call 657-4110 or go to www.gray.lib.me.us. All events are free and open to the public.

From the Rec

Nerf Night – Walls and barriers will be set up for team battles and organized chaos. Please bring your Nerf gun (one that shoots standard darts), eye protection and a water bottle. All the darts you need will be supplied. Prizes will be awarded for some of the contests. Oct. 21 (grades 3 and 4 only) 6-7:30 p.m., Newbegin Gym Parents welcome to watch on stage.

Total Body Conditioning – During this class you will hit multiple muscle groups and burn calories in a workout that is designed to strengthen the cardiovascular system, tone muscles and boost balance, flexibility and endurance. Nov. 1 – Dec. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Newbegin Community Center Gym.

American Red Cross Babysitting Course – Participants will learn the responsibilities and qualities of being a good babysitter. Class will focus on injury prevention, first aid, basic child care, decision making and other issues. To be held on Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., for ages 11-15, at Pennell Town Hall.

For more information and programs and fees go to www.greyrec.com or call 657-2323 ext. 117.

Boston Post Cane

If you know anyone living in Gray that was born before 1922, please complete a Boston Post Cane nomination form at the Town Office or online at www.graymaine.org/bpc-nomination All nominations must be received by Monday, Nov. 28, by 4 p.m.

Property owners survey

This October, the Town’s Community Development Department will be conducting a survey of all property owners in Gray. The purpose is to update the transportation and land use sections of the 2003 Comprehensive Plan, the “blueprint” for guiding policy decisions for the Town for the next 10 to 15 years.

The survey will be conducted electronically via any computer with internet service. The survey link will be active to fill out through, Friday, Oct. 28. If you do not have a computer with internet service, there are several computers available for public use at the Gray Public Library.

Visit the Gray Town Office, 24 Main St., call 657-3339 or go to www.graymaine.org for more information.

The band, Hymn For Her, returns to the Fiddlehead Art and Science Center Friday, Nov. 4, for a benefit concert.