Raymond Shines
The 1st Annual Raymond Shines Talent Show was held Nov. 10 at Jordan Small Middle School. Participating K-8 students performed 21 acts. Kids sang, danced and played piano and violin. The final act of the show was from first-grader Kayleigh Gervais, who painted a picture by popping balloons with a bow and arrows. The wonderful night that gave the kids the opportunity to showcase their many talents was a fundraiser for the Raymond Schools PTO, which supports the schools with funds for field trips, classroom needs, scholarships and other events during the school year. Neisha Strom and PTO president Jennifer Mains organized the event.

Annual tree lighting
Raymond Library’s annual Tree Lighting will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. The Raymond Elementary Chorus will perform, Santa will ride in on a fire truck and hot cocoa and cookies will be served. The event at 3 Meadow Road is sponsored by the Raymond Lions Club.

‘Nutcracker’ features local dancers

Raymond residents Sofia Flemming, Adrienne Pelletier as Clara, Rhiannon Pelletier as Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop Fairy are among the dancers performing in Maine State Ballet’s 40th anniversary production of “The Nutcracker,” at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are on sale through Porttix at 842-0800, or tickets.porttix.com, or at the Merrill Auditorium box office, noon-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tickets are priced at $21-66, and discounts are available for groups, seniors and children.

RVCC Craft Fair
Don’t forget to stop at Raymond Village Community Church this Saturday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. for the annual Craft Fair. There will be something for everyone for Thanksgiving and Christmas: centerpieces, wreaths, crafts, homemade food, silent auction, new/lovingly used Christmas decor, Avon, jewelry, maple syrup and more.  Bring your friends and family and enjoy breakfast and lunch.

Silent auction fundraiser
Students of the Project Dance Performing Arts Team will hold a silent auction Nov. 28-Dec. 11 to raise funds to compete in two dance competitions in March.  Items will include: a $100 gift certificate to Almost Famous Tattoos in Portland, two $50 gift certificates to Windham Tattoo, $50 for the Raymond Laundromat,   $50 gift certificate to a local hair salon, two private tumbling lessons at CenterStage,  one-of-a-kind sweaters designed and knit by local artist Alicia Plummer valued at $300 each, and $100 to Pavillion Hair Salon.  The community can bid at CenterStage located at 1233 Roosevelt Trail in the Raymond Shopping Plaza between 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays.

High school fall musical
Come see students from Raymond and Windham perform “Kiss Me Kate” at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Windham Performing Arts Center at the high school. “Kiss Me, Kate” is the story of a troupe of traveling actors who are performing Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” but things get complicated when the backstage drama of their personal lives creeps into the action. As they try to stage a musical version of “Taming of the Shrew,” sparks fly on and off stage between Fred Graham (Will Wheaton), the show’s director and star, and Lilli Vanessi (Ellie Joseph), his leading lady-and ex-wife. Add to the mix passionate young lovers, ingénue Lois Lane (Celine Baker) and her gambler boyfriend Bill (Davin Farinella), plus a few musically inclined gangsters’ heavies, and the result is a sharp and witty night with some of Cole Porter’s most immortal tunes. “Kiss Me, Kate” was the first musical to win a Tony Award. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children, students and seniors. For reservations, call 893-1742 or email fallmusical@gmail.com.

Election results

Election results can be found the town website, www.raymondmaine.org. Thanks to all who took part in voting this year.

Mailbox ID reminder
Just a reminder to all citizens to make sure your mailbox and/or house has proper identification so that emergency services can locate your home in the event of an emergency.  The public safetly building located at 1443 Roosevelt Trail offers free mailbox numbers to those who need them. Remember:  They can’t help you if they can’t find you.

K-8 performers showed off their many talents at the first Raymond Shines show.