Gray Community Day

Calling all Gray residents to bring friends and neighbors and come to Pennell Park behind Newbegin Gym, 24 Main St., from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. June 24 for the town’s first ever Community Day.

Kick off the summer getting to know fellow community members and join in activities like a “free to enter, free to judge” chili cook-off, with prizes. Get your material ready to participate in the open mic for Dad Jokes. Meet the members of Gray’s Town Council, town committees and community groups to learn more about their roles and contribute your ideas to keep Gray growing strong.

Marilyn Keating-Porcaro can be contacted at mkp657@aol.com.

There will be live music and activities for the whole family. Free hot dogs and popcorn will be available and a B&R ice cream truck will be on site.

Be sure to stick around, too, for Gray’s annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

For more information and an entry form to the chili cook-off, email gcd@graymaine.org or text 609-576-3884.

Bottles benefit injured student

Twisted Nickels Redemption Center in New Gloucester is accepting bottle redemptions and donations to go toward the Gray-New Gloucester student hit May 30 when exiting the school bus on Lewiston Road. Just bring in bottles and cans and let attendees know they are intended for the fund.

The redemption center is located at 1013 Lewiston Road, New Gloucester, and open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 to 5 p.m. Call 926-3464 for more information.

Municipal election

The annual municipal election takes place Tuesday, June 13. Residents can vote in person at the Newbegin Gym in the Henry Pennell Municipal Complex at 24 Main St. between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

For a sample ballot or to see the FY24 budget and FY22 audit, visit graymaine.org.

Gray Pride

A Pride Month celebration will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 11, in the town center, at the intersection of Shaker and Main streets. Visit fb.me/e/QMPABfxM for more information.

GNG Garden Group

Join the new Gray-New Gloucester garden group for neighborly tips on summer gardening and to share resources and knowledge in projects like community gardens, invasive plant removal, raised-bed gardening, composting, permaculture, plant swaps and more.

The group gets together about twice a month. For more information, join the G-NG Garden Group on Facebook and/or follow the Gray Trail Network page. Future dates and times will also be posted on Gray’s town website, graymaine.org, under Community Events.

Library book sale

Gray Public Library will host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 10. New donations are not accepted. Call 657-3112 for more information or email graylib@graymaine.org.

Flag retirement

Flag Day commemorates the approval of the United States’ official flag design, June 14, 1777. The holiday was recognized by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and officially adopted as a national holiday in 1949.

The American Legion Post 86 in Gray will hold a flag retirement ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at 15 Lewiston Road. For more information, visit facebook.com/americanlegionpost86Gray or mainelegion.org, or call 657-4884.

Additionally, Post 86 will host a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, June 16. Sign up at redcross.org.

Food trucks at Wildlife Park

Food Truck Friday has started up again at Maine Wildlife Park for the summer. Every Friday from noon to 6 p.m., a different food truck will sell a bite to eat or a sweet treat. Visit mainewildlifepark.com for more information.