Support for Sandy

I have always treasured living in this community because I know of no other place filled with people who support and care for each other like those in Raymond, and this deep level of caring is currently happening for Sandy Winde. Sandy was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is undergoing costly treatments. Sandy is a longtime Raymond resident, dedicated husband, father of four boys, baseball coach, Scout leader, Eagle Scout, community volunteer…the list goes on and on. When news spread of his disease, the stunned and saddened community instantly reacted and began planning events to help Sandy and his family. Earlier this month, a softball tournament was held which was very successful. A group of high school students organized a bake sale, which was held during Homecoming week, and T-shirts have been designed and are on sale for $10. A spaghetti dinner is scheduled for Nov. 3 and a talent show for Nov. 9. Plans are also in the works for a turkey trot, street dance, Halloween event, and Zumbathon. Information about all these events can be found by joining the Sandy Winde for Life group on Facebook or by calling Brenda Olsen at 655-4670. Brenda is helping groups to organize all these events and encourages you to call her for details. True to his character of always helping others, Sandy has not asked for any help and is overwhelmed with gratitude for all that’s being done for him. He remains positive, full of faith and determined to fight and win this battle. I look forward to reporting his cancer-free prognosis. In the meantime, please visit the Facebook page and find out how you can help.

Volleyball

The Windham High School girls volleyball team is continuing to hold fundraisers to earn money to pay team expenses. They will hold a car wash on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Napa Auto Parts in Windham. There is no set fee to get your car washed, but donations are appreciated. On Sunday, Oct. 28, there will be a Zumba Festival at the North Windham Union Church next to Amato’s. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the fun begins at 1. The cost is only $10 per person. Dinah Aldrich will be leading the class and promises a fun workout. For more information, please contact Diane Tanguay at 420-6024 or dispan2@aol.com.

Winter Sports

With temperatures dropping as quickly as the leaves, it is time to register your kids for winter sports. The Raymond Recreation Association will be holding its basketball and ski sign-up night on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the Jordan-Small Middle School. Both the student and a parent must be present.

Once again, a seven-week skiing program will be held on the slopes of Shawnee Peak and is offered to all students from Raymond Elementary and Jordan-Small Middle School in grades 1-8. Students will ski after school on Wednesday afternoons. Volunteers are needed for chaperoning the buses, transporting equipment, and instructing on the slopes. For more information, please contact Beth Clark at 627-8771 or LRPMCO@fairpoint.net or Shannon Nassa at 650-4526 or snassa76@gmail.com.

Basketball registrations will also be held that night for players in kindergarten through sixth grade. Three programs will be offered; a K-2 skills and drills co-ed program and separate boys and girls programs for grades 3-4 and grades 5-6. Volunteers are still needed to make this program run smoothly. Please stop by to learn how you can help. For registration forms, fee structures and detailed information visit the Raymond Recreation Association page on the town’s website.

A Village Halloween

Can it already be that time of year again? Soon the town’s most creative decorators will transform their homes into scary haunts and the streets will be flooded with trick-or-treaters. Halloween is right around the corner and kids will be making their way up and down the roads collecting their treats. The area in the village is the most popular haunting spot with houses decked out and children galore. Residents in the village receive up to 400 trick-or-treaters on Halloween, which is quite the sight to see. Each year, the Raymond Village Library collects candy and then delivers it to the residents of the village to help them feed all their visitors. This reverse trick-or-treating concept is another example of the strong community we have here in Raymond. If you would like to contribute candy to the residents in the village, please drop it off at the library by Wednesday, Oct. 24, so it can be delivered on time. Your treats will help make this night fun and memorable.

Halloween Storytime

Speaking of Halloween, we all know that Halloween in the village is a very festive and fun place to spend the spooky evening. If you have little ones and want to get an early start, why not kick off the evening with a special haunting Halloween storytime, which will take place at the Raymond Village Library on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 4:30 p.m. All ghosts, goblins, and other trick-or-treaters are invited to join in on this fun storytime that is sure to set the mood for trick-or-treating.

Crafters Wanted

Fall is in the air and with it comes craft fairs. Do you have a trade you would like to exhibit before a large audience? The Windham Athletic Boosters is busy planning their 19th Annual Holiday Craft Fair and invite you to rent a table. The fair will be held on Nov. 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and attracts hundreds of people. The cost is $80 with an additional $5 for electricity if needed. Each space is 6 feet deep by 9 feet wide, and the fee includes an 8-foot table and two chairs. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, and wall space is limited. If you are interested in renting a space, call Eleanor Butts at 837-3956 or Tanda Butts at 807-6910 or email Whscraftfair@aol.com. For those of us who aren’t crafters but appreciate the talent, mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Get Your Tickets

Have you purchased your tickets for the Windham Chamber Singers’ infamous holiday concert, “An American Family Holiday?” Tickets went on sale last week and both shows have nearly sold out. The concert will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The Windham Chamber Singers are conducted by Dr. Rick Nickerson and consists of 40 of Raymond and Windham’s best singers who attend Windham High School. Once again, they will be joined by the incredibly talented and entertaining Daniel Strange and Ashley Liberty and this year, the special guest star will be American Idol finalist, LaKisha Jones. Don’t wait; purchase your tickets today by visiting http://www.windhamchambersingers.com.

Community Connections

There is a newly formed group in town and you are invited to join. Community Connections is made up of business owners and professionals who meet to get to know each other and promote their businesses. The goal of this group is to learn from each other and grow their businesses within the Raymond community. The group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. at the Raymond Village Library. Stop by and check it out. For more information, call David Sands at 482-2827.

Electronic Recycling

Electronic recycling is back. This is your opportunity to get rid of all those old televisions, computers, telephones, VCRs and DVD players in a conscientious way. The Windham Hill United Church of Christ is hosting their annual electronics recycling day on Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Windham Mall next to Friendly’s Restaurant. Simply bring your recyclables to this location and they will be recycled in an environmentally friendly way. For more information, call Judy at 653-5989.