Happy Holidays

Another year is coming to an end and once again, I am stunned at how fast the year flew by. With only a handful of days left in the much anticipated year of 2012, I am grateful that we are still here to talk about it. The year was filled with many victories and failures all of which seem to have brought people closer together.

As I write this, our country is struggling to understand and recover from last week’s unfathomable school shooting in Connecticut. We’ve also endured Hurricane Sandy, a presidential election, tornadoes and twisters, Olympic games, Sandusky trials, the Petraeus scandal, and Powerball jackpots, just a few of the events making it a huge year in the news.

Locally, close friends are facing huge challenges and fighting for their lives. Our schools continue to adapt to consolidation, and our kids are growing as fast as the changes made to accommodate them. Fortunately, our community continues to unite on all fronts and together, we will move forward the best we can. As always, I am happy to be part of this tight community.

As I spend the final few days of the year enjoying my family and friends, reflecting on the past and dreaming about the future, this year more than most, I feel connected to the importance of friendship. I wish you all a year filled with excellent health, enriched friendships and new adventures.

Christmas Cantata

The Raymond Village Community Church, located on Main Street, will hold a Christmas Cantata called “Gloria Deo: A Service of Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 23, from 10-11 a.m. The RVCC adult choir and selected soloists, led by Music Director Karen Strange, will be presenting Benjamin Harlan’s beloved cantata. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in this memorable celebration of the spirit and joy of Christmas. For more information, contact the Rev. Nancy Foran at the church office at 655-7749 or nancy1@maine.rr.com.

Dipping for Special Olympics

At noontime on New Year’s Day, a group of warm-hearted people will jump into the cold ocean to help others. For the sixth consecutive year, Team Raymond, a group comprised of Raymond teachers and community members including Mary Thornton, Jean Thornton, Jack Fitch, John Dionne, and John Keller, will take the icy plunge into the Atlantic Ocean to benefit Special Olympics programs of Maine, an organization dear to my heart.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them opportunities to build self esteem, skills and friendships.

Since they began dipping, Team Raymond has raised close to $22,000 and they hope to raise even more this year. This season, give a gift that will really make a difference in the lives of many people. Please join me and sponsor Team Raymond as they bravely take the plunge. You can do so online by visiting their fundraising page at: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/JohnKeller/2013-lobster-dip or by sending a check made payable to Special Olympics Maine and mailed to team captain John Keller at 22 Charlonate Drive, Gray, ME 04039.

Winter Reading

Alas, the snow and cold are here. Could there be anything more comforting than curling up near a warm fire with a good book? The selection at the Raymond Village Library continues to grow every day and includes all the latest bestsellers and a wide variety of books, audios and videos. However, now that winter weather is here, safety is a priority. In the event of inclement weather, the library may be closed so please call ahead before making the drive. In addition, if school is closed or delayed, storytime will be cancelled for that day.

I would also like to remind you about the library’s outreach program. If you are unable to get to the library due to winter conditions, lack of transportation, illness, or any other reason, please call the library at 655-4283, and they will be happy to deliver your reading materials to you.

Annual Report

The 2012 Town of Raymond Annual Report is now available. You can obtain printed copies at the town office and the Raymond Village Library or if you would like to read it online, you can download it by visiting the town website at http://raymondmaine.org. Packed with news and reviews of the past year from each department and committee, as well as several pages of financial reports, the annual report also includes many outstanding photos of sights around town including a spectacular cover photo of Panther Run taken by Jeff Murdock.

Holiday Hours

The Town Office will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas and will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26. It will also be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Years and reopening Wednesday, Jan. 2. The Town Office staff, officials and volunteers would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday.

The Raymond Village Library will be closed on Mondays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, but will be open on Sundays, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. If in doubt, please call the library at 655-4283. There will be no storytime on Wednesday, Dec. 26, and the children’s programs will resume Jan. 2.