Your community news from Raymond.

Casco Days

Late July in the Lakes Region is a wonderful time of year and I cannot believe it has already been 18 years since I moved to this area. Having lived in Portland and seeking wide open space and clean air, I was excited to move to Casco, where I could enjoy acres of undeveloped land and hours of peace. Quiet was not in store the weekend I moved here, however, and I abandoned unpacking and went to discover what was causing the heavy traffic and excitement. I discovered it was Casco Days, an annual festival “always held the last weekend in July.” For a small town I had never heard of, I was amazed at how big this event was. The tiny town was mobbed all weekend with people enjoying the children’s parade, grand parade, fireworks, 4-mile road race, church supper, pancake breakfast, a midway featuring games and rides, and many musical shows. A few years later I moved to Raymond, got married and had children. However, each year, we eagerly attend this big small-town event. Celebrating its 75th year, Casco Days began Thursday and continues through Saturday night. For a detailed schedule, visit the Web site at http://www.cascodays.org. Don’t miss it!

Yard sale

Each year, the eighth-grade class at Jordan Small Middle School ends its journey in the Raymond schools with a year-end commemoration followed by a class trip. This has not only provided the students with a sense of completion and celebration, but also an opportunity for one final gathering before they separate and head off to several different high schools. The trip has become part of the eighth-grade culture, and fundraising efforts are held all year to make this trip possible.

The upcoming class is starting its fundraising by hosting a yard sale on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bright Beginnings/Ultimate Hair and Tanning on Route 302. There will be toys, clothing and household items available, as well as a perennial plant sale and a bake sale.

In the event of rain, the sale will be held on Sunday, Aug. 2. For more information, please contact Stacey Richmond at 655-5097.

By the book

Calista M. Allen, daughter of David and Kimberly Allen of Raymond and a student at Poland Regional High School, has been named the 2009 recipient of the Saint Michael’s College Scholarship and Service Book Award. The award recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and leadership through community service.

PTO scholarships

The Raymond PTO has always been a very active group in town, playing a critical role in the education of our children. This strong group of volunteers dedicates many hours enhancing the educational and cultural experience in the schools.

The PTO finished the school year by performing the last order of business; awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. For years, two scholarships have been awarded based on several criteria including grades, citizenship and merit. After the tragic death of Julie Orsini, a wonderful woman who was passionate about children, worked in the schools, and was an avid member of the PTO, a third scholarship was created to be awarded to a student who had overcome significant barriers in his/her personal life and had sought to further his/her education.

This year, the recipients of the two original scholarships were Alyson Shadler and Evan Flynn. Alyson will be attending Saint Joseph’s College and Evan will be attending Ithaca College. Both graduated from Poland Regional High School. The Julie Orsini Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Megan Harding. Megan will be attending Saint Joseph’s College and also graduated from Poland Regional High School. Congratulations to all three of these deserving students.

Health resources at the library

The Raymond Village Library has been awarded a mini-grant from the Communities Promoting Health Coalition, a local Healthy Maine Partnership participant and a program of the People’s Regional Opportunity Program. The purpose of this grant is to help libraries enhance and update their inventory of resources supporting healthy lifestyles. Books purchased with the monies address issues of healthy eating, physical activity, substance abuse and mental disorders. Stop by the library to check out its newest health resources.

Flip a coin for finance

One of the greatest attributes of Raymond is its active volunteers. There is a true sense of community with people always working to help one another and enrich this town. Our committees and boards are filled with professional and passionate members offering their time and services. For this reason, I was surprised to hear of the recent vote at the latest selectmen’s meeting.

As the new fiscal year rolled around, there were three seats open on the Budget and Finance Committee; however, only two people ran. Robert Gosselin and Susan Accardi each received approximately 250 votes to win two of the three seats. That left the third seat open and on the June 9 town election, there were two write-in candidates receiving three votes each.

Both of the write-in candidates, Peter Dunn and Charles Leavitt, wished to serve on the committee and agreed to a coin toss to determine which one would take the third open seat. At the selectmen’s meeting on July 14, Peter Dunn won the coin toss and will be sworn in as the newest member of the Budget and Finance Committee.

With so many of our surrounding towns debating the efficacy of town meetings and our own small turnout at our meeting and elections, I hope things turn around in Raymond so future decisions are not made by flipping a coin.

Community meal

There will be a free community meal held at Christ Chapel, 27 Northern Ponds Road, on Aug. 28 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The menu will consist of assorted casseroles, desserts, and hot and cold beverages. Part of several missions the Christ Chapel supports, free meals are intended to bring members of the church as well as their friends and families together to enjoy a delicious meal and friendship. For more information, please call Michele Tarr at the chapel at 655-5058.