A Trip Worth Writing About

It is not too often I get to write about myself but this issue is an exception. I had the amazing privilege of traveling to India on a two-week volunteer trip. My trip started in Delhi then on to Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar and Ameritsar then back to Delhi to fly home.

Although there were up to 20 of us staying at the hostels at one time my volunteer group consisted of seven of us traveling from the U.S., England and Ireland. Our volunteer services consisted of teaching English and math to students ages 3-14, as well as exercising and playing with the kids. When we were volunteering we were traveling to a new location but along the way were given many opportunities to see the beautiful temples and architecture of India. The Taj Majal was one of our stops and I have now visited two of the seven wonders of the world. Only five more to go!

Volunteering with the children was the highlight of the trip but a two-day camel safari in the desert takes second place. If anyone is interested in learning more about volunteering overseas (India or other countries) please feel free to reach out to me.

Everybody Loves Raymond

The first annual “Everybody Loves Raymond, Maine” Fourth of July Celebration was a big success! It would not have been possible without the support from the businesses, donors and volunteers. There was a very strong turnout with an estimated 300-400 people in attendance between the ceremony, parade and the festival. Between donations and purchases, the event raised more than $500 toward next year’s event.

One patron described the event as “everything that a local, small-town festival should be” and we couldn’t be more proud!

A special mention to the Raymond Fire Department because without them, the parade would not have been possible!

Another big thanks to the following businesses for their financial support: The Good Life Market, CenterStage, Sedona, Mexicali Blues, Essentials Salon, Raymond Shopping Center, Premiere Properties, Fisherman’s Net, Island Cover, Innovative Distribution Services, Raymond Revitalization Committee, and Be the Influence Coalition.

Keep your eyes open for upcoming meetings to plan for next year.

Raymond Village Library July News

• Summer Reading Program

“Every Hero has a Story” is the theme of this year’s summer reading program, which kicked off June 28. On Monday, July 20, there will be Super Hero, Mr. H2O, Science Experiment, 10:30 a.m. at the Raymond Public Safety Building. On Monday, July 27, there will be a Super Hero Police Show with local police at 10:30 a.m. at the library or if raining, at the Raymond Public Safety Building. Sponsors for the summer reading program keep cost low for the library, they are Gorham Savings Bank, IDS (Industrial Distribution Services) and ECS (Engineered Construction Services).

• Annual Book Sale

On Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. is the date of the Raymond Village Library’s Annual Book Sale. This is a great opportunity to pick up summer reading or that special book to add to your personal library. There are a variety of books from which to choose, all at low prices. A selection of sale books will be available throughout the year.

• Do you like a good yarn?

Are you amazed by creative people and admire what they can do? Just take a good yarn, add several knitting needles or a crochet hook and some fun like-minded people and you can be that creative person. A small group of knitters and crocheters will meet at the library on Sunday, July 26, at 1 p.m. to visit, knit and/or crochet just for fun. Whatever you have for a project or if you want to start something new, this is the place to be to get suggestions, help or even yarn and needles. No need to register, just show up. It is a great way to meet new friends and enjoy an interesting, productive Sunday afternoon.

• Book Group

The book chosen for July is, “Love, Anthony,” by Lisa Genova. This is a novel about an accidental friendship, which gives a grieving mother a priceless gift: the ability to understand the thoughts of her 8-year-old autistic son and make sense of his brief life. Two women, each cast adrift by unforeseen events in their lives, meet by accident on a Nantucket beach and are drawn into a friendship that brings comfort and meaning to them both. We invite all interested readers to the Hawthorne House on Raymond Cape Road on Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m., to discuss and share thoughts. The book will be available upon request at the library. For more information, call the library at 655-4283.

• Keep Kids Reading

During July and August, the Raymond Village Library is providing an opportunity to “adopt” a children’s book through our Keep Kids Reading summer initiative and present it to the library’s collection. Books for young children through young adults will be on display at the library for you to choose from. Library patrons can purchase a book to honor a special person or event, or to remember a loved one. Each book is $10. After a book is purchased, a plaque will be inscribed and permanently placed inside. For more information, call the library at 655-4283 or email sall.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.

Academic Success

Congratulations to the following Jordan-Small Middle School students for making honor roll the final semester of the 2014-15 school year.

Grade 5

Isabel Adkins, Olivia Adkins, Loghan Aycock, Oliver Backman, Ashley Bell, Logan Campbell, Declan Connor-Schaefer, Mackenzie Daigle, Isabel Dionne, Joshua Doughty, Raymond Dulac, Christian Ferrante, Amanda Foss, Dakota Foss, Aubrey Froisland, Emma Furey, Samuel Gurney, Hannah Hannes, Sarah Hare, Rafe Hebert, Kaylee Lacasse, Cameron Landry, Sydney Look, Elizabeth Miller, Colby Mizner, Torin Moore, Alice Morrison, Lily Oldershaw, Shae Perratto, Cole Pomeroy, Eli Rogers, Emma Rothrock, Sorcha Salom, Calahan Shimko, Sadie Tirrell, Nicholas Vella, Ellie Wilson, Alex Wing.

Grade 6

Keegan Aycock, Haley Bartlett, Liliana Beaton, Dawson Benoit, Alec Brooks, Keegan Brooks, Dominick Campbell, Molly Cochrane, Makenna Colby, Caleb Crockett, , Kayla Dube, Shyler Fielding, Louden Greene, Niall Gushue, Abigail Hanson, Kaitlyn Lawlor, Kristen Lawlor, Niklas Lessard, Dominique Look, Reese Merritt, Meghan Messinger, Mia Mizner, Trevor Mizner, Vania Murch, Claire Nelson, Elizabeth Peterson, Jayson Plummer, Nathan Plummer, Boden Sabasteanski, Fritz Van Winkle, Kiana Webster, Kaylee Welch, Ember Young.

Grade 7

Hailey Applebee, Trenton Atherton, Ashlee Bernier, Mya Bolk, Savanna Bradford, Ariana Chan, Benjamin Childs, Michaela Clark, Liam Conner-Schaefer, Biaggio Cushman, Kaleb Decker, Carlee Desrochers, Thomas DuPont, Callie Fielding, Ivan Kaffel, Davis Kinney, James Louko, Lindsey MacDonald, Calum Murray, Caitlyn Nassa, Sophey Potter, Brooke Proctor, Kylie Rhoades, Riley Silvia, Austyn Steeves, Isabelle Thomas, Damon Trueworthy-Cross, Leah Walker, Chelsea Welch, Whitney Wilson.

Grade 8

Hannah Bernier, Magdalene Bradford, Courtney Brown, Catherine Crockett, Colby Dionne, Elizabeth Donahue, Haley Froisland, Riley Gardner, Sophie Gardner, Danielle Gaudin, Kaitlyn Gedicks, Madison McCune, Richard Plummer, Carlee Richmond, Sophie Sangster, Grace Schmader, Victoria Schmader, Logan Strout, Bryce Sullivan, Alianah Timmons, Stearns Wallingford, Andrew Wing, Deven Young.

Beth Gaudet, in middle, at Elephant Village School in India with students Raoul, left, and Sanita. Courtesy photosBeth Gaudet takes an excursion on Joni the camel in India.