Pinewood Derby

Cub Scouts in Pack 800 spent Saturday morning racing their hand-crafted cars against one another with many races resulting in very close finishes. This highly anticipated annual event is one of Pack 800’s most popular activities, and its success is the affect of a collaborative effort. A strong parental volunteer base makes it possible and a heartfelt thank-you also goes out to the Raymond Lions Club for donating a delicious pancake breakfast to start off the day.

Before the race cars started speeding down the track, the Lions served their traditional pre-race pancake breakfast. The scouts and their families feasted on pancakes, bacon, sausage and orange juice. Well nourished with a hearty breakfast, the scouts and parents were then ready for a morning of racing. All proceeds from the breakfast were given to Pack 800, which is one of many ways our Lions serve our community.

Although it was emphasized that all the boys were winners, the top five boys were awarded trophies and will move on to compete in the Casco Bay District Derby in April. The fastest five racers were Boden Sabasteanski, Keegan Brooks, Al Potter, Cole Pomeroy, and Alec Brooks. Congratulations to all the scouts for displaying outstanding sportsmanship.

Loon Echo Snowfest

You have to love winter in Maine. Throughout the past several weeks, fishing derbies and winter carnivals were canceled due to lack of cold and snow. Last weekend, everything was canceled due to the ferocity of Blizzard Nemo which brought freezing temperatures, whipping wind and too much snow. Not enough snow then too much snow has wreaked havoc on event planners. Fortunately, the upcoming weekend looks perfect and as Loon Echo Land Trust’s Event Manager, I am thrilled. Our second annual Snowfest is a go and will be held this Saturday, Feb. 16, from 9-11 a.m. at Five Fields Farm located on Route 107 in South Bridgton. This family friendly day will include 5K and 10K timed cross-county ski races, a kids’ snowshoe race, and snowmen making contests. Warm up by the bonfire and enjoy hot chocolate and refreshments. Come for one or all of the events or just simply ski or snowshoe at your own pace on the nicely groomed trails. The nominal fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children will include trail passes, equipment rentals, and refreshments.

This event is a great opportunity to learn about Loon Echo’s mission to conserve land in the Sebago Lake region and to spend time being active on these lands. Loon Echo conserves more than 4,000 acres of land in our area including such treasures as the newly acquired Hackers Hill, Pleasant Mountain which offers gorgeous views of the White Mountains, and Bald Pate Mountain which has over five miles of hiking, snowshoeing and cross country ski trails and is located next to Five Fields Farm. Five Fields has been offering cross-country skiing for over a decade on more than 27K of trails looping around their apple orchards at an elevation of 850 feet offering breathtaking views. For more information or to register in advance, visit www.lelt.org or contact me at trek@lelt.org or 647-4352. I would love to see you there.

Hooked on Fishing

And don’t forget, if you are looking for something for the kids to do during school vacation, the 2013 Kittery Trading Post “Hooked on Fishing” kids’ ice fishing derby will be held on Monday, Feb. 18, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Range Pond State Park located on Empire Road in Poland. “Hooked on Fishing,” brought to you by Kittery Trading Post and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is an introduction to ice fishing, especially organized for children not familiar with and desiring to experience the basics of ice fishing. The first 500 pre-registered entries for children 12 years and under arriving before 10 a.m. will receive an ice fishing rig. Children 12 and under are free; however, there is a state-mandated gate fee of $1.50 per person over age 12, which will be collected at the Range Pond State Park entrance. Those over age 65 are free to enter the park as well. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.icefishingderby.com by clicking on the “Kid’s Derby” tab. Contact Tammy at 756-5959 for more information.

Play Lacrosse

Are you a lacrosse player looking for some extra tips and time just to play the game? There will be a boys’ lacrosse clinic held at the Alfond Center at St. Joseph’s College on Feb. 21-22 from 9 a.m. until noon. This clinic is free, although donations are welcome and available to players in grades 3-8. Players should bring full lacrosse gear and will need to have a guardian sign a release. Registration in advance is not necessary; simply show up at St. Joe’s on the 21st and be ready to play.

Public Sing

The Raymond Village Community Church will hold its next public hymn sing on Sunday, Feb. 17, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. This is an old-fashioned open hymn sing just for the joy of it. All are welcome and encouraged to participate: no service, no sermon, and no collection. This will include old favorites, new selections, and your requests covering all traditions and all ages and led by RVCC’s Music Director, Karen Strange. If you love to sing, especially if you love to sing hymns, you will love this. For more information, contact Rev. Nancy Foran at the church office at 655-7749 or nancy1@maine.rr.com.

Volunteer Coordinator Needed

I’m sure you have noticed that the appearance of Raymond has improved over the past several years. You can’t help but notice the gardens, walkways, lampposts and flags when you drive through town. Lots of this improved look is the result of the Raymond Beautification Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers working to improve the Route 302 corridor to enhance the look for residents and visitors and to entice businesses to move here. Do you have an eye for landscaping? Would you like to be a part of this group?

The Raymond Board of Selectmen is looking for a candidate to fill the Volunteer Coordinator position on the Raymond Beautification Committee. This committee maintains and enhances the sense of community pride and visual appearance of the Town of Raymond through the use of gardens, landscaping and seasonal decorations. The Volunteer Coordinator will recruit new volunteers and lead them in weekly work sessions on the landscaping installed at the beach during the Route 302 Improvement Project. The work includes weeding and pruning from April to November and regular email communication with committee members and other volunteers. Candidates should love hard work and people and be able to work in beach roses. More information is available by contacting town manager Don Willard at don.willard@raymondmaine.org or Committee Chair Sharon Dodson at rdodson@maine.rr.com. You can also download a volunteer application form on the town website.