Beach cleanup

I was driving by Crescent Beach very early one morning and witnessed the most stunning sunrise I have ever seen. The fiery red sky was reflecting on the water and I felt so grateful to live in the beautiful town of Raymond. Our undeveloped lands, foothills and lakes are really quite special. Of course, it takes the work and commitment of many people to keep our town so beautiful. With that in mind, volunteers are needed for the annual Crescent Beach Cleanup on Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Many hands make light work so bring a rake and come help get our beach ready for the fun summer months ahead. The work consists mostly of raking the leaves and pine needles out of the water to provide a nice sandy beach for swimming.

Plants and paperbacks

Do not forget the Raymond Village Library’s annual plant sale this Saturday, June 12, from 7 a.m. until noon. There will be great plants at very inexpensive prices including perennials, groundcovers, herbs, flowering shrubs, bedding plants, annuals, and houseplants. In addition, this year there will be vegetable and herb seedlings to help you grow your own organic food. Information on building a rain garden will be available for those who wish to try something new and different. The infamous paperback book sale will also start on this day so stop by and pick up some great summer reads. This is always a popular event so be sure to go early for the best selection

Soccer registrations

Many of us are very excited about another incredible summer filled with fun outdoor activities and perhaps have not given any thought to fall sports. However, it takes time to formulate teams and recruit coaches so registrations need to be held early. If you missed the soccer sign-ups last week, please contact Stacey Richmond at 655-5097 immediately. The Raymond Recreation fall soccer program for boys and girls in kindergarten through sixth grade is an excellent program and only costs $35 per player. Also, volunteer coaches for all ages are needed. Being involved with the kids, helping them hone their skills while witnessing their growth and love for the sport is a very fun and rewarding job. Please give it consideration.

Teachers’ Hall of Fame

Jani Cummings, a first-grade teacher at Raymond Elementary School, has been selected as one of the 2010 Unum Maine Teachers’ Hall of Fame Starting 9. She will be honored at the Portland Sea Dogs game on June 18 where she will receive a personalized Sea Dogs jersey and throw out the first pitch of the game. Raymond families are invited to attend this special game at Hadlock Field in Portland. For more information on purchasing tickets, call the school at 655-8672.

Principal Norma Richard said, “I am delighted to recognize the outstanding work that Ms. Cummings has brought to the Raymond schools for over 30 years. In celebrating this teacher, we are also celebrating the efforts of all of our teachers and support staff.” I am sure that all those who have had the privilege of being taught by Cummings would definitely agree that she is quite deserving of this honor.

Knights host sale

The Knights of Columbus will be holding their 10th Annual Yard Sale on Saturday, June 12, from 8 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Windham, just over the town line. This annual event is always full of many treasures and all proceeds go to support the Knights Council 10020 scholarship program for high school and college students. This yard sale is very big so it is held outside in the parking lot of the church. In the event of rain, it will be held the following Saturday, June 19.

Strawberry festival

Spring arrived early and it seems everything is blooming a month ahead of time. Gardens are already well established and we will be eating fresh vegetables soon. Local strawberry farms are already opening and it is time to begin picking.

The Hawthorne Community Association will be hosting its Annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 26, from 7-9 pm. at the Hawthorne House on Raymond Cape Road. To kick off the event, John Manoush, president and historian of the Hawthorne Community Association, will give a historical talk at 6:30 p.m. featuring “what everyday life was like in Raymond during the early 1800s when Nathanial Hawthorne lived here.” This event is open to the public with a requested donation of $5 per adult and $3 for children 8 and under. Come enjoy delicious strawberry shortcake topped with real dairy whipped cream. For planning purposes, please make reservations before June 18 by contacting John at jmanoush@fairpoint.net or 655-7660.

Singing at Merrill

Jordan Small Middle School students Hannah Brackett and Morgan Lamontagne have been selected to perform in PortOpera’s production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” at the Merrill Auditorium on July 29 and 30. Singing on the stage at Merrill is a prestigious honor and very well deserved by these two incredible singers. The girls auditioned in May along with middle-school-aged singers throughout the state and were two of the few chosen to perform.

“Hansel and Gretel” is ideal for introducing the young people in your life to opera and I look forward to seeing our own Hannah and Morgan perform on stage. Treat yourself to a fine performance this summer. Tickets may be ordered by calling PortTix at 842-0800 or by visiting www.porttix.com

PHK meets again

Parents Helping Kids Make Good Choices has set a consistent schedule and will now meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Public Safety Building. This month’s meeting will be held on June 17 at 6:30 p.m. and Jeff Smith, resource officer at Windham High School, will be talking with the group. All are invited to attend. For more information, contact Kathleen Tolman at ktolman7@maine.rr.com.

Excelling in languages

Each year, language students at North Yarmouth Academy participate in the National Language Exams in French, Latin, and Spanish and achieve excellent results. This year, 100 students earned 102 language awards, including four students in the top five in Maine in French, eleven gold medals in Latin, and three gold medals in Spanish.

Freshman Emma Laprise was honored with a gold medal in Spanish 1 for the top 5 percent nationally on this exam taken by over 33,000 students, and she had the highest score in the state of Maine. Congratulations, Emma!