Dynamic Duo

Rhiannon and Adrienne Pelletier recently performed in the Maine State Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” held at Merrill Auditorium. This is Rhiannon’s 12th year performing in “The Nutcracker.” This year Rhiannon played the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop Fairy and Lead Arabian. Adrienne’s 11th year performing, she was lead Chinese, the Columbine Doll and Clara.

Rhiannon is a junior attending Saint Joseph’s College with a major in journalism. She teaches at Maine State Ballet, is a member of the Maine State Ballet Co. and also teaches ballet at CenterStage in Raymond. Adrienne is a high school senior, takes classes at Saint Joseph’s College and is an assistant teacher at CenterStage alongside her sister. When Adri is not dancing she loves to bake.

If you missed the Maine State Ballet’s Nutcracker you can catch the Studio For The Living Arts performance at Windham High School Auditorium on Dec. 13 at 2 or 7 p.m. Students from area studios, including CenterStage, will take part in this performance sponsored by Studio for the Living Arts in Gray. Members of the Windham High School choir will provide live singing during the performance. Emily Gagne of Raymond will conduct the chorus for the performance. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.studioforthelivingarts@yahoo.com or call 657-3006. The SLA Nutcracker performance will provide a portion of the proceeds to a local charity.

Christmas in the Village

The annual “Christmas in The Village” Fair takes place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Raymond Village Community Church, 27 Main St. (Route 121 just off Route 302), Raymond Village.

Don’t miss an extra-special Christmas in The Village – a great way to begin your holiday season! Come hungry as breakfast will be served starting at 8 a.m. (egg sandwiches, coffee cake, tea/coffee, hot cocoa, and cider). Lunch will follow beginning at 11 a.m., offering soups, sandwiches and hot dogs.

The fair features a wide variety of quality handmade knitted hats, mittens or scarves, as well as crafts and gifts from local artisans. Wreathes are available and can be custom-decorated while you shop. Baked goods are always a staple at the Fair. Fill a container with cookies on the Cookie Walk or take home other delicious home baked goods for giving – or not!

Venture upstairs to local business tables for great deals. Check out the Silent Auction, full of items and deals from generous local merchants. Kids have lots to do as well, including crafts, decorating gingerbread cookies, and visiting with Santa Claus. RVCC’s own Very Occasional Men’s Choir will be singing carols in the morning.

Come for an hour or come for the entire time. Enjoy the music and the warmth and friendliness of Raymond’s “Small Church with the Big Heart.”

For more information, contact Polly at 892-4301.

Hanging of the Greens Service

Where did the symbols of Christmas come from? Come to Raymond Village Church Sunday morning, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. to hear the stories and legends behind some of the most cherished Christmas symbols, such as Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and poinsettias.

“The Christmas season abounds with customs and traditions, but most of us probably never stop to wonder about their origins,” says RVCC Pastor Nancy Foran. “For instance; we decorate our homes inside and out with lights, candles and greenery. But do we know anything about where these customs came from and what these symbols mean?”

This is a family-oriented service that offers everyone the chance to deepen their understanding of Christmas by learning more about the early-Christian, Celtic, Roman and Norse origins of the iconic symbols of the season.

During the service, all children and youth are invited to help decorate the Church sanctuary. The service will include the singing of a variety of beloved Christmas carols and the lighting of the church’s Christmas tree.

Raymond Village Community Church is located at 27 Main St. For more information, contact 655-7749.

Library Bake and Gift Sale

On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the library will have tables filled with decorative cookies, delicious pastries, yummy pies, breads, candies and all kinds of scrumptious sweets presented in festive wrappings. These goodies will help cut down on your holiday baking and make thoughtful gifts. There will also be the unique and reasonably-priced holiday gift baskets for sale at this time.

Those who are donating items to the bake sale are asked to bring them to the library on Saturday, Dec. 13 between 4-6 p.m. This enables those working on the sale to get them arranged and priced for the next day.

Story Time December Hours

There will be no story times the weeks of Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The children’s programs will resume on Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call the library at 655-4283.

Class of 2016 Holiday Fundraiser

The Windham High School class of 2016 is extending their wreath and centerpiece order for the holidays. Proceeds will go toward the class of 2016. You can order wreaths up to Dec 12. Wreaths and centerpieces may be customized by choosing candle and bow colors. To receive an order form, contact Jinny Thomas at jthomas@windhamraymondschools.org. Orders received by Dec. 12 may be picked up Dec. 17 at 8 Corners Farm in Windham or at Windham High School.

Lions Club Tree Sale

The Raymond Lions Club will be selling Christmas trees at The Good Life Market Dec. 6 and 7 and Dec. 13 and 14 beginning at 9 a.m. Cost will be $35 per tree, and all proceeds from this sale will go to help fund Lions Club projects. Why don’t you plan on getting a fresh, full fir tree and support the good works of the Lions Club!

Lockdown Drill at JSMS

JSMS did a lockdown drill the morning of Nov. 20. Law enforcement and fire/rescue staff were there to monitor the drill along with our school district security consultant. Randy Crockett, principal of JSMS, was pleased to report that the students did a great job following instructions and remaining quiet in the locations they were directed to go to.

The visitors who observed the drill inside and outside the school offered the emergency response team a few pointers but were overall very impressed with how the students and staff responded as soon as the lock down announcement occurred. Please contact Randy Crockett at 655-4743 if you have any questions about the drill or JSMS safety and emergency protocols.

Pet Pictures With Santa

Santa will be at Dog Gone Grooming/Emily’s Place on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for holiday pet pictures. Cash donations accepted. There will also be raffles and a bake sale. All proceeds go to benefit the Maine Greyhound Placement Services. Dog Gone Grooming is located at 1311 Roosevelt Trail in Raymond. For more information, contact Julie at 899-9315.

Raymond Rec Citrus Sale

There’s still time to purchase some fresh Florida citrus fruit to benefit the Raymond Recreation summer swim program.

Advance orders with payment will be taken. Extra fruit is ordered each year but cannot guarantee availability of specific varieties. Direct shipment from Florida is scheduled for the week of Dec. 3. Pickup is Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Location in Raymond is same as previously, 5 Damon Road (off Route 85 at the Murrays). If you do not wish to purchase a box of fruit for yourself, perhaps you would consider making a gift and doubling your impact by purchasing a box that could then be delivered with the food baskets prepared by several local food pantries. Order forms can be found on the bulletin board at the Raymond Post Office or Town Hall. To order or make a tax-deductible contribution mail check and form to: Raymond Rec, 33 Wawenock Road, Raymond, ME 04071. Questions, call 655-4657.

Rhiannon Pelletier, left, and Adrienne Pelletier of Raymond recently played in the Maine State Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”