CenterStage Dancers

Seventy-eight dancers ages 5-17 from CenterStage Performing Arts competed at Turn it Up Dance Competition in Scarborough the weekend of March 14. The repertory team has been preparing solos, duos/trios and large group numbers in all dance disciplines for the competitions since last July. The teams did very well earning Gold, High Gold and Platinum awards as well as scoring top 10 in some of the categories. In addition to their awards, the dancers are given critiques so they know what was executed well and what they need to work on. They will be competing again with several local and out-of-state studios at Westbrook Performing Arts Center on April 5. They will also be performing at community fundraisers such as the Windham class of 2014 Dancing with the Staff on March 27 and April 10 as well as Perform for A Cure in South Portland on April 12.

Dancing with the Staff

Brian Rounds, a math and reading interventionist at Raymond Elementary School, will be performing in the Windham class of 2014 Project Graduation fundraiser Dancing with the Staff. Nine couples from the RSU 14 school district will be dancing. The first round was March 27 and the final round is April 10.

Couples consist of teachers, ed techs, coaches, staff support, school police officers and maintenance specialists. Dance teachers from CenterStage in Raymond, Studio for the Living Arts, Drouin Dance Center, Randy Preis, and Centre of Movement have donated their time during the past few months to “train” their dancers, although sometimes the dancing provides more comic relief than actual dancing. The audience places their vote at the end of the each show and the winners are determined by tallying votes from both shows. Rumor has it we may see some surfing, country dancing, a light saber show and disco. In the past, the show has raised more than $12,000 to be used for a chem-free graduation celebration. Last year, the class of 2013 was able to go attend an overnight white-water rafting trip. The performance is held at 7 p.m. at the WHS Performing Arts Center on April 10 and tickets may be purchased at the door.

Golf Scramble

Point Sebago Golf Resort will be hosting the first annual golf scramble on Sept. 21 to raise money to support the Raymond Baseball/Softball program. Gail Troiano, secretary of the Raymond Baseball/Softball program, said their hope is to have 60-80 golfers participate this first year with growth in that number in the future. The cost is $100 per player. $45 of each registered player goes back to the Baseball/Softball program. Any student that is part of the Raymond Baseball/Softball teams may play for only $55 per player. Included with the fee is 18 holes of golf with cart, steak and lobster dinner/desert, prizes as well as free greens fees for future play before June 1, 2015. Hole sponsorship is available at $100 per hole, which includes the advertising sign. To register or for more information, contact Joe Troiano at 891-7681 or via email at Joe.Troiano@zajacllc.com.

Library News

Deborah Gideon of Raymond will speak at the Raymond Village Library on Wednesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Deborah and her husband maintain organic gardens, orchards, chickens and bees. She has studied with various teachers and is a graduate of Rosemary Gladstar’s Sage Mountain Herb School’s Advanced Training in Vermont. Her education has also included many tutorials, and conferences with other internationally known herbalists.

In her clinical practice, she has successfully treated people with a variety of problems including arthritis, allergies, depression, headaches, heart conditions, infections, insomnia, skin conditions, PMS, and other issues affecting both women and men. Her primary focus, however, is helping people learn how to integrate plants into their everyday lives to enhance vitality and health.

Her talk will include information on spring tonics and teas. This is a free program and all those interested are invited. Please pre-register by signing up at the library, calling the library at 655-4283 or emailing the library at sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.

Game Day

Game Day this month will be Sunday, April 13, at 1 p.m. Bring a friend, bring a new game to try out or just come and have a good time. There are snacks and games galore.

Learn to Knit Socks

Do you sometimes knit, but would like to learn something new? Georgette Ouellette will be teaching a class on how to knit socks, beginning on Wednesday, April 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. The cost is $50 for six classes and the group is limited to six, so each person gets the help they might need. This is a fun and enjoyable way to learn a new skill and meet new people. Sign up at the library or call 655-4283 and have your name added to the list. For more information, call the library at 655-4283. Georgette will contact those planning to attend, giving information for necessary materials before classes begin.

Raymond CenterStage Mini Ballerinas along with other repertory dancers, competed in the Turn it Up Dance Competition March 14 at Scarborough High School. Pictured from left are Sydney Savard, Brianna Shaw, Allie Troiano, Alice Boudreau and Annabelle Montgomery.