Rotary helps recreation

Sebago Lake Rotary Club President Mark Morrison, left, presents a check for $2,000 to Raymond Recreation Department Director Joe Crocker. The funds will benefit projects that include children and families and purchasing equipment for those projects. Contributed / Sebago Lake Rotary Club

Lions Club member named Spirit of America winner

Gary Bibeau, who is very active in the Raymond Lions Club, has received the 2021 Raymond Spirit of America Foundation Tribute Award for commendable community service.

Bibeau received the municipal award for his continued selfless service to the members of the Raymond community, of which he has been a steadfast member for many years. In 2015, he became the operations manager for the Raymond Food Pantry, which serves approximately 130 clients per month. During his tenure, his responsibilities have included pickup and delivery from multiple sources, inventory management and preparing containers for distribution to needy families and seniors.

According to information posted about the award, Bibeau always displays a positive approach and a sense of humor even when managing multiple tasks. Bibeau is a trusted and reliable neighbor deeply rooted in charitable values and a lifetime of helping others in need.

PTO silent auction

The Raymond schools PTO Silent Auction is now open for bidding online. With over 100 items available, something for everyone can be found! Go to auction site GalaBid to browse or register to bid at app.galabid.com/auctionraymondpto.

Proceeds help support kids’ field trips, extracurricular activities, scholarships, teacher support and so many more learning opportunities in local schools. The auction will run until May 30. Feel free to share the auction with friends and family. All items will be picked up at a local, socially distanced location after the event.

Free school meals

There is some wonderful news coming from the school nutrition department again this year: School meals are not only available to all children at no charge, but both breakfast and lunch will also continue to be available free to all kids through the 2021-22 school year. And with four weeks of school left there is still plenty of time to take advantage, whether children are learning in school or at home. Place orders at rsu14.nutrislice.com/menu. Note that a student ID number is not needed. Children younger than school age or home-schooled can also participate, just order and pick up at one of the meal sites. Call 892-1800 with any questions or email jreilly@rsu14.org or rroderick@rsu14.org.

Fall sports sign-ups

Attention Raymond students in grades 8-11: Fall sports sign-ups are happening at Windham High School. Parents, if your child is enrolled at an RSU 14 school, they should have been sent a link for signing up, and it’s their responsibility, as they are electronically agreeing to the athletic policy.

The following options are available: varsity cheering, girls junior varsity/varsity volleyball, boys and girls varsity cross country, junior varsity/varsity field hockey, junior varsity/varsity football, boys and girls junior varsity/varsity golf, junior varsity/varsity boys soccer, junior varsity/varsity girls soccer. There are also some freshman teams.

New this year, students will also have the option to participate in E-Sports. E-Sports will offer choices such as League of Legends, SMITE, Madden21, Trios PS4, FIFA21 Trios PS4 and Rocket League.

Preseason will begin Aug. 16 for all sports, with the exception of freshman football, which starts on Aug. 23. All of the times for tryouts will be sent through a listserve email to all parents and to those students that have signed up.

For all other sports, those who signed up will receive an email early next week from their coach for a virtual meeting date/time prior to June 3. Remember to have proof of a current physical on file with the school and a WHS Athlete emergency card.

Watch for more information this summer on the athletic page at athletics.rsu14.org.

Wildfire prevention plan

The Maine Forest Service is holding a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at the Public Safety Building so members of the community can learn from rangers about how to reduce the risk of wildfires near homes.

Throughout Maine, 500 wildfires on average are reported annually. In 2020, due to drought conditions, the number of wildfires increased to over 1,154 that burned 1,047 acres. Out of those fires, nearly three-quarters threaten, damage or destroy structures. Compared to other rural communities, Raymond is at moderate-to-high risk for a wildfire due to limited access, the build-up of forest fuels and the close proximity of buildings.

During fall 2018 and spring 2019, over 50 wildfire risk assessments were conducted randomly in the Wild Acres community and throughout Raymond. Only the house exteriors and surrounding landscape were evaluated for fire risk. The results of the wildfire risk assessments have been summarized in a report called a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Forest rangers will give a presentation at the meeting on the CWPP at the Raymond Public Safety Building at 1443 Roosevelt Trail. The presentation should last about 30-40 minutes. Seating will be spaced and face coverings will be worn. Members of the Raymond Fire and Rescue Department have provided input to the CWPP and will also be in attendance. At the end there will be a short discussion of the MFS free Defensible Space Chipping Program. Raymond now qualifies for the program, which provides one day of brush chipping for homeowners who have cut brush near their structures.

Dinner is served

Raymond Village Community Church will be hosting another takeout dinner on June 12. It will be the same delicious food they have prepared in the past of pot roast and gravy, potatoes, green beans, carrots, a roll and a brownie for $12. Cash or check only. No credit cards. Meals are takeout only for pickup between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Order in advance as there will likely be no extra meals. Call the RVCC office at 655-7749 and leave a message with name, number of meals and time of pickup, or email office@rvccme.org. These are monthly suppers, so save the dates: July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11 and Oct. 9.

Alissa Messer can be contacted at alissamesser@gmail.com.