Carr retiring from Bar Mills pulpit

The Rev. Dan Carr will be retiring from his ministry to the Bar Mills Community Church on Dec. 31. He arrived in the Bar Mills area with his wife, Janet, and his two sons, Dan Jr. and Jim, in 1988.

Carr came to Maine in September 18 years ago as the pastor of the joint Bar Mills Baptist Church and the First Congregational Church of Buxton. When the churches were unyoked in 1995, Carr remained with the Bar Mills Baptist Church, which became the Bar Mills Community Church.

Carr and his wife have been involved in many activities in the area, including joint worship services and community events. Carr led a writer’s group at the Salmon Falls Library for several years, taught adult education courses for School Administrative District 6 and has conducted many funerals and weddings through the years.

He served on the board of the Protestant Hospital Ministry, Choir for Higher, Wayside Soup Kitchen and on the executive board of the Cumberland United Baptist Association, all in the Greater Portland area.

He has also served at the state level on the Committee for the Ministry, the State Convention Program Committee and the Small Church Committee for the American Baptist Churches of Maine.

Among his many achievements, Carr has also authored several children’s books and has written numerous greeting cards for various companies. He has also served on the board of Alderson-Braoddus College in West Virginia.

Judith H. Moody, church secretary, said the most recent highlight of Carr’s career was the building of the new Bar Mills Community Church on Hermit Thrush Drive.

“The new building was dedicated to the glory of God and Carr and his wife for their love and inspiration for all they have done for the Church,” Moody said.

A retirement celebration will be held at the Bar Mills Community Church at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28.

Buxton Recreation youth basketball

Chris Barstow, director of Buxton Recreation Department, has announced two youth basketball programs.

Girls’ basketball league for Grades 4-6 is from 5 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from December to March.

Practices will be held at Hanson Gymnasium. Games will be throughout the Bonny Eagle school district. The focus will be on improving basketball skills, learning and sportsmanship. Cost is $35 for each girl.

Another is a program for boys and girls in kindergarten through the third grade at 9 a.m. on Saturdays from December to March in the gym at Hanson Elementary School.

The program focuses on basic basketball skills and fun games. Cost is $30 per child.

Registration deadline for all basketball programs is Dec. 11. To register or for more information, contact the Buxton Recreation Department at 929-8381 or at [email protected]