Santa is Coming to Newbegin Center

The Gray-New Gloucester Lions Club and Gray Recreation Department invite you to Newbegin Community Center for a special visit with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 2-4 p.m.

Festivities will include horse-drawn sleigh rides, children’s entertainer, and a visit from the jolly old man himself. Polaroid photos of your child with Santa are only $2 each and Santa’s elves will be passing out goodie bags, ice cream and warm beverages.

How Does Gray Rank?

According to these numbers posted on the Greater Portland Council of Governments Web site (www.gpcog.org) the town of Gray’s total property value was almost $900 million.

Other interesting statistics include:

Population (2006): 7,250

2025 Population Forecast: 9,247

Growth rate from 1990 to 2000: 15.5 percent

Median age: 37.4

Percent who are high school graduates: 92.3 percent

Percent who have a bachelor’s degree or higher: 28 percent

Median home sales price (2006): $223,000

Rental vacancy rate: 3.6 percent

Average two-bedroom rent with utilities (2006): $944

Per pupil cost (based on 2005-2006 school year): $7,510

Average household income: $56,994

Local jobs: 2,011

Labor force (2006): 4,642

Unemployment rate: 3.2 percent

Gray Public Library News

The library is beginning to look cozy and festive now that the Festival of Trees is underway. Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa are featured in a display of books, CDs, movies and magazines, all available for check-out.

Gingerbread Houses. This annual tradition at the library is fun for young and old alike. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 15. “Creative Construction” will be underway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Young Adult Book Group will host a beading class with Karol Bowlds on Dec. 15. Contact Brooke at the library for more information at 657-4110.

The library circulation policy has been updated. Copies are available at the circulation desk and can also be found in the December issue of the library’s newsletter.

The library is asking patrons to start off their New Year’s resolutions to bring in and use their library cards. If you have lost yours, please ask at the desk and you can get a replacement card. Also, the staff can cut down your card and punch a hole in it so it can be attached to your key chain if you would like.

Renew books online: Go to www.gray.lib.me.us, click on the “renew your books here” link, then enter your name and card ID (found on the back of your yellow library card). This online feature will allow you to renew one time only. If you need a second renewal, please either phone or e-mail the library.

E-mail reminders: The staff has received some great feedback from the courtesy notices. Courtesy notices are sent out daily and remind you of the date your library items are due back two days before they’re due. If you have an e-mail and would like to receive a due date reminder, please stop by the circulation desk.

New for December and January: “Hand of Evil” by J.A. Jance on Dec. 18; “Blood Dreams” by Kay Hooper on Dec. 31; “Plum Lucky” by Janet Evanovich on Jan. 8; “Beverly Hills Dead” by Stuart Woods on Jan. 15; and “Duma Key” by Stephen King on Jan. 22.

Sheila’s Knitting Group meets on Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. Bring your knitting project and discover your very own knitting support group. Whether you are an experienced knitter or just starting out here are a few Web sites recommended by the Librarian’s Internet Index (Web sites you can trust): Crochet, Knit & More http:craftyyarncouncil.com/, Knitty: Little Purls of Wisdom http://www.knitty.com and Interweave Knits Knitting Charities: Knitting for a Better World www.interweaveknits.com/community/charities.asp. The library also has a collection of interesting knitting books, too!

Schedule Changes! Please note, there will be no Story Time on Dec. 11, 12, 14, 26 and 28. The Library will close at noon on Friday, Dec. 14 and at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22 and will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas.

A Village Walking Tour Calendar

Several years ago Thomas Bibber created a walking tour of Gray Village for a Scout project. Historical Society President Louise Knapp has expanded his original idea into the new 2008 Historical Society Calendar. Each month highlights a photo and information about many of the historically interesting buildings in Gray Village. The cost of the calendars is $10 for Historical Society members and $12.50 for non-members. To purchase your keepsake calendar, call 657-4297 or 657-4811 soon, before they’re all sold out. What a nice holiday gift for someone on your list.

Help with Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program

The 2008 open season for those newly eligible and those wishing to change their enrollment in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program continues until the end of December. Once again this year the Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging is offering assistance at the Gray Public Library to anyone in the region who is seeking information about the program or is considering a change to their present enrollment.

The assistance will be offered in the reference room of the library on Thursday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. For more information and/or to assure timely assistance, call volunteer Phil Ohman at 657-5446 for an appointment.

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