Run for Ben

The Jordan Small Middle School cross country and track and field teams invite you to join them in a fun run Saturday, May 10. Teammate Ben Olmstead was recently diagnosed with a degenerative hip disease that will not only prevent him from running, but will keep him in bed with his legs elevated for months. The running teams have joined up with the community service team and hope to raise enough money to buy Ben a laptop computer.

The Run for Ben will include a two-mile cross country fun run/walk at 8:30 a.m. and a half-mile pee wee fun run at 9 a.m. The race will be held on flat, grassy fields and wooded trails at the Jordan Small Middle School. Registration forms can be picked up at the school, town office or by calling coach John Dionne at 655-8672, ext. 121. Registrations will also be taken on race day from 7:30-8 a.m.

A yard sale will also be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. that day with all table rental fees going to support the Olmsteds. Gather up those unwanted treasures while spring cleaning and rent a table for $10. You can keep your proceeds while the community service team will use rental fees towards the laptop.

ACES wild

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, the Raymond Elementary School fields will be filled with racing heart rates and students breathing heavily. Come join in as the students, teachers and staff participate in Project ACES.

Project ACES, which stands for All Children Exercising Simultaneously, was created by Len Saunders in 1989 as a method of motivating children to exercise. The program takes place on the first Wednesday in May as part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month along with National Physical Education Week.

It has been labeled as “the world’s largest exercise class.” Since 1989, millions of children from all over the world exercise together to promote proper health and fitness habits. With the obesity epidemic facing the youth of the world, children’s fitness plays a major role in fighting heart disease. The goal is to make fitness fun for kids, promote health and nutrition, promote sport and exercise, and support physical education.

Marbles, Ramps and Mazes

A few weeks ago, children gathered at the library to participate in the monthly Science in the Library program. Part two of the Marbles, Ramps and Mazes will be held Wednesday, May 7, from 1-2:30 p.m. Children will continue with motion experiments and build pizza box mazes. Attendance at the April lesson is not required to participate in this session. In fact, if your children have not yet participated in any Science in the Library programs, it is not too late.

Taught by science fanatic Amy Farmer, the lessons are part of the Cornerstones of Science program, an award-winning national science literacy initiative. The mission of Cornerstones is to connect children and adults to science and technology through superb books, programs, and opportunities for community involvement in current scientific issues. The sessions at the Raymond Village Library are free and all materials are provided. To confirm your spot, please call the library at 655-4283.

Pennies for Parks

Once again, the elementary school students are collecting pennies and coins to support Raymond’s public parks. Money will be collected through Friday, May 9, and the class that raises the most money will be awarded an ice cream party. In the past, this annual fundraiser has provided enough money to purchase a beach wheelchair and provide other improvements at Tassel Top Park. Repairs have also been made at the Sheri Gagnon Park with these funds.

The seventh-grade Community Service Team is conducting the fundraiser under the direction of social worker Barb Loux. The team finds ways to help others in the community. It has volunteered at the Wayside Soup Kitchen, the Ronald McDonald House and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. Other services provided include sending care packages to soldiers, packing survival bags for foster kids, making cookies for public safety workers, and working for weeks on Project Awareness.

A good crop

The Parent Teachers Organization is hosting a Spring Fever Crop Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Raymond Elementary School gymnasium. Scrapboookers of all abilities will gather to create a beautiful card, complete that special project for Mother’s Day, or work on their own personal projects. The registration fee is only $25 and includes eight hours of scrapbooking, four feet of crop space, morning refreshments, lunch, goodie bags, hourly giveaways, a beginner’s class, and free Make and Takes. Raffle items and a 50/50 drawing will also be available. In addition, vendors will be present for your shopping needs.

To register, send a check made payable to the Raymond PTO, attention: Spring Fever Crop, 434 Webbs Mills Road, Raymond, Maine 04071. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.

Please also indicate if there are any fellow croppers with whom you would like to sit, whether you would be interested in the beginners’ class, and your sandwich preference, ham or turkey. Contact Deb Cutten at dcutten@maine.rr.com with any questions. This event is for adults, so no children under 15 years of age please.

Big Apple concert

As I have reported earlier, the Windham Chamber Singers are working diligently to raise money for their upcoming spring tour to New York City. The singers will be hosting a Big Apple Preview Concert on Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at the Windham Performing Arts Center. General admission tickets will be available at the door and cost $10 for adults an $8 for students.