A gift above others

In an expression of her generosity, 9-year-old Jessica Meyer, daughter of Mike and Veronica Meyer of Cassleton Road, proved that she knows the true meaning of Christmas. Last week, Jessie had several inches of her long brown hair cut so she could donate it to Locks of Love. Having heard about Locks of Love from other children who have donated their ponytails to help others, Jessie was also excited to help. “I wanted to help someone else who is not able to have hair like I did,” she said. She also said she feels sorry for the kids, and for the first time since I have known her, Jessie now has short hair.

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss. With the help of generous donors such as Hannah, Locks of Love is able to return a sense of self-confidence and normalcy to children by utilizing donated ponytails to provide hair prosthetics. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

With honors

The Jordan Small Middle School just completed its first trimester, and report cards were issued last week. To make the Honor Roll, a student must earn grades of B or higher. Straight A’s are required to make High Honors. Congratulations to all the students who worked so hard and made the honor roll.

Eighth grade students making high honors are: Sandra Carter, Tyler Davison, Phoebe Hurd, Emma Laprise, and Lillie Reder.

Eighth grade students making honors are: Kaylee Ayers, Isobel Cunningham, Cassidy Gaudet, Rebecca Grondin, Jack Haskell, Cameron Hewins, Sarah Libby, Dalton Lorenz, Kevin McLane, Molly Miller, Brian Murray, Marybeth Noonan, Hunter Perkins, Christina Pollard, Ryan Schweitzer, Brock Stevenson, and Corey Stevenson.

Seventh grade students making high honors are: Emily Callahan, Sara Hoffman, McKenzie Larson, Bradley Meader, Morgan Richmond, Erick Schadler and Shannon Sutton.

Seventh grade students making honors are: Zachary Conley, Samuel Dodge, Jakayla Downs, Sara Doyon, Hannah Lloy, Hailey Melvin, Jarron Nadeau, Nicholas Pittman, Natasha Thoits, Brandon Thurlow, Samuel Trepanier, Ryan Tupper, and Travis Winde.

Sixth grade students making high honors are: Jesse Catir, Alana Cobb, Jenna Cole, Kaitlyn Dostie, Noah Estey, Emily Gagne, Chase Gendron, Emma Gresh, Crystal Handy, Gavriella King, and Aiyanna Maciel.

Sixth grade students making honors are: Emily Algeo, Tiffany Collins, Mariah Cranston, Madison Cutten, Kara Davison, Megan Doughty, Callie Drew, Katelyn Dudley, Daniel Hanson, Rachel Hethcoat, Hannah Keisman, Alexandra Lewis, Mitchell Lorenz, Clayton Manchester, Madison Millette-Gagnon, Hunter Mitchell, Emily Monahan, Shelby Peavey, Parker Perkins, Julia Rand, Grayson Sailor, Kristina Smith, and Joshua Wilhite

Fifth grade students making high honors are: Isabella Davis, Liam Flynn, Taylor Lamarre, Anna Laprise, Gregory Meader, Jeffrey Pollard, Mackenzie Sangster, Evan Taylor, and Alexis Walker.

Fifth grade students making honors are: Brittany Anderson, Mary Brackett, Zackery Callahan, Lane Dearing, Cora Dykens, Amanda Gendron, Brodrick Gillespie, Lindsey Higgins, Katie Hunter Nataley Jeffrey, Isaac Jordan, Allison Kisel, Megan Knights, Luke Korzeniowski, Dylan Koza, Connor Lajoie, Bennett Libby, Sean Mains, Madison McEnroe, Maelah Nadeau, Bailey Nassa, Allie Pandora, Wyatt Partridge, Ryan Plummer, Todd Tanner, Jillian Tolman, and Alison Wood.

Church services

The Raymond Village Community Church will be having its services Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m. This will be a family candlelight worship service. A candlelight communion service will also be held at 11 p.m. that night.

The Casco Village Church will hold its Christmas Eve Services at 7 p.m. This will be a traditional family service. A caroling candlelight service will be held at 11 p.m. The choir will be singing at both services.

Holiday hours

In honor of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the Raymond Village Library will be closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. In addition, storytime will not be held on those mornings.

Nature’s gifts

‘Tis the season for giving, and Mother Nature has been very generous. Over the past few weeks, we have been treated to sights that take my breath away. For those of you who love to star gaze, the dropping temperatures led to clear skies that make constellations jump out at you. The recently visible Jupiter and Venus sitting vibrantly above the horizon were gorgeous. Positioned slightly below the crescent moon, it looked like the sky was smiling at me.

The ice storm, although destructive and difficult for those affected by the widespread power outages, left the town coated in glittering ice and simply beautiful. We went for a walk through the woods to find our Christmas tree, and the morning sun shining on the icy trees looked spectacular. That night’s rising full moon reflecting on the crystallized trees took my breath away.

With all the beauty around me, I feel like Christmas has come early this year. Despite the overload of decorating, shopping, baking, and sending cards, I am able to find the peace that is so important this time of year by spending a few minutes marveling at nature. I hope you, too, take time to feel peace and joy this season. Have a wonderful Christmas, and treasure the special times with your family and friends while surrounded by the stunning natural landscape.