A Time for Caring

The Caring Community of Gray-New Gloucester is now distributing applications for Christmas Food Baskets and Gifts/Clothing (for children). Individuals, including senior citizens, and families of Gray and New Gloucester who find themselves in need of holiday assistance, are asked to fill out an application and return the completed form by Thursday, Dec. 1, to the Gray Public Library, the Gray Town Hall, the NG Town Hall or the Russell, Dunn and Memorial schools.

The CC of GNG is a volunteer group organized to provide holiday assistance to individuals and families within the towns of Gray and New Gloucester. They are only able to accomplish this through the generous donations of individuals, families, businesses and groups within our great community. Last year, more than 125 families and individuals received assistance at Christmas in the form of food baskets as well as clothing and/or gifts for children.

Questions regarding Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance for residents of Gray can be directed to Christina at 428-3003 or 233-0828 and for New Gloucester residents to Michelle at 926-5512 or 272-5157.

If you or someone you know would like to make a donation to the CC of GNG Holiday Assistance Program or sponsor a family, please contact Donna Rand at drand5@roadrunner.com or 671-4458.

Last day to get wild

Friday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) is also closing day for the Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26 in Gray. Free admission for U.S. military personnel and veterans and their immediate family members on their last day of the season. Go to www.mainewildlifepark.com or (207) 657-4977 ext. 1 for more information.

Holly fair is here

The First Congregational Church of Gray will hold its annual Holly Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 19. This year’s fair will feature a huge variety of handcrafted items, fresh evergreen creations, home-baked treats and world-class Cabot cheddar cheese. For the kids, we offer movies, cookie decorating and their own place to shop for family gifts.

While you’re there, enjoy a delicious lunch of chowders and sandwiches, bid on a great selection of goods and services from our Promise Tree silent auction and take a walk down the Cookie Trail.

The fair is located at the Parish House, directly behind McDonald’s Restaurant in Gray Center. FMI, 657-4279 or www.grayfirst.org.

The hills are alive

The GNG High School Patriot Players present the most popular movie musical of all time, Sound of Music, on Nov. 18, 19, and 20. Senior citizen night is on the 18th, seniors get in for $4, and a special family rate will be featured for the Saturday matinee. The senior class actors will be honored at the Saturday night show. The cast includes Jasmine Harper as Maria, Emily Mills as Mother Abbess, Alan Bennett as Captain Von Trapp, Grace Powell as Elsa, and Rachel Powell, Dexter Castro, Kelcie Brown, Brogan Kelley, Arden Jordan, Aeleah Granger, and Amanda Peterson as the Von Trapp Children.

Get in the spirit

The Annual Gray Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at the Henry Pennell Municipal Complex, on Main St. in Gray, Sunday, Nov. 27, beginning at 2:30 p.m. This great event will feature music, holiday caroling, stories and refreshments for everyone to get you into the Holiday Spirit.

Santa will arrive by fire truck to light the tree at 4:15 p.m. Please bring non-perishable food items for those in need.

For the pets

As a courtesy to the Gray residents, the town will be sponsoring a Rabies and Dog Licensing Clinic on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Gray Fire-Rescue Building, 125 Shaker Road from 10 a.m. to noon.

The rabies vaccination cost is $10. Pets must be under the control of their owners. Proof of previous vaccination is necessary to be effective for a three-year period or it will be considered a first-time vaccination effective for one year. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old for a rabies vaccination. Vaccinations are available for dogs and cats.

Licensing fees for spayed or neutered dogs are $6 and $11 for non-neutered or spayed dogs. All dogs must be licensed by Dec. 31 annually.

Pet portraits will also be offered by Tsukroff Photography for $12-with $2 donated to Caring Community and $2 donated to the Animal Refuge League.

A great book and movie

Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows II will premiere at the Gray Public Library on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to all. Sign-up is required as space is limited to 25 people. Kids under 13 will need a parent. Please sign up ahead of time for a free ticket.

Please note that the Library will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and will remain closed until Tuesday, Nov. 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. They will be open for their regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Contact the library at 657-4110, www.gray.lib.me.us or stop by the Circulation Desk for details.

Community Legislative Forum

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 7-8:30 p.m., Dick Woodbury (Senate District 11), Mark Bryant (House District 110) and Anne Graham (House District 109) would like to have a Community Legislative Forum with the citizens of Gray to speak about what is happening at both the state and municipal level. This forum is to be held at Henry Pennell Municipal Complex, 24 Main St., Gray.

Need food?

The Gray Auxiliary Food Pantry located at the Fist Congregational Church of Gray’s Parish House is open from 2-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month. Donations may be dropped off at the church office in the Parish House during office hours. You may also contact Donna Rand at drand5@maine.rr.com or 671-4458 to make other arrangements.

Art students at Gray-New Gloucester Middle School recently
completed the annual tradition of carving pumpkins. The pumpkins
were taken to the Maine Wildlife Park to be used as decorations for
their annual Halloweenfest. (Courtesy photo)

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