Pinewood Derby

After an exciting day filled with racing their hand-crafted cars, the five Cub scouts with the fastest cars were awarded trophies in last Saturday’s Pinewood Derby at Jordan-Small Middle School. Competing against the other Scouts of Pack 800, Tommy DuPont, a first-year Webelo, won the highly coveted first place trophy with an average scale speed of 223.5 mph. Finley Sabasteanski, a Tiger and the youngest winner, placed second with a time of 223.4, Jason Plummer, Bear, won third averaging 222.2, Nathan Plummer, also a Bear, took fourth with 221.6, and Jamie Luoko, a first-year Webelo won fifth place with an average speed of 221.1. Although it was emphasized that all the boys are winners, the top five Scouts will represent Pack 800 at the District Derby against all the other boys in the Casco Bay District at the end of March.

This highly anticipated annual event is one of Pack 800’s most popular, and its success is the effect of a collaborative effort. A strong parental volunteer base makes it possible and a heartfelt thank-you also goes to the Raymond Lions Club for donating a delicious pancake breakfast to start off the day. Congratulations to all the Scouts for displaying outstanding sportsmanship.

A La Mexicana at Chili Challenge

If you have not yet tried the new restaurant in town, A La Mexicana, here’s the perfect opportunity to do so while supporting a good cause. The Windham Community Garden will host its second Annual Chili Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 1-5 p.m. at the North Windham Union Church. Taste chili from some local gardeners as well as fine restaurants including A La Mexicana, while enjoying the camaraderie of friends and neighbors. Admission is only $7 for adults, $4 for children under 12, and all proceeds benefit Windham Community Garden. For more information, visit www.windhamcommunitygarden.org.

Host an exchange

Have you ever considered hosting an exchange student? This is an excellent opportunity to share our culture with a student and learn about theirs while providing the basic comforts of a good home. There will be 24 students and three teachers visiting RSU 14 for two weeks from March 3-15, and host families are needed to accommodate them. If you are at all interested in helping, please contact Kathy Hansen at 653-1007 or khansen@cci-exchange.com.

Calling all crafters

Jordan-Small Middle School is preparing for its Spring Craft Fair which will be held on Saturday, March 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the school. This is a fundraiser for the Class of 2012 year-end celebration, an event not funded by the school budget. They are currently seeking artists, crafters and vendors for this event. The cost to participate is $25 and table rentals are an additional $10. Chili, soups, sandwiches, baked goods and other refreshments will be on sale and the event draws a large crowd. Students will be available to help load and unload your wares. For more information on participating, please contact Jen Mains at jenn0408@yahoo.com or 653-6142.

Noche de Ninos

Do you and yours crave a few hours without the kids? Do the kids themselves crave spending a few hours out of the house with their friends doing something different? The Windham High School Spanish Honor Society is hosting a “Kids Night Out” for children from Raymond and Windham in kindergarten through fifth grade. This fun night will be held at Windham High School on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6-9 p.m. or you can drop off the kids at 5:30 p.m. for a pizza dinner. The cost is only $10 for first child, $7 for any siblings and an additional $3 for each meal provided. Activities will include crafts, Spanish videos, Spanish games, and active games. Registration in advance is strongly encouraged, especially if dinner is desired, and can be done by emailing kidsnightout01@gmail.com. For more information, please contact the high school’s Spanish advisor, Trish Soucy, at 892-1810, ext. 267.

Yoga retreat

I am looking forward to Debbie Goldstein’s upcoming yoga retreat, “Mind, Body and Soul,” which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Casco Community Center. The morning will begin by watching “I Am,” a short but inspiring documentary about director Tom Shadyac’s questions: “What is wrong with the word and how can we fix it?” This will be followed by a group discussion until 10 a.m. Bring your yoga mat for an hour of yoga following the discussion, which will be then be followed by a 15-minute guided mediation. The retreat will finish with questions and a group discussion. If the entire retreat doesn’t suit you, feel free to just join in for the yoga class from 10-11 a.m. The cost for the morning is only $10 to join. For more information, call Debbie Goldstein at 693-5247 or email debbiegoldsteinyoga@gmail.com.

Ancestors

at the Library

Have you ever been curious about your own unique personal history? If so, the Raymond Village Library now has the perfect resource for you. Ancestry Library Edition is now available for in-library use only and includes more than 7,000 databases providing access to census information, vital records, family histories, military records and much more. To make a reservation to use the Ancestry, call the library at 655-4283 and get ready to discover your family’s history.

Copy the Story Link