News and notes from the town of Gray.

Books and movies

The summer reading theme at the Gray Public Library is Dream Big. Reading sign-up will be all week from June 19-23. Summer reading starts Friday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m., and will continue on Fridays, same time, until Aug. 3.

On Thursday, June 14, the movie “We Bought a Zoo,” will be shown at 2 p.m.

The library will be closed on Wednesday, June 20, for staff to attend town training.

Call 657-4110 or www.gray.lib.me.us for more information.

Gray town training

All town facilities will be closed on Wednesday, June 20, for required staff development training. The staff will rotate through several modules including Blood Borne Pathogens, Workplace Ergonomics, Sexual Harassment, Citizens’ Right to Know, and several others.

An employee appreciation barbecue is scheduled for the lunch break on training day.

Summer camp

Summer Camp with the Gray Recreational Department is from June 25-Aug. 17. Registrations are being accepted now. Campers will enjoy eight weeks of fun in the sun with themes like: It’s a tropical vacation in Maine, It’s a carnival, Wide World of Sports, Pirates of Gray and more.

For more information on all Rec. programs, call 657-2323 or visit www.grayrec.com.

The Longest Day

Come celebrate the Longest Day at Libby Hill Trails. A 5K event is slated for Wednesday evening June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and a free 1K fun run for kids starts at 7:15 p.m. For more information, www.libbyhill.org.

Flying high ?and fly fishing

On Saturday, June 9, at the Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26, Maine natives and brothers Matthew and Jason Tardy demonstrate team work, creativity, goal-setting, perseverance and patience while combining skills in juggling, contortion, acrobatics and choreography. TWO has amazed audiences across the country and has been described as “juggling meets the X-Games.” FMI, www.thetardybrothers.com.

Sebago Trout Unlimited (TU) Chapter members will be on hand on Saturday, June 16, to teach popular fly-fishing techniques. Bring dad to the park to learn to cast, then tie a fly. FMI, www.sebagotu.org.

Most of these events are held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., for more information, please call 657-4977, ext. 0, or go to www.mainewildlife park.com.

A veteran ?get-together

The June get-together of the Southern Maine Squadron of the Sampson Air Force Veterans Association will be Thursday, June 14, at noontime at DiSanto’s Restaurant, 322 West Gray Road, Gray.

This is an informal get-together of veterans who went to Sampson for basic training and their guests. All veterans are welcome to join the group. The group gets together through the summer months on the second Thursday of the month.

FMI, contact Bob Sawyer at wwmtkwkr@aol.com or phone 657-4909.

Lions help hydrate

Prior to the Memorial Day parade, the G-NG Lions Club presented water bottle carriers for the Middle and High School bands to band directors Carol Clark and Brian Graham.

After witnessing how some band members were affected by the heat at last years parade, Lions Linda Plapis and Chris Kuchinski were determined to find a way to help out. They knew the importance of staying hydrated, and Internet research yielded some insulated holders that could be worn without interfering with the band’s playing. The holders were delivered just in the nick of time for this year’s parade and will be useful for many parades to come.

The Lions dedicated their gift in memory of Beth Polletto, the popular young Middle School Band Director lost in a tragic accident last winter.

Vote June 12

On Tuesday, June 12, polls are open from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. at Newbegin Gym, Main St., Gray. In addition to the municipal and MSAD 15 budgets, Town Council and MSAD 15 School Board elections are taking place (in which all Gray registered voter can cast ballots). This is an election year for the state and federal positions with party primaries on the ballot (voters must be registered in a recognized party to cast ballots).

The municipal budget ballot consists of 17 articles appropriating funding for various town functions and a question regarding a Town Charter Amendment.

The MSAD 15 ballot is one yes or no question to approve the proposed budget of $21,151,976.

On the town election ballot, Town Council incumbents Margaret Hutchins and Matthew Sturgis are seeking reelection and being challenged by Lynn Gallagher and Richard Campbell for the three-year terms.

For MSAD 15, Joanne Grant and Shad Hall are vying for the balance of the three-year term that Hall was appointed to when former member Bagetis resigned.

Contested Republican primaries include; United States Senate, with Richard Bennett, Scott D’Amboise, Debra Plowman, Bruce Poliquin, William Schneider, and Charlie Summers all seeking a spot on the November ballot; and the House of Representatives with Patrick Caulder and Jonathon Courtney vying for the November ballot spot.

Contested Democratic primaries include: United States Senate, with Cynthia Dill, Matthew Dunlap, John Hinck, and Justin Pollard in the running. The Cumberland County Register of Probate seat is also contested between John O’Brien and Nancy Thurber.

For more voting information or to see sample ballots go to www.graymaine.org or call 657-3339.

Clean for Eternity

Gray Historical Society will be hosting a program on June 16 at 1 p.m. at its building in Gray Corner to learn and demonstrate the proper technique for cleaning cemetery stones. Maine Old Cemetery Association will present a short Powerpoint show followed by an actual cleaning of two stones at the cemetery behind the Historical Society. This event is free of charge. Parking is available on the cemetery road beside the Gray Historical Society. The Society does have a stair chair available to the second floor for those in need of assistance.

Candidate’s Forum

Gray Council candidates participated in a Candidate Forum on May 30. It is being aired on GCTV2 at 5 p.m. daily and will be available on the town’s website by Tuesday, June 5. FMI, www.graymaine.org.

Copy the Story Link