Raymond library to host tar sands forum

At its September meeting, the Raymond Conservation Commission presented a report on an alleged reversal of flow in the 60-year-old pipeline and the potential impacts from “tar sands” on water resources and the community in the event of a leak. An educational forum has been organized to provide information to the public on the Canadian pipeline companies’ alleged reversal of flow in the Portland-Montreal pipeline to transport diluted bitumen, or “tar sands” crude oil, through the Lakes Region.

The Raymond Village Library welcomes a panel of speakers, who will talk about the pipeline issue at the library on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. Speakers include Shelley Kath of Montreal, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council; Eliot Stanley of the Sebago Lakes Anglers’ Association; Emily Figdor, executive director of Environment Maine and Bill Fraser of the Raymond Conservation Commission.?A map of the pipeline, showing the location of the pumping station in Raymond, will be available. In addition, there will be an opportunity for residents and concerned citizens to ask questions.

For background information, please visit the Raymond Conservation Commission’s webpage on the Town of Raymond website. The Raymond Village Library is located at 3 Meadow Road, off of Rt. 121 in Raymond. Please call the library at 207-655-4283 if you plan to attend as seating is limited.

‘Triple B’ raises $75K for riding center

Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham announced last week that its fifth annual “Triple B – Boots, Band and BBQ,” held Saturday, Oct. 13, raised more than $75,000 for RTT’s riders –children and adults with disabilities – and the horses that make it all possible.

The event was attended by more than 300 guests and featured the barbecue of DennyMike’s, boot-stomping beats of “Bonnie Edwards and the Practical Cats” and auctioneer skills of Elizabeth Holmstrom. 99.9 FM The Wolf’s Amy Ryan kept the program lively and on schedule. Speaker Linda Baker, a special education teacher at King Middle School in Portland, shared her experience and those of her students with equine-assisted therapies at RTT. A moving video by RTT instructor Heidi Symonds showcased the magnificent horses of Riding To The Top.

To date, the “Triple B” has raised nearly $400,000 for rider scholarships, programs and horse care. Executive Director Sarah Bronson said the event is the single largest source of funding, and support is more important than ever.

Founded in 1993, Riding To The Top helps people with disabilities reach their highest potential through the healing power of horses. The center is located on a 50-acre farm off Land of Nod Road in Windham and is the state’s only year-round program solely dedicated to therapeutic riding.

Managing chronic pain

Living with chronic pain is exhausting! You can lose valuable sleep, increase stress levels and lose your motivation to exercise, to eat well, and to take care of yourself. Chronic pain doesn’t have to stop you from living. A new workshop may help you deal with this issue.

Southern Maine Agency on Aging is offering a six-week Chronic Pain workshop to help sufferers better cope with chronic pain, feel more in control, learn how to balance activity and rest, learn gentle exercises and much more.

The workshops will be held on Thursdays from 1-3:30 p.m., Nov. 7 through Dec. 19 at SMAA facility in Scarborough. Pre-registration is required. Please call or email: 396-6583 or jleblanc@smaaa.org.

Casco Farmers’ Market extends season

The Casco Farmers’ Market enjoyed a great spring and summer and is pleased to announce that it is extending the market to include fall and winter months.

The market will be held every Thursday, beginning on October 25, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Vendors will be set inside the Casco Community Center located at 940 Meadow Road, Route 121, in Casco. The market is expected to run though December, which is perfect for holiday shopping.

There will be locally raised grain-fed and grass-fed meats, fresh eggs, seasonal cold-crop vegetables, crisp autumn apples, sweet cider, honey, maple syrup, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods too numerous to list, organic aromatherapy eye pillows and sachets, Maine made wreaths, greens, holly, Maine-made holiday gift items, specialty baskets and more. Shop locally this holiday season with some of the friendliest vendors around.

If you are interested in joining the market as a vendor or want more information about our market, contact market manager Carol Keck for more information at 329-4598 or e-mail ckeck@maine.rr.com or cascofarmersmarket@yahoo.com.

Summerfest needs winter help

Windham Summerfest will be celebrating its seventh edition on June 22, 2013. Organizers are in need of some new community volunteers to make this a reality for the Windham community.

If you have an interest in serving on this committee plan to attend the next Summerfest meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Windham Town Hall, 8 School Road. Come and learn about Summerfest and share your talents to assist in this community celebration. For more information, contact Windham Parks and Recreation Director Brian Ross at 892-1905.

‘Guys and Dolls’ takes Windham stage

Windham High School is excited to announce the fall production of “Guys and Dolls,” a fun musical comedy about a group of small-time New York gamblers, their floating crap game, and the bets made about the ladies in their lives. The show will open on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. and run for two weekends with the final show on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. All performances will be showcased on the fabulous stage of the Windham Performing Arts Center located at Windham High School.

“Guys and Dolls” is packed with one unforgettable song after another as well as loads of romance and charm to spare. With beloved tunes such as “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “The Oldest Established,” there is plenty of toe-tapping to be had. These gents and dames have an irresistible mix of naughty, nice and hilarious.

“Guys and Dolls” highlights the musical theater talents of more than 60 Windham High School student actors, singers, dancers and technicians. Several RSU 14 faculty members will also grace the stage in the ensemble. The production is directed by Rob Juergens with musical direction by Dr. Richard Nickerson. CJ Payne shares his talents as technical director, Vanessa Beyland of Portland Ballet choreographed the dances, the set was designed by Ethan Hinton, and Weslie Evans created the costumes. Featured actors are seniors Mary Beth Noonan as Miss Adelaide, Avery Topel as Nathan Detroit, Jameson McBride as Sky Masterson, and Roselyn Moisan as Sarah Brown. Their collective talents, along with a stacked ensemble cast, make a funny and entertaining show not to be missed.

Show dates are Nov. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 with Friday and Saturday shows starting at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $11 for adults and $7 for children, students, and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door or reserved by emailing fallmusical@gmail.com or calling 893-1742.

About 60 Windham High School students will appear in the upcoming fall production, “Guys and Dolls,” with featured actors, from left, Jameson McBride as Sky Masterson, Roselyn Moisan as Sarah Brown, Avery Topel as Nathan Detroit, and Mary Beth Noonan as Miss Adelaide.    
George and Phyllis Hall, of Windham, were among the 300 guests of Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center’s annual Triple B fundraising event held Saturday, Oct. 13.