25 on the 25th

Team Raymond has raised over $25,000 since it began dipping in 2008, $4,000 of which was raised this year at the 25th Annual Special Olympics of Maine Lobster Dip held on New Year’s Day at Old Orchard Beach. It was a sunny but windy 34-degree day, and they were among a record 388 dippers who participated in the 2013 dip raising about $108,000. Original core Team Raymond dippers doing the Dip since 2008 include John Keller, Mary Thornton, Jean Thornton, John Dionne, and Jack Fitch. They deserve a huge thank-you for all they have done for the Special Olympics of Maine.

Chili Challenge

The Windham Community Garden will be hosting its third annual Great Chili Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 2, which will be held at the North Windham Union Church on Route 302 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is the largest fundraiser for the Windham Community Garden, and they have about 15 participants making a variety of chili for folks to sample.

Bring your family, friends and neighbors for a great time and really great food. The cost is $7 for adults or $4 for children under 12. Desserts will also be for sale. This is also great time to make a donation and get some chili from your favorite vendor to take home for the Super Bowl, which is the next day. If you would like to be a competitor, you can find all information and rules at windhamcoummintygarden.org or by calling 892-7192.

Kids Night Out

The Windham High School Spanish Honor Society is presenting a Kids Night Out at the high school on Friday, Jan. 25, from 6-9 p.m. There is also a 5:30 p.m. option if your child would like pizza, drink, chips and cookies. The cost is $10 per child ($12 for pizza option) and $6 for each additional child ($8 with dinner). This is a fun night for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and will include crafts, songs, movies, and lots of fun movement all with a Spanish flair. To register, send an email to [email protected]. Registration is also accepted at the door.

Hot Shot Contest

So you think you’re a good shooter and you’re ready to test yourself against players your own age? Then this event is for you. The Maine Recreation and Parks Association Red Claws Hot Shot competition is a basketball skills competition for youth 9-18 years of age. It involves shooting from five “hot spots” marked on one end of the basketball court. This competition will test each contestant’s speed, shooting, dribbling, and rebounding ability.

Each participant must first compete in a local Hot Shot event sponsored by your community recreation department. Division winners will advance to the Regional Competition. After the completion of all regional events, the winners and runner-ups of each age division then advance to the M.R.P.A. Red Claws State Hot Shot Competition. Participants at the State Competition compete for first place and runner-up awards.

Our area’s contest will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Windham Town Hall. Nine- and 10-year-olds will compete at 6:30 p.m.; 11- and 12-year-olds at 8 p.m. and 13- to 18-year-olds at 8 p.m. For more information, contact Windham Parks and Recreation, 892-1905, or e-mail [email protected]. All participants will be entered to win a free basketball.

Public Sing

The Raymond Village Community Church will hold its next public hymn sing on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. This is an old-fashioned open hymn sing just for the joy of it. All are welcome and encouraged to participate: no service, no sermon, and no collection. This will include old favorites, new selections, and your requests covering all traditions and all ages and led by RVCC’s Music Director, Karen Strange. If you love to sing, especially if you love to sing hymns, you will love this. For more information, contact the church office at 655-7749.

Making Honors

The Jordan-Small Middle School has announced the honor roll for the first trimester. Congratulations to the following students for achieving this honor:

Grade 5 High Honors: Hailey Applebee.

Grade 5 Honors: Savana Bradford, Ben Childs, Liam Connor-Schaefer, Ivan Kaffel, James Louko, Calum Murray, Sophey Potter, Riley Silvia and Chelsea Welch.

Grade 5 Honorable Effort: Mya Bolk, Kaleb Decker, Carlee Desrochers, Thomas DuPont, Callie Fielding, Gabriella Hall-White, Lindsey MacDonald, Caitlyn Nassa, Sam Nunn, Brooke Proctor, Kylie Rhoades, Isabelle Thomas and Whitney Wilson.

Grade 6 High Honors: Colby Dionne and Haley Froisland.

Grade 6 Honors: Hannah Bernier, Maggi Bradford, Blake Colby, Elizabeth Donahue, Nicholas Doughty, Hannah Gagne, Alexis Peet, Samantha Phinney, Sophie Sangster, Bryn Tangen, Alianah Timmons, Andrew Wing, and Deven Young.

Grade 6 Honorable Effort: Courtney Brown, Daniel Davis, Kaitlyn Gedicks, Devon Griffeth, Kurt Heywood, Payton Hutchinson, Madison McCune, Richard Plummer, Grace Schmader, Logan Strout and Noah Worthing.

Grade 7 High Honors: Danielle Meader.

Grade 7 Honors: Walter Backman, Jillian Clark, Abby Davis, Hunter Dionne, David Ferrante, Kora Hunter, Nora Laprise, Christian Lessard, Jessica Meyer, Maggie Nunn, Holly Rose, Nicholas Rose, Chloe Smith, Hannah Stogsdill, Katelyn Troiano, Maegan Vierra and Natalie Walker.

Grade 7 Honoroble Effort: Jack Bisson, Jake Conley, Caitlyn Dyke, Derek Foss, Ashley Lawson, Zach Whitmore and Alexander Wilkins.

Grade 8 Honors: Taylor Bernier, Meagan Griffeth, Kayla Saunders, Kaylan Strout and David Young.

Grade 8 Honorable Effort: Charity Adams, Ethan Barczak, Wyatt Barczak, Hannah Brackett, Jaret Korzeniowski, Paige Pandora, Joel Parr, Cameron Peavey, Devon Plummer, Danielle Tardiff, Taylor Tibbetts and Kristina Wunderlich.

Team Raymond takes a moment to pose as they participate in the 25th Annual Lobster Dip to benefit the Special Olympics of Maine.