Birds and Norwegians at

the Wildlife Park

On Saturday, May 11, the Maine Wildlife Park, located on Route 26 in Gray, will present programs about the ancient art of falconry and International Migratory Bird Day. Join Maine Master Falconer Larry Barnes to learn about falconry, and celebrate one of the most important and spectacular events in the Americas: bird migration. Bring your cameras for some great close-ups of Barnes’s two beautiful hunting falcons: a peregrine and a hybrid. For more information, check out www.birdday.org.

On Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, come see the Sons of Norway and learn about Scandinavian culture from folks in full native dress. See demonstrations of traditional activities like carving, rosemaling, weaving and Viking life and sample delicious Scandinavian foods like polser, in lompe, lefse and krumbkaka. Many “make and take” activities for children and adults, like building Troll, or ‘nisse,’ houses.

For more information, call the Maine Wildlife Park at 657-4977; or visit www.mainewildlifepark.com.

Taste of Art

Palette – A Taste of Art, will be held Saturday, May 18, from 6-11 p.m. at Fiddlehead Art and Science Center, 25 Shaker Road, in Gray. Enjoy a variety of delicious appetizers and a chocolate fountain while you sample some local brews and bid on some great silent and live auction items. All beer/wine tastings, live music, and food are free with your paid admission of $15, plus the first 75 to purchase their VIP ticket at $25 get a free commemorative gift. Buy your ticket online at www.fiddleheadcenter.org or call 657-2244 for more information.

Memorial Day Parade

The Memorial Day parade in Gray will be held on Monday, May 27, at 11:30 a.m. The procession will begin at the Russell School and continue to the Monument at the center of town where the 15th Alabama Regiment will hold a salute. The parade will then continue to the Henry Pennell Municipal Complex. There, a ceremony will be held in honor of our veterans. The parade will then proceed to the American Legion Post 86 Hall in Gray where refreshments will be served to marchers.

Organizations with a patriotic theme are encouraged to participate, School Bands, Scouts, Fire and Rescue and anyone wishing to honor our veterans.

If you would like to join in the festivities, call American Legion Commander Jason White at 899-9799 or e-mail [email protected]. An invitation is extended to all veterans who would like to be included. Cars will be provided for those unable to march.

Library Programs

On Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m., the Gray Public Library, Hancock Street, in Gray will hold “Understanding Medicare,” presented by United Health Care. During the 30-minute presentation you will learn what is original Medicare, who and when are you eligible for Medicare, when you can enroll and what additional plans are available. Free and open to the public.

The Gray Public Library welcomes Sarah Sparks from University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Sarah will be leading 4-H science meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month now through May. The meetings will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and are open to youth ages 5-18 (children under 9 will need to be accompanied by an adult). These events are free and all materials are included. Space is limited so sign up for each session at the circulation desk. The last scheduled topic is: May 22 – Can Wind Power Produce Electricity?

New this year for adults is the creation of the Maine Reader’s Choice Award. This is an award that will go to the best in adult fiction published in the United States. If you go to www.mainereaderschoiceaward.org you will find the 2013 long list– some 40 books chosen, then whittled to 10.

The committee is in the process of reading the final 10 and will submit three to five titles in advance for Maine readers to read and vote on in September. These titles will be available in libraries and bookstores. The winner will be announced in October. If you are looking for something new to read, try something from this list and then vote.

Give Life

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Newbegin Center, 22 Main St. in Gray, on Monday, May 20, from 1-6 p.m.

Run

The 4th annual Patriot 5K will be on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. (Free Kid’s Fun Run starts at 8 a.m.) There will be free food, live music, parking, face painting and activities for children. Please go online to sign up at www.patriot5k.org.

The Patriot 5K is a USATF-certified, fast, mostly flat, scenic course around Crystal Lake off North Raymond Road in Gray. Proceeds will benefit schools in Gray and New Gloucester.

Yard Sale Season

Garage or yard sale permits are available at the Town Office for the cost of $1. This permit is in accordance with Gray’s zoning ordinance as follows: Garage Sale: The sale of household goods on the premises of a residential dwelling unit conducted by a member or members of the family residing in the dwelling unit; provided, however, that such sale shall not occur on the same premises or by the same nonprofit organizations more than seven days in any one calendar year.

For more information go to the Gray Town Office at 24 Main St., or call 657-3339 or online, www.graymaine.org.

Coming Soon at Gray Rec

Co-Ed Adult Softball takes place Sunday afternoons starting June 6, from 1-3 p.m. Pickup ball format, $2 per person/per game.

Gray Recreation Summer Camp provides an enjoyable experience in a safe, caring environment where creativity and curiosity is encouraged and the emphasis is on having fun and forming new friendships with other children benefiting emotionally, physically and socially. From ice cream walks, obstacle courses, dance contests and minute-to-win-it competitions, water balloon fights, chalk art, shaving cream Wiffle-Ball games, visits from the zoo, field trips to the beach, Funtown and much more.

Register online at www.grayrec.com or call at 657-2323, ext. 117, for more information.