‘Gathering Space’ opens in Raymond

Starting, June 16, the vestry of the Raymond Village Community Church will be open every Monday from 10 a.m.-noon for anyone wanting to escape the summer heat, enjoy a glass of lemonade, iced tea or cup of coffee, or share some time with friends and other community members.

“Our church sits right in the middle of Raymond Center and our vestry stays cool on the hottest days,” said Rev. Nancy Foran. “We thought it would be great to give people a place to escape the heat, read or play a game, and maybe have a chat with their neighbors. This is simply one more way we can be of service to our community.”

There is no set program or agenda for the Gathering Space, which will be staffed by Church volunteers. People are encouraged to bring knitting, crafts, games, or just a good book. “Most of all, we just want people to bring themselves.” Says Rev. Foran. “We hope this will be an opportunity to make some new friends, have some quiet fun, and relax.”

‘Picture This’ to benefit Windham horse rescue

The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals is holding “Picture This,” a celebratory fundraising evening featuring the works of select equine photographers, a silent auction, music, complimentary hors d’oeurves and a cash bar, on Thursday, June 19, from 6-9 p.m. at the Italian Heritage Center at 40 Westland Ave. in Portland. Picture yourself perusing awe-inspiring photographs of horses while you mingle with old friends and make connections with new ones on this festive summer evening.

All proceeds from ticket sales, the silent auction and all donations will be used to feed and care for the many horses that make their homes at the society’s barns. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased by visiting msspa.org and going to the “shop the LJK Korral” tab and clicking on “campaigns”, or by calling 892-3040.

Hawthorne Strawberry Fest set

The Hawthorne House Association in Raymond holds its annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 28, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Hawthorne House at 40 Hawthorne Road.

A program of speakers features brief introductions to three other community organizations. Sally Holt of the Raymond Village Library, Frank McDermott of the Raymond-Casco Historical Society, and Elissa Gifford Hawthorne Garden Club will speak. Following the talks, the best homemade strawberry shortcake available (beverages included) will be served.

Your donation of $10 ($5 for those 8 and younger) helps to maintain this historic house. The Hawthorne Association receives no government or grant funding. It is all done by volunteers.

Reservations are recommended to ensure seating and to help us plan adequate amounts of shortcake. E-mail John at [email protected] or call 655-7660.

On June 2, Gorham-based R.J. Grondin & Sons began work on a full reconstruction of River Road from Route 202 to Page Road. According to Maine Department of Transportation spokesman Ted Talbot, the contractor will work on the road until November or December. Workers will direct alternating streams of one-way traffic on the affected stretches of the road from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as on occasional Saturdays, Talbot said. The reconstruction effort is scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2015. Manchester School teachers Izzy Booth and Donna Morton recently won a $500 grant from Berlin City Auto Group’s Drive for Education to purchase e-books for Manchester’s new online library. Morton’s students, pictured above, sang at the ceremony.