JPEG: Top Winners at National Dance Competition

Pictured left to right: Pictured here are MacKenize Gifford And Liza Collins Photo courtesy of Pam Collins Stahle

JPEG: Windham High School Lax Rookie of the Year

Pictured: Tyler Woolson. Photo Courtesy of Jack Woolston

Art sale at Hawthorne House
The Hawthorne Community Association in Raymond is hosting its first art sale July 15 and 16. The event will feature a collection of original works by several local artists along with complimentary snacks and refreshments, a raffle and souvenirs. This free event will be open from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. both evenings.

The event also offers an opportunity to tour the Hawthorne House, the childhood home of 19th century author Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Hawthorne Community Association has been maintaining the house at 40 Hawthorne Road since 1921. Ten percent of the art sales will go directly to upkeep of the Hawthorne House. Information on other events and historical information is available at www.hawthorneassoc.com.

National dance winners
CenterStage dancers MacKenzie Gifford and Liza Collins-Schrader received a Platinum and a top score in the contemporary duet at Step Up 2 Dance National dance competition held in Manchester, N.H. July 8. The piece, choreographed by Pam Collins Stahle, earned high points at the local competition in March, which provided them a scholarship to attend last week’s competition. The two girls, along with 23 others, will attend Dancers Inc. Nationals in Cape Code performing a musical theater piece from the musical, “Legally Blonde.”

Lacrosse Rookie of the Year

Tyler Woolston, son of Jack and the late Candace Woolston, was recently named “Rookie of the Year” by Head Coach Pete Small at the annual Windham High School lacrosse banquet. Tyler credits both his team and his coaches for his success, including 50 scores (31 direct and 19 assists). As a freshman starting varsity, he’s on his way towards his longer-term goal of playing Division One lacrosse at the collegiate Level. His high school team was stopped one game short of the state championship, defeated by Brunswick, which had advanced to the states all three prior years. Brunswick Head Coach Don Glover is now the coach of Tyler’s 207 Lax Travel Team, which is playing at summer tournaments in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Looking for new Dirt Divas
The Dirt Diva women’s mountain bike club is always seeking new riders. All levels are welcome with the beginners “no drop” ride held on Wednesday nights usually at Range Pond at 5:30 p.m. You provide your own bike and gear, and the club provides a guide and sweep to take you on the single-track trails and help you conquer any obstacles along the way. For those more experienced, the club offers intermediate rides during the week as well. On top of this, the club periodically offers classes which include trail-riding training and bike maintenance. For more information, contact Beth at egaudet@maine.rr.com or visit the Dirt Divas Facebook page.

Host families needed
Families are needed in the Lakes Region Area to host exchange students for the 2016-17 school year. Families can host for either the fall or winter semester or for the full year. Although there is no financial stipend, hosting provides both the family and student amazing experiences and lots of learning. A portion of hosting may be tax deductible. Families are able to assist in choosing the student that seems a best fit for them. If you are interested in hosting or would like more information about the program and the requirements (for example, students do not need their own bedroom) please contact Beth at egaudet@maine.rr.com.

J. Bates’ fan painting will be among the artwork at The Hawthorne Association’s first art sale at the Hawthorne House in Raymond July 15-16.

MacKenize Gifford, left, and Liza Collins-Schrader took honors at Step Up 2 Dance National dance competition in Manchester, N.H.

Tyler Woolston has been named Windham High School’s LAX Rookie of the Year.

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