UCAN

Have you been thinking about doing a 5K and looking for the perfect one? U CAN will be held on June 15 at 8 a.m., and I strongly encourage you to participate. This race is being held to honor Candace Woolston who sadly passed away on Dec. 25 from cancer. She was a loving mother of two boys, devoted wife and family member, trusting friend, avid community volunteer and compassionate teacher in the RSU 14 district. The race will be held at the Shari Gagnon Park on Mill Street and follow a flat and scenic course along Sebago Lake.

Runners and walkers of all fitness levels are invited, and there will also be a kids’ fun run. Proceeds will benefit the Sheri Gagnon Park and Windham Primary School playground. Register online at http://www.active.com/running/raymond-me/u-can-5k-walk-run-kids-fun-run-2013. The first 100 registrants will receive a U CAN T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the top female and male winners and all category winners and runners-up. Strollers are welcomed but for the safety of participants, please leave your pets home. For more information, contact Brenda Dionne at [email protected].

I Will Try

Speaking of running, the Panther Track Club is about to kick off another season. Founded in 1989 and based out of Poland, the Panthers consist of children ages 5-14 from surrounding towns including Raymond. It is the goal of the club to give children the opportunity to participate in a healthy activity that encourages them to develop self-esteem, a sense of team spirit and, at the same time, increase their athletic ability. Participants can compete in running events of various distances, javelin, shot put, discus, long jump, triple jump and high jump.

Practices are beginning at the end of April and are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings with meets held on Thursdays throughout the summer. Along with many volunteers, they are coached by Dan Roy whose motto is “I Will Try,” and that is all that is expected. Coach Dan says “the focus of the team is to improve each athlete’s personal best performances. Some athletes are more skilled than others and will earn ribbons in the meets. Others will work had to improve their own personal times and distances and will be recognized by the coaches for their own personal successes.”

The Panthers won the Maine USA Track and Field State Championship title four of the past five years. To register your child, contact [email protected] or visit panthertrackclub.com to download an application.

Financial Education Workshop

The Raymond Village Library, in partnership with Norway Savings Bank, will offer Record Keeping, the second of three financial education workshops for new and aspiring entrepreneurs as well as current small business owners. These workshops will provide anyone without formal business training with a basic understanding of the financial aspects of running a small business. The Record Keeping workshop will be held at the library on April 17 from 6-7 p.m.

The third workshop, Time Management, will be held on April 24. All sessions are free and you may attend one or more sessions. Coffee and a light snack will be served. Please contact the library at 655-4283 to register or sign up at the library during your next visit.

Compost Bins

Are you looking to reduce your global footprint? If so, composting is an excellent way to reduce trash by recycling food scraps, yard trimmings and other organic matter. Once these scraps are decomposed, they can be used for potting soil or mulch and to help improve moisture absorption and drainage. To help you in your composting efforts, the town is once again selling compost bins. The deadline to place your order is April 20 with an expected pick up date of May 20. These 40-gallon bins have a 10-year warranty and are made of 100-percent recycled black plastic. Scrap pails, wing diggers and rain barrels are also being sold. Samples are on display at the town office. To place an order, contact Louise Lester, Town Clerk at 655-4742 or [email protected].

Kindergarten Registration

September may seem far away, but registration is now open for the upcoming school year. If you have a child who will be turning 5 years old on or before Oct. 15 and is a resident of Raymond, please register your child for the fall of 2013 by completing the online registration form which can be found at http://www.windhamraymondschools.org/res/kindergarten_registration/. Once you have submitted the on-line registration forms, the Raymond Elementary School will contact you to schedule an appointment. A parent orientation and kindergarten student screenings of all eligible children will be held on May 15 and 22. For further information, please contact Deborah Hutchinson, Assistant Principal/Guidance Counselor at Raymond Elementary School at 655-8672, ext. 400 or [email protected].

Snakes, Skunks and Owls…Oh My!

Sparks Arks, a fun and interactive program featuring many critters and birds, is coming to the Raymond Village Library to entertain and educate school-aged kids on Wednesday, April 17, at 10:30 a.m. Come see, touch and learn about the many rescued animals. Due to space restrictions, this event will be held at the Raymond Public Safety Building located at 1443 Roosevelt Trail. This program is made possible through a grant from Cornerstones of Science.