Kasprzyk name Kiwanian of the Year

The Kiwanis Club of Standish recognized Dan Kasprzyk as “Kiwanian of the Year” during their Officer Installation ceremony. Outgoing president Gary Lind presented the award in recognition of Dan’s efforts and accomplishments for the club and community. “As a new member, Mr. Kasprzyk accepted the responsibility of scheduling speakers, publicizing events, and keeping Kiwanians abreast of local happenings here in Standish. Dan brings with him a dynamic personality and enthusiasm that aligns with Kiwanis Club of Standish, and the six permanent Objects of Kiwanis International,” said Mr. Lind.

Kiwanis Club of Standish has been serving the local community since 1929, and is part of Kiwanis International. They meet most Wednesdays at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.KiwanisBeach.org, or call 642-4036.

Beer history author to visit Raymond library

Josh Christie will share the history of Maine brewing in the state, from post-Prohibition to the unique and inventive beer culture that flourishes today, at the Raymond Village Library on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Christie will provide a variety of recommendations, including historically significant beer, his own personal favorites, and local beers. He will bring a variety of beers for tasting, and his book will be available for purchase and signing.

This is a free program and open to the public. Please pre-register by calling the Raymond Village Library at 655-4283.

Girl Scouts hosts festival, Oct. 25

The Girl Scouts of Maine is holding a Girl Scout Festival at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11-2 p.m. The festival is open to girls in grades kindergarten through fifth grade (who are not in a Girl Scout troop) and their families. This event will showcase some of the many activities Girl Scouts offers and provide a fun Saturday afternoon outing.

Participants will discover the park and visit with the wildlife, while checking out a variety of activities including a sing-a-long, creating fall crafts, exploring animal habitats and homes, and making a bird feeder to take home.

Festival tickets can be purchased at the Maine Wildlife Park. Festival guests should mention Girl Scouts and they will receive the discounted rate of $3.50 a person. Children under 3 years of age enter for free. Plus, the first 50 girls in grades K-5 will receive a free pass to come back to the park.

In the case of extreme weather, the festival will be moved to the following day, Sunday, Oct. 26. A message will be posted on the Park’s voicemail at 657-4977.

For more information, contact Kirstin Powell at 772-1177 or [email protected]. For general information about Girl Scouts of Maine or to join Girl Scouts, call 888-922-4763 or visit www.girlscoutsofmaine.org.

WorkReady program offered in Casco

Are you currently out of work? Could your work skills use some updating? Would you like to improve your skills making yourself a better candidate for employment?

WorkReady is an employer-endorsed credential program, supported by a variety of regional businesses and is offered at no cost to eligible participants. Graduates of WorkReady become networked with local businesses that endorse the program.

The upcoming WorkReady program begins Oct. 20 with classes being held at Crooked River Adult and Community Education in Casco. Additional information about this program is available by calling Rhonda Jacobson, at 627-4291, ext. 30.

The WorkReady curriculum is designed to help job seekers upgrade their work skills for the increasingly complex workplaces of the 21st century. Ideal candidates are people who have been out of work for some time, or others looking to improve their interviewing techniques, as well as develop a stronger resume and work portfolio. Graduates of WorkReady greatly enhance their chances of success with local employers.

Gray library to hold candidates night

The Gray Public Library has invited all six candidates for local State offices to a meet-and-greet on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m.

The event is free to Gray voters, and light refreshments will be served. The format for the evening will be simply a chance for voters to meet the candidates one-on-one and ask the questions they’re interested in. There will be no debate, and no speeches, promises Ray Clark, chair of the Trustees of the Gray Public Library, which sponsors the event. Each candidate will have two minutes to introduce him- or herself.

Candidates invited include State Senate hopefuls Cathy Manchester (Republican) and Cathy Breen (Democrat), State House aspirants Bonnie Titcomb Lewis and Dale Denno, both Democrats, and Republicans Sue Austin and Michael Timmons.

VFW essay contest under way

Windham-Raymond RSU 14 students in grades 4 through high school, and homeschoolers in these grades, have an opportunity to compete in the annual essay competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Nov. 1 is the deadline for student entries.

Commander Willie Goodman of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10643 in Windham has announced the kickoff of this year’s VFW Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay competitions.

Grades 4 and 5 students have the opportunity to compete in the annual essay competition on a local level and win $100 for first place and $50 for second place. Students are invited to write a 300-400 word essay on the 2014-2015 theme, “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans”. Deadline for entries is Nov. 1.

Middle school students in grades 6-8 have the same opportunity, except their competition begins at the local VFW Post and Post winners advance to district level, then to the state competition. State winners compete for $46,000 in awards with the first place award of $5,000. Deadline is Nov. 1. Students must write a 300- to 400-word essay on “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.”

High school students compete in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C. The deadline is Nov. 1. Competition begins at the local VFW Post, then advances to district, and then to the state level. State winners receive a four-day trip to Washington to compete with other state finalists. First place is $30,000. Students must write and record a three- to five-minute essay on the theme, “Why Veterans are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future” on an audio cassette tape or audio CD and present their recording, typed essay and entry form at the VFW Post in North Windham by Nov. 1.

All homeschoolers in these grades are encouraged to participate. Interested students and teachers should contact their local VFW representative by phone at 228-4329.

Maine fiddler Erica Brown and her band, The Bluegrass Connection, performed at the Raymond Village Community Church on Saturday night. From left are Read McNamara (banjo), Erica Brown (fiddle/vocals), Ken Taylor (bass/vocals), and Matt Shipman (guitar/vocals). A hundred lucky people got to hear the vibrant, energetic performance in the excellent acoustics and intimate atmosphere of the church’s sanctuary.  Outgoing Standish Kiwanis president Gary Lind, right, presents Dan Kasprzyk the Kiwanian of the Year award.