The Nutcracker cometh

Studio for the Living Arts Dance Complex of Gray will present “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m., at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St., Westbrook. This unique, full-length production is the perfect way to introduce young children to the beauty of classical ballet.

Tickets cost $22. Inquire about group discounts. Call 657-3006 to order your tickets.

4th Annual Day ?of Giving

The Caring Community of Gray and New Gloucester is gearing up for an amazing ”Day of Giving” here in the community on Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Spring Meadows Golf Course in Gray. Coffee, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, donuts and donut holes will be served.

The Caring Community organization is a small group of residents providing holiday assistance to individuals and families without discrimination in the towns of Gray and New Gloucester. The assistance is offered in the form of Christmas meal baskets and toys for children.

Caring Community is seeking sponsors for families. The age of children in need are 0-18 years old. The meals are a complete holiday meal and the gifts are not to exceed $75-$100 per child. At this event CC members will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding the family you choose to sponsor. In addition, there will have a gift tree with “gift card ornaments” that community members may choose if preferred. Monetary gifts are always welcome as well.

Sponsorship interests may be directed to gngcaring@gmail.com. Subject line: Mike Marcotte.

Christmas food baskets

Applications for Christmas food baskets are available at all G-NG schools, both town halls and the Gray Public Library. Complete and return applications immediately to any of these locations for Christmas, submit applications by Tuesday, Dec. 8. Any questions? Contact Christina Foster at winkers92@yahoo.com or at 233-0828.

For more information, go to http://www.msad15.org/community/caring-communities/ or ‘like’ GNG Caring Community on Facebook.

Holiday fun ?at the library

The Gray Public Library’s Annual Gingerbread House event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the library on Hancock Street in Gray. Come build your very own gingerbread house. All supplies are provided due to the generosity of the Gray Public Library Association. There will also be pictures with Santa brought to you by the G-NG Patriot Parents. Pictures are $5.

The library is looking for people or groups to sign up to decorate holiday trees in the theme of their favorite book. Please visit the circulation desk for details. The trees will be on display from early December until the New Year.

A Ukulele Holiday Concert and Sing-Along on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. with the Lake Region Ukes. They will be performing holiday songs on their ukuleles and invite you to come sing along. You are encouraged to bring along nonperishable food items to donate to the local food pantry.

Attend free movies in the Gray Public Library’s new “theater.” Now showing: “Ant-Man” (PG-13), Tuesday, Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.; “How the Grinch Stole Christmas/’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (animated versions) Thursday, Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m.; “It’s a Wonderful Life” (PG) Thursday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m.; “Minions” (PG) Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m.; “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” (PG-13) Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m.; “The Year Without Santa Claus” (NR), Thursday, Dec. 17, at 10:30 a.m.; “Holiday Inn” (NR), Thursday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m.

These events are free and open to all. Check www.graymaine.org or call 657-2323 for more information.

Cool things to do

• Make a Shoebox Greeting. Begin by stopping by the Gray Town Hall to pick up a shoebox (or wrap your own). Fill it with items for a child (you pick age and gender). A few suggestions are: candy, school supplies, toys, toothbrush, etc. Return by Thursday, Dec. 10, to Gray Parks and Recreation, 24 Main St. All shoeboxes will go to local children in need.

• Ski and snowboard lessons available at Lost Valley for ages 7-13. Many packages available including rentals. Register as soon as possible to reserve your spot on the bus.

• Discount tickets available for skiing at Attitash/Wildcat, Mt. Abram, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, Cranmore or Camden Snow Bowl, Portland Dine Around Card, $25, (regularly $29.95) and the 2015-2016 Portland Pirates Season.

• Parents Night Out, Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30-9 p.m. ages 4 to 12, (must be potty trained) enjoy a nice evening out for a date or holiday shopping while the folks at the Gray Recreation keep the kids busy with activities both in the recreation room and in the gym at Newbegin. Pack a snack, a drink and something for dinner and make sure they are dressed for fun and they will take care of the rest.

• Nordic skiing after school, for grades 3 through 6 starts the week of Jan. 4 and is sponsored by the Maine Winter Sports Center at Pineland and Gray Recreation Department. Equipment fitting will take place Monday, Dec. 14, second floor of Pennell from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Children must be registered first.

• Continuing or coming soon – Basketball for adults and families, Mad Science, Broadway for Beginners featuring “The Sound of Music,” and ice skating at the Pennell Rink where they are looking for volunteers to put up the rink. (Contact Dean Bennett at Gray Rec for more information.)

For more information or other events, check out the Winter Flyer at www.grayrec.com or call 657-2323 x 117.

Looking for host families

A group of Korean students are visiting our community and they need host families. The students arrive Jan. 22 at Gray-New Gloucester High School and leave Jan. 30. They will attend school the week of Jan. 26-29.

Read more at http://www.graymaine.org/home/news/host-families-needed.

Paint, sip and act

A Paint and Sip event at Fiddlehead Arts and Science Center on Shaker Road in Gray will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4-7 p.m. $40/per person, includes art materials. Must be 21 years and over.

This is a hands-on session with instructor and artist Helene Farrar, who will demonstrate the techniques of master artist Claude Monet. Enjoy a great night of trying your hand at the artist’s technique of painting in acrylic. Plus, Cheetah’s Cafe and Bakery will be on hand with dessert samples. Call or email and invite your friends.

Willy Wonka auditions for ages 7 through grade 10 for the eighth annual Fiddlehead Children’s Theater Production. Auditions are on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Informational night for the children is on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. Children ages 4-6 will have a separate audition time for the Storybook Theater to be announced soon.

Contact 657-2244 or www.fiddleheadcenter.org for more information.

Santa arrived at the Newbegin Gym in Gray by way of a fire truck for the annual Christmas tree lighting on Sunday, Nov. 29.After lighting the Christmas tree, Santa talked with children and posed for pictures.

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