Business idea?
The Gray New Gloucester Development Corporation is proud to announce the Grow GNG Challenge. If you have a business idea that would benefit from being located in Gray or New Gloucester, this is the competition for you. The winner of the competition will be awarded a total prize in excess of $17,000, including a $10,000 forgivable loan, in-kind professional services ranging from legal to interior design, one year of phone and internet, photography services, web consulting and three months free rent. Go to: http://gngdc.com for more information.

Host families needed
Kathleen Hansen of CCI Greenheart, a cultural exchange program, reports that we have exchange students from France, Spain and Italy arriving in July for a few weeks summer visit and host families are needed. Or, are you interested in a student coming in September who would attend the high school? It does not cost anything to volunteer as a host family, except to feed the visiting student(s) staying with you. They are not here to travel or be entertained, but they do want to practice their English and learn about American families. They do not need their own room, but they do need their own bed. Contact Hansen at 653-1007 or khansen@ccigreenheart.org, or fill out the short application at https://www.tfaforms.com/236744

Free summer meals
Free meals for those under 18 – no paperwork required – will begin Monday, June 27. At the GNGHS courtyard, the meals will be served Monday-Friday  11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; at the Russell School picnic area, Monday-Thursday noon-12:30 p.m.; and at the Liberty Family Foundation, 23 N. Raymond Road, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Hannaford helps Gray Rec
The Gray Recreation Department has been chosen as the recipient for the “Hannaford Helps” Reusable Bag Program. Visit the Hannaford in Gray during June and July, purchase a bag (or two, or three), and $1 from each bag sold with go to the Gray Recreation fundraising account.

Summerfest
On Saturday, Aug. 27, at Pennell Park. A “Celebration of Gray’s Past, Present and Future” kicks off  8 a.m.-noon with a Gray Give-Away, local Business Expo and music. From noon-5 p.m. there will be arts and crafts vendors, music/entertainment, family-friendly games and contests, face painting, food, hands-on activities and exhibits.

Celebration organizers are still looking for a few more interested folks to join the Ad Hoc Planning Committee; local musical talent and arts and craft vendors; day- of-event community volunteers; and additional local businesses to participate in the Business Expo. For more event information, contact GrayEndofSummerFest@gmail.com, and follow us on Facebook at Gray End of Summer Fest.

Water district meeting
A Gray Water District trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at 80 Shaker Road, Gray.

Runners and walkers
The annual Libby Hill Longest Day 5K to be on Tuesday evening, June 21. There’s still time for runners and walkers to sign up for only $10, Gray-NG students can register for free. There also will be a Kid’s Fun Run and lots of random prize giveaways. Online registration is at www.libbyhill.org.

Movies, books and rock ‘n’ roll
Attend a movie and enjoy a tasty snack in the Gray Public Library’s new “theater.” Showing soon are: Zootopia (PG), Saturday, June 18, 10:30 a.m.; Finding Nemo (G), Saturday, June 18, 1 p.m.; Finest Hours (PG-13), Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 p.m.; My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (PG-13), Thursday, June 23, 2 p.m.; Ice Age (PG), Saturday, June 25, 10:30 a.m.; Ghostbusters (1984) (PG), Saturday, June 25, 1 p.m.; Eye in the Sky (R), Tuesday, June 28, 6:30 p.m.

On Thursday, June 23, come to the library and experience Pink Floyd as you never have before. At 6:30 p.m., they will be playing Pink Floyd’s classic album “Dark Side of the Moon” presented in Blu-ray pure audio. After the music, there will be a 7:30 p.m. screening of “Roger Waters The Wall,” a documentary/concert film that captures the 2014 elaborately staged production of Pink Floyd’s landmark album.

This year GPL is hosting both a summer reading program for kids and one for grown-ups. The signup for the kids’ summer reading program begins on Tuesday, June 21. Most summer reading events will be held on Fridays in July and August. The adult summer reading program will begin on Tuesday, July 12, no sign-up required. Check out books and receive a ticket to enter to win for one of our great prizes.

All events are free and open to the public. Gray Public Library is at 5 Hancock St., Go t0 www.gray.lib.me.us or phone 657-4110.

Meet Donn Fendler
The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 is featuring:

• On Saturday, June 18, Donn Fendler, famous for becoming lost for nearly two weeks on Mount Katahdin in July of 1939, then writing the very popular book, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.” Fendler will autograph his books, which will be available for purchase in the Nature Store, or you can bring your own copies. Additionally, join Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recreational safety instructors to learn about safety and survival in the outdoors. www.maine.gov/ifw/education/safety

• On the following Saturday, June 25, join Wolfe’s Neck Farm to ready the garden for summer. Discover the science of soil and seed germination. Be sure to enter the raffle to win a week of “Camp and Camp.”  wolfesneckfarm.org

All events are sponsored by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park and will run rom 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 657-4977, ext. 0 or go to www.mainewildlifepark.org

Summer camp etc.
Gray Recreation Summer Camp 2016 for grades K-7 June 27-Aug. 19 will feature everything from ice cream walks to field trips to the beach, Funtown and more. New this year, both lower grade level camps will be at the Henry Pennell Complex. A camp membership is needed in order to sign up for this program.

Discount tickets are available for Aquaboggan, Funtown/Splashtown, Sea Dogs, Water Country and York Wild Kingdom at Gray Rec this summer.

Nerf Nights are coming to Newbegin. Walls and barriers will be set up for team battles and shooting contests. You must bring your own weapon that accepts standard darts. You will only be allowed to use the darts that the Rec provides. Register online for Grades 3-4 July 8 For fees and more information go to www.greyrec.com or call 657-2323, ext. 117.

Wendy Emery, owner of D’Ameri Acres Farm in Gray, shows the winning ticket in the GNG Lions raffle to club President Dean Neal. D’Ameri Acres provided a $200 gift certificate for their locally raised meat and produce for the Lions fundraiser. The Gail Strattard of North Yarmouth was the winner. The Lions thank all who bought tickets for making it a successful fundraising event.

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