2007 NEWS

Congratulations to our team members on the 1st quarter honor roll: (** High Honors) 6TH GRADE ** James Alt ** Riley Archer **Peter Culver ** Brandon Hubbard Brandon Buck Tyler Credit Spencer Harriman Sam Johnson Adam Lint Justin McKenna Talin Rowe Brandon Thibeault   MIDDLE SCHOOL Aaron Boulos Colbey Bowen Dexter Castro Aarron Chapman Parker Dunn Adam Fogg Nick Gallant Alex Gaskell Patrick Haley Cameron Harmer Hunter Hodsdon Dalton Myers Connor Rickards Ethan Ridge Danny Rowe Collin Skilling Mitchell Stephens Randall Stephens Lukas Wotton       HIGH SCHOOL ** James Stash Scott Albert Eric Fotter Ben Grannell Heath Martell Nate Parker Jon Preble Ben Randall Nate Rowe Cory Rucker Tyler Seglia   From The Monument, August 9, 2007 Gray student earns $5,000 Mitchell scholarship by Elizabeth Raffaele This fall when Sam Christy [Patriots Football Player #10] arrives at the University of Maine at Orono to study engineering, managing his time should hardly be an issue. The 18-year old graduate of Gray-New Gloucester High School played several sports, was a class representative, all while holding his place as No. 9 in his class with a 94 percent average. When he wasn't studying physics, he could be found tutoring a freshman struggling in math or riding his motorcycle around When he wasn't studying physics, he could be found tutoring a freshman struggling in math or riding his motorcycle around his hometown of Gray. In addition to his high academic achievement, Christy was co-captain of the football team and ran indoor and outdoor track. For his academic achievement leadership ability and community service, Christy received a $5,000 scholarship, spread over four years from the Sen. George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute. Established in 1994 by Sen. Mitchell (D-Maine), the purpose of the scholarship is to improve opportunities for young people in Maine. Like many Mitchell scholarship scholars, Christy would be the first in his family to earn a college degree. Christy's father however is also currently working toward a degree at the University of Southern Maine. Among the 2006 Mitchell scholars, 37 percent said a high school diploma was the highest degree obtained by the scholars' parents. More than half of the scholars were in the top 10 percent of their class, and 79 percent of the scholars worked during the school year, according to the institute. Though Christy is unsure what kind of engineer he will be, he is confident the scholarship will help out in the next couple of years. "I am grateful I got it. I was very excited when I found out," Christy said. In the meantime, Christy is working teo jobs: He is a lab technician at the engineering firm of S.W. Cole in Gray and works at The Poland Spring Resort as a cook on weekends. Christy said he enjoys his work at S.W. Cole and looks forward to working in the engineering field. "I like to work with my hands and civil engineering is pretty hands on, if you go out into the field and you get to collect samples," Christy said. He said his interest in pursuing engineering stemmed from his interest in math, which he developed from the time he was in elementary school. Christy said he "just about took every math course he could." "I enjoy math. It suits me," Christy said. When he is not working or studying, Christy has served as a volunteer with his mother for the winter Special Olympics games held at Sugarloaf/USA, something he thoroughly enjoys. "That's a lot of fun, just to see how happy those kids are," Christy said. "It gives them something to do. The smiles on their faces are awesome. It's a great experience," he said. From The Monument, August 9, 2007 [Several of our football players are also on the Senior League All-Star Baseball Team] New Gloucester all-stars welcomed back from New Jersey By Carl Pepin It looked like they were going to the Senior League World Series. Monday’s “victory” parade through town for the returning New Gloucester Senior League all-star baseball team was every bit as warm and genuine as it would have been had they actually won the East regional tournament they participated in last week in West Deptford, N. J. The Maine state champions in the 14-16 age group were rudely sent packing after just two games and two straight losses, but that doesn’t tell the entire story for this young bunch of athletes. The New Gloucester squad lacked the experience the other 10 regional all-star teams had. “We had the youngest team in the regional tournament,” said head coach Rick Ordway, who noted that his team included just two 16-year-olds on their roster whereas most other teams at the New Jersey venue were entirely made up of 16-year-olds. New Gloucester opened the 11-team tourney with an 11-6 loss to the Oak Valley Senior League team from New Jersey on the night of Friday, August 3. The fact that the game was played at night was a bit unnerving for the Maine contingent and the fact that New Gloucester had only played one game under the lights all season long made it stressful for everyone involved. “We lost three balls in the lights in the same inning,” said Ordway explaining that he thought his club was a better team than Oak Valley. Joe Billings pitched into the sixth inning of that game with Sam Mason coming on in relief. New Gloucester then sent 14-year-old Taylor Velante to the mound on Sunday when they faced a solid Connecticut team. And although they out hit their fellow New Englanders, the Maine champs lost by a very misleading 17-5 score to get eliminated from further tourney play. “(The folks in New Jersey) said this was the best Maine team that’s been there in years,” Ordway said. “The team played well.” And despite the quick exit from the tourney, Ordway and his players wouldn’t trade their summer success and their trip to the regional for anything. “It was awesome. They had a fantastic time and it was a great experience for them,” said Ordway. Team members include: Drew Densmore, Joe Billings, Sam Mason, Taylor Valente [Patriots Football Player #30] , Thomas Rich [Patriots Football Player #68] , Jordan Chase, Tyler Seliga, Chris Norton, Jesse Ordway, Shayne Curtis, and Trevor McCutcheon [Patriots Football Player #22] . Coaches: Rick Ordway, Torry Valente and Don Densmore. NG Eagles donate to Senior Little Leaguers The New Gloucester Eagles Club recently donated $1,500 to the New Gloucester Senior Little Leaguers in order to help raise the much needed $15,000 to represent the state of Maine in the regionals. The Club, located on the Old Route 26 (Centennial Springs Road) is part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, an organization dedicated to helping the local community. Many of the efforts of the club include raising funds to help such charities as Camp Sunshine, the Fight Against Cancer, and the Ronald McDonald House, as well as local organizations like the Gray and New Gloucester fire and rescue departments, the Gray and New Gloucester libraries and Opportunity Farm. More than $20,000 was given out last year to national, state and local causes. Gray-New Gloucester football season opening GRAY (Aug 2, 2007): It's football time again in Gray and New Gloucester and the Patriot Grandstand Club has issued its schedules for the high school, middle school, and youth teams. Registration, equipment distribution, and practice times for all three teams are outlined below. High school team registration and equipment distribution will occur on Saturday, Aug. 11 in the high school west gym. Seniors will be suited at 10 a.m., juniors at 10:20 a.m., sophomores at 11 a.m. and freshmen at 11:20 a.m. Players should bring their registration forms and $150 fee that day. High school team practice begins on Monday, Aug. 13 with sessions at both 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Middle school team registration and equipment distribution will occur on Thursday, Aug. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school west gym. Players should bring their registration forms and $135 fee that day. Players unable to attend on the 16th can also register and receive equipment on Monday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. Middle school team practice begins on Monday, Aug. 20 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the high school athletic fields. Youth team equipment distribution will be on Monday, Aug. 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school west gym. The team has several slots still open, so any interested players can register at this time. Registration fee is $100. Youth team practice begins on Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the high school athletic fields. All registration and medical forms are available on the Patriot Grandstand Club Web site, www.gngfootball.org. All required forms and fees must be turned in by the first day of practice in order for players to participate. From The Monument, June 29, 2007 Joe Menard graduated this June from Gray-New Gloucester High School and will leave Opportunity Farm in the fall for Husson College. Joe has been active in the community and at the high school where he was co-captain of the football team. For Joe, this summer will be a time to continue working and saving money - adding to the scholarship dollars he received from Opportunity Farm for his college education. Joe is working as a summer counselor at the Lewiston YMCA's Camp Connor where he will begin pursuing his dream of being a teacher. Congratulations to our football players who participated in Winter Track and/or Spring Track. Here are the results: 1/05/07 Indoor Track Results: Jr 55 Hurdles: 3. Nate Rowe Jr. 800 relay: 1. Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. High Jump: 5. Mike DeJager Jr Shot Put: 2. Zeth Horr Pole Vault: 2. Mike DeJager Sr 55 Hurdles: 5. Zach Parker Sr. 200: 3. Zach Parker Sr. Shot Put: 1. Will Rowe; 6. Chase Hill 4/30/07 Outdoor Track Results: 100 Hurdles: 3. Parker 300 Hurdles: 3. Nate Rowe Discus: 1. Will Rowe 4. Nick Audet Javelin: 3. Sam Christy; 4. Will Rowe Pole Vault: 4. Mike DeJager Shot Put: 2. Will Rowe Racewalk: 2. Scott Albert 1/12/07 Indoor Track Results: Jr. 55: 2. Joey Cleaves Jr. 55 Hurdles: 3. Nate Rowe; 6. Scott Albert Jr. 800 relay: 4. Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. Shot Put: 2: Zeth Horr Pole Vault: 6. Mike DeJager Sr. 55 hurdles: 6 Zach Parker Sr. Shot Put: 4. Will Rowe Triple Jump: 6. Parker 05/04/07 Outdoor Track Results: 100 hurdles 2. Nate Rowe 300 hurdles 3. Nate Rowe Discus 1. Will Rowe Javelin 2. Will Rowe Pole vault 1. 3. Mike DeJager Racewalk 1. Scott Albert Shot put 1. Will Rowe 1/19/07 Indoor Track Results: Sr. Shot Put: 1. Will Rowe Jr. 55 Hurdles: 1. Nate Rowe; 4. Scott Albert Jr. 800 relay: 2. Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. Shot Put: 2: Zeth Horr; 5. Joey Cleaves Pole Vault: 2. Mike DeJager 05/10/07 Outdoor Track Results: 110 hurdles 1. Nate Rowe 300 hurdles 4. Nate Rowe Discus 2. Will Rowe Javelin 2. Will Rowe 3. Sam Christy Pole vault 4. Mike DeJager Racewalk 2. Scott Albert Shot put 1. Will Rowe 5. Chase Hill 1/26/07 Indoor Track Results: Jr. 55 Hurdles: 3. Nate Rowe; 5. Scott Albert Jr. 800 relay 2. Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. Shot Put; 2. Zeth Horr Sr 55: 6. Parker Sr 55 Hurdles: 2. Parker Sr. Shot Put: 4. Will Rowe Triple Jump: 2. Parker 05/17/07 Outdoor Track Results: 100 5. Sam Christy 110 hurdles 3 Nate Rowe 200 3. Sam Christy 300 hurdles 5. Nate Rowe Discus 2. Will Rowe Javelin 2. Will Rowe; 4. Sam Christy Shot put 1. Will Rowe Racewalk 3. Scott Albert 2/02/07 Indoor Track Results: Jr. 55 Hurdles: 2. Nate Rowe Jr. 800 relay 3. Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. Shot Put; 2: Zeth Horr; 5. Joey Cleaves Pole Vault: 2. Mike DeJager Sr 55 Hurdles: 2. Parker Sr 200: 5. Parker Sr. Shot Put: 5. Will Rowe Congratulations to our senior football players in the Western Maine Conference Championships held on 5/26/07. Will Rowe WON the state title for javelin throw! Results: Javelin: 1st place Will Rowe; 8th place Sam Christy Discus: 4th place Will Rowe Shot put: 6th place Will Rowe Congratulations to our freshman football players in the 2007 Western Maine Freshmen Outdoor Track Championships held on 5/29/07 at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine Results: 110 Meter Hurdles:   Nate Rowe 2nd place 200 Meter Dash:   Nate Parker 10th Place 300 Meter Hurdles:   Nate Rowe 5th place Pole Vault:   Mike DeJager 2nd place Shot Put:   Zeth Horr 2nd Place Discus:   Nate Parker 8th Place Discus:   Zeth Horr 10th place Javelin:   Zeth Horr 16th place From The Monument, June 7, 2007. The boys track team from Gray-New Gloucester finished fifth at last weekend’s Class B state meet in Windham with a total of 42 points, a bunch of which came in the javelin event. Will Rowe grabbed the state championship with a top distance of 157-04. Rowe racked up some more points with a fourth in the discus and a sixth in the shot put. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED AT THE 2ND ANNUAL PINELAND TRAIL CHALLENGE BBQ. WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME! Start Over Youth Football Press Release: The Patriot Grandstand Club, sponsors of Gray – New Gloucester Patriots football, is bringing youth tackle football to our area this fall. According to Club president Barney Stilphen, the continued improvement of the Gray – New Gloucester interscholastic teams depends upon introducing football to younger athletes. “Football is a game of skill that is developed through time and experience,” Stilphen says. “The earlier an athlete is introduced to football, the more effective he will be at the high school level.” The Club will begin its foray into youth football with a team open to fifth and sixth grade boys and girls. In future years, the Club hopes to add teams for even younger players. The young Patriots will compete in the Maine Youth Football League, which is made up of teams from Portland, South Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland, Lisbon, and Rockland. According to middle school coach Terry Bowen, the 5th/6th grade team will begin practicing in mid-August and will likely practice five evenings a week until Labor Day. After Labor Day, practices will drop to three evenings per week. Games will be scheduled for either Saturdays or Sundays from mid-September through early November. Registration Night for the youth team is Tuesday, June 12th from 5:30 to 8:30 in the Dunn School cafeteria. Parents will need to bring their child’s birth certificate, health insurance information, and evidence of a physical exam within the last two years. A printable brochure and all necessary forms can also be downloaded from the Club’s website, www.gngfootball.org. The 2007 registration fee is $100. The Club will provide all equipment except cleats. The Patriot Grandstand Club is also sponsoring a football camp for incoming 5th and 6th graders this summer. The camp will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 pm on July 9th through July 13th at Gray – New Gloucester High School. The cost is $25, and each participant will receive a t shirt. Download Youth Football Brochure Here Congratulations to our GNG Patriots Football Players who also participate in outdoor track. Photos from the 1st meet below. Congratulations to the following 2007 High School Award Recipients: Western Maine Conference Citizenship Award - Sam Christy American Citizenship Award 9th Grade - Nate Parker American Citizenship Award 10th Grade - Scott Albert American Citizenship Award 11th Grade - Jon Preble State Math Team Member - Jon Preble Oakhurst Dairy H.S. Senior of the Week Congratulations to Joe Menard #52 who was chosen as Oakhurst Dairy's athlete of the week. Joe will be attending Husson College after graduation. Congratulations to our H.S. players on the 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Senior: Sam Christy Junior: Jon Preble - **High Honors** Sophomore: Scott Albert Sophomore: Jeremy Klar Sophomore:Cory Rucker Freshman: Nathan Parker Freshman: Nathan Rowe Congratulations to our M.S. players on the 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Robbie Sutherland 8th Grade **High Honors** Heath Martel 8th Grade Honors Aaron Boulos 7th Grade **High Honors** Alex Gaskell #99 7th Grade **High Honors** Patrick Haley 7th Grade **High Honors** Dalton Myers 7th Grade **High Honors** Colbey Bowen 7th Grade Honors Roman Latno 7th Grade Honors Parker Dunn 7th Grade Honors Average Austen Keenan 7th Grade Honors Average Jordan Rouillard 7th Grade Honors Average Randall Stephens 7th Grade Honors Average WHERE ARE THEY NOW ? updated April 2007 If you have news about previous GNG Patriots football players, email rgarcia@gngfootball.org 2005 team/2006 graduates: #63 Chris Bagley is attending the University of Maine Orono #47 Matt Brookes #87 Alex Drew is also attending the University of Maine Orono #50 Cory Googins attends the Maine Maritime Academy and is a member of the Men's Cross Country team. #58 Chad Kelsey attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and plays Outside Linebacker for the Rensselaer Engineers #57 Wil Kramlich attends Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts #30 Mike Thomas 2004 team/2005 graduates: #77 Josh Amergian #86 Air Force Airman Philip Scott Bolduc has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas #7 Mark Brookes #49 Jamie Hatheway #69 Gary Pulcifor 2003 team/2004 graduates: #53 Andrew Stout #97 Ben Christy plays Outside Linebacker and Defensive Tackle for the University of Maine's Tackle Football Club, part of the Northeast Independent Football League (NIFL), a "AA" Semi-Pro division league #23 Chris Porter #99 Darren Whitman #8 Jason Lavigne #46 Joey Drew #30 Lance Cpl. Stuart Dipaolo is stationed in Okinawa, Japan as an automotive organizational mechanic with 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion #81 Seth Harrington #50 Mike Higgins Oakhurst H.S. Senior of the Week Congratulations to Peter DeJager #88 who was chosen as Oakhurst Dairy's athlete of the week. GNG Patriots Football Player selected as Lobster Bowl All-Star Gray-New Gloucester senior, Eric Doyle, will be one of 44 West players to play in the 2007 Shriner's Lobster Bowl. Doyle is the latest Patriot senior chosen to represent the GNG Football Program at the all-star football game. Last year, Chad Kelsey played in the offensive line for the West. Shriners from the Kora Temple Shrine will hold the 18th annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic on July 27, 2007 at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford at 7:30 P.M. More than 800,000 children have been helped by the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is a network of 22 pediatric hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico that provide specialized care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. All services are provided at no charge. The Lobster Bowl is the only Kora sponsored hospital fundraiser where 100% on net proceeds from the game goes to support Shriners Hospitals for Children. Over $313,000 has been raised during the past 17 games. To purchase general admission ($7) or reserved seating ($10) tickets, Click HERE Oakhurst H.S. Senior of the Week Congratulations to Sam Christy #10 who was chosen as Oakhurst Dairy's athlete of the week. Sam will be attending the University of Maine this fall. The Monument March 29, 2007: Patriot Grandstand Club annual meeting, April 10 The Patriot Grandstand Club, sponsor of Gray-New Gloucester Patriots Football, will be holding its annual meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Gray-New Gloucester high School cafeteria. The business of the annual meeting will include, but not be limited to, annual reports from the current officers, election of officers for the next fiscal year, and amendments to the bylaws. The club is seeking nominations for the following offices: at least one president, at least one vice-president, one secretary, one treasurer, and at least two trustees. Each position has a one-year term and is a member of the Club's Board of Directors. Candidates must either be a parent of an active football player in good standing, or a parent of an athlete who will be new to the football program for the 2007 season. Anyone interested in Gray-New gloucester Patriots Football is invited to attend this annual meeting. The club is always looking for volunteers to plan and staff fund-raising events and to participate in a variety of other club activities. For more information, contact Anne Rowe, Treasurer at abrowe@maine.rr.com or 657-4056. From Jenny Sherwood, Secretary, Patriot Grandstand Club: I just wanted to let you all know that Anne (Rowe) did a phenomenal job of presenting our program to the Board of Education last night at a workshop. She put together an amazing power point presentation that explained the costs to run our program, the amount of fund-raising that we have done, comparison of price per player with other sports, how other schools fund their football programs and the amount of overall funding for sports at GNG in comparison to other schools. She also showed how much the general boosters have made for all sports at the snack shack during football games. As always, her attention to detail and thoroughness were demonstrated. She did a professional presentation and many board members commented and thanked her. Geoff (Robbins) was there to represent all sports, but also demonstrated full support for the football program answering any questions the board members had. The school board has very tough decisions to make as many departments have requests that they must prioritize and they are reviewing the total cost to run our school system, the amount of money they will receive from the state, and the amount of money they must ask the taxpayer for, but you should all know we were represented superbly! They will now consider through on going workshops what requests will move forward in the budget. I am sure Anne and Geoff will keep us all posted. What can you do? Appreciate any school board member, no matter what items move forward, they all have a good cause for some child in our community. Be sure and go out to cast your vote to pass the school budget. Due to personal reasons and effective immediately, Barney Stilphen has decided to resign as co-President and board member of the Patriot Grandstand Club. As you all know, Barney has been an extraordinary leader and supporter of our program. He has devoted countless hours to our organization and has been one of the pillars that keep our program up and running. From his famous fishing derby to bottle drives to cookouts to painting fields to going to court, Barney has done it all. I will sure miss seeing him around our club events and meetings. Please join me in wishing Barney well in his future and if you see him out and about, please be sure to thank him for being such a wonderful and caring neighbor and for helping start a truly outstanding program for our children. Will Garcia Patriot Grandstand Club helps out a player and his family As you may know, the rental home of one of our high school football players, Matt Tilly, was destroyed by fire last week. The family lost all of their belongings. The Red Cross only was able to provide them with $800 and three nights’ stay in a motel. The GNG Athletic Boosters and the Patriot Grandstand Club have both voted to give them a donation. If anyone is interested in supplementing the football donation, I’m more than willing to collect the funds and present them to the family. Also, this will allow your contribution to be tax deductible. If you want to make a donation to Matt and his family in this fashion, please make your check payable to The Patriot Grandstand Club and send it to P.O. Box 909 in Gray. I’ll prepare a card that lists the names of all contributors. Thanks for supporting our team members. Anne Rowe Congratulations to Freshman football player #49 Mike DeJager who was awarded the Coach's Award by Coach Fancher for the GNG High School Winter Track Team. Keep up the great work Mike! Congratulations to Senior football player #89 Will Rowe who was this week's Oakhurst Dairy H.S. Senior Athlete of the week. Will reported that he'll be attending Maine Maritime Academy this fall and that his favorite subject is physics. Good luck Will! Gray – New Gloucester Independent Feb. 16, 2007 Nathan Tsukroff GNG - The Gray-New Gloucester Patriots Football Program held their fourth annual Ice Fishing Derby on Upper and Middle Range Ponds on Saturday, February 10. The derby was also a Department of Inland Fisheries' Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs "Learn To Fish" day. Approximately 325 participants took part in the event. The event raises money for the privately-funded program at the high school. The Patriots participated in their first league games this past fall, after two seasons of club play. First prize in the Adult Division was awarded to Butch Davenport of Auburn for a 5 pound, 7.5 ounce togue. Second prize was won by Todd Boothby of Steep Falls for a 5 pound, 4.5 ounce togue. Third place went to Eric Ray of New Gloucester for a 4 pound, 11.5 ounce brown trout. First prize in the Youth Division was awarded to three-year-old Griffin Buckwalter of New Gloucester for a 3 pound, 2 ounce small mouth bass. Second prize was won by Alex Page from Bath for a 3 pound largemouth bass. Third place went to Matt Berube of Auburn for a 2 pound, 1.5 ounce small mouth bass. Jon Preble cuts a hole in the ice by hand at Middle Range Pond in Poland. (Photo Nathan Tsukroff) Setting Traps Colbey Bowen, Cory Rucker, Jon Preble, Mike Dejager and Nate Rowe get instructions from Barney Stilphen on setting traps. (Photo Nathan Tsukroff) Daniel Dunnells of Parsonfield won $227.50 in the Derby's 50/50 raffle drawing. Mr. Dunnells also won $225 of car care products in a second Derby raffle. Derby participants took home 60 door prizes valued at over $1,500. The Gray-New Gloucester Patriots Football program would like to thank all their derby sponsors and participants for their continued support. Major Sponsors: Knowles Industrial Services, Gorham; The Telephone Guys, Buxton; Pine Tree Networks, New Gloucester; FET, Inc., Scarborough; TD Banknorth, Portland; Bluestone Rock Quarry, Cape Elizabeth; The Boulos Company, Portland; Mailings Unlimited, Portland; Jeff Preble Concrete, Gray; Bill Dodge Auto Group, Westbrook; and The Flying Lobster Restaurant, Poland. Door Prize Sponsors: Tailgate Bar & Grill, Gray; Manely Men Haircuts, Gray; Skillins Greenhouses, Cumberland; Touchstone Bodyworks, Gray; The Village Kitchen, Poland; Mario's Pizza, New Gloucester; Allen Farms, Cumberland; Portland Sea Dogs, Portland; Brian Pasanen Flies, Gray; Peter DeJager Bulb Company, South Hamilton, Mass.; Dry Mills Store, Gray; Portland Pirates, Portland; Poland Store & Grill, Poland; Whip's Right Time Caf?, Portland; Mooney's Bait Shop, New Gloucester; Dag's Bait Shop, Auburn; Stone's Pet Supply Outlet, Lewiston; Maine/New Hampshire Chapter. 2007 Ice Fishing Derby Photos Start Over GNG Football Patriots Fishing Derby Results by Anne Rowe The Gray-New Gloucester Patriots Football Program held their fourth annual ice fishing derby on Upper and Middle Range Ponds on Saturday, February 10th. The derby was also a Department of Inland Fisheries' Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs ³Learn To Fish² day. About 325 participants took part in the event. First prize in the Adult Division was awarded to Butch Davenport of Auburn for a 5 pound 7.5 ounce togue. Second prize was won by Todd Boothby of Steep Falls for a 5 pound, 4.5 ounce togue. Third place went to Eric Ray of New Gloucester for a 4 pound, 11.5 ounce brown trout. First prize in the Youth Division was awarded to three-year-old Griffin Buckwalter of New Gloucester for a 3 pound, 2 ounce smallmouth bass. Second prize was won by Alex Page from Bath for a 3 pound largemouth bass. Third place went to Matt Berube of Auburn for a 2 pound, 1.5 ounce smallmouth bass. Daniel Dunnells of Parsonfield won $227.50 in the Derby 50/50 raffle drawing. Mr. Dunnells also won $225 of car care products in a second Derby raffle. Derby participants took home 60 door prizes valued at over $1,500. The Gray-New Gloucester Patriots Football program would like to thank all our derby sponsors and participants for their continuing support. Major Sponsors: Knowles Industrial Services, Gorham The Telephone Guys, Buxton Pine Tree Networks, New Gloucester FET, Inc., Scarborough TD Banknorth, Portland Bluestone Rock Quarry, Cape Elizabeth The Boulos Company, Portland Mailings Unlimited, Portland Jeff Preble Concrete, Gray Bill Dodge Auto Group, Westbrook The Flying Lobster Restaurant, Poland Door Prize Sponsors: Tailgate Bar & Grill, Gray Manely Men Haircuts, Gray Skillins Greenhouses, Cumberland Touchstone Bodyworks, Gray The Village Kitchen, Poland Mario’s Pizza, New Gloucester Allen Farms, Cumberland Portland Sea Dogs, Portland Brian Pasanen Flies, Gray Peter DeJager Bulb Company, South Hamilton, Mass Dry Mills Store, Gray Portland Pirates, Portland Poland Store & Grill, Poland Whip’s Right Time Café, Portland Mooney’s Bait Shop, New Gloucester Dag’s Bait Shop, Auburn Stone’s Pet Supply Outlet, Lewiston Thank you to the moms who baked so many yummy goodies for the Bake Sale. High School 2nd Quarter Honor Roll - Congratulations to the following players for their academic achievements:   Seniors: Sam Christy Travis Horr Will Rowe   Juniors: Jon Preble   Sophomores: Scott Albert Casey Kramlich Ben Randall Tom Rich Cory Rucker   Freshman: Ryan Blenk Nate Parker Taylor Valente THE LURE OF ICE FISHING By JUSTIN ELLIS, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald Thursday, February 15, 2007   February in Maine means consistently cold temperatures, thick ice and ice fishing. The month of February is a busy one for ice fishing on Maine's lakes and ponds, with derbies and tournaments scheduled around the state. There's no better example than the Sebago Lake area, where ice fishing shacks dot Lower Bay, Jordan Bay and Moose Pond. The annual free ice fishing days are this weekend throughout the state. On Saturday and Sunday anyone, with the exception of people with suspended licenses, can get out and fish. The Otisfield Volunteer Firefighter Association has a tournament scheduled this weekend on Pleasant Lake and Thompson Lake. On Sunday, the Denmark Lions Club is hosting its fishing derby on Moose Pond. On Feb. 23, the Sebago Lake Rotary Club Derbyfest is scheduled to take place on Sebago Lake. Tom Noonan, the organizer of Derbyfest, said the event typically draws between 4,000 and 5,000 people on Jordan Bay and throughout Sebago Lake. Noonan said the event has become a family activity since it started as a fundraiser in 2001. The derby will be accompanied by Maine Winterfest, which will take place at Point Sebago Resort in Casco. Though they have added new events each year, Noonan said the biggest draw continues to be fishing. "It has always been a family pastime," he said. On Feb. 10, more than 300 people took part in the Gray-New Gloucester Patriots Football Program's annual ice fishing derby on Upper and Middle Range ponds. Barney Stilphen, an organizer of the derby, said this year's derby included an educational event for kids called "Hooked on Fishing -- Not on Drugs." The program, created by the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is designed to get kids interested in fishing at an early age, Stilphen said. Stilphen said it's also a way for families to spend time with each other. "It gives them an opportunity to go fishing and gets them out of the house," he said. Jason Luce of the Maine Warden Service said the most important thing for people to remember is to check ice conditions before they go out. Ice must be at least 2 inches thick for one person on foot and up to 15 inches for a heavy truck, he said. Luce said recent cold weather is firming up ice, but people should always use caution and make sure someone else knows where they are going. "Most people take the extra time to check up before they go out," he said. "Most pay attention to everything and are going out to have a good time." HS Football Players in Winter Sports Excellent job staying in shape for the upcoming football season! January Winter Track Results: Jan 5, 2007 GNG vs York, Freeport, Traip Academy, North Yarmouth Academy, Wells & Sacopee Valley Sr. Shot Put - 1st Will Rowe, 6th Chase Hill Jr. Shot Put - 2nd Travis Horr Jr. High Jump - 5th Mike DeJager Jr. 800 Relay - 1st Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. 55 Hurdles - 3rd Nate Rowe Pole Vault - 2nd Mike DeJager Jan 12, 2007 GNG vs Wells, North Yarmouth Academy, Traip Academy, Freeport, York & Cape Elizabeth Pole Vault - 5th Mike DeJager Sr. Shot Put - 4th Will Rowe Jr. Shot Put - 2nd Zeth Horr Jr. 800 Relay - 4th Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. 55 Hurdles - 3rd Nate Rowe, 6th Scott Albert Jan 19, 2007 GNG vs Traip Academy, Freeport, Falmouth & Wells Pole Vault 2nd - Mike DeJager Sr. Shot Put - 1st Will Rowe Jr. Shot Put - 2nd Zeth Horr 5th Joey Cleaves Jr. 800 Relay - 2nd Mike DeJager & Zeth Horr Jr. 55 Hurdles - 1st Nate Rowe, 4th Scott Albert Basketball: Taylor Valente, Nate Parker & Nick Audet; Nick is averaging 4.5 points per game. Congratulations everyone on your hard work! Web site and all other original contents copyright © 2003-2008 Patriot Grandstand Club sponsor of Gray-New Gloucester Patriot Football