A big thank you from the Raymond Arts Alliance

Well, we are quite astounded.  From our shy venture into a local performance, recruiting for team members in October, to our first concert in January, The Raymond Arts Alliance is now celebrating it’s one-year anniversary!  We have grown from a team of two to four and now there are seven of us, each donating their skills and ingenuity to collaboration and connection within the Raymond community. 

It is hard to single out any one event as a highlight.  There was juggling and magic (with a 12-year-old magician!), inspiring music from Cuba, Ireland and India, award winning poets and captivating published authors, lively Community Sings, sweet Open Mic Nights, and so much more!

See:  http://www.raymondvillagelibrary.org/raa-event-page/ for a more complete listing; you won’t believe it, we sure couldn’t! There was also the exceptional New England Jazz Band who performed at our fundraiser on Hacker’s Hill through the generosity of the Loon Echo Land Trust.  These talented musicians not only increased our exposure to the community, they accelerated the meeting of our goals in helping to fund the development of local artists. 

Many, many thanks to Sheila Bourque of the Raymond Village Library, Reverend Nancy Foran, and the Raymond Village Community Church for their support, ideas and venue donation.  Although, we can’t possibly thank every artist, musician, baker, benefactor, merchant, (not a one overlooked us), and all-around enthusiasts for our work, please know, we are, indeed, deeply grateful.  And most of all, we thank you: you came, you supported, you gave us your ideas, and donated money, baked goods, time, talent, and encouragement.

You contacted us and others with your kindness and generosity to help spread the word. As Lorraine Glowczak, editor of the Windham Eagle, has noted, this is indeed, a special kind of community! 

Keep staying in touch, keep letting us know your ideas, and join us!  We are excited as we enter our second year celebrating the arts, our community and the magic that happens when this brings us together!