Gorham boy displays art at Gorham Grind

A young artist, Logan Marshall, 12, of Gorham is currently exhibiting 20 pieces at a local coffee shop, the Gorham Grind on South Street.

His show entitled “A Boy’s Brain” features imaginative characters rendered in ink on white paper. The exhibit, which began on Sept. 1 and continues through Oct. 1, will have a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8.

Earlier this summer, Logan approached the owner of The Gorham Grind with the idea of exhibiting some of his work. The owner liked both his drawings and his enthusiasm. After show dates were decided, Logan got to work on his show, completing over 40 pieces.

His artist’s statement hangs along with his artwork in the show.

“This has been a lot of fun to be able to have my own show here at the Gorham Grind,” he said in his statement. “All Summer I’ve been working on pieces to put in this show. In the end, I picked my 20 best so here they are, hope you like them! I want to thank Joe here at the Gorham Grind for letting me put my work up on the walls of his coffee shop, my parents for supporting me and helping me with supplies and other things that were necessary for my show to be complete, Jeremy Green from the Art Guru here in Gorham for hooking me up with my paper and pens…and my sister Jackson for helping me with names for my pieces and laughing and giving me feedback on my drawings. This has been such a fun project, and I hope it’s just as fun for you to see as it was for me to draw.”

With money raised from the show, Logan plans to pay for his own plane tickets to Universal Studios this fall.

Shelter donations needed

Doris Wood of Hannafords in Gorham said there’s a box in the store for collecting goods for the Preble Street Resource Center, serving the homeless in Portland.

She said a notice is posted on the box as to what items are needed.

Mackies get makeover

Bill and Laurel Mackie of Brackett Road recently won a makeover contest from some businesses in Westbrook and Gorham, after they responded to an ad in the American Journal.

On Saturday, the Mackies were at Riverbank Park in Westbrook for a photo shoot following their makeovers. The couple received three hours of house cleaning from Sherry Vaughan of Black Cat Cleaners in Gorham and a gift certificate for a free dinner at Chicky’s in Westbrook.

The couple received a pedicure and a manicure from LeSalon of Westbrook. In addition, Laurel received a permanent and a haircut. And before Saturday’s photo session courtesy of Violette Photography of Westbrook, Laurel’s hair was styled by LuAnn Lucier of LeSalon, who also presented her with flowers.

To cap their memorable occasion, the Mackies were chauffeured home on Saturday by Nathan Brackett of Day Road in his antique, 1920 Ford touring car. Brackett, attending the ceremony at the park honoring the players who went to the Little League World Series, spotted the couple and offered them the ride home.

Bill and Laurel made the news last week when the American Journal reported on a frog living in a birdhouse in a tree in their yard.

North Gorham Day

North Gorham Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the fire station/library at the corner of North Gorham and Standish Neck Road.

Activities include a parade at 10 a.m. followed by family entertainment throughout the day. For the adults, there will be a pie eating contest and games, food, music and a magician for the kids.

A free dance at 6 p.m. featuring music by Cattle Call will follow a bean-hole-bean supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the United Church of Christ at North Gorham.

Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call Jo-Ann Merrifield at 892-5061.

St. Anne’s Sunday school registration

It’s time to register for Sunday school programs at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 299 Main St.

Sunday school classes at St. Anne’s will begin on Sunday, Sept. 11. Preschool and Kindergarten meet during the 8:30 a.m. Mass twice each month.

On Sept. 11, parents of first- through fifth-graders will meet in church for a program orientation while children gather in the hall in age groupings (1-3 and 4-5) for a Bible video and discussion. Parents will have the opportunity to meet their children’s volunteer catechists. Regular lessons begin the following Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Children in second-grade prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation (confession), Confirmation and Eucharist. There are parents’ sessions as well as regular classes. This is an intensive year for families.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grades will begin with an orientation gathering for parents and teens at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, in the church. Parents will be invited o help plan each workshop session and choose topics. Resources for planners are provided.

The first youth gathering, which includes a swim time, will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.

The church’s special needs group, SPRED. Will begin from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, in the People’s Room. For required pre registration, contact Sister Jackie Moreau at the church. Each student has a faith friend and group size is limited. Lessons are simple and focus on symbols of the Catholic faith. It’s a faith sharing experience, not a class experience.

St. Anne’s needs volunteers to assist with all of its programs. For more information, call the parish office at 839-4857 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Rev. Lawrence J. Conley is the pastor at St. Anne’s and Moreau is the pastoral associate.

Taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Thursday, Sept. 1, that the U.S. public debt was $7,929,658,283,890.28.

Winners of a makeover in Westbrook, Bill and Laurel Mackie ride home in a 1920 Ford touring car on Saturday.