Nobel concert at Baxter Library

The Baxter Memorial Library Association is sponsoring a concert by local songwriter and performer Mike Nobel at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the library, 71 South St.

Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Pamela Turner at 839-5031.

USM homecoming invitation

The University of Southern Maine’s homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 1, features a day-long series of cultural and athletic events open not only to alumni but also to the greater Gorham community and the public.

Highlights include a luncheon in front of Corthell Hall from noon to 1 p.m. and a free outdoor USM Concert Band performance conducted by Mark Manduca in front of Corthell Hall from 1-2 p.m.

The Four Bags, a jazz ensemble featuring USM alumni, will perform at 8 p.m. in Corthell Concert Hall. Tickets to the evening’s concert are $15; $10, seniors; and $5, students. To reserve tickets, call 780-5555.

USM’s art gallery will be open 1-4 p.m. and will feature “Unveiling: Sama Alshaibi and Joel Seah,” a free exhibition of contemporary photography, video and installations by USM’s two newest art faculty members.

An alumni baseball game is slated for 1 p.m. on the baseball field. At the same time, Husky fans can catch a women’s soccer game against the University of Massachusetts.

USM’s annual recognition celebration of past athletes, the Husky Hall of Fame Dinner, will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Brooks Dining Center. Hall of Fame tickets are $30 per person and can be reserved by calling 780-5588.

Theatre students will perform in “The Good, The Bad, and the Wilde,” a reader’s theater performance of the work of Oscar Wilde compiled and directed by USM Professor of Theatre Walter Stump. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. in Russell Hall. Tickets are $12; $8, seniors; and $5, students. For reservations, call 780-5151.

For a complete list of events see http://www.usm.maine.edu/homecoming or call the Alumni Relations Office at 780-4110 for more information, to register for meals, or for access inquiries. The rain location for outdoor events will be USM’s Costello Sports Complex.

This item was contributed by Laurie R. Mooney, University of Southern Maine public affairs.

Quinn picnic, adoption bazaar to benefit Katrina victims

In the wake of devastation along the gulf coast from Hurricane Katrina, two local fund-raisers on Saturday, Sept. 24, will benefit hurricane victims.

The Gorham legislative delegation and the Gorham Democratic Town Committee are inviting all residents to attend the third annual Rodney Quinn Picnic to help raise funds for disaster relief efforts.

The picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the home of Rep. David Farrington, 2 Cold Spring Lane. Donations for disaster relief will be accepted and forwarded to national organizations working to help families in the gulf coast region.

“My wife Stacey and I want to open our home to help the struggling families on the gulf coast,” said Farrington, D-Gorham. “We’re encouraged by the town of Gorham’s eagerness to help, and hope that the contributions that we make through these fundraisers are significant to the relief efforts.”

The picnic is held in honor of Rodney Quinn, who served Gorham as a town council member, state representative and Secretary of State. In addition to his political work, Quinn is an author and Air Force veteran.

His most recent book, “Gorham during the Great Depression,” tells the story of growing up in Gorham during the 1930s. Money from the sale of the books has been used for charitable work.

“Rodney has always put public service and community first, and this year’s picnic is a chance to honor him while following his example,” said Rep. Chris Barstow, D-Gorham. “As we process the sadness associated with this disaster, I am optimistic that we can collectively turn these emotions into action for our neighbors in the south.”

Another community event, “Adopt a Community Bazaar,” to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina will be held the same day beginning at 8 a.m. at the Portland Faith Center, 8 Elkins Drive.

The Gorham Business and Civic Exchange is sponsoring that event. Money raised will be used to help a small fishing town, Bayou La Batre, southwest of Mobile, Ala. It was featured as the fictional home of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in the movie “Forrest Gump,” according to the exchange.

Residents who would like to contribute, volunteer or participate in either of these community activities can contact Barstow at 839-2095, or by e-mail, crbarstow@verizon.net.

Business barbecue on Friday

The Gorham Business and Civic Exchange is sponsoring its membership barbecue at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, at Portland Faith Center on Elkins Road.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided, but please bring a dish to pass.

Taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Thursday, Sept. 15, that the U.S. public debt was $7,918,009,471,434.33.

Gorham Post Office lobby to be open 24/7

Michael Baillargeon, Gorham postmaster, has announced that the Gorham Post Office lobby is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The change began on Monday. The Gorham Post Office is located at 1 Post Office Square, at the corner of Mechanic Street and Railroad Avenue.

Baillargeon also wants customers to know that he has a number of vacant post office boxes available for rent and is offering them to business and residential customers. Using those post office boxes, customers may access their mail 24 hours a day. Post office boxes come in several sizes and can be rented at various costs, depending on the size of the box. Payment for post office boxes can be made either on an annual basis or every six months.

“Most of our boxes are smaller in size and suited for residential customers. But we do have a number of larger size post office boxes ideal for businesses, organizations and customers who regularly receive a large quantity of mail,” Baillargeon said.

The postal service said there are a number of advantages to having a post office box. Post office boxes provide an extra measure of security and convenience. The mail for post office boxes is normally sorted and ready for pickup in the morning.

In addition, customers can purchase stamps at the vending machine in the Gorham Post Office lobby. The vending machine in the lobby dispenses both single first-class stamps as well as books of stamps. Customers may purchase stamps from that self-service machine, or deposit their stamped mail in the lobby drop-slot at any time.

Hours of operation at the customer service window remain unchanged.

“The Postal Service is pleased to help make picking up the daily mail easier than ever before by expanding our lobby hours at the Gorham Post Office,” Baillargeon said. “The postal staff here in Gorham is delighted to offer quick, easy access to our customers, for buying stamps, picking up mail at a post office box or dropping off stamped mail. These new lobby hours will also save customers valuable time during the upcoming busy holiday season.”

For more information, stop by and see any of the helpful staff at the Gorham Post Office or e-mail postmaster.04038@usps.gov.

This item was contributed by Leanne Payeur, U.S. Postal Service.

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