Narragansett celebrates 25th

The community poured out Thursday for an open house, observing the 25th anniversary of Narragansett School.

“A nice turnout,” said Principal Brad Smith.

The event attracted former and present-day teachers, staff, students, parents and citizens. The school opened on Sep. 8, 1981. It replaced the former Charlotte Millett School on School Street, which was razed.

The first principal at Narragansett School, Norman Weed, learned two days before the new school opened that telephones hadn’t been connected, and he endured three days of school without phone service. “It was a horror show,” Weed said.

He recalled the challenge of moving in August that year from the Millett School. Weed’s moving crew only included two custodians, his two sons and a friend. They had one rented truck and had difficulty convincing the school department to rent one equipped with a hydraulic lift.

Weed and his crew started the move on the third floor of the Millett School and worked their way down. He said each of the 14 classrooms had an upright piano, none of which they moved. “Not one could play,” Weed said.

Owen Garrard, 7, attended the open house with his dad, Scott Garrard. A first grader, Owen Garrard said his favorite subject is art and he likes Narragansett School. “The teachers are nice,” he said.

Cathy Bryson has been a teacher at Narragansett School since it opened. In 1981, she taught a third-grade class with 28 students. Now she has 20 in her second-grade class.

Bryson praised the community spirit in Gorham and the volunteers who have supported the school. It’s a wonderful community,” she said.

Daryl and Leah Wright, parents of Narragansett School kindergarten student Melanie, 5, moved to Gorham before school started this fall. ‘I think its an excellent school,” Leah Wright said. “Communication has been fabulous.”

Teacher Terry Bryson created a historical timeline that lined walls in the gym for the anniversary celebration. The school’s assistant principal, Polly Brann, and teacher Jen Banks have been instrumental in organizing anniversary events throughout the year.

Women’s club to meet

The Gorham Women’s Club will meet on Thursday, Nov. 9 in the fellowship hall at the First Parish Congregational Church.

Refreshments will be served at 12:30 p.m. followed with a program at 1 p.m. John Drisko, Gorham High School principal, will talk about his trip to China with other educators. A meeting will follow the program. Guests are welcome. For more information, call Alice Keddy at 839-4579.

Gospel singer at White Rock

The White Rock Baptist Church on Route 237 will be hosting Ken Fernald, “New England’s Own Gospel Singer” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information, call 892-7623

Remembering forebear

Margaret E. (Harmon) Wormwood, 88, said the gravestone in last week’s Gorham Remembered was that of her great grandparents, Joseph and Polly Hamblen. Wormwood said her mom was Eva Hamblen. Wormwood’s daughter, Charlene Wormwood, said her mom has four grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

GHS presents ‘The Good Doctor’

The Gorham High School drama program brings Neil Simon’s comedy “The Good Doctor” to the stage the weekend of Nov. 9-12 in the school’s McCormack Performing Arts Center.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a Sunday matinee at 2. Admission is $6 and $4 for students. Tickets will be available at the door.

“The Good Doctor” cast features seniors Jessica Ernest, Leah Hughes, Rachael Tordoff and Katie VanDerburgh. Junior cast members include Katie Foster, Natalie Johnson, Gracie Kilpatrick, Nick Rapolla and Matt Slipp. Rounding out the cast is sophomore Hannah Lilly and freshmen, Jason Badeau, Aaron Bartlett and Matt Marean.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Oct. 27 that the U.S. public debt was $8,566,012,440,017.15

Cutline (Narragansett 3) ity at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at School Street United Methodist Church, 29 School St. to see and hear about a local manod joins dental practice Dr. Amanda Rockwood, D.D.S., has joined Morgan Dental Care, 94 Main St. Rockwood holds a doctorate in dental medicine from the State University of New York in Buffalo, N.Y. Drisko to speak Gorham High School Principal John Drisko will speak about his recent trip to China when the Gorham Womensed on Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. New town hall opening nears Gorhamtown offices will close at noon on Friday, Nov. 17, but regular business hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 20, at the present municipal center. Municipal offices will be closed all day on Friday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Dec. 4., to complete relocating. The central school offices will also relocate from leased space at the corner of Main Street and Libby Avenue to the renovated school. Voters approved a referendum a year ago to rehab the vacant school for administrative offices, town council chamber, the townwas built in 1938 as a high school, served in recent years as a junior high school until the new middle school opened in 2003. U.S. taxpayer debt The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Nov. 2 that the U.S. public debt was $8,593,660,306,834.67. Cutline (Narragansett 2) Cutline (Norman weed 1)