Sweeney to head restaurant association

Westbrook native Dawn Sweeney takes the helm of the National Restaurant Association in Washington, D.C., as president and chief executive officer on Oct. 1.

Sweeney is the daughter of former Westbrook Mayor Don and Catherine Brydon of Westbrook. Sweeney graduated from Westbrook High School in 1977. She majored in marketing at Colby College in Waterville, graduating in 1982.

She served as president and chief executive officer of AARP Services Inc., during the past five years. Sweeney has been responsible for generating annual revenues of more than $700 million, the restaurant association said in a release.

“Dawn Sweeney is an extraordinary executive with a record of success leading business and trade associations. She has the leadership, business and marketing skills that will enable her to build on the National Restaurant Association’s success as we seek to grow,” said association chairman Richard E. Rivera. “The association has a bright future and Dawn’s breadth of experience will be critical as we move forward.”

The restaurant association represents one of the largest industries in the country, employing more than 12.8 million people at nearly 1 million restaurants and food service locations with total sales of more than $537 billion.

Sweeney previously held positions at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the International Dairy Foods Association.

Common Ground in concert

Common Ground will play in a free concert 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at Riverbank Park.

‘Twinderella’ auditions set

On Thursday, Aug. 9, and Monday, Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m., the Reindeer Theater Company will hold auditions for its November production of “Twinderella: The Musical,” which tells the story of Cinderella finding her long-lost twin, Bob.

The theater company is looking young actors and singers. The auditions will be held at the Warren Memorial Library auditorium, located at 479 Main St. in Westbrook. Call 857-9002 to sign up for an audition time slot.

Gagnon celebrates 90th

Jeannette Gagnon was honored with a surprise party at Applebee’s restaurant by her husband, Henry Gagnon, on her 90th birthday on July 19.

Family members who attended included their children Philip Gagnon, Henry and wife June Gagnon, and Diane and husband David LeClerc; Jeanette’s sister, Teresa McLaughlin; grandchildren Lisa Caristinos, Paula and Sean Gowen, Philip Gagnon Jr. and fiancae Taiti Munday, and Nikki and Eric Gagnon; and great grandchildren Michael and Sara Gowen and Nikolaos Caristinos.

Shepard honored

The former pastor of Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, the Rev. Harold L. Shepard, Windham, was honored at a surprise 80th birthday party at the American Legion hall on Dunn Street on July 14. His birthday was July 10.

Hosting the party were Jon and Brenda Richter, Charlie and Cindy Shepard, Tim Richter, Lois Richter, Nancy Shepard, Jeremy and Debbie Bowie-Haskell, Allison Charlton and Jennifer Charlton.

Guests included Holly Bricker, Auburn; Ernie and Mary Goff, and Natalie Hague, Falmouth; Erlon Mosher and the Rev. and Mrs. Phil Shearman, Gorham; Don and Mary Lowell, Gray; Jeanne Goff and Marion Goff, North Yarmouth; Diana Cowperthwaite, Norway; Fran Seeley, Portland; Betty Jean Johnson, Saco; Clyde and Jeanette Taylor, Scarborough; Marge Saunders, Sebago; Clayton and Ellie Collins and Leslie McManus, Standish; Carolyn Andrews, Dana Babb, Mae Batchelor, Deborah Bird, Ann Bittner, Sam and Marion Broaddus, Bob Burton, David Chase, Ethlyn Chase; David and Julie Collins, George and Betty Darkis, Florence Day, Martha Day, Phyllis Densmore, Tillie Duchaine, Chuck and Marge Eames, Howard and Millie Emery, Ann Fletcher, Jim Fletcher, Margo Fletcher, Judy Getchell, Carol Gillespie, Barbara Gordon, Ozzie Hammond, Arthur and Ginger Hatt, Bud and Ruth Jordan, Jean Jordan, Al and Kit Juniewicz, Bill and Jane Kahler, Florence Kelley, Irving and Ethel Knowles, Isabelle Knudsen.

Also, Aiden and Priscilla LaSalle, Marlon and Donna Leavitt, Conny LeConte, Beth Libby, Gene Libby, Margaret Lowell, Ruth Lowell, Ann McAlpine, Beverly McGlinchey, Kip and Evelyn Meserve, Joanne Reece, Ed and Judy Reidman, Stan and Carol Reynolds, Margaret Robie, Ellie Saunders, Ray and Octavia Trzenska, Harold Tucker, Sheila White, Walt and Betty Young, all of Westbrook; and Terry and Carol Clarke, Ken and Marion Rich and Viola Works, Windham.

Campbell to teach island students

Jessica L. Campbell has accepted a position as the teacher at the one-room, Monhegan Island School .

Campbell was a 2003 graduate of Westbrook High School and graduated magna cum laude in May from the University of Farmington with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Campbell is the daughter of Mike and Diane True and Paul and Sheila Campbell, all of Westbrook.

“She’ll have seven students and will be teaching grades 1 through 7. Each student is in a different grade,” her mom Diane True said.

Crosby, DiPietro, Hersom excel

Three Westbrook students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Mount Ida College in Newton, Mass.

They are Tyler Crosby, Gino DiPietro and Caitlynn Hersom.

Gilman earns degree

David Michael Gilman of Westbrook has received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Salve Regina University, Newport, R.I.

Headed to Waterville

Kaylene Godwin of Westbrook has been accepted to Thomas College in Waterville and will begin her studies in September.

Godwin is the daughter of David and Marla Godwin. She plans to major in sports management.

Cutline (Dawn Sweeney)