Gustav troubles ‘cane refugee

Safe in Gorham, Hurricane Katrina refugee Susan Rappold watched on TV Monday as Hurricane Gustav slammed her former hometown, New Orleans.

Three years after she fled the ravages of Katrina, the televised scenes of Gustav triggered memories of a nightmare. Rappold wondered Tuesday how she survived Hurricane Katrina.

“It brought unhappy moments,” Rappold said about watching Gustav wreak more havoc in New Orleans. With Gustav bearing down, her friends in the “heart” of New Orleans and others in Mississippi had evacuated Saturday.

Rappold and her terrier, Samantha, escaped New Orleans in September 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After arriving in Maine, Rappold stayed with the Tim and Denise Fortunato family in Buxton. She found the Fortunatos after they posted a notice online that they were willing to open their home to a refugee.

Revisiting New Orleans recently for three weeks, Rappold said the desolation left by Katrina brought tears. “Going back to New Orleans was so depressing,” Rappold said. “The whole tone of New Orleans has changed.”

Women’s defense classes

Karla Fossett will instruct an upcoming series of Tuesday evening classes on self-defense for girls and women at The Centre of Movement, 19 State St.

For more information or to register, call 839-3267 or visit www.centreofmovement.com

Chili, chowder kickoff

Gorham Business and Civic Exchange kicks off the fall with the Chili or Chowder Cook-Off at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in The Old Robie School, 668 Gray Road, Gorham.

“You are invited to sample the wares and help judge which Gorham businesses will receive recognition as Best Chef,” said Dana Redmond, executive director of the exchange, in a release.

Redmond said there would be lots of free door prizes and games for the kids.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate autumn, network with other business owners and meet new friends in the community,” Redmond said.

Drinks will be available and admission is free.

Entry forms are at www.gorhambusiness.org For more information, call Redmond at 892-5515.

Billings earns degree

Heidi Billings of Gorham was awarded an associate of science degree last month from Kaplan University in a ceremony held in Chicago Symphony Theater, Chicago, Ill.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Aug. 27 that the U.S. public debt was $9,628,795,708,365.20.