Top Gorham scarecrows

A creation by Evan Giroux, Jensyn Giroux and Matt Herrick was awarded best of show in the second annual Scarecrow Festival Saturday.

The People’s Choice Award went to the scarecrow named “Hannah Scare-tanna” created by Olivia Ionta, Megan, and Cameryn Caruso, and Alyvia Caruso. Each of the winning teams was awarded a certificate for a $100 savings bond.

“The entries in the scarecrow contest were very creative, and judging was tough,” festival coordinator Gail Platts, administrative assistant at Gorham Parks and Recreation Department, said.

Platts said visitors to the festival enjoyed a hayride, made “monster popcorn hands”, played a pumpkin ring toss game, and got a chance to make apple cider in a small fruit press with apples donated by Randall Orchard. The festival also included a scavenger hunt in which participants had to visit municipal offices and local businesses to answer questions about scarecrows located in the various venues.

Shaw on Fordham dance team

Laura Shaw recently auditioned and was chosen as a member of the dance team at Fordham University in New York City.

Shaw, who graduated from Gorham High School in June, is majoring in political science at Fordham. She studied dance at the Dance Studio of Maine in Westbrook for 10 years and was a member of the competition team eight years. Shaw was selected for the award-winning, 20-member Fordham dance team, Ram Rhythm, which had only five openings available.

Seiferth on dean’s list

Lyndsy Seiferth of Gorham was named to the dean’s list for the summer semester at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Oct. 3 that the U.S. public debt was$10,186,269,007,199.11.

Cutline – (Cider) – Brian White, Gorham Recreation Department programmer, assists with cider making at SaturdayCutline (Best in Show)- Jensyn Giroux, Matt Herrick and Evan Giroux, not pictured, received best in show Saturday with their scarecrow entry. Cutline ( People’s Choice winners)