Air Force

promotes Shepard

Air Force veteran Joseph C. Shepard, who has served in the Middle East, was promoted to staff sergeant on Aug. 4.

Shepard is the son of Carroll and Shari Shepard of Westbrook and he visited his parents on Memorial Day.

Shepard has served a six-month deployment in Afghanistan as part of the security forces at Bagram Air Force Base. Shepard is now stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.

He joined the Air Force three years ago and graduated training as an honor graduate in 2008.

A graduate of Westbrook High School in 2002, Shepard is also a 2006 graduate of the University of Maine in Orono.

ARL sets record

for cat adoption

The Westbrook-based Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland had a record number of cat adoptions during a special event last week put on to help deal with a massive influx of adoptable animals.

The shelter, which had 180 cats in the shelter itself, and 184 more cats in foster homes waiting medical clearance for adoption, held a fee-free adoption period from Thursday until Sunday. The shelter announced the event with a high-profile “flash mob” in Monument Square in Portland last Wednesday.

As a result of the event, 161 cats and kittens found adoptive homes, according to a release from the shelter.

“We couldn’t be happier with the response we received from the community,” said Patsy Murphy, the shelter’s executive director. “‘Thank you’ can’t even begin to express how much it’s meant to our staff and most of all, these beautiful animals.”

In addition to the fee waiving, the shelter also held a yard sale and car wash, raising over $1,700 for the PAWS fund, which helps provide specialized medical care for animals over 7 years old.

USM dean’s list

Severaal part-time students from Westbrook have been named to the University of Southern Maine dean’s list for the 2010-2011 academic year.

They are:

Donna Cach, Kyleigh Corrigan, Candace Davis, Christina Hart, Jennifer Herald, April Huddy, Mary Klement, Kristina Lewis, Daniel Olney, Raffaella Peters and Justin Stolt.

Walker ice cream social blast

Walker Memorial Library, 800 Main St., is hosting a summer reading ice cream social blast 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18.

“You’ve been reading this summer; Walker will provide you an opportunity to share your reading excitement. This will be a joy of reading celebration,” Marian Peterson of the library’s adult services said in a statement.

She said the library would have lots of ice cream and toppings on hand. “You come with enthusiasm and a willingness to share your reading thoughts. Book lovers unite,” Peterson said.

This is a family-friendly event. Kids programs with stories, music, gaming and an adult reading discussion group will be available.

There is ample free parking and the library is handicapped accessible.

For more information, call Peterson at 854-0630, ext. 256.