Tax help volunteers needed

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is seeking volunteers for Westbrook and Gorham to assist citizens with federal and state tax preparations.

In addition to tax preparations, volunteers are also needed to schedule appointments, assisting with software installation, trouble-shooting computers and printers, publicity and greeting people at tax preparation sites.

Volunteers preparing tax returns receive free training usually in January. Volunteer tax preparers must pass an IRS open book exam. Volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of four hours per week from Feb. 1 through April 15.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Joan Jagolinzer at 883-8415 or email [email protected] or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide

Historians ?to hear Loura

Penny Loura, a Gorham resident and historian, will speak when Westbrook Historical Society meets at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge St.

Loura’s topic is Civil War medicine for sick and wounded soldiers during the 1860s.

The program is free and the public is invited. For more information about the historical society, call 854-5588.

Walker readies ?for city birthday

Maine Historical Society recently has awarded Walker Memorial Library one of 10 Maine Memory Network Community Mobilization grants.

Walker will utilize the money to digitize a number of historic photos in its collection to make them available on line in advance of the city’s 200th anniversary celebration in 2014.

The 10 grants given to historical groups and libraries ranged from $500 to $1,500.

Shields to speak

In Walker Memorial Library’s Author Speaks series, Kieran Shields, a Portland native, will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St.

The library said his first book, “The Truth of All Things,” is a historical thriller set in 1890s southern Maine with rich historical detail and a compelling murder mystery involving the Salem witch trials and the early settlements in Maine.

There’s a lot about the Abenaki tribes, and even a chase scene in the Portland Observatory. For more information, call the library at 854-0630.