Moshers festival grand marshals

Brothers Abbott and Albert Erlon Mosher have been named grand marshals of the parade at the two-day Gorham Founders Festival on Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27.

The parade is set for 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, and it lines up at Gorham Village School at 8:15 a.m. Those interested in participating in the parade should contact Suzanne Phillips by email suziephillips@gmail.com.

The annual founders festival honors the town’s early settlers. The Moshers trace their ancestry to Daniel Mosher, who arrived in 1738 in what was then a wilderness known as Narragansett No. 7.

The Westbrook/Gorham Chamber of Commerce is organizing this year’s festival that features entertainment, food, and fireworks. For more information, visit gorhamfoundersfestival.com

GHS class of ’63 reunited

The Gorham High School class of 1963 held its 50th reunion dinner on July 13 at Treworgy’s Barn in Gorham.

Class President Ken Knapton of Westbrook thanked those who contributed to organizing the reunion. “Without Marty (Towle), this wouldn’t have happened,” Knapton said.

Knapton announced that 35 classmates attended Saturday’s dinner while 11 of their 83 classmates were deceased.

Before dinner, classmates socialized and reminisced on the landscaped grounds at Treworgy’s Barn. Classmates were identified by wearing photos printed with first names.

Retired Gorham High School teacher and coach Dean Evans of Gorham attended the reunion, as did Frances Boothby of Westbrook, who had taught English when the class was in junior high school.

Several classmates also attended a Sunday breakfast in Standish. Several of the classmates traveled from out of state to attend reunion activities.

The 1963 graduates were the first freshmen to enter the new Gorham High School in 1959. In 1960, population of Gorham was 5,767, according to Gorham Historical Society figures, but the number has swelled to 16.381 by 2010.

Bob Francoeur, who lives in Florida, said the biggest changes in Gorham are the growth and sophistication. “(Gorham) absolutely still has a small town feeling,” Francoeur said. “It has retained its heritage.”

Names of deceased classmates, who were honored with a special tribute, were Tom Darby, Phil Riley, Carl Walker, Gene Davis, Mary Marsh, Jane Chandler, Craig Williams, Jack McClure, Jim Durgin, Dwight Day and Bruce Sweetser.

Morrows in concert

The TWO-Morrows, Darrell Morrow and daughter Sarah, will present a concert 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at the gazebo on the lawn at Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

The free concert is part of a summer series sponsored by Gorham Recreation Department. Parking is available along South Street and in the municipal lot behind Baxter Memorial Library.

U.S, taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on July 12 that the U.S. public debt was $16,738,220,086,104.57.

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