Gorham PD celebrates 50th anniversary

The Gorham Police Department observed its 50th birthday with an observance on Saturday at the Gorham Municipal Center.

The department began operating on April 12, 1964. Saturday’s anniversary ceremony packed the Town Council chambers to overflowing.

Chief Ronald Shepard said Stephen Wentworth, who was Gorham’s first full-time chief, began patrolling the town with his wife’s station wagon. Shepard is the town’s sixth chief.

The 50th anniversary celebration featured the department’s color guard, awards, and proclamations from the town, the Maine Legislature, and the U.S. Congress. The Rev. Philip Shearman blessed the commemorative badges that were pinned on department officers.

Several officers received commendations, including Sgt. Daniel Young, Detective Sgt. Dana Thompson and Officer David Bruni. Sgt. Ben Moreland and officers Dean Hannon and Ted Hatch received life-saving commendations. Officer Wayne Drown, who was not present, was named winner of the John Reed Community Service Award.

Hatch, who is the department’s liaison officer for the senior citizens’ group Triad, was named officer of the year. Hatch was instrumental in developing the Yellow Dot program, a prototype in the state aimed at saving lives at traffic accident scenes. The program is designed to alert first responders to health details about vehicle passengers. To learn about the program visit www.yellowdotme.org.

Ecumenical Good Friday service

The Gorham Ecumenical Council is sponsoring a Good Friday service from noon-3 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at Cressey Road United Methodist Church, 81 Cressey Road.

The service will be based on the last seven words of Christ with an ecumenical group of ministers and lay leaders preaching, according to an Ecumenical Council announcement. The service will also include hymns, meditations and prayers. All are welcome.

Poetry and prose reading

The North Gorham Writers Group will read original poetry and prose at its 16th annual reading at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at the United Church of Christ in North Gorham.

Writers include Gorham residents Terri Cole, Leanne Cooper, Warren Gilman, Delina Eisenhauer, John Labrecque, Mary Snell and Linda Strout. Other writers include Skip Brushaber of Westbrook, Chris Small of Freeport, and Bob Bean of Standish.

Refreshments will be served following the reading.

Green project to meet

The Gorham Green Community Campaign will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, in the community room at the Gorham Savings Bank Operations Building, 10 Wentworth Drive.

Kristin Uhlig, a group organizer, said the group is interested in taking action in several areas, including preserving farmland, green buildings, greening and “ratifying” downtown, renewable energy, school green teams, trails and a bike/walk scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27. The group’s kickoff meeting was held on March 25.

Library open house

In celebration of National Library Week, the North Gorham Public Library, 2 Standish Neck Road, will host an open house and pie sale from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. For more information, call the library at 892-2575.

WE LOVE TO EAT

Community meal – Thursday, April 17, noon, Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St., Westbrook. Shepherd’s pie. Suggested donation, $5.

Free meal – Wednesday, April 23, 5:30-6 p.m., My Place Teen Center, 755 Main St., Westbrook. Sponsored in collaboration with Wayside Food Programs and hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church at the teen center. Use the Foster Street entrance. Handicapped accessible.

Community meal – Thursday, April 24, noon, Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St., Westbrook. Chicken pie. Suggested donation, $5.

Spaghetti supper – Friday, April 25, 5-6 p.m., Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St., Westbrook. All you can eat spaghetti and meatballs, plus salad, bread, dessert and beverage. $8, $5.

Bean supper – Saturday, April 26, 5-6 p.m., North Congregational Church, 22 Church Hill Road, Groveville (Buxton). Two kinds of beans, red hot dogs, American chop suey, cole slaw, rolls, desserts, coffee and punch. $8. Takeout available.

Bean supper – Saturday, April 26, 4:45-6 p.m., Highland lake Congregational Church, 1303 Bridgton Road (Route 302), Westbrook. Beans, ham, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, biscuits, pies and beverages. $8, $3.

Free ham dinner – Monday, April 28, 5:30 p.m., First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Gorham. Sponsored by the Gorham Ecumenical Council. Last community dinner of the season. Ham, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, salads, and dessert. Enjoy the food and fellowship and take a friend or neighbor.

To be included in this listing, nonprofit organizations planning public meals should email information at least 10 days in advance to Robert Lowell at ajbob@maine.rr.com.

Officer of the Year Ted Hatch chats with resident Barry Atwood following the department’s 50th anniversary ceremony on Saturday.Gorham Police Chief Ronald Shepard pins an anniversary badge on Sgt. Michael Nault on Saturday when the department observed its 50th birthday. All Gorham officers will wear the anniversary badges for a year.

Copy the Story Link