Curtis brothers honored

Ken Curtis of Gorham and his four brothers traveled to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut for a Veterans Day weekend boxing show where there they were honored for their military service.

The five Curtis brothers all served in the military. The brothers, their home towns and military branches are Malcolm of Thomaston, Ga., who served in the Air Force, Navy and National Guard; Cecil, Westbrook, Navy; Blake, Searsport, Army; Dale, Swanville, Air Force; and Ken, Gorham, Army.

The boxing event they attended showcased boxers from the Coast Guard Academy, West Point and Westover Air Force Base, Ken Curtis said.

On that Friday, he said they were honored with a special Native American ceremony honoring all branches of the military from World War II to present day veterans. Then, on Saturday night, they sat ringside for the boxing events.

“We were saluted in center ring with a reading of our service to our country and presented with plaques of our special night of honor,” he said.

The brothers thanked Dawn Wentworth at NESA Inc. of Gorham for help with the design of the shirts they wore to the event.

“We represented Maine in grand style,” he said and added thanks to event coordinator Al Valenti of Portland Boxing Club for his arrangement of this recognition of military service at the Foxwoods’ weekend.

Santa, tree lighting set the season

Gorham ushers in the holiday season with a parade and arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on Sunday, Nov. 30.

A parade leaves the Gorham Public Safety Building, 270 Main St., lines up at 4 p.m., rolls out at 4:20 p.m., and finishes at Robie Park near the high school. Santa arrives aboard a Gorham Fire Department ladder truck.

Events in the park include games, refreshments, including hot chocolate and popcorn, along with the annual tree lighting. Santa will be available to meet children.

For more information or to participate in the parade, call the Gorham Recreation Department at 222-1630.

White Rock tree lighting

The White Rock Friendship Club will flip the switch at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, for the 30th annual tree lighting at the White Rock Community Building on Wilson Road.

The event includes reading of the Christmas story, caroling, visit by Santa, and refreshments.

The community club thanked O’Donal’s Nursery in Gorham for its help with planting a new tree that replaces one that had grown too tall and was removed.

Smith earns field hockey honor

Patty Smith of Gorham, who plays field hockey at the University of Maine at Farmington, was recently named the North Atlantic Conference defensive player of the week.

The university’s web site on Nov. 10 reported that Smith, a goalkeeper, recorded seven saves when the Beavers upset Thomas in the NAC semifinals. She set the school mark with 28 saves in the conference championship, but Farmington lost to Husson 1-0 in double overtime.

Smith is the daughter of Patrick and Susan Smith of Gorham.

Smith, a sophomore, tied for second in the nation for saves in a single game and finished this season with 98 saves. She was also named conference defensive player of the week on Sept. 8.

Ken Curtis of Gorham and four brothers receive honors during a Veterans Day observance at Foxwoods for their military service. They are, from left, Ken, Cecil, Blake, Malcolm and Dale Curtis.