Nov. 6, 1991

The town of Gorham is anticipating repair costs of over $350,000 for its problem-ridden Little Falls sewer, a figure just shy of the cost of building the system only four years ago. The town is hoping to win a state grant that would pay for up to 80 percent of that cost. The sewer system has a history of problems that began with its improper installation by a now-defunct contractor. Repairs in 1988 failed to correct the deficiencies.

Westbrook’s promotion of drug awareness for children during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 21-25 has been recognized as outstanding, Police Capt. Paul McCarthy told the Westbrook School Committee Wednesday. McCarthy has been invited by the Drug Enforcement Agency to describe the program at a meeting of Massachusetts State Police officers in Boston, and will speak in two meetings for Maine police chiefs, he said.

Advertisement: Profennno’s, 920 Main St., is back. Food and prices you’ll tell friends about. Peter Profenno, who made Profenno’s popular for dining and relaxing in 1962-1984, is back, and son Paul Profenno is with him. Everything’s homemade at Profenno’s and nothing’s over $10. John DeMarco and Joann Klonowski are joining their talents in the kitchen of Profenno’s and bringing you food you’ll tell your friends about.

The Department of Education has advised the town of Gorham that it need not worry about violating the law by receiving state reimbursement for the leasing of portable classrooms. This comes in the wake of a decision by the Town Council to put out to referendum the question of whether to purchase four portable classrooms for use at three schools in town. If the $123,000 purchase is approved, the lease arrangement that has been in effect the pat several years will instead become a purchase arrangement.

Andrea Sansonetti’s Grade 6 class at the Village School in Gorham will put on a history fair, highlighting events in U.S. history, at the school Nov. 13-14. The first day will be for students, includes Grade 6 classes from Scarborough and Kennebunk. The second day is for parents, faculty and advisers, including invited guests from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a college professor.

Ryan Campbell, 11, of Westbrook, stood vigil at corner stores this summer for three and four hours at a time and raised $1,850 to help several of his classmates at the Canal School get to the Special Olympics. It wasn’t done for prizes jor special recognition. It’s just that Ryan, a fifth-grader, has a special talent and drive to raise money for good causes, according to his aunt, Jane Haskell. Ryan’s efforts were recognized at an Oct. 12 benefit supper at the Portland Eagles Club, where he sat at the head table.

Nov. 7, 2001

Dr. Stanley Evans has cut the ribbon to officially open Mercy Hospital Recovery Center as it moves from Portland to Westbrook with a 22-bed inpatient area and on outpatient area in the former Westbrook Community Hospital. Evans, medical director of the Recovery Center, has been with it since it opened in 1983. Mercy said the Recovery Center is the state’s leading center for treatment of substance abuse.

Martha Day, who is leaving the City Council at the end of the year, offered a motion at Monday’s meeting to take off the table an eminent domain action to acquire the Westbrook Exxon land and building for a new fire-police-rescue station. But none of the other five members there seconded the motion and it died.

Westbrook Mayor Donald Esty was returned to office for two more years yesterday, defeating Republican challenger Alexander Juniewicz. City Clerk Barbara Hawkes kept that seat for two more years as well, besting Democratic challenger Peggy Ann Cote. City Council winners included John O’Hara, James Violette, Brendan Rielly, Bruce Chuluda, Keith Gorman, Elmer Welch and Jennifer Connolly.

Full page ad: Grand Opening! The Big Apple, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 & 10. Back better than ever at 782 Main St., Westbrook. Open 24 hours 7 days a week.

Roger Knight’s Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook is “one of the state’s best examples of the values of farm and forest land,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Monday in announcing at Knight’s farm that she is asking Congress for $50 million to give to those who would dedicate land to tress instead of housing and commerce.

Windham has loaned Jeff Smith to Gorham full time for a month to bolster a dispatcher shortage. Gorham and Windham Public Safety departments back each other up. Smith also is a police patrolman who will be filling voids in Windham on a part-time basis. Gorham usually has seven full-time dispatchers but has seen its dispatch force dwindle down to two – Linda Alexander and Tim Leonard. Gorham has been using part-timers to keep two dispatchers on duty for each shift.

Gordon Strout is director of “Rumors,” the Neil Simon comedy to be presented by students in Gorham High School this weekend.

This old house, built in 1825 by Nathaniel Wakefield, was located on Main Street next to the Walker Memorial Library. Bryce M. Edwards acquired the house and lived there for many years. He operated a hardware and dry goods business on Main Street at Bridge Street. The house was occupied in later years by Frank H. McCann, grandson of Bryce Edwards and the house was referred to from then on as the McCann House. The house was torn down in 1964 to make way for a Deering Ice Cream Restaurant and parking lot. The restaurant opened in March 1965.In later years Deering Ice Cream closed the Westbrook restaurant and the building is presently occupied by the Main Street Dental office of Dr. Paul C. Cloutier. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 Bridge St. It is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, and the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m., September-June. Inquiries can be emailed to westhistorical@myfairpoint.net. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org. Photo and research courtesy of Mike Sanphy

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