Veterans’ ceremony packs council chambers

With some left standing, Gorham residents of all ages, including Girl Scouts and Brownies, attended the Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11 in the Town Council chambers.

The Gorham Police Department color guard marched through the chambers to post the U.S. colors and the First Parish Congregational Church choir sang the National Anthem. Col. Bill Benson of Gorham delivered the keynote address. Benson served in a cavalry division with the Army for 42 months in Irag and Afghanistan.

Members of the public included veterans John Alden, who served in World War II; Town Councilor Ronald Shepard, Vietnam; and Town Councilor Benjamin Hartwell, Iraq.

Benson said Vietnam veterans were not always welcomed home.

“Remember to thank a veteran,” Benson said in closing remarks that drew applause.

Simon Rousell played Taps.

James Rathbun, director of Baxter Memorial Library, and Georgia Humphrey, director of Gorham community TV and a retired Army sergeant, organized the event.

Author Eliscu to speak in North Gorham

Westbrook author Kathy Eliscu will be speaking at the North Gorham Public Library, 2 Standish Neck Road, on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m.

Her humor novel is titled “Not Even Dark Chocolate Can Fix This Mess.”

“Somewhere in Maine, a middle-aged woman is having a serious temper tantrum,” the library announced. “‘Tink’ Casawill is drowning in family and work demands, hormones, a fiancé oblivious to another woman’s flirtations and … a doctor telling her to cut out caffeine? What? In attempting to do a good deed, Tink’s life spins out of control and now, not even dark chocolate can fix this mess.”

Eliscu, a registered nurse, is an author and humor columnist. For more information, contact Jennifer Plummer, library coordinator, at 892-2575 or visit www.north-gorham.lib.me.us.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Nov. 9 that the U.S. public debt was $19,793,697,162,303.82.

Gorham Police Department color guard posts the colors on Nov. 11 as Gorham observes Veterans Day.

U.S. Army Ret. Col. Bill Benson of Gorham delivers the keynote address in exercises on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Gorham turns out in numbers to honor the towns veterans on Nov. 11.

Gorham Police Department’s color guard.

As part of the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger Walking Tour, Brenda Davis (right), one of the state’s leading end hunger advocates, makes a stop at Casco FCU’s main office in Gorham.  Presenting the check to Brenda is Marti Allen of the credit union.  The stop was one of several in the area and one of a record nine in the Greater Portland area. The campaign also made a contribution to the Gorham Food Pantry.