A golden anniversary

Patricia and James Woodward celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and were honored by family and friends.

Their children, Susan Brewer, Linda Paine and Jim Woodward, gave their parents a surprise anniversary party in June at the Stephen W. Manchester Post 62 in Westbrook. Grandchildren who attended were Amanda Woodward, Jason Paine, Brandee Brewer, Brian Brewer Jr. and girlfriend Felicia Whitehouse, Bobbi Maunsell and son, Samuel.

Other family members included George and Carol Woodward. Jeanne Woodward, Roy Woodward and Jayne, Bruce Woodward and Diane, Brian and Christine Woodward, Craig and Michelle Woodward, Karen and Brian Deponde and children Sarah and Jack, Beverly and William Keith, Philamenia Brown, Lisa and Ike Howe and children Krista and Chad, Bill and Debbie Keith and children Marrisa and Tyler, Jim and Dawn Keith, Susan Legere, Joyce Berry, Louise Corriveau, Bruce and Sandy Brown, Barry and Susan Brown, Jim and Arlene O’Reilly, John and Gynne Klimavicz and Paul Klimavicz.

Friends who attended included Donna and Carl McLaughlin, Diane Ferris, Pat and Bob Poitras, Claire and Larry Garvey, Sandy and Bill Rinaldi, Pat Cote and Ray Littlefield, Fern Poitras, Lorraine Poitras, Donna Cote and Donna and Wendy Baker.

Post 197, auxiliary to meet

Dave Martin, commander of Westbrook Memorial Post 197 of the American Legion, said the post will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

“At this meeting, we will vote on a possible dues increase and have a first reading of proposed by-law and house rule changes. As both of these issues affect all members, it would behoove all of you to attend this very importing meeting,” Martin said.

The ladies auxiliary will also meet Oct. 24.

Both meetings were rescheduled from Oct. 17 because of a scheduling conflict.

Walker library hosting ‘preemie’ showers

Walker Memorial Library, 800 Main St., is partnering with the Maine chapter of the March of Dimes for the second consecutive year to raise awareness about the epidemic of premature births in Maine and the nation.

The library will host the second of two “Preemie Project 1372” baby showers at 10:30 a.m. today (Oct. 20) during Story Hour. Pat Larrabee, children’s librarian, said the party will be held in the children’s room. She said those who don’t attend, but who wish to support the families of “these tiny babies,” can drop off “preemie-sized clothes” at the library’s front desk.

The library will display all the donations on the first floor of the library until the end of the month. Then, the clothes will be presented to the March of Dimes for its statewide display.

“The Walker Memorial Library is happy to partner with the March of Dimes, as we have in the past,” Larrabee said. “We think the library is the perfect place to endorse healthy children and we welcome opportunities to participate in such programs.”

The clothes will later be distributed to preemie babies in neonatal intensive care units. When the project began in 2005, statistics indicated that Maine had 1,372 premature births. This year the drive hopes to collect 1,394 items as the number has increased.

One of every 9 babies born in Maine arrives too soon and too small.

Dinner theater at Westbrook-Warren

Directed by Vince Knue, “My Son is Crazy, but Promising” by Tim Kelly will be presented in dinner theater in two performances this weekend.

Show time for the two-act play is 6:30-9 p.m. on both Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St.

Cost is $25 per person and includes and dinner. For more information or reservations, call 854-0499.

Calling goblins

The Westbrook Community Chamber is hosting “Halloween on Main Street” 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27.

Trick or treaters in costumes will visit downtown businesses.

Motorists should be advised that Main Street in Westbrook will be closed 4-6 p.m. for the event.

Athearn excels scholastically

Kathleen Athearn, a junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy N.Y., received the Founders Award of Excellence in biochemistry and biophysics.

The prestigious award is given annually to students who embody qualities of creativity, discovery, leadership, pride, and responsibility. Kathleen is the daughter of Martin and Judy Athearn, and granddaughter of Philip and Constance LaViolet all of Westbrook .