Rutter tops on sax; WHS wins jazz gold

Jeff Rutter was the outstanding individual musician for the saxophone for Division 1 in a recent high school jazz festival in Millinocket.

Westbrook High School won a gold award in the festival. In Division 1, Westbrook High School took third place for jazz combos on March 16. Fryeburg Academy took top honors with Mount Desert Island in second place.

Westbrook was second in the jazz band category in competition March 17. South Portland won the division with Nokomis Regional High School in Newport in third place.

The Maine State High School Instrumental Jazz Festival was sponsored by the Maine Music Educators Association.

‘Join hands’ for city cleanup

Westbrook organizations and churches are planning a community cleanup 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 5.

The cleanup is part of “Join Hands Day,” a national day of volunteering. Groups participating in the cleanup include Prides Corner Congregational Church, River of Life (Salvation Army), Trinity Lutheran Church, Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Greater Portland, Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church and Westbrook High School Key Club.

Also participating are Mayor Bruce Chuluda, Police Chief Paul McCarthy and his staff, City Administrator Jerre Bryant, City Councilor John O’Hara, Director of Public Services Tom Eldridge with his staff, Kiwanis Club President John Bernier and Rotary Club President Carlos Giraulo.

Proceeds from redeemable bottles and cans picked up during the cleanup will benefit the Westbrook Food Pantry. An account will be established at the Route 302 Redemption Center, 26 Bridgton Road in Westbrook for those wishing to donate bottles and cans, which also can be taken to a helper at Riverbank Park.

Rain date will be Sunday, May 6, 1-4 p.m.

Baseball boosters bottle drive

Westbrook Baseball Boosters annual bottle drive will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Our players will be making door-to-door visits throughout Westbrook. All proceeds will benefit the Westbrook High School 07 baseball teams,” said Al Tanguay of the baseball boosters.

Watts honored

Denise Watts has been named the Employee of the Month for the transportation department of Westbrook schools.

Penny Esposito, director of transportation, said Watts has been with the department for five years. Before that, she was in charge of the school traffic guides. She drives a junior/senior high route and then stays mostly on the south side of the city, Esposito said.

“She has a wonderful working relationship with her peers, students, parents and teachers. She is always ready to lend a hand whenever it’s needed and mentor new drivers as well,” Esposito said. “She is also one of our two state certified school bus trainers.”

Kids bound for conservation camp

Sponsored by the Westbrook Rod and Gun Club, seven children will spend a week at a conservation camp in Bryant Pond this summer.

The names were picked in a free drawing last summer. Club President Bob Ferron said the seven are Cal Randall, Jared Barlow, Allison Charlton, Julia Kulowski, Evan Gallant, Adam Rodriguez and Tyler McKague.

Children ages 10 to 13 are eligible and entry forms will again be available at the club’s booth in Riverbank Park during Westbrook Together Days on June 1 and 2. Ferron said the club hopes to send 10 children this year. “It doesn’t cost them a nickel,” Ferron said about the lucky winners.

The weeklong camp at the Maine Conservation School features swimming and canoeing, courses teaching outdoor skills and health and safety, along with environmental education. Parents of campers are allowed to attend the school for a day.

As the grand prize in the club’s raffle last year, Ferron said Bill G. Stees won two kayaks. Other raffle winners were Dan McAloon, Rudy Poitras, John Deceoteaux, Dwayne Hopkins, Ashland Bourgeois, Rufus Teele, B. Richardson, Ed Blackman, Mike Rego, Bob Dery, Wayne Krauth, Alfred Racine and Jan Barbarini.

Ferron said annual Westbrook Rod and Gun Club dues is $10. Those wishing to join should contact Ferron at 883-6573.

Hanscom excels at UNE

Courtney Hanscom has been named to the dean’s list at the University of New England.

“I want to applaud you for your outstanding academic achievements and let you know that I recognize how challenging it can be to succeed academically with the numerous obligations and commitments facing today’s students,” said David M. Ward, dean of the College of Health Professions.

Hanscom is the daughter of Michael and Linda Hanscom.

She is a senior majoring in occupational therapy.

Tyler turns 7

Dave and Janice Charest of Westbrook, attended a birthday party on Sunday in Standish for their grandson, Tyler Landry, who turned 7.

Tyler is the son of Joseph “Sonny” and Suzanne Landry of Standish.

Slo-pitch league for women

The Westbrook Women’s Softball League is in the process of renewing a summer weeknight league.

Those interested in forming teams, playing or being sponsors should contact Art Piteau at 892-1516 by April 6.

Call for visual, performing artists

The sixth annual “His Gifts His Presence New England Arts Festival” will be held on Saturday, June 23, at Vineyard, 715 Bridgton Road, Westbrook.

Viewing of visual art will be 3-9 p.m. and performance art will be 5-9 p.m. Suggested donation is $5.

Free dance workshops in modern jazz ad hip hop will be 6-9 p.m. on Friday, June 22.

For more information, contact 892-5886 or visit www.newenglandandchristianartscouncil.org

Cutline (Jeff Rutter)