Santa on scene; tree lit

A large turnout of parents and young children came to see Santa and the Christmas tree lighting, Sunday at the public safety building. The event was ponsored by Gorham Recreation Department.

Cindy Hazelton, director of Gorham recreation, estimated about 400 attended the annual event. If not the biggest, it was one of the top three in the past 17 years, Hazelton said.

Santa and Mrs. Claus made a grand entry, riding atop Gorham’s ladder truck when the tree on the lawn was lit at 4:30 p.m. “He arrived right on time,” Hazelton said.

Children, who were handed tickets, stood in line inside Central Fire Station to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Before Santa arrived kids and parents enjoyed refreshments. There were gifts for kids and hay rides.

Concert reminder

The Casco Bay Concert Band will perform “The Many Moods of Christmas” at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the McCormack Performing Arts Center at Gorham High School, 41 Morrill Ave.

Realty firm hosting reception

The Gorham Business & Civic Exchange’s annual holiday reception, hosted by Po-Go Realty, will be 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, at Pheasant Knoll, off Fort Hill Road (Route 114 near the university).

This year the exchange is supporting “Operation Holiday Cheer,” a statewide program providing holiday gifts to more than 9,000 children in Maine, who have a parent in the military. Marc Badeau, a member of the exchange, is heading up the program.

The reception includes music, goodies and holiday cheer. For more information, call Dana Redmond, executive director of the exchange, at 892-5515.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public debt reported on November 21 that the U.S. public debt was $9,120,116,287,771.77.

Santa visits Gorham.Cutline (waiting for Santa 1) Cutline (waiting for Santa 2) Cutline (GOR wreaths) – Gorham Fire Department has holiday wreaths are for sale at $12 each. Displaying wreaths are, from left, Lt. Scott Dunn, Betheny Straw, Lt. Nate Schools and Dean Belanger. Proceeds benefit Gorham Fire Department. For more information, call 839-6762