Taylor Perkins shows his West Point acceptance material.

Taylor Perkins

West Point bound

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree has announced that Taylor Perkins of Gorham has accepted an offer to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Pingree nominated Perkins to the academy in December.

“Acceptance to a U.S. service academy is extremely competitive and reflects highly on a student’s scholarship, community service, and character,” Pingree said in a statement.  “Along with all the other Maine students my office nominated, Taylor has demonstrated an incredible commitment to serving the country and a maturity well beyond his years.  I’m very proud that he was accepted to West Point and wish him the very best in his time there.”

Perkins, son of Randall and Rhonda Perkins, is a senior at Gorham High School.

In his letter requesting a nomination, Perkins wrote, “The greatest experiences I was exposed to growing up were because of active and veteran servicemen and servicewomen in my life.  Each one showed me something new and helped to shape me into a hard-working student with the mindset of giving back to the community.  However, there was one fact that each serviceman would make sure I knew, and it was that there is no greater way to give back to your community than by serving in the United States Armed Forces.” 

“This was the spark that led me to researching and discovering opportunities to both further myself through individual, intellectual, and character-developing paths and to give back in the greatest way to my community and nation.”

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes members of Congress.

Budget workshop

The Town Council and School Committee will hold a joint budget workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, in Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St., to discuss the school budget.

The School Committee last month passed a $36.5 million budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget is up $1.4 million from this year’s.

The Town Council is expected to act on municipal and school budgets on Tuesday, June 7. If the Town Council approves the school budget, it goes to Gorham voters in a validation referendum on Tuesday, June 14.

Gunpowder mills topic of talk

David Tanguay, vice president of Windham Historical Society, will speak when the Lakes Region Senior Center meets at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 23, at the Little Falls Activity Center, 40 Acorn St. Tanguay’s presentation is about history of gunpowder mills in the area.

Blanche Alexander, president of the seniors’ group, said the event is open to the public and refreshments would be served. 

Food drive reminder

Fran Doucette, Gorham Food Pantry director, has announced that mail carriers in Gorham will be collecting non-perishable foods that are put out near mail boxes on Saturday, May 14.  All food collected in Gorham goes directly to the Gorham Food Pantry.

Tim Sample in

fundraiser May 14

The Cressey Road United Methodist Church is hosting “An Evening with Tim Sample,” from 6:30-9:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 14.

It is a fundraiser for the Heifer Project International, offering self sustaining assistance. Tickets are $18; kids 5-12, $5. For more information and tickets, call the church at 839-3111.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on May 6 that the U.S. public debt was $19,190,059,553,782.20.