Jotul hosts open house

Norwegian-owned Jotul hosted an open house for local business people on Thursday at its North American headquarters in Gorham.

Bret Watson, president of Jotul, greeted members of the Gorham Business and Civic Exchange, and led them on a tour of Jotul’s plant.

Jotul moved to Gorham last year, combining a plant in Portland and a warehouse in Westbrook into one location. Watson praised the reception the company has received by town officials and people in Gorham. “We were so lucky to find it,” Watson said about their building on Hutcherson Drive in the Gorham Industrial Park.

From its Gorham headquarters last year, the company generated $32 million in sales, distributing 35,000 gas and wood stoves. It assembled 21,000 of them at the 120,000 square-foot Gorham plant. The Gorham plant accounts for nearly 45 percent of the company’s worldwide business.

Jotul employs 70 workers in Gorham. “We’ve got a great staff. It’s a fun place to be,” said Watson, who joined the company in 1998. “I’m blessed with working with good people.”

Guests viewed offices, the research and development department, the warehouse, the assembly plant and the company’s distribution center. Following the tour, refreshments were served at a reception.

Broadway in Gorham

The School Street United Methodist Church plans to bring a taste of the “Great White Way” to Gorham at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, with their first “Night of Broadway” in the church at 29 School St.

The seven performers promise a night of memorable songs that will transport the audience to a seat in one of New York’s renowned theatres. The show includes a variety of songs ranging from such classical musicals as “The Pajama Game” and “My Fair Lady” to contemporary shows like “Rent” and “Wicked.” Allowing audiences of all ages to find something to enjoy during the evening.

The event taps seasoned performers from the church community. Elisa Doucette, a former member of the Gorham High School Chamber Singers; Farah Padamsee and Matt Slipp, current members of the Gorham High School Chamber Singers and Ryan Pickering, a current member of the 19th Century Monteverdi Singers round out the singing cast while Amy Doucette, a former teacher at the Gorham based Centre of Movement studio, choreographs and dances in the show.

Gail Ambrose and Kathy Baker, who have both been playing piano since they were six, will provide the music. Rep. Chris Barstow will be master of ceremonies.

Proceeds from the night will be donated to the School Street United Methodist Church’s building fund. In October, the church membership voted to sell their 1880 church home with the anticipation of a new facility being constructed on Route 25 in Gorham. With the sale of the old church building, the church membership now has a tight timeline of construction bids, groundbreakings, and fundraising this year.

Dennis Morton, chairman of the church’s Construction Committee, said he had faith the members of the church will be able to worship in their new space by Easter next year. That depends, however, on the bids the church receives to build its new home and the money it is able to raise to offset any up-front costs.

Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door; $5 either way for students. To order tickets, please call 839-3111 or e-mail tickets@vineyardpromos.com.

C.E. Carll acquires Standish agency

Jason Beever, owner of C.E. Carll Insurance Agency of Gorham, recently announced the acquisition of the Standish Lovejoy Agency.

The Standish office, which is located at 70 Ossipee Trail East, will continue to be staffed by Scott Callaghan and Shauna Mandeville who were previously with the Lovejoy Agency.

“We are excited about being able to expand our insurance services to the Standish area and look forward to being part of that community in the same way we have been involved in Gorham,” Beever said.

“Joining C.E. Carll Insurance Agency is exciting news for all of us, it allows us to offer our clients better service and more insurance products than ever before,” added Callaghan, who has been with the Standish office since 1990.

Since 1866, the C.E. Carll Insurance Agency has provided insurance services in Gorham. In 2005, the agency joined forces with the Chalmers Group, which has offices in Bridgton, Harrison, Fryeburg and Hiram as well as in Center Ossipee and North Conway, N.H. In January last year, the C.E. Carll Agency moved from its original office space on School Street to 65 A Main Street.

Michaud on dean’s list

Katelyn N. Michaud has been named to the dean’s list for the first semester at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

Michaud, a member of the class of 2009, is the daughter of Ann and Gary Michaud.

Poulin on dean’s list

Christina F. Poulin, a member of the class of 2006, has been named to the dean’s list at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

She is the daughter of Anne Ledue.

Jensen to perform in concert

Sandi Jensen will sing with the “Women in Harmony” chorus in two concerts this weekend at St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland.

The chorus will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, and in a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22. This year’s concert is entitled “Everything Possible.”

Dr. Catherine Beller-McKenna directs the chorus.

In its 12th season, “Women in Harmony” is a chorus with more than 50 voices, performing harmonies of many genre and cultures. Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door; and $10, seniors and students.

For more information or tickets, call 829-3161 or visit their website www.wihmaine.org

Congratulations Carol

Carol Googins celebrated her birthday with her fellow employees at the Gorham Municipal Center with an ice cream cake Friday.

Googins is the town’s assistant Finance Director.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Thursday, Jan. 12, that the U.S. public debt was $8,159,084,910,068.58

(Jotul 1) – Jotul North America President Bret Watson shows local business people the company’s Gorham plant in an open house on Thursday.(Jotul 3) – Ed Myslik of Allied Home Mortgage in Gorham, in the middle, chats with Don Cross of Crossroads Connection Courier Service and his wife, Virginia Cross, a faculty member at the University of Southern Maine, at a reception after members of the Gorham Business & Civic Exchange toured the Jotul plant in Gorham on Thursday. Jason Beever(NOB promo) – “Night of Broadway” castmembers in the frontrow are Gail Ambrose and Farah Padamsee; in the middle row, Amy Doucette and Kathy Baker; and backrow are Rep. Chris Barstow, Elisa Doucette and Matt Slipp. Ryan Pickering is not in the photo.