GHOP reopens ?after April fire

The Gorham House of Pizza, destroyed by fire in April, reopened Wednesday.

Angelo Sotiropoulos, 63, said he worked 161?2 hours Monday as opening day for the restaurant drew near. this week.

Shortily after his popular eatery burned, Sotiropoulos was diagnosed with cancer, but underwent a procedure in Boston.

“At this point, I’m healthy. I’m very, very thankful,” Sotiropoulos said Tuesday.

The community that supported Sotiropoulos with a fundraiser was expected to pour out for the opening.

“I’ve never felt alone,” he said about his battle back.

Sotiropoulos started the Gorham House of Pizza in1980 and bought the building four years later. Investigators said cause of the fire was a ceiling fan in a second-floor apartment over the restaurant.

He said he’d be open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and 11 a.m. – midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Christmas Eve ?blood drive

Gorham Fire Department and Biospecialists of Gorham are sponsoring a Christmas Eve blood drive 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24, in the gym at Narragansett Elementary School, 284 Main St.

For appointments, call the American Red Cross at 1 800 Red Cross (733-2767).

Free clothes for military veterans

All veterans are eligible to receive a variety of free clothing and boots every Friday from 9 a.m.-noon, at 199 Jagger Mill Road in Sanford.

Cold-weather items available include winter jackets, pants, sleeping bags, underwear and boots. The Department of Defense provides the surplus items

Veterans are only required to sign in and to try on boots.

Christmas Mass

Christmas Eve Masses at the Saint Anne Parish, 299 Main St., will be held at 4 and 8 p.m.; and on Christmas Day at 10 a.m.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Dec. 13 that the U.S. public debt was $16,369,984,159,473.81.

A rebuilt Gorham House of Pizza reopened Wednesday after a disastrous fire in April.