WHS chess team third in state championships

The Westbrook High School chess team finished in a tie for third place at the Maine State Scholastic Chess Team Championships on March 9.

The team, which entered the tournament as the 10th seed among 11 teams, scored 2.5 points out of a possible four points to finish in a tie with George Stevens Academy.

Westbrook coaches Steve Morgan and John C.L. Morgan said in a statement that Ian Murray (‘13), Ben Touchette (‘13), Luke Arsenault (‘14), Garrett Gilliard (‘14), and Gabe Maxwell (‘14) all contributed “stellar efforts” to the Blue Blazes’ team in the championship section, while Hussein Sayed (‘14) and Parker Chabot (‘15) both performed well in the reserve section.

Class of ’68 seeks classmates

The Westbrook High School class of 1968 is planning its 45th reunion for this year and organizing are to trying to locate several classmates.

Those being sought are Gary Holbrook, David Landry, Pam Palmeiri Bickford, Robert Reece, Mark Mitchell, Raymond Morrill and Ronald Marsh.

The reunion will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Fireside Inn & Suites at 81 Riverside St., Portland.

Class contacts and numbers are Julie Knight Metiever at 878-2053 or Sharon Madore Farr, 854-1302.

Ladies’ shopping day

Westbrook Eagles, 89 Saco St., is hosting its ladies’ shopping day form 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.

Many vendors will participate and admission is free.

Join Wreaths Across America trip

Former Maine Sen. Ronald Usher, now of Buxton, is organizing a bus tour from Westbrook to Arlington National Cemetery for this year’s Wreaths Across America observance.

A VIP bus will leave Westbrook at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, and return at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15. An all-day ceremony will begin in Arlington at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Usher said the bus tour will also include visiting World War II and Vietnam War memorials.

Usher is organizing the trip in connection with American Legion posts 62 and 197 in Westbrook.

Thousands of wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves at Arlington., Wreaths Across America formed in 2007 to provide memorial wreaths and a truck convoy annually delivers wreaths from Worcester Wreath Co. in Maine.

Transportation cost for the trip Usher is organizing is $136 per person. Usher, who is planning fundraisers to defray the cost, is looking for 50 people to sign up for the trip with a $20 deposit due by Saturday, June 1.

To register or for more information, call Usher at 929-3474.

Art show rescheduled

Roberta Morrill of Westbrook Woman’s Club said its art show was postponed from March 19 to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St.

Free income tax help

Free federal and state of Maine income tax preparation and electronic filing is offered each Wednesday 4- 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge St.

All return preparation is done by IRS certified volunteer income tax preparers and is open to taxpayers of all ages. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accommodated, if time permits. This program is run by AARP Tax-Aide, a program of the AARP Foundation, offered in conjunction with IRS.

For an appointment, call 776-6313.

DennyMike’s wins more awards

The National BBQ Association held its annual convention recently in Mobile, Ala, and DennyMike Sherman and his line of all-natural sauces and seasonings, based in Westbrook, came home with five Awards of Excellence, bringing the popular line’s total medal count to 60-plus. Holding its own among more than 557 product entries from around the country in more than 25 categories of barbecue sauces, rubs, seasonings and packaging, DennyMike’s popular Cow Bell Hell took second place in the Caribbean/Mediterranean Dry Rub category. Hot ‘N Nasty and Chick Magnet also earned two medals in the Tomato Spicy and Southwest Dry Rub categories.

In addition to the product wins, Sherman also accepted an award for Best Product Label for his Pixie Dust seasoning, and DennyMike’s 9-Pack gift set earned second place in the Best BBQ Gift Pack category.

For more information on the company, see www.dennymikes.com.

Michaud earns insurance designation

Andrew Michaud of Union Street in Westbrook has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter professional designation.

Michaud is an account executive at Turner Barker Insurance in Portland. He focuses on advising business owners, families and individuals in the areas of life insurance planning, wealth accumulation, estate planning, education funding, charitable giving, retirement planning and employee benefits.

Previously, Michaud earned the Chartered Financial Consultant designation in October 2009. He can be reached by calling 773-8156 or (800) 499-8156.

Hayden Walker, Corah Gregory, Isabella Shaw, Giang Wayne and the rest of Melissa Morowski’s kindergarten class at Congin Elementary School listen last week to Westbrook Police Officer Sandy Mailman read “Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India,” written and illustrated by Gerald McDermott. Mailman is one of many people from the city, including Superintendent Marc Gousse, Mayor Colleen Hilton and Police Capt. Tom Roth, who have come in to read to classes as part of the guest reader program. It is part of a month-long celebration to entice and increase reading at the elementary schools. Students also receive paper rings for every book they read during school hours, with a goal of getting enough rings to make a chain around the school by the end of the month. Staff photo by Suzanne Hodgson