Communities to be grateful for

Westbrook, what a great town. I grew up in Westbrook in the 1950s and early ’60s and the town was hopping. If you were downtown in the village you seemed to know everybody. It sure was bustling to say the least. You could hang out at Vallee’s for a root beer float or go across the street to Lachance’s or Phil’s pizza, where a lot of the locals hung out. A movie at the Star or Brooks theaters was 12 cents. What a deal.

I come from a family of seven and went to St. Hyacinth school. My father, John Arsenault Sr., and years later my brother, John Arsenault Jr. (Sonny), worked at the mill. We didn’t have a lot to entertain us in those days but we entertained ourselves quite well. We had the local swimming pool near S.D. Warren’s that the local kids went to. It was nice spending time down at the boat house off Lincoln Street that Mr. Guitard ran. You could rent boats there to take up the river and we would swim in the river at coconut grove. In the winter we would go to King Cole, on Lincoln Street, to ice skate. There were dances for young teens on Dunn Street and at the Westbrook Armory. What good times and what good people we have in Westbrook.

I, along with my husband Brad, have been living in Gorham for the past 15 years since my husband’s retirement from the U.S, Coast Guard. My husband’s last duty station was on the Coast Guard cutter Chase out of Long Beach, Calif. He was out in the middle of the ocean almost ready to retire when I found a ranch-style home on the Gray Road in Gorham. I had been looking in Westbrook for a ranch home with nothing available at that time. Anyway there are lots of wonderful folks here in Gorham also.

I am so lucky to live in the great state of Maine. I used to walk from Gorham on Route 25 to Westbrook and back, just to feel close to my home town. I still do the walking about six days a week but go half the distance. I want to tell you, Gorham is really a nice place to live also, as you’re near everything – the lakes, the shopping malls, etc. I feel safe and protected here. The people, the community have made it what it is today, a town to be proud of. I’m thankful for our police department, fire department and our rescue team for looking out for us and keeping the town and neighborhood safe. Those in the public works department are hard workers also, keeping the roads in good condition and free from snow and ice in the winter. They do such a great job. I can walk right after a big snow storm, with thanks to them. I am super proud of this town, believe me. When out walking, I see a lot of the school bus drivers and I wave, as I feel for them as I was a teen riding a school bus years ago in another place, and those drivers have got to have a lot of patience. They’re like angels to me. We have great schools with wonderful teachers to guide, teach and inspire. No matter where you go in this town, whether to Hannaford, where everyone is friendly and helpful, or to the Gorham House of Pizza or to Ocean Gardens, you’ll get a warm welcome.

I am truly a grateful Maine woman.

Pauline Arsenault Leach

Gorham