Santa makes grand Gorham entrance

A Gorham fire truck decorated with holiday lights conveyed Santa and Mrs. Claus to the town’s tree lighting festivities at Robie Park on Sunday.

Bundled up against the damp chill, hundreds of children and parents greeted the couple following outside activities that included reindeer games, horse-drawn rides, snacks and hot chocolate.

When a light parade with numerous fire trucks and Public Works Department vehicles decorated with holiday lights turned the corner from Morrill Avenue toward the park, a rendition of “Here Comes Santa Claus” announced the arrival.

Santa and Mrs. Claus proceeded to the Shaw Gym, where kids lined up for personal visits with the couple. Kiera Emerson was first in line and asked Santa for a hand-held game as a gift.

GHS prom fundraiser

Teacher Christina P. Stone has announced that the Gorham High School Prom Committee will run a holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday Dec. 14 and 21 in the Gorham High School cafeteria.

The suggested donation is $2 a package, or $10 for a group of packages. All proceeds will benefit the Gorham High School Prom Committee.

Lions selling trees

The Gorham Lions Club will be selling Christmas trees in the parking lot at Cook’s Ace Hardware, 57 Main St., in Gorham starting on Saturday, Dec. 7. Proceeds will benefit community needs and local charities.

Fire department has wreaths

Wreaths are available for $12 each from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Gorham Fire Department, 270 Main St.

A poem of inspiration

Margie Casey of Gorham has submitted a poem that she wrote recently:

God’s word is life

my life is God’s word.

Without God’s word

there is no life

So we choose whom we serve

and we serve whom we choose.

So choose this day

to serve the lord

or be dismayed

for without a true love for God

you lost your way

for only with hope and faith

can you know that Jesus saves.

So forever is good

when forever is real

when your faith is in God

and your life is sealed

with the blood of the lamb

and the truth and the way

the life that God gives

keeps the devil away.

Ecumenical service

Jude Garland, chairperson of the Gorham Ecumenical Council, said a Christmas season service of “comfort and rest” will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 81 Cressey Road, in Gorham.

“The Gorham Ecumenical Council is sponsoring this service for those who do not feel like celebrating,” Garland said. “Perhaps the loss of a loved one, uncertainty of employment, a serious illness, a broken relationship… any of these or more may make a person seem out of step with the cheery majority.”

This service will offer a quiet place to reflect and realize that no one is alone, providing words of comfort and hope but in a quiet manner.

Everyone is welcome, and light refreshments will be served following the service.

Kiera Emerson of Gorham is the first to visit Santa and Mrs. Clause on Dec. 1 following Gorham’s tree lighting activities. Kiera, who attended the festivities with her mother, Mary Emerson, asked Santa for a hand-held game.