Mystery donor aids dance school

An anonymous donor on multiple occasions has left a bag of returnable bottles and cans at the front door of the Centre of Movement, which is raising money to forestall public fire officials from shuttering the school this spring.

Vicki Lloyd, owner director of the Centre of Movement, doesn’t know identity of their benefactor, who has been depositing the bags of returnables. “It’s really, really sweet,” Lloyd said on Monday.

Officials are requiring installation of a sprinkler system in the school at 19 State St. and it has a May 1 deadline to have a signed contract for the project.

“We need to raise another $40,000,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said their mystery benefactor has left a lawn bag filled with returnables seven or eight times. The bags of bottles and cans generate about $10 each at Hannaford. But the mystery donor leaves no clues.

“I would like to thank them,” Lloyd said.

When she found the first bagful, she took it home and was surprised to find that all the bottles and cans had been washed. “I was so shocked,” Lloyd said.

The school has several fundraising events coming up including the ‘Shim Sham.” The tap dancing program will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Ossipee Trail Arts on Route 25 in Limington and from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Centre of Movement, 19 State St., in Gorham.

It’s an opportunity for most any age level to learn the dance. A recommended donation is $5 per person plus canned or dry food items to be donated to the Gorham Food Pantry. For more information or for reservations, call 839-DANS.

Historical program rescheduled

Due to snow, the Gorham Historical Society meeting on Feb. 9 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 9. Carol Manchester will speak about her book, “Joseph K. Manchester, Northern Son in the South 1861-1863.”

Triad to meet

Gorham/Westbrook TRIAD will meet at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, in Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

250 years ago

Gorham held its first town meeting on Feb. 18, 1765.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Feb. 5 that the U.S. public debt was $18,125,876,697,430.99.

The Centre of Movement in Gorham is fundraising to install an interior sprinkling system mandated by state and local fire officials, who could shut down the center at 19 State St. Staff photo by Robert Lowell