Flurries can’t dampen Marketplace

Gorham Marketplace attracted a crowd again this year despite Saturday’s spitting snow.

“It’s been pretty busy,” said Don Cross, who was manning a booth for Gorham Business Exchange, which sponsors the annual event.

Held inside the University of Southern Maine field house on its Gorham campus, Marketplace hosts town, public safety and school booths, as well as a variety of food and local vendors displaying their products and services available in Gorham.

A large audience watched Dance Studio of Maine performers, and Jeff O’Donal and Larry Peterson of O’Donal’s Nursery on County Road brought a touch of spring with boxes of pansies available at its booth.

The Gorham Farmers’ Market was on hand with a booth and one of its producers, Alaena Robbins from Old Wells Farm in Limington, was dressed in a carrot costume.

A deaf boxer dog from Refreshing Paws, a pet care facility in Gorham, made friends with all age groups. Named Schy, an acronym for “she can’t hear you.” appeared to lap up all the attention from kids and adults alike. Cailyn Forrester, an eighth-grade student at Massabesic, exhibited Schy on a leash.

Bishop announces priest assignment, retirements

Bishop Robert P. Deeley is appointing effective June 1 the Rev. Louis J. Phillips, current interim superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools, as pastor of St. Anne Parish, Gorham; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Windham.

In addition, Deeley is announcing the retirements of the Rev. Joseph J. Koury, administrator of St. Anne Parish and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, and The Rev. Reginald R. Brissette, senior priest at St. Anthony of Padua Parish.

Both retirements are also effective on June 1.

Town-owned house for sale

The Town of Gorham is accepting proposals to purchase the town-owned property located at 10 Preble St. The lot is an approved conditional zone.

The complete request for proposal package including description, deadlines and contact information is available by visiting www.gorham-me.org and clicking on 10 Preble St.-request for proposals under news and announcements.

Dean list students

Several Gorham students have been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Maine at Farmington.

They are Katherine Bennett, Celeste Carpenter, Kaitlin Flanders, Conor Kirby, Jennifer Pinkelman, Marissa Rush, Maeghan Sloat, Mariah Sloat, Patricia Smith, Emily Thompson, Melissa Walls and Colleen Ward.?

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on March 26 that the U.S. public debt was $18,152,367,511,357.61.

Gorham’s annual Marketplace on Saturday featured fun for families like the Miners. Pictured, from left, are Jennifer, 4; Noah, a former Gorham town councilor; Lillian, 9; and Claire. Staff photos by Robert LowellA large audience watches a performance by Dance Studio of Maine on Saturday at the Marketplace.