Sophia Mankin

Phil Bartlett of Gorham, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, appears last week with the Maine donkey near Independence Hall in Philadelphia at the Democratic National Committee convention that selected Hillary Clinton as its presidential nominee.  Clinton will face Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November election.

In an an appreciative gesture Monday,  citizens surprise Gorham Police Department with a cake, cards and balloons at the station. Republican legislative candidates Matt Mattingly, Sen. Amy Volk of Scarborough, and Jim Means present a cake to Chief Dan Jones, left, and Deputy Chief Chris Sanborn, right. Gorham residents Joan and Norman Pelletier, not pictured, gave cards to the officers. In the November election, Volk, an incumbent, is running against Democrat Jean-Marie Caterina of Scarborough in Senate District 30; Means is challenging Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, in House District 27; and in House District 26, Mattingly is facing Maureen Fitzgerald Terry of Gorham, a Democrat.

Mankin national dance winner

Sofia Mankin, 10, of Gorham, a dancer from Drouin Dance Center in Westbrook, won the National Miss Turn it Up Title in her age group last month at the national championships held in Cape Cod, Mass.

Danielle Drouin, dance center owner, said Sofia competed against dancers from up and down the East Coast, and were judged on her dance performance, interview and photo.  “I am so very proud of her hard work and dedication,” Drouin said, “this award is a testimate to her training and passion for dance.”

Sofia also won a special judges award recognizing her passion, spirit and age-appropriateness of her routine.  Sofia and her teammates competed group and solo pieces, and a group jazz piece choreographed by Brittany Gereben, “Fly Me to the Moon” placed sixth overall nationally.

Tricky Britches in concert

Tricky Britches will entertain when Gorham’s free, outdoor summer concert series continues 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9, on the lawn at the gazebo next to Baxter Memorial Library on South Street.

Gorham Recreation Department sponsors the free  concert, one in a series that continues comcludes Aug. 16. Parking is available along South Street or in the parking lot behind Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.. Those attending can take picnics along with blankets or lawn chairs.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on July 28 that the U.S. public debt was $ 19,412,286,582,301.91.