Cynthia Peters of Gorham is crowned Mrs. Maine America.

Peters wins Mrs. Maine America title

Cynthia Peters of Gorham, 34, Sunday was crowned the 2017 Mrs. Maine America in the pageant held in South Portland.

“What an experience,” Peters said in a Facebook posting. “So happy to represent the town of Gorham and now the state of Maine.”

Debra Pronovost, pageant director, said Monday Peters will compete in national competition for Mrs. America Aug. 19-26. “The event will be held at the Westgate LasVegas,” Pronovost said.

Peters and her husband, Jack, have been married seven years and have two children, Riley, 4, and Brady, 2. She is a stay-at-home mom and enjoys cooking, volunteering, traveling, skiing and camping, according to information on the pageant’s web site.

Pronovost said Peters has a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and previously was a quality control engineer. She volunteers with the Dream Factory of Maine and Gorham Cares.

Boosters’ seek candidates

Gorham Athletic Boosters will hold its annual election of officers at its meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, May 8, in the library at the high school, 41 Morrill Ave.

“There will be open positions as well as new positions to fill,” said Brenda Orach, a director.

Orach said open for nominations are vice president, concessions manager and treasurer; other positions to be voted on are secretary, president, team liaison coordinator and members at large.

The organization is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) and a separate entity from the Gorham school Department.  The boosters help raise funds to support  Gorham High School’s athletic programs and the student athletes beyond  the school department’s annual, budgeted amount.

For more information, visit www.gorhamathleticboosters.org. For consideration of any of the positions,  submit a letter of interest to the president of the boosters, Kelley Burghardt, at kelleyb985@gmail.com or send to Gorham High School, c/o Gorham Athletic Boosters, 41 Morrill Ave., Gorham, Maine 04038. 

Gorham Cares comes through

Two fundraisers this spring hosted by Gorham Cares, a citizens group, have been huge successes in benefiting the Piawlock and Cox families impacted in a traffic crash in December.

Gorham Cares is a new community-led organization that formed to help local families who are in need of financial assistance or who have suffered a tragic situation.

Joseph Piawlock, a passenger in his family’s car, was killed when it collided with a dumptruck on Narragansett Street during a December snowstorm. His 10-year-old daughter later died from her injuries. Piawlock’s wife, another daughter and a young friend were injured in the accident.

A community organizer, Al Garcia, reported that 250 people attended a benefit held at the University of Southern Maine on April 15. It followed a previous benefit at Spire 29 in March.

“The two benefits have raised several thousands of dollars to benefit both families, Garcia said. “It’s comforting to live in such a great place where people are willing to help other members of the community.”

Senior center hosting driving course

The AARP Smart Driving Course for drivers over 50 will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, May 19, at the Lakes Region Senior Center at Little Falls Activity Center, 40 Acorn St.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. The course will refresh driving skills and provide information about handling roundabouts, rules, road hazards and the effects of medication on driving.

For more information or to register, call 892-9879.

Benson to speak

Ret. Col. William Benson of Gorham will speak at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 8, in Conference Room A at the Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

Benson, a Gorham business owner, wrote the book “Leadership Lab Iraq: Lessons in organizational leadership and counterinsurgency.”

He served 24 years with the U.S. Army and spent 42 months in Iraq and Afghanistan. The public is welcome to attend.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on April 27 that the U.S. public debt was $19,846,491,745,845.94.