Griffin Hoey, 2, and Ella Footer, 3, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus Sunday. Robert Lowell / American Journal

Light parade rained out,
but Santa saves the day 

Rain on Sunday washed out the town’s annual parade of public and private vehicles decked out with holiday lights and this year’s event won’t be rescheduled.

But jolly old Santa and the lovely Mrs. Claus saved the day, visiting with children at Shaw Gym, which the Recreation Department opened up for the kids in light of the rain.

“That was a quick improvisation to have Santa and Mrs. Claus inside for the meet and greet. We’re glad it all worked out,” Recreation Director Cindy Hazelton said Monday.

The high school ice hockey team sprung into action to help Hazelton and staff with inside activities for the children.

Winter sand available

Gorham residents can pick up winter sand at Public Works, 80 Huston Road. A sand pile is on the left as you drive up Public Works Drive.

Residents need to bring their own shovels and buckets. Two 5-gallon pails are allowed for each resident per winter storm.

For those needing help, call 222-4950.

New community liaison

The Gorham Police Department and Windham Police Department have hired a new joint Community Resource Liaison, Haley Berry, according to a report from Gorham town hall.

Her first day with the Gorham Police Department was Nov. 17. She will split her time between the two communities.

“Berry will be utilized as a resource for our agency to assist individuals that we have contact with that are struggling with mental health or substance-use issues,” the report said. “She will primarily be utilized as a follow-up resource, not as an initial response to a critical incident.”

Berry began riding along with Gorham officers last week to get to know the agency and the community.

50 years ago

The American Journal reported on Nov. 29, 1972, that Claude Daigle of White Rock had spent a few days at his winter home in Homestead, Florida.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Treasury Department reported on Nov. 23 that the U.S. public debt was $31,334,033,410,564.83.