Kids have a blast on a mountain of snow at Winterfest at Riverbank Park Sunday. Robert Lowell / American Journal

Footballer pays tribute to My Place Teen Center

Miece Loureiro, a former member of My Place Teen Center, now plays pro football in Toulouse, France. Contributed / Miece Loureiro

Miece Loureiro was starting to get into trouble in sixth grade, so he had to make a change. He credits My Place Teen Center for providing him with the opportunity he needed.

A 2017 graduate of Westbrook High School where he was a star football player, Loureiro is now a running back for a professional football team in Toulouse, France.

“I am so happy to be part of such a different culture and way of life,” he said in a MPTC press release.

Loureiro started showing up at the teen center when he was 11 and brought his younger brother along, according to MPTC.

“I came to the teen center almost every day after school to keep from getting into trouble,” Loureiro said, “it was that simple.”

The brothers would do their homework at the the center and eat dinner there.

“The teen center provides kids with a bunch of positive opportunities to be able to be there if you have problems at home and when you don’t have enough food, as I experienced,” Loureiro said.

Hard Hats with Heart program rescheduled 

The Hard Hats with Heart program, designed to help construction workers in Maine prevent heart problems, has rescheduled its free education event in Westbrook for April 20.

The event, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 33 Elmwood Ave., will feature a talk by a local heart disease survivor, a CPR demonstration, bowling, bocce, refreshments and more.

The  American Heart Association program provides education and other resources to construction workers, who are at an especially high risk of cardiovascular disease.

50 Years Ago

The American Journal reported on March 7, 1973, that Idella McDonough of Union Street had celebrated her 84th birthday on Feb. 22. She received many visitors and was given cards, flowers and gifts.