Post 197 hosts Special Olympics Christmas party

The American Legion families of Districts 1 and 2 held their annual Christmas Party for the Special Olympics of Maine on Dec. 19 at Westbrook Memorial Post 197.

Along with the athletes, Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Gary and Roxanna York of Westbrook) attended the event, as did Mark Capano of Special Olympics of Maine and the event’s Legion coordinator, Carolyn Bourgeois.

Luncheon revenue rises

The Tips for Charity Luncheon during last month’s Festival of Trees generated a total of $3,666, up $225.44 from $3,440.56 for the event in 2012. In 2011, the luncheon raised $3,289.95 for charity.

Festival committee member Roberta Dutton Morrill recently reported that the luncheon tips for 2013 tallied $2,561, which is down from $2,665.56 in tips in 2012. But ticket sales for the 2013 event generated $1,105, compared to $775 for the previous year.

The 2013 luncheon benefited the Westbrook Food Pantry and the Westbrook Good Samaritan Fund.

White’s arrangement featured at concert

An arrangement by composer Terry White of Westbrook was performed at the 67th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago on Dec. 20.

The Dillard Center for the Arts from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., included White’s arrangement of “Blues March” on its performance program. “Blues March” is a composition by Benny Golson and is published by Belwin Jazz, a division of Alfred Music Publishers, one of the largest music publishers in the world.

White is a retired Cape Elizabeth Middle School band director and has been featured two previous times at the Midwest Clinic, in 2009 and 2012. The clinic is held every year in Chicago, with 15,000 educators and performers participating.

Ensembles are chosen by audition to perform at the four-day event and come from as far away as Japan and Australia.

Members of the Pizzo family welcome Santa to their 40th annual Christmas party on Dec. 22 at the Westbrook Eagles. Santa is seen greeting Emilia Josephine Pizzo, the youngest member of the family, with her parents Kayla and Anthony Pizzo. The family gathering began 40 years ago in honor of Annie Pizzo, the mother of 13, who died at age 60. This year, the family sang Christmas carols, enjoyed food and filled 15 bags for the homeless. Spanning four generations, more than 100 members of the family, many of whom live in Westbrook, attended the party. Coty Anderson of Gorham is greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus during the annual Special Olympics of Maine Christmas party at American Legion Post 197 in Westbrook.