Gertrude turns 102
Gertrude Jewett celebrated her 102nd birthday on Wednesday, Jan. 11, surrounded by family and fellow residents at Longfellow Place.
Her son, Leon LaBrecque, 84, of Gorham, attended the party. She also has another son, Earl of North Dakota. Jewett has 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Jewett once worked in a lingerie department at a Washington D.C. store and assisted three first ladies, Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower and Bess Truman. She met President Harry Truman in a park near the White House and she said the president tipped his hat to her.
Jewett was born Gertrude Secord in Windham in 1904. Her mom lived to be 98 and an aunt also lived to be 102.
Clarrage on dean’s list
Amanda Clarrage has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla.
Girl Scouts visit museum
Members of Girl Scout Troop 1727 recently visited the Westbrook Historical Society museum on Dunn Street.
Members of the society said the girls especially found the “old house surveys” of great interest. They left with ideas on how to research and document histories of their own homes.
Westbrook Historical Society officers are Robert H. Smith, president; Mike Sanphy, vice president; Suzan Roberts Norton, secretary; Nancy Joy Curran, treasurer; and Diane Turgeon Dyer, Ellie Conant Saunders, Jane Gordon and Donna Conley, directors
Charest to play Mardi Gras party
The Bob Charest Band will perform at a Mardi Gras dance party 8:15 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Maplewood Dance Center, 383 Warren Ave., Portland.
Admission is $12, in advance or at the door. For more information, call 878-0584.
Westbrook women to sing in choir
Susan Cook, Sarah Allen and Kim Wood will perform with the “Women in Harmony” choir in two concerts this weekend at St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland.
The choir will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22. Tickets are $12; $15, at the door; $10, seniors and students. For more information, call 829-3161.
Parking on the menu at lunch
The Westbrook Community Chamber will host a discussion of a recent city parking and traffic study at a lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St.
City Planner Brooks More and Tom Gorrill, a study consultant, will discuss the study and answer questions.
Cost of the lunch and program is $7 for members and $10 for others. For reservations, call the chamber by Jan. 23 at 772-1196, ext. 228, or register online at www.portlandregion.com and click on events.
Murphy speaks at healthcare rally
Jacquie Murphy of Westbrook spoke on Jan. 12 in Augusta at a press conference sponsored by Maine People’s Alliance and Consumers for Affordable Healthcare.
Murphy shared her experience as a DirigoChoice enrollee and how the program has benefited her. After leaving a physically abusive marriage, according to a statement in a press release, she became clinically depressed and was hospitalized twice in one year because of fear that she could not survive financially.
“When DirigoChoice became an option, I was able to recover completely from the depression…DirigoChoice provided me with coverage to support the medical treatment I needed to recover,” Murphy said. “It also provided me with financial security – knowing I could afford the coverage and survive on my own financially. I am glad to say I am living a happy and productive life,” Murphy said.
WinXnet honored
WinXnet, 865 Spring St., has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program.
“Microsoft recognizes WinXnet as a new Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corporation.
The certification recognizes WinXnet’s expertise and its effect in the technology marketplace. WinXnet is an IT services company providing solutions management and application development services with an expertise in wireless technology and date security.
With headquarters in Westbrook, WinXnet has satellite offices in Washington D.C., and Chattanooga, Tenn.
Gertrude Jewett, 102, of Westbrook shares the surprise of a birthday cake with her great-great grandson, Cory LaBrecque, 4, and his dad, Tony LaBrecque of Gorham. Her son, Leon LaBrecque, 84, on the right, and his son, Ron, both of Gorham, look on.
Sheila Rodigues leads Girl Scout Troop 1727 in a tour of the Westbrook Historical Society museum.
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