Peter on peace mission
Rev. Mutima Peter of Westbrook will lead a group leaving the United States Sunday, Aug. 24, on a 19-day peace mission to violence-torn Central Africa.
“There is always violence and death threat,” Peter responded Friday by e-mail. “We will be visiting Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. Please keep us in prayer.”
The United Nations reported Aug. 13 it has 17,000 peacekeeping troops deployed in Congo, Peter’s native country. Peter fled his homeland in 1993 and came to the United States. He and his wife, Zera Nabujeyi, and their children came to Westbrook in 1998.
Since migrating to the United States, Peter has made several trips to the Central African nations in an effort to reconcile warring factions of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes.
Peter, a Tutsi, is the pastor of International Christian Fellowship in Portland. He founded Central Africa Vision, a group that aids refugees, widows and orphans of genocide that claimed a million lives in Rwanda in 1994.
In August 2004, he witnessed the aftermath the morning after a massacre at a refugee camp in Burundi where 163 were brutally slaughtered and 300 wounded. Three years ago, gunmen with automatic weapons attacked his car in the Congo, and he narrowly escaped.
Class of 1950 reunites
The Westbrook High School class of 1950 celebrated a mini reunion on Aug. 7 at Keeley the Katerer in Portland.
Bill Randall, who was master of ceremonies, organized details and notified classmates about the event. Harriet (LeClair) Caron greeted classmates.
Larry Dyhrberg, a guest attending the reunion, is writing a book and would like to hear any childhood and school memories that classmates would be willing to share. He provided forms and stamped envelopes so the memories could be mailed to him.
Before the luncheon of salads, cold cuts, hot dishes and strawberry shortcake, Ruth (Johnson) Webster offered grace. Webster previously held a moment of silence for classmates who had passed away since last year’s reunion. They were Arthur Stanton, Arthur Crowe, Barbara (Frye) Crockett and Rodney McConkey.
“Ruth then took the spotlight with her famous homemade needhams that she brings to every gathering of the classmates,” E. Margaret Lowell wrote in a note about the reunion.
Classmates attending included John and Marie (Doucette) Aceto of Cape Elizabeth; Don and Edna Thorne, China; Bob and Angeline Tuttle, Franklin; Pauline (Tirrell) Langley, Gorham; Gordon and Madeline (Stevens) McLucas, Gorham; Ruth (Johnson) Webster, Gorham; Ernest and Pat Libby, Naples; Rita (Caron) Goyet, Old Orchard Beach; Theo (Doucette) Arsenault, Old Orchard Beach; Jim and Judy Hall, Otisfield; Gloria (Armentino) Mallett, Portland; Fay (Dame) Camire, Scarborough; Walter and Jackye (Lemieux) Hansen, Scarborough; Clarence and Eleanor Mitchell, Scarborough; Bill Randall, Scarborough; Eleanor (Lovering) Stetson, Scarborough; Earle and Irene (Methot) Fenderson, South Portland; Llewellyn Clark, Steuben;
Theresa (Gorrie) Arey; Pat (Quinn) Bailey; Enoch and Mary (Reece) Barton; Harriet (LeClair) Caron; Laurette (Lauzon) Gallagher; Darlene (Boucher) Wolston; Margaret (Kennie) Lowell; and Connie (Chayer) Middlesworth, all of Westbrook.
Jeanne (Guimond) Landry, Windham; Frank and Ann (Harding) Ayer, Winnisguam, N.H.; Bob and Betty Garland, Wolfeboro, N.H.; and Lewis and Muriel Welch, Slingersland, N.Y.
Guests included Pat Caron, Westbrook; Jim Zaharis, Westbrook; Larry Dyhrberg, Falmouth; and Marie (Hansen) Langenfeld, Edina, Minn.
Esty excels
Christine Esty of Westbrook received a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Humanities and Natural Science at Loyola University New Orleans in May in the Louisiana Superdome.
Esty was also named to the dean’s list for the spring semester.
Classmates sought
Edith Smith Roma of Westbrook is hoping to locate members of the Deering High School class of 1943 for a buffet luncheon reunion on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Keeley the Katerer in Portland.
Those with information about locating classmates should call Beverly Garsoe Sills at 797-4940 or Roma at 854-5043.
Vallee flick in the park
The Westbrook Historical Society and the city of Westbrook will be sponsoring a free movie in Riverbank Park on Friday, Aug. 22, at 8:30 p.m.
The movie, “The Palm Beach Story,” stars Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Mary Astor and Westbrook’s own Rudy Vallee. Moviegoers should bring seating, snacks and bug spray.
“Join us for a nostalgic evening,” said Donna Conley, president of Westbrook Historical Society.
Vallee, 1901-1986, was a famed crooner, musician and a radio, TV, stage and movie star. Vallee is buried in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery on Stroudwater Street.
Boffa in park concert
The Tony Boffa Band will be in concert 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, in Riverbank Park.
The concert is the finale of a free summer series sponsored by Westbrook Recreation Department.
Seniors road trip
Westbrook Senior Citizens are planning a trip to Foxwoods on Saturday, Sept. 13.
For more information, call 854-2292 or 854-2705.
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