False fire alarm soaks students
A false fire alarm sent students at Westbrook’s Canal School out into a heavy rainstorm on Tuesday, soaking the students before they could get to shelter.
According to Westbrook Police Capt. Tom Roth, the alarm came in just before 9 a.m., Per the school’s procedure, students were brought outside the building while members of the police and fire departments cleared the alarm. Roth said that while school buses were brought in to keep the kids dry while they waited, the heavy rain got the kids wet before they could get on board.
There was no fire in the building, and the cause of the alarm is still under investigation.
Westbrook School Superintendent Marc Gousse said that school was back operating as normal on Tuesday afternoon. He said the that school was not dismissed for the day, but the staff did notify parents to give those who could the opportunity to either bring dry clothes to the school, or bring their children home to change into dry clothes.
– Mike Higgins
Legion sponsors Special Olympics party
Carolyn Bourgeois of American Legion Post 62 said 84 athletes from Maine Special Olympics attended a Christmas party and dance on Sunday at Memorial Post 197 in Westbrook.
The American Legions’ districts 1 and 2 sponsored the event. Cookies, ice cream and punch were served. Singer Gloria Jean was the DJ.
Free Christmas meal
A free Christmas dinner will be served 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 25, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St. Reservations are not required and takeout is available.
Santa visiting ?Dairy Queen
Santa will be at the Westbrook Dairy Queen, 272 Main St., from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22.
He’ll be handing out candy canes, taking Christmas requests and be available for photos.
Westbrook Masses
Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has announced Masses at the St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Westbrook will held on Christmas Eve at 4 and 7 p.m.; and on Christmas Day at 9 a.m.
Dance center ?shop opens
The Shop at Drouin Dance Center has opened in the Dana Warp Mill in Westbrook. The shop sells gear for dancers and fitness buffs, from leotards and tights to yoga pants, warm-ups, dance center logo wear and shoes.
Located adjacent to the waiting room at Drouin Dance Center, on the second floor of the mill, the shop is open during regular business hours of the studio, Monday-Friday 10 a.m. -8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m-noon.
The Shop at Drouin Dance Center also sells gift certificates, and can take orders over the phone, for pickup or shipping to anywhere in the United States. The shop will celebrate its opening with a grand opening sale the week of Monday, Dec. 17, to Friday, Dec. 21.
For more information or to place an order, call 854-2221.
Retired Westbrook Police Officer Bob Flood holds his first grandchild, Hunter Dube, who turned 1 on Nov. 16. Also pictured are Flood’s mother, Florence A. Flood of Worcester, Mass.; and his daughter, Kasey Dube, on right. Hunter’s father, Justin Dube is not pictured. Besides Bob Flood, other grandparents are Flood’s wife, LeeAnn Flood; and Romeo and Joyce Dube of Westbrook. Hunter is Florence Flood’s first great-grandchild.
The American Legion’s districts 1 and 2 on Sunday hosted Maine Special Olympics at a Christmas party at Westbrook Memorial Post 197. Flanking event organizer Carolyn Bourgeois of Post 62 are local entertainers Bobby Le and Gloria Jean while Mark Capano, Maine Special Olympics program director, right, looks on.
Eighteen-month-old Elijah Tarbox of Lyman marvels at the myriad Christmas decorations that surround him as he visits with Santa last Saturday night at the well-decorated home of Raymond and Mary Benner on Austin Street in Westbrook. Elijah visited last year, but missed out on meeting Santa. This is the fourth year that the Benners have invited Santa and the public to see the many displays at their home, a decorating process that starts before Thanksgiving and results in a $600 electric bill.
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