Cole rode over old tracks
Gorham Town Manager David Cole and officials from Gorham’s neighboring communities rode the railroad tracks of the former Mountain Division last week as guests of the Maine Department of Transportation.
The ride was sponsored by the Greater Portland Council of Governments and the Route 113 Corridor Committee, which hosted a forum last week about reinstituting passenger and freight service on the line to foster economic development. MDOT bought the Mountain Division tracks and right of way from South Windham to Fryeburg several years ago.
Last week’s riders traveled over the former railroad line in special MDOT vehicles equipped to drive over the tracks. The excursion, which began at Route 202 in South Windham, made several stops to allow town officials to board or disembark en route to Fryeburg.
Rail service on that line was discontinued in 1984. In 2004, towns of Standish, Hiram, Brownfield and Fryeburg established the Route 113 Corridor Committee to study economic potential of the region.
The Mountain Division tracks pass through White Rock, where there was once a railroad station.
Garden club to hear Rhodes
Clarence Rhodes will speak when the Gorham Garden Club meets from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the First Parish Church.
Rhodes’ topic is “Growing Roses in Maine.” The club is inviting everyone to attend.
College fair at USM
The University of Southern Maine is hosting a college fair on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Costello Sports Complex on the Gorham campus.
More than 250 colleges and universities as well as representatives from the USM Financial Aid Office and the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) will be in attendance.
For more information, Gorham students or parents should contact the high school guidance office at 222-1102.
U.S. taxpayer debt
The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Wednesday, Sept. 13, that the U.S. public debt was $8,529,989,973,197.61.
Cutline (David Cole 3) 
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