Westbrook Diarist

• Happy (Early) Turkey Day

  Number of comments: 0
  

  
  
  The fam and I are heading up to Rangeley for the rest of the week, so we wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving--on the day before Thanksgiving.

  - John C.L. Morgan
  
  P.S. I'm in a meta-kind-of-mood, so I'd be foolish if I didn't beg remind you to' [...]

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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 7:21am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Cinemagic to Host Early Screening of Bob Marley Film

  Number of comments: 0
  Cinemagic will host an exclusive screening of Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, the sequel to the cult film Boondock Saints, Monday night at 7p.
  
  Maine comedian Bob Marley continues his role as Detective Greenly in the movie, which opens nationwide Friday, December 4.
  
  - [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 6:36pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• City Council Pushes Back Pike Meeting

  Number of comments: 0
  Via e-mail, City Council President Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1) confirmed the City Council will fulfill Pike Industries' request that the upcoming December 7 meeting devoted the re-zoning of their Spring Street quarry be re-scheduled for February 1, 2010.
  
  Citing the original December 7 meeting date as "premature,"' [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 10:39am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Skepticism Squared

  Number of comments: 7
  Though I did not hesitate to vote for the new Westbrook middle school in May 2007, I was one of the 36% of Westbrook residents who cast a vote against the new performing arts center that was expected to cost the City $4.1 million dollars over twenty years, including an [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 8:53am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Online Art Auction

  Number of comments: 1
  Westbrook Housing is auctioning off Westbrook elementary students' artwork to benefit the Westbrook Food Pantry and the Animal Refuge League.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan' [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 6:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Could This Work in Westbrook?

  Number of comments: 3
  PPH:
  It takes a number of inputs to make a large data processing center function
  well, and it might surprise you to know that Maine is especially well
  positioned to host that industry if--and it's a big "if"--we are able to invest
  in some missing infrastructure.- John C.L. Morgan[...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 5:52pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Even Arkansas is Laughing

  Number of comments: 0
  KARK-TV:
  It was easy for Westbrook, Maine police to track
  down a suspect in a store theft. That's because he left his name and address on
  a job application. Store surveillance video at a Dunkin' Donuts reportedly
  showed the man filling out an application, then putting a jar collecting [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:27pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Judge Sides with Pike on Question of Shutdown Order

  Number of comments: 1
  PPH:
  A Cumberland County Superior Court justice
  Wednesday granted Pike Industries' request to stay a "cease and desist" order
  and allow quarrying operations to continue at Pike's Spring Street quarry in
  Westbrook. The decision by Justice Thomas Humphrey allows Pike to crush rock,
  and to excavate and remove previously' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:18am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Nightmare Scenario

  Number of comments: 0
  In these National Geographic videos, Portland is the victim of a dirty bomb attack:
  
  
  
  
  
  MPBN has information on the making of this show, and the PPH published an op-ed last Friday about how the federal government would respond to such an occurence.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:59am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• High School Teachers Gettin' Jiggy Wit It

  Number of comments: 0
  AJ:
  [Brian] Flynn and [Cynthia] DosAnjos are one of 13
  pairs of faculty members competing this year in a fundraiser for the high
  school's senior class, based on the popular television show, "Dancing with the
  Stars." Each couple was allowed take up to three ballroom dance lessons in
  preparation' [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:38am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Quote of the Day

  Number of comments: 0
  "When you watch the movie Bambi, you are looking into the Maine Woods."
  
  - Dick Day, quoted in a great Down East piece about how his father, Jake Day, played an instrumental role in ensuring the New England white-tail deer and other Maine wildlife and scenery were featured [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:25am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Planning Board Approves Change in Zoning in Pike Case

  Number of comments: 1
  PPH:
  
  The city's Planning Board sent a message to Pike Industries on Tuesday night,
  voting 5-1 to support new zoning that would restrict Pike's operations in the
  Five Star Industrial Park and rule out its plan to build an asphalt plant. After
  the vote, Pike officials charged the [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:13am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Don's Lunch Extends Friday Hours

  Number of comments: 1
  Kicking it old school, Don's Lunch will be extending their Friday night hours to 2a, starting November 20.
  
  I'll have to keep this in mind when scheduling the next Paper City Pub Crawl.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan
  
  Related: Why I Live in the Paper City,' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:51am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Olympia Sports May Vacate Downtown Portland

  Number of comments: 0
  PPH:
  "We suspect they [Olympia Sports] will leave
  as well," said [FFD Trust trustee Marc] Foster. "I would say that it is likely--
  that is why we're marketing it." Bean and Olympia have separate leases, said
  Foster, but Bean is the anchor that Olympia relies on. Olympia's president,
  Richard' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:43am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Parking Ban Reminder

  Number of comments: 0
  One more sign winter's on its way: The City of Westbrook's parking ban is now in effect, so don't park your car on the street from 12:01a-6:00a.
  
  Consider the repeal of this ban one reason to look forward to April 15.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 3:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Charles Lawton: 'The Ball is Clearly in the Court of Local Government'

  Number of comments: 0
  PPH:
  The other fact that this most recent election has
  revealed is that the focus of public initiative has changed from state
  government to local government, from Augusta to Town Hall. Whether it is to
  resist change or initiate change, the center of action over the next few years
  [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 6:00am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Native Followed Father's Footsteps into Military

  Number of comments: 0
  PPH:
  ''He was always my hero,'' Chris [Smith] said
  of his father [Donald Smith]. ''He didn't always know that. He definitely is.''
  Chris Smith followed in his father's military footsteps, although Chris served
  in the Army rather than the Marine Corps.- John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 12:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• City, Pike Present Arguments in Court

  Number of comments: 13
  PPH:
  Lawyers for Pike Industries and the city of
  Westbrook offered conflicting testimony Tuesday in a court hearing on Pike's
  request to operate a quarry on Spring Street while it appeals the city's
  decision to revoke its permit. Chief Justice Thomas Humphrey made no rulings in
  the 90-minute hearing [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 8:54am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• "The Way We Get By"

  Number of comments: 0
  

  MPBN is airing this 90-minute documentary tonight at 9p. FMI.

  - John C.L. Morgan

  [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 6:00am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Surf the Web Like It's 1999

  Number of comments: 1
  The Internet Archive has what it calls the Wayback Machine, a mind-blowing feature that allows one to see what a Web site looked like in past years.
  
  Check out, for example, what the City of Westbrook's Web site looked like on, say, January 25, 1999.' [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 5:29am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Students Greet Troop Greeters

  Number of comments: 0
  BDN:
  Nine students, some from Westbrook High School and others from Fred C. Wescott
  Junior High School in Westbrook, traveled to the [Bangor
  International] airport Monday to interview members of the Maine Troop
  Greeters group for the students' Veterans Day project. Four teachers, including
  Hermon native Natalie Bell, accompanied' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 10:08pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Businessmen Profiled

  Number of comments: 0
  Jim Ratner and John Reichenbach, co-owners of the Premier Rental-Purchase franchise on Main Street, were profiled in the online publication of the Rent-to-Own Industry News. For those interested, you can get a good rundown on the rent-to-own market in Westbrook during the 12-minute interviews of each of the men.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Promo

  Number of comments: 1
  

  - John C.L. Morgan

  Related: It Starts in Westbrook (February 7, 2009)

  [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:00am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Weekend Reading

  Number of comments: 0
  Check out Lawrence Sargent Hall's "The Ledge," an award-winning short story about a Maine fisherman's Christmas Day duck-hunting trip with his son and nephew.
  
  I challenge you to read it (or better yet, listen to it) without getting choked up.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 3:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• The Paper City Foodie's Guide to Westbrook

  Number of comments: 0
  According to the PPH food writer, Meredith Goad, Westbrook is now a destination spot for growling stomachs.
  Below is a collection of all the accessible reviews of Westbrook establishments, from 2008 to the present:
  
  Acropolis
  April 23, 2008
  
  Baker's Bench
  May 8, 2008
  [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 2:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• City: Pike is Violating Shutdown Order

  Number of comments: 6
  PPH:
  Pike Industries is hauling crushed stone from its
  quarry on Spring Street in Westbrook, which the city says violates a shutdown
  order it issued to the company in July. Pike says the city doesn't have the
  authority to stop its operations unless it gets a court order. The' [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 12:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Frog and Turtle Owner to Open New Westbrook Eatery

  Number of comments: 4
  James Tranchemontagne, the owner/chef of The Frog and Turtle, is planning a November 16 opening of an additional eating establishment in Westbrook, The French Press Eatery.
  
  Located on Main Street in the space formerly occupied by Riverwalk Cafe and The Freaky Bean, The French Press Eatery will be [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 5:59pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Two Firefighters Formally File Lawsuit Against City

  Number of comments: 0
  AJ:
  
  Explosive charges about obscene and discriminatory
  behavior in the Westbrook Fire Department have been made public for the first
  time in a lawsuit filed last week against the city by two female firefighters. A
  lawsuit and request for a jury trial, filed in Cumberland County Superior Court,
  [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 4:38pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• School Board Candidate-To-Be Wins Gaggie

  Number of comments: 1
  Al Diamon:
  Candidates often have a lot on their minds and
  can’t pay attention to every little detail about running for office. Take, for
  example, Martha Henderson, who was seeking a Westbrook school board seat as a
  Democrat. According to the American Journal, Henderson’s candidacy was derailed
  after city [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 4:33pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Superintendent Looking to Save $500,000

  Number of comments: 0
  AJ:
  Effective July 1, [Dr. Reza] Namin is eliminating
  the director of student services, held by Tim Walker; the gifted and talented
  coordinator, held by Kathy Legett; and the curriculum facilitator, held by
  Cynthia Martin, as well as the assistant superintendent, Jan Breton. The
  salaries for those positions total [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 4:21pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• On Question 1

  Number of comments: 0
  In a post published Tuesday morning, Down East political blogger (and newly registered Westbrook voter) Mike Tipping wrote that "there's still the uncertainty and expectation of election day. We don't yet know how we'll think of our state tomorrow."
  
  In an effort to follow up at the' [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 3:55pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Westbrook's Referenda Results

  Number of comments: 0
  The Bangor Daily News has posted the results from Westbrook on the five referenda questions, the bond issue, and the proposed constitutional amendment.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 6:14am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Voters Choose Hilton for Mayor, Dems for Council

  Number of comments: 7
  PPH:
  As of 10 p.m., unofficial results showed Hilton won 95 more votes than Bruce
  Chuluda, who has held the city's top post for six years. Hilton received 3,431
  votes to Chuluda's 3,336. Hilton held a celebration gathering with supporters
  Tuesday night at Mr. Bagel on Main Street, where [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 4:55am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Go to Photo-A-Go-Go

  Number of comments: 0
  From the November/December 2009 issue of maine. (pages 57-63 in its digital magazine):
  
  Despite the early winter storm that slammed into southern Maine, the crowds made
  their along slippery roads to Westbrook on the obligatory white-knuckle
  pilgrimmage. They searched for parking on residential side streets, slogged
  through slush, [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 4:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• The Frog and Turtle to Host Gubernatorial Hopeful

  Number of comments: 3
  Gubernatorial candidate Les Otten will be at The Frog and Turtle tonight from 5:30-7p for a greet-and-meet with Westbrook voters.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 3:00pm EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Westbrook Voters' Guide

  Number of comments: 0
  Voting Locations
  Ward 1- Fred C. Wescott Junior High School, 426 Bridge Street (sample ballot)
  Ward 2- Westbrook Armory, 120 Stroudwater Street (sample ballot)
  Ward 3- Westbrook Armory, 120 Stroudwater Street (sample ballot)
  Ward 4- Westbrook Armory, 120 Stroudwater Street (sample ballot)
  Ward 5- Fred C. [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 6:00am EST
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Weekend Viewing: Inja (2001)

  Number of comments: 0
  
  
  The 2010 FIFA World Cup doesn't kick off another 220 or so days, but I've already begun gobbling up everything South Africa-related.
  
  Whether it's reading E.J. Hoyt's excellent 1987 profile on Helen Suzman, adding Tsotsi to my Netflix queue, or watching this seventeen-minute short [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 5:00pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Colleen Hilton on the Issues

  Number of comments: 0
  Colleen Hilton is the Democratic Party's nominee for Mayor.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  My top priority would be to assess functions of City Hall. We need to get our house in order, which is evident from the many prolonged and protracted issues that' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 4:30pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Eeny Meeny Miny Mo

  Number of comments: 1
  The PPH on the, ahem, highlight of the 2008 Halloween party at The Frog and Turtle:
  Last year, [Chef James] Tranchemontagne's costume
  was a whiskey barrel, which he dropped halfway through the night to reveal he
  was wearing nothing but a green thong.On one hand, my heart is' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 4:19pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Referenda

  Number of comments: 0
  Your one-stop source for nearly anything you should know about the various referenda questions on Tuesday's ballot.
  
  Question 1: Repeal of same-sex marriage
  Yes on 1 Web site
  No on 1 Web site
  MPBN radio debate and call-in show (59 minutes, 21 seconds)
  MPBN' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 4:00pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Another Look at the Mayoral Race

  Number of comments: 0
  To view the electoral boundaries, registered voter breakdown, and the historical election results for the Mayor's Office, click here.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 5:31am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Bruce Chuluda on the Issues

  Number of comments: 6
  Bruce Chuluda is the Republican Party's nominee for Mayor.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  Keep taxes reasonable, continue to promote good economic development, and maintain open and transparent government.
  
  How do you plan to implement those three legislative goals?
  I plan to' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 5:30am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Ward 5 Polling Place Has Been Changed

  Number of comments: 0
  Citing unforeseen circumstances, City Clerk Lynda Adams has announced in a press release that the polling place for Ward 5 voters has been relocated from 33 Elmwood Avenue to the Fred C. Wescott Middle School on Bridge Street.
  
  If you have any questions, call the City Clerk's Office at [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 6:40pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Homer in the White House

  Number of comments: 0
  Art critic James Gardner on the Obamas' selection of Winslow Homer's painting Sunset as one of the pieces of art adorning the White House's walls (slide 5 of 9):
  This is more like it. We elect our presidents to
  hang Winslow Homers on the walls of the White' [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 3:26pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Candidate Profiles

  Number of comments: 0
  The American Journal published profiles of the candidates for the various City Council seats last Thursday. And the Portland Press Herald published their own profiles of the candidates today, focusing almost exclusively on the candidates' thoughts about the Pike Industries re-zoning issue.
  
  As for the battle for' [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Another Look at the At-Large Race

  Number of comments: 0
  To view the electoral boundaries, registered voter breakdown, and the historical election results for the At-Large City Council seat, click here.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 6:01am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Michael Foley on the Issues

  Number of comments: 2
  Michael Foley is one of the Democratic Party's two nominees for the At-Large City Council seat.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  N/A
  
  How do you plan to implement those three legislative goals?
  N/A
  
  Which city services do you think should be maintained [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Man Advocates for the Passage of Question 5

  Number of comments: 0
  FOX 23:
  Charles Whynott of Westbrook grows marijuana plants
  in his home, saying he needs to smoke in order to stop the nausea caused by his
  HIV medication. Whynott is a legal medical marijuana user asking people to vote
  yes on Question Five, which would also loosen the regulations [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 5:28am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• City, Bar Owners Seek Resolution

  Number of comments: 4
  PPH:
  The mayor and the council voted unanimously Monday
  night to table action that would have put the fate of the Skybox Bar and Grill
  in the hands of the Maine State Liquor Commission. They plan to meet with the
  bar's owners soon. The decision was the latest development [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 9:26pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: A Downtown Streetscape Rebuttal

  Number of comments: 5
  (Editor's Note: City Councilor Drew Gattine represents Ward 2 on the Westbrook City Council.)
  
  I've read some recent postings on this Web site that refer to the City's proposed Downtown Streetscape Planning Study, and I'm particularly concerned about some of the characterizations of that plan by James Tranchemontagne.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 5:25pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Another Look at Ward 4

  Number of comments: 3
  To view the electoral boundaries, registered voter breakdown, and the historical election results for the Ward 4 City Council seat, click here.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 6:03am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing Dotty Aube

  Number of comments: 0
  Dotty Aube is the Democratic Party's nominee for the Ward 4 City Council seat.
  
  Birthdate
  November 23, 1962
  
  Hometown
  Westbrook, Maine
  
  Family
  I am the oldest of 4. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister who live in Westbrook.
  
  Religion
  Catholic
  
  Occupation
  Supervising RN on [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 6:02am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Dotty Aube on the Issues

  Number of comments: 0
  Dotty Aube is the Democratic Party's nominee for the Ward 4 City Council seat.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  Implement the Downtown Streetscape Plan; consider, review, and revise the Comprehensive Plan; and keep the pressure on the state government to allow local control of [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 6:01am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: James Tranchemontagne on the Issues

  Number of comments: 0
  James Tranchemontagne is the Republican Party's nominee for the Ward 4 City Council seat.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  Fewer tax dollars wasted on legal fees from poor City Council decisions, controlled development, and a farmers' market in Riverbank Park.
  
  How do you' [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• On the Second Maine

  Number of comments: 1
  TIME magazine recently profiled the Second Maine Militia, of which the novelist Carolyn Chute and her husband is heavily involved:
  
  The purpose of the annual meeting, the same as
  it has been since the militia started in 1995, was to bring together the
  politics of left and [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Another Look at Ward 2

  Number of comments: 0
  To view the electoral boundaries, registered voter breakdown, and the historical election results for the Ward 2 City Council seat, click here.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 6:02am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Victor Chau on the Issues

  Number of comments: 0
  Victor Chau is the Democratic Party's nominee for the Ward 2 City Council seat.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  Balance the budget, figure out new ways to get additional revenue, and make residents happy.
  
  How do you plan to implement those three legislative' [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 6:01am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: David Tapley on the Issues

  Number of comments: 1
  David Tapley is the Republican Party's nominee for the Ward 2 City Council race.
  
  What are your three legislative goals if you are elected?
  Increase the business tax base, increase the sense of community through volunteering, and develop a trail network throughout the city.
  
  How do you plan' [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Divorce in Maine

  Number of comments: 0
  After listening to this MPBN segment on Maine's relatively high divorce rate, I recommend you check out this National Affairs essay on the evolution divorce in America. The essay is written by W. Bradford Wilcox, a sociologist who was quoted in the MPBN piece.
  
  - John C.L. [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: A Look at the Mayoral Race

  Number of comments: 0
  City of Westbrook Registered Voters (as of October 16, 2009)
  Democratic Party: 5,216 (38%)
  Unenrolled: 4,985 (36%)
  Republican Party: 3,185 (23%)
  Green Independent Party: 478 (3%)
  Total: 13,864 (100%)
  
  Historical Mayoral Results
  In the last ten municipal elections, the Democratic Party has won the Mayor's Office seven times, and [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 6:02am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing Bruce Chuluda

  Number of comments: 0
  Bruce Chuluda is the Republican Party's nominee for Mayor.
  
  Birthdate
  May 12, 1948
  
  Hometown
  Middleton, Massachusetts
  
  Family
  Late wife, Vicky
  One daughter, Lisa, and stepson, David Corkery
  Granddaughter, Madison (3)
  
  Religion
  Protestant
  
  Occupation
  Toll Collector, Maine Turnpike Authority
  
  Education
  BA, Economics, University of [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 6:01am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing Colleen Hilton

  Number of comments: 0
  Colleen Hilton is the Democratic Party's nominee for Mayor.
  
  Birthdate
  July 25, 1956
  
  Hometown
  Westbrook, Maine
  
  Family
  Husband, William C. Hilton
  Three children, William Noyes Hilton (25), Emily (23), and John (22)
  
  Religion
  Catholic
  
  Occupation
  CEO, VNA Home Health & Hospice [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing John O'Hara

  Number of comments: 5
  John O'Hara is the Republican Party's candidate running for one of the two At-Large City Council seats.
  
  Birthdate
  October 15, 1958
  
  Hometown
  Portland, Maine
  
  Family
  Wife and three children
  
  Religion
  Catholic
  
  Occupation
  Facilities Director, Portland International Jetport
  
  Education
  University of Southern Maine, 1979
  [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: A Look at the At-Large Race

  Number of comments: 0
  City of Westbrook Voter Registration (as of October 16, 2009)
  Democratic Party: 5,216 (38%)
  Unenrolled: 4,985 (36%)
  Republican Party: 3,185 (23%)
  Green Independent Party: 478 (3%)
  
  Historical At-Large Results
  In the last ten municipal elections, the Democratic Party has won fourteen of the twenty at-large seats, and the Republican [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 6:02am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing Michael Foley

  Number of comments: 1
  Michael Foley is one of two Democrats running for the two At-Large City Council seats.
  
  Birthdate
  September 9, 1987
  
  Hometown
  Westbrook, Maine
  
  Family
  Mother and father, Phyllis and Tom
  Sister, Julia
  
  Religion
  Catholic
  
  Occupations
  Public Safety Dispatcher, Kennebunk Police Department
  Owner, Emerald Technology Management
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Notes on Official Harassment

  Number of comments: 32
  (Editor's Note: Allen Moore is the co-owner of the Skybox Bar & Grill on Brown Street.)
  
  On Monday, October 26, my wife and I will be attending another Westbrook City Council meeting at Westbrook High School's Room 114. This will be our fourth meeting with the City Council, and [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 5:28am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Planning Board Tables Pike Zoning Change

  Number of comments: 0
  PPH:
  Supporters of Pike Industries and neighbors and businesses that oppose the
  company's plan to build an asphalt plant packed a hearing room Tuesday night as
  the Planning Board considered rezoning the Five Star Industrial Park. Late
  Tuesday night, after close to four hours of public testimony, the board [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 5:17am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Why I'm Running for the City Council

  Number of comments: 0
  (Editor's note: James Tranchemontagne is running for the Ward 4 City Council seat.)
  
  There are a lot of issues that require someone who understands how to minimize your taxes and see that they are spent well. This year, we wasted $250,000 of our tax dollars to harassment, legal fees [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 8:16pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Company Has Popular Map App

  Number of comments: 0
  Mainebiz:
  
  

  Imagine standing on a busy street corner, hitting a
  button on your iPhone, and seeing a map of that same corner 200 years ago,
  complete with names of former landowners, yellowed photos of the buildings
  around you and even information about your family's historic ties to the
  [...]

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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 6:40pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Acorn News Flash

  Number of comments: 0
  Via an Acorn Productions press release:
  [T]he company has selected 5 full-length plays to
  be given dramatic readings in the Acorn Studio Theater as part of the process of
  choosing a featured play for this year's Maine Playwrights Festival. The scripts
  were chosen from the 17 pieces submitted this' [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 3:06pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: A Look at Ward 4

  Number of comments: 0
  Ward 4 Boundaries
  Click here and add Wards and Water Bodies to the Visible Layers options.
  
  Ward 4 Registered Voters (as of October 16, 2009)
  Unenrolled: 1,026 (39%)
  Democratic Party: 1,022 (39%)
  Republican Party: 465 (18%)
  Green Independent Party: 90 (4%)
  Total: 2,603 (100%)
  
  Historical Election Results
  [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 6:01am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing James Tranchemontagne

  Number of comments: 6
  James Tranchemontagne is the Republican Party's candidate for the Ward 4 seat on the City Council.
  
  Birthdate
  April 10, 1974
  
  Hometown
  Sanford, Maine
  
  Religion
  Catholic
  
  Occupation
  Owner and Chef, The Frog and Turtle
  
  Professional Experience
  I run a million-dollar company
  
  Political Experience
  None
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: A Look at Ward 2

  Number of comments: 0
  (Editor's Note: This is part one of a multi-part series looking at the candidates for municipal office in Westbrook. Today, I will briefly describe Ward 2 and introduce the two candidates for its City Council seat. Similar ward descriptions and candidate introductions will be ongoing throughout the week, and I [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 6:02am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing Victor Chau

  Number of comments: 0
  Victor Chau is the Democratic Party's candidate for the Ward 2 seat on the Westbrook City Council.
  
  Birthdate
  October 21, 1973
  
  Hometown
  Portland, ME
  
  Family
  Wife, Karen
  Children, Zachary (2) and Kayla (8 months)
  
  Occupation
  Real Estate Broker
  
  Education
  B.A., Biology and B.S., Computer Science, [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 6:01am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: Introducing David Tapley

  Number of comments: 2
  David Tapley is the Republican Party's candidate for the Ward 2 seat on the Westbrook City Council.
  
  Date of Birth
  December 20, 1968
  
  Hometown
  Westbrook, Maine
  
  Family
  Wife, Pam
  Daughters, Emma(3) and Addison(1)
  
  Religion
  Nazarene
  
  Occupation
  Cardiovascular Technologist, Maine Medical Center
  
  Education
  A.S. in' [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Art Dyer Inducted into Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame

  Number of comments: 0
  VillageSoup:
  Following the 1980 season, Dyer took over the
  Westbrook High School [boys' basketball] program and, during the next 10 years,
  led the Blue Blazes to the tournament nine times, playing in four Western Class
  A championship games and winning the state Class A title in 1984. Dyer’s record[...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2009, 5:27am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• For Don Doane, the Beat Goes On

  Number of comments: 0
  Seacoastonline.com:
  Legendary trombonist Don Doane, who has played with
  Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, takes the stage
  for Harvestfest today ... Doane, 77, of Westbrook, Maine, now plays from a
  wheelchair, having suffered a stroke that paralyzed his left side. "I can't
  walk, can't use" [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 7:25am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Hard Cider

  Number of comments: 0
  

  - John C.L. Morgan

  [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 5:00pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Super Sire Stakes Reading

  Number of comments: 0
  Here's some reading to get you ready for the Maine Super Sire Stakes finals, Maine's biggest harness racing event, scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday at 12:45p at Scarborough Downs:
  
  "Boss Behind the Horse" (October 16, 2009)
  The Portland Press Herald's Mike Lowe profiles standardbred driver and [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 3:51pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Pike, IDEXX Unable to Reach Compromise

  Number of comments: 7
  Pike Industries yesterday offered concessions to IDEXX Laboratories, which included not building an asphalt plant at its Spring Street quarry, making the swath of that quarry closest to IDEXX a buffer, sprucing up the quarry's entrance, and reducing the number of one-second-long blasts each year from 25 to 20. [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 5:24am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Election '09: On Chuluda v. Hilton

  Number of comments: 0
  Leslie Bridgers has a must-read piece on the '09 mayoral race in this week's American Journal:
  Westbrook is one of few municipalities in Maine to
  have a strong-mayor form of government. The position's powers include the
  ability to set council meeting agendas, hire and fire city staff and veto[...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 8:52pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Tentative Date Set for Jensen Book

  Number of comments: 0
  The tentative publication date for Beverly Jensen's novel is June 28, 2010, according to her widower Jay Silverman.
  
  In an e-mail, Silverman also wrote that the cover has been designed, and the final manuscript has been scrubbed of references to Westbrook and local landmarks to reflect its fictional nature.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 4:02pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• How I Managed to Butcher a Virtual Parlour Game

  Number of comments: 0
  I don't know what's worse: The fact that I originally labeled the mayoral election poll as the, ahem, 2010 mayoral election, or the fact that it took me about three days to notice my idiocy.
  
  I could bear to ignore a couple typos (see here), but my' [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 2:15pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• CCB Inc. President a 'Woman to Watch'

  Number of comments: 1
  Plodding ahead with my efforts to recap some of the news I missed during my hiatus, I came across this Maine Biz profile of Beth Sturtevant, the president and owner of Westbrook-based CCB Inc.:
  Sturtevant, 52, started at the company, then known
  as Consolidated Constructors and Builders Inc., in [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 3:37pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• MPTC

  Number of comments: 0
  

  - John C.L. Morgan

  [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 2:51pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• And the Word of the Day is...Win

  Number of comments: 0
  You may have noticed a couple key words omitted from the Ward 2 and at-large polls to the left of your screens. But in case you didn't notice, I'd like to take this time to highlight just how big of an idiot I am. My mistake could be fixed, but [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 6:36pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Six Westbrook Firms Rank Among Maine's 100 Biggest Companies

  Number of comments: 0
  Six Westbrook-based businesses are included in The Maine 100, Portland Monthly's list of the 100 biggest for-profit companies headquartered in Maine.
  
  Olympia Sports (9), Lee Auto Malls (33), Rowe Special Credit (58), Bill Dodge Auto Group (70), and Consolidiated Constructors and Builders (90) [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 6:07pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Smiling Hill Farms to Process Organic Milk

  Number of comments: 0
  MPBN, via Portland Psst!:
  
  MOO Milk, which stands for Maine's Own Organic
  Milk, will come from farmers in Aroostook, Washington, Kennebec and Penobscot
  counties. It will be processed at Smiling Hill Farms in Westbrook and
  distributed by Oakhurst Dairy and Crown of Maine. [Dexter dairy farmer
  Mark]' [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 12:46pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• While I Was Away...

  Number of comments: 0
  Partly as an excuse to give the American Journal's new and improved Web site a test run, but mostly to catch myself up on all the news that I might've ignored over the last 3 1/2 months, here's a quick rundown of things that happened in the Paper City' [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 12:25pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• I'm Back

  Number of comments: 9
  But don't tell the wife.
  
  Our arguments about my bedtime get heavy enough, without adding this little hobby into the mix.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan' [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 9:59am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Exit Interview and Other News

  Number of comments: 5
  At the risk of becoming the Brett Favre of the small pond blogosphere, I do have just one more post.
  
  Besides featuring the full version of my Q & A in the American Journal this week (I got a little too long-winded for their column inches), I also [...]
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  Posted: June 25, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• With Sadness and Gratitude

  Number of comments: 16
  Since I started this project in January 2008, I've thought about shutting it down exactly three times. Alas, the fourth time is the curse, as professional and personal responsibilities are just too great--and will become even greater in the fall--to allow me to devote the time I need to maintain' [...]
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  Posted: June 22, 2009, 6:00am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Progress Continuing on Trail From Sebago to Casco Bay

  Number of comments: 4
  PPH:
  The trail will follow the Presumpscot River as much
  as possible. Portland Trails has five miles of the trail completed there, most
  of it along the river, and some sections that dip alongside the Presumpscot's
  falls and rips. The trail also has support from Healthy Portland, the
  Presumpscot' [...]
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  Posted: June 18, 2009, 1:22pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Quote, Unquote: Charles Colgan

  Number of comments: 0
  "There used to be three legs supporting the economy in Aroostook County: Loring Air Force Base, the forest products industry, and the potato industry. One of those legs went away entirely and the other two got sawed off."
  
  - Economist Charles Colgan on the exodus of Aroostook residents.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: June 17, 2009, 8:31am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Hmmm...

  Number of comments: 0
  I have to admit this Strange Maine post did cause me to momentarily consider adding another item to my summer to-do list, but I've concluded my provincialism does have limits after all.
  
  - John C.L. Morgan
  
  P.S. Check out Vigorous North for an interesting argument' [...]
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  Posted: June 16, 2009, 7:30pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• State Board Reinstates Firefighter's Rank

  Number of comments: 0
  AJ:
  
  After a hearing, which concluded last month, the
  Board of Arbitration and Conciliation ruled Friday that the city’s demotion of
  [Donald] Trafford was “a penalty that exceeds the situation,” according to a
  written decision from the three-member panel. - John C.L. Morgan
  
  

  (Update: The PPH [...]

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  Posted: June 16, 2009, 6:33pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Comedian to Participate in Bob Marley Special

  Number of comments: 1
  Johnny Cail, a comedian whose bio describes him as a lifelong resident of a trailer in Westbrook, is among the six comedians who'll be featured in "Bob Marley's Young Comedian Special."
  
  The special, which will be filmed, is scheduled for tomorrow night at Comedy Connection at 8p.' [...]
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  Posted: June 16, 2009, 5:51pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Broadening Horizons: The Farmington Diva

  Number of comments: 0
  

  More on Lillian Nordica here.

  - John C.L. Morgan

  [...]
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  Posted: June 16, 2009, 3:47pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Class of '09

  Number of comments: 1
  All about this year's graduating class at Westbrook High School:
  
  The AJ reviews the graduation ceremony.
  
  The PPH compiles a list of highest honors, high honors, honors, graduates, and awards.
  
  Graduate Lori Anne Esmiller is recognized in the PPH for contributing over 430 volunteer [...]
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  Posted: June 15, 2009, 5:24am EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist

• Westbrook Politics: June 15- June 19, 2009

  Number of comments: 0
  Tuesday, June 16
  Planning Board meeting
  Westbrook High School, Room 114
  7p
  FMI
  
  - John C.L. Morgan [...]
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  Posted: June 14, 2009, 7:53pm EDT
  by Westbrook Diarist