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Friday, January 24, 2025 Volume 21 • Issue No. 4

Bryce Upton By Susan Gallagher, Staff Writer BERWICK “Papa made friends wherever he went,” says 17-year-old Noble High School swimming sensation Bryce Upton, reflecting on his late grandfather, Jerrie Upton. It is the elder Upton’s kindness to others that left the most powerful and indelible imprint on his grandson. “He made me want to be kind to everyone,” says Bryce. The young Upton was the apple of his Papa’s eye, until the grey day in 2020, when the doting grandfather lost his valiant battle with Glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. His eldest grandson, barely 13 at the time, was devastated. The cruel disease took his grandfather quickly and viciously, eating away

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at his brain so filled with love and kindness. In a span of just three months, Jerrie went from appearing outwardly normal to being unable to get out of bed. “It happened insanely fast,” Upton recalls sadly. The heart-wrenching loss left a void in Upton. He threw himself into his swimming, immersing himself in the water he

calls “his happy place,” but it wasn’t until Swim Across America (SAA) came to his attention in 2025 that he found the purpose that would fill the void. When his coach, Kathy Leahy, informed him of the upcoming SAA charity swim to benefit cancer research, the young swimmer seized the opportunity to become involved. He realized that his talent in the

pool could bring more than personal gratification; it was the perfect way to give meaning to his grandfather’s death and to help others facing the same destructive disease. Swim Across America originated in 1987 as a follow-up to Jeff Keith’s Run Across America, an inspiring run across the country that started in Boston on June 4, 1984, and ended eight months later in Los Angeles, raising one million dollars for the American Cancer Society. Keith, who tragically lost his right leg to cancer as a teenager, teamed up with childhood friends and recent college graduates Matt Vossler and Hugh Curran to accomplish the impressive feat. The success of the endeavor fueled the three friends to con-

tinue their philanthropic journey, and on August 1, 1987, their first charity swim across Long Island Sound took place. This gave birth to Swim Across America, a grassroots nonprofit hosting charity swims that fund cancer research and patient programs. Proudly celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the growing organization has to date raised more than one hundred million dollars. Kathy Leahy, who coaches the combined swim teams of Thornton Academy and Noble High School, registered her teams for a Swim Across America event after Thornton Academy parent John Scully approached her with the idea. Once Leahy learned that SAA had added pool swims See UPTON on page 21 . . .

Kittery Historical & Naval Society Lecture on German U-Boats KITTERY The Kittery Historical & Naval Society (KHNS) kicks off its 2025 History Talks lecture series with James Craig’s “A Measureless Peril: Wartime Hysteria, Spies, Surrenders at Sea, and German U-Boats Off Kittery in WWII.” This special event will take place on Thursday, January 30 at 7 p.m. at the Kittery Community Center’s Star Theater. Renowned independent curator, author, and lecturer James A. Craig will explore the

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dramatic and often untold stories of World War II’s impact on Kittery’s coastline. From tales of espionage and wartime paranoia to the haunting presence of German U-boats patrolling offshore, the presentation promises to uncover a gripping chapter of local and global history. History Talks is a new lecture series featuring expert speakers sharing the stories of local people and places in

Maine’s oldest town. All events will be held at 7 p.m at the Star Theater, located at 120 Rogers Road. Members of the Kittery Historical & Naval Society can attend free of charge. For nonmembers, a suggested donation of $5 is encouraged. Members may attend all four upcoming lectures in the series for free. For more information, visit www.kitterymuseum.org.

Annual Cancer Snowshoe/Snow Walk Fundraiser SOUTH BERWICK The Outlook Tavern at the Links will once again be the location for the Annual Cancer Snowshoe/Snow Walk Fundraiser on Sunday, February 2, now in its sixth year. Last year’s event saw over 100 snowshoers, with roughly 250 guests attending the luncheon afterwards – a packed house! The fundraiser was a huge success, raising more than $20,000 for cancer research and support. This year, all proceeds raised for the event will once again go to benefit the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglas Hospital. Links employee and breast cancer survivor AnnMarie Sacca is once again doing her part by

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organizing the annual fundraiser. For $80, snowshoers will walk the front nine holes, followed by lunch and entertainment in The Red Barn afterwards. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. There is also a $40 “lunch only” option for those who do not wish to walk but want

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to participate in the fundraiser. At 12 p.m., The Red Barn opens their doors, where attendees can enjoy such entertainment as a photo booth, caricature drawings, a cash bar, raffles, lunch, and music by DJ Timmy C. Raffle prizes include tickets to local sports events,

wine tastings, car wash packages, and recreation packages, amongst many others. So swap out those golf shoes for snowshoes or snow boots, and help the fight against cancer! Tickets will not be available at the door, and AnnMarie recommends purchasing them as soon as possible, as the event is selling out quickly. Private donations towards the fundraiser are encouraged as well. The Links at Outlook Golf Course is located at 310 Portland Street in South Berwick. For more information, contact AnnMarie Sacca at 603-3433730 or saccaannmarie@comcast.net, or visit https://giving. wdhospital.org.

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