`Rockefeller' must have had charm; Dow marks 50th with giveaways.

Byline: Anna L. Griffin

The story involving the man known as "Clark Rockefeller" gets "curiouser and curiouser" by the day.

This is the man who is alleged to have abducted his daughter in Boston during a supervised visit. That triggered a nationwide manhunt. He was eventually arrested in Baltimore.

But who really is the man known as "Clark Rockefeller" and just how has he been able to be so visible - even adopting a high-profile name - but go undetected for years?

Fingerprint evidence may link him to an unsolved homicide in California. The person of interest in that case is a German national who was known by the name Christopher Chichester, whose real name may be Christian Gerhartstreiter.

Many have questioned why Rockefeller's wife didn't know who he was. I can't speculate, but she wouldn't be the first woman to be duped by a man's charms. And say what you like about Mr. Rockefeller, or whoever he is - he had to have a certain amount of charm to do the things he has done.

Some have pointed out that he truly loved his daughter.

Really?

I don't know if his behavior fits in with the definition of love.

At least, not my definition of it.

In celebration of its 50th year in business, Dow Shoe Store of Gardner recently held a special event in which 50 gift certificates were given away to its customers - with one $50 gift certificate drawn every day for 50 days.

In addition, a grand prize of a large-screen television was given away. The winner was Jennifer Heywood Abisla of Gardner.

In presenting the grand prize to Mrs. Abisla, Ernest Dow, founder of the shoe store, said, "I'm glad you like this size television. For my next 50th anniversary, I am going to get one even bigger than this."

The winners of the gift certificates are:

Ashburnham: Marie Lajoie.

Athol: Colleen Mruk, Susan Ray and Will Godin.

Barre: Sally Harrington.

Fitchburg: Daphne Cormier and Barbara Gonda.

Gardner: Alan Amero, Helen Archambeault, Lawrence Benoit, Elva Boudreau, Keith Broderick, Arden Burgess, Colleen Caserma, Sandra Erickson, Kay Foley, Louise Gallant, Georgette Hodgen, Pat Jandris, Naida Johnson, David Lavalley, Marie Levant and Michelle Marshall.

Holden: Robert Wolanski.

Hubbardston: Carol Adam, Reah Putnam and Michael Stauder.

Leominster: Paulette Beardmore, John Caponi, Kathleen Krysiak, Gail LeBlanc and John Waltner.

Marlboro: Rita Mahoney.

Oakham: Rebecca Austin.

Orange: Victoria Tandy.

Petersham: Tammy LeBlanc and Delia Vogel.

Royalston: Maureen Meavsky.

Rutland: David Stoddard and Carlene Walker.

Sterling: Gerry Fitch.

Templeton: Cheryl Nygard.

Westminster: Marion Davis, Geri Spencer, Ray Vine, Myrtha Walker and Sid Walker.

Winchendon: Sheila Dansky and Barbara Houle.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is starting renovations on a house on Pine Street in Gardner, and is ready to open the application process.

Habitat will hold an information session for people interested in applying to become a partner-homeowner at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Heywood Memorial Library, 55 West Lynde St., Gardner.

Those interested should attend the meeting. Potential applicants and all whose income will be included on the application must attend.

Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent, affordable housing with people in need. Partner/homeowners purchase their homes at cost with zero-interest mortgages and work alongside Habitat volunteers. Renovation of the Gardner house is expected to start early this fall.

Applicants must meet three criteria established by Habitat for Humanity International: their current housing is unsafe or provides inadequate living conditions; they can demonstrate a steady income, but not make enough to qualify for a standard mortgage (for example, a family of four with annual income between $21,500 and $43,000); they must be willing to put in hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" in the building of their home or the home of another Habitat family.

Potential applicants must live or work in one of the 25 communities served by Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts for at least one year: Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Boxboro, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Maynard, Pepperell, Princeton, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Townsend and Westminster.

Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital or family status, disability, sex, age, sexual preference or source of income. To donate funds or new materials, or to learn about construction and nonconstruction volunteer opportunities, visit www.ncmhabitat.org, call the office at [phone] or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Know someone special? Planning a special event? We'd like to hear from you. Send items to: Montachusett People, c/o The Montachusett T&G, 27 Monument Square, Leominster, MA 01453 or give us a call at [phone]. Items can also be sent via fax to [phone] or by e-mail to [e-mail].

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Dow Shoe Store in Gardner is marking its 50th anniversary. Special promotions were held in the store, including the awarding of a large-screen television. Grand-prize winner Jennifer Heywood Abisla of Gardner is shown with Ernest Dow, founder and owner of the store.

PHOTOG: ANNA GRIFFIN