Library staff honored
On Friday, August 17, the Washburn Memorial Library Board of Trustees honored two women who have done much for the Washburn library over the past 40 years. Together they served the library and the community of Washburn for over 60 years. They both served as a lot of changes were being made at the library, including the building’s expansion.
Joyce Davis has given more than 40 years of service to the library, being involved in many aspects of day-to-day library business. Barbara Porter was librarian for nearly 20 years and the assistant librarian prior to becoming librarian. She was also responsible for receiving a large donation from a former Washburn resident, due to the fact that she recognized his name and knew about his accomplishments being published in a book on the shelves. He left the Washburn Memorial Library a gift of over $90,000.
There was a large group who attended the celebration and shared memories with these two hardworking ladies. Librarian Kathy Corey read a thank-you card from former Board member Carolyn O’Donnell, and several comments were given from those attending.
The awards were presented by Library Board member Bill Forbes, who gave the awards from the Town of Washburn, The Library’s Board of Trustees and the Residents of Washburn.
Guests enjoyed some dessert treats, a cake made by Ardis Humphrey and tea served in a very special silver tea set that had been presented to the library by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Humphrey.
Those attending included Arnold Davis who introduced himself as “Mr. Joyce Davis;” and Richard Porter, introducing himself as “Mr. Barbara Porter;” Matt Porter; Pauline Doody-Cyr; Keith Brown; Susan Fuller; Audrey Laskey; Mavis Carter; Virginia Farley; Jim Carter; Milton Crouse; Joan Crouse; Cheryle Mattowitz; Warrena Forbes; Shirley Roach; Ginny Davis; Janet Peary; Danielle Tarbox; Bill Forbes; Skip Jardine; Ellie Snyder; Linda Bourgoine; Gary Cole; Drucilla Turner; Jackie Pribble; Cyndy Lyon; Janet Stephenson; Skip Jardine; Ruth Leland; Christie Cochran and Karen Thompson.
The ladies’ names will be added to the permanent Trustee Honor Roll list at the library. Other names on the plaque include: Mary Humphrey, Shirley Sperrey, Myrtle “Skip” Jardine and Myrtle Humphrey Smith.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Dan Robertson (50!), Doug Drost, Sandy Buckingham, John Robertson, Tiffany Bragg, Kevin Tompkins, Mable Brown, Nolan Cunningham, Atwood Sperrey, Lionel LaPlante, Tony Creasey, Victoria Levesque, Herschell Conley, Kitty Cunningham, Tiffany Carter, Angela Burchett, Jennifer Olson, Victoria Helton, Zachary Bird, Conrad Helton, Kim Crouse, Mike Amero, Dixon Creasey Jr., Lola Jackson, Rick Bragg and Abigail Thompson.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Galen and Carol Doody, Dale and Cindi Turner, Joe and Germaine Whitten, Mark and Debbie Tarr, Jerome and Erika Churchill, Mike and Nola Amero, Tom and Bette Olson, Rodney and Shelley Chavez, and Scott and Susan Whipkey.
Flag retirement ceremony
A very impressive ceremony took place at the Main Street Park on Tuesday, August 21, thanks to the combined efforts of the Oscar Dow Post 48 of the American Legion and Washburn’s Boy Scout Troop 177. Prior to the ceremony, approximately 70 people heard patriotic music being played from the town’s gazebo, looked over a table full of flags displayed and joined the Legion members and Boy Scouts in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Legion Commander Kermit Fuller explained that the U.S. federal law provides that flags, when in such condition that makes them no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be retired in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Scoutmaster Larry Harrison announced that there were a number of flags for inspection and disposal. The flags were inspected by members of the American Legion and deemed unserviceable. Legion member Bill Flewelling gave the prayer and the order to “uncover flags.”
Boy Scout bugler Keith Brown played taps as all Scouts and Legion members saluted. The Scouts took the individually folded flags and delivered them to two older Scouts who unfolded them and raised them as Scouts and Legion members gave them each a final salute. The flags were then passed on to Legionnaires Bud Umphrey and Dale Whitten for placement into the fire. This solemn and dignified ceremony was continued until all the flags were taken care of.
Members of American Legion Post 48 included Dale Whitten, Larry Harrison, Kermit Fuller, John Churchill, Bud Umphrey, Bill Flewelling, Herman Carman, Stanley Theriault, Keith Brown, Bob Brown and Willie Drost.
Scouts attending included: Jared Reed, Stephen Kinney, Adam Wilcox, Curtis Thompson, Jacob Reed, Keagan Page, Andrew White Jr., Cody Brissette and Cub Scouts Brandon Cropley, Parker and Quentin Thompson and Taylor Skinner. Scout Leaders included Scoutmaster Larry Harrison, Don Wilcox, Mike Thompson, Ron Rand, Stacey Skinner and Committee Member Pam Wilcox.
Following the ceremony, Washburn Rotary provided the participants and guests with a hotdog roast including sodas and chips. Rotarians present were: Charlotte Wilson, Andy White Sr., Mike and Ellen Fitzsimmons, Stuart Turner, Peggy Bugbee, Cindy Richendollar and Fire Chief Arnie Devoe.
Events/reminders
Wade’s Project Canopy Grant Committee will be holding a public meeting at the Washburn Memorial Library on Wednesday, August 29, at 6 p.m. Final plans have been completed and will be available for review and comment. There will also be a variety of maps and other materials covering Project Canopy.
The town of Wade has scheduled a Special Town Meeting for Monday, September 10, to vote on a number of proposed ordinances for the town. This public meeting presents Wade citizens with the opportunity to have input into the composition of at least one of these ordinances prior to the September 10 voting. Active members of this Grant Committee include: Chairman Steve Demaio, Victoria Grover, Debbie LeClair, Bill Sargeant and Jim LeClair. For further information on this issue, residents may contact Steve Demaio at 455-8158.
The Perham Town Office will be closed on Tuesday, August 28 and Wednesday, August 29. It will re-open on Thursday, August 30, with regular hours being from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The upcoming schedule for Recreation Department soccer is as follows: each Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the elementary school fields with grades K-2 playing from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., followed by grades 3 and 4 playing from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
There will also be men’s basketball at the high school gym each Monday starting at 6:30 p.m. For further information on any Rec Center programs, contact Director Marcie Barbarula at 455-4959
There will be a meeting of the Washburn Town Council held at the Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 10. All interested residents are urged to attend.
Library ‘bookmarks’
On Tuesday, August 7, students who participated in the Summer Reading Program earned their way on a trip to Bangor to visit the Children’s Museum. Thirteen students and five adults took the trip and all had a good time, even though it started off a little rocky with van trouble in Medway.
The children enjoyed the museum, especially the karaoke room as well as having their passports stamped at each museum station with some getting a chance to make paper.
After their museum visit, the group went to Epi Subs for lunch and included a special side trip to the Edythe Dyer Community Library which was enjoyed by all. The library is looking for an old house to change into a library, and one girl even offered her mother’s house.
Those attending included: Mariah Campbell, Kala Farley, Noah Caron, Natalie Matowitz, Rebecca Savoy, Emmy Churchill, Shiloh Matowitz, Adriana Arribas, Tia Savoy, Virginia Farley, Izia LoBue, Desiraie Rediker, Jessica Aube, Cheryle Matowitz, Michelle Savoy, Rebecca Tarbox, Karen Tompkins and Kathy Corey.
The Washburn Memorial Library was recently given a quilt by Carolyn Hayden to raffle off during the August Festival. A table was set up during the Bluegrass Concert on Friday night and Virginia Farley, Courtney Cannon, Taylor Thompson and Kala Farley helped sell tickets. The group also sold tickets in the park on Saturday, and Baxter, the Library Cat, picked the winning ticket at the Saturday night Variety Show. The winner was Dennis Maurice from Mars Hill.
The big “5” birthday
On Sunday, June 24, Brianna Turner celebrated her fifth birthday at her home with several friends and family members. She enjoyed opening her many cards and gifts and sharing a doggie birthday cake and ice cream with her friends.
She and her guests also enjoyed breaking a Barbie pinata and getting out lots of candy, as well as having loads of fun playing outside with water balloons to wind up the party.
Her mom served lots of great refreshments including the cake made by Ardis Humphrey.
Attending the party were her parents, Ward and Christine Turner, and her little brother Mitchell, her grandparents Ray and Elaine Sherburne and Dale and Cindi Turner and great grandfather Bert Turner. Also attending were family members Raymond and Ardis Humphrey and friends Julie Burby and Tom and Cheryl Bolstridge.
Brianna’s friends helping celebrate the special day were Courtney and Braden Burby of Caribou; and Emily Driscoll, Jenica and Jayden Harris and Olivia and Natalie Doody, all of Washburn.
Special local farm
Jeffrey’s Vegetable Stand on the McConville Road is full of interesting ideas for the next harvest time. Owner-farmer Jeffrey Giggie has some plans for next season with a pick-your-own section and will feature a variety of crops including carrots, peas and beans among many others. He’s looking for his customers to contribute ideas for this new picking deal and notes that it will be a great opportunity for fund-raising events, Scouts and other non-profit organizations. Folks should plan on stopping by the stand and giving him some ideas they might have.
Special guest in town
Baxter, the Maine State Library mascot, made a visit to Washburn during the annual August Festival. He kept active throughout the weekend, passing out bookmarks and shaking hands around town. He also attended the presentation of awards at the Washburn Memorial Library, meeting lots of new friends and even enjoying some cake and punch.
Baxter also attended a hotdog roast at the library and enjoyed watching the children getting their prizes for the library’s Summer Reading Award program.
He rode on the library float in the Saturday parade, waving all along the parade route. His final appearance was at the Saturday night Variety Show, helping pick the winner of the quilt raffle.
Correction
A photo of the Lavway family reunion was unintentionally mislabeled, and I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Washburn Beaver’s ATV notes
The Washburn Beaver’s ATV Club will be holding their last meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 5, at the clubhouse on Gould Street. There will be a cookout complete with burgers, hotdogs, chips and sodas. All club members are welcome to come and close out the season in style.
