Nov. 6 voting
The polls will be open at the Washburn Civic Center on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is a state referendum election, and for those not going to be in town or who’ll otherwise be unable to vote on that day, please stop by the Town Office or phone them at 455-8485 for assistance in exercising your right to vote.
There are five bond issues on the ballot this time. Question 3 and 4 have some direct bearing on life in Washburn as well as other areas of the state. There is a bond issue concerning renovations, improvements and additions at all Maine Community College System campuses, as well as the Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine System. This issue will assist in replenishing funds used for repairs, capital improvements including some for cultural and educational assets such as museums, historical facilities and libraries. Another bond issue concerns land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities and riverfront, community and farm infrastructure.
Another bond issue concerns economic development and job creation. Also being decided is a citizen’s initiative that concerns harness racing, slot machines and beano games in Washington County, as well as a referendum for favoring or not favoring extending Maine state legislative term limits from the current four years to six-year terms.
Also included on the ballot will be a referendum asking whether the voters prefer to abolish the positions of elected county treasurer and elected county registers of deeds and replace them with a treasurer and register or registers of deeds appointed by the county administrator and confirmed by the Board of County Commissioners.
Not part of the voting, but concerning your municipality, there are still several openings available for Washburn municipal boards. Anyone interested in volunteering is urged to contact Town Manager Andrea Powers at the Washburn Town Office or phone her at 455-8485 with any questions concerning the positions and/or the boards. Seats available include: two alternates for the Zoning Board of Appeals, one vacancy and two alternates for the Planning Board and two vacancies for the Library Board of Trustees.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating Halloween birthdays include: Laura Churchill and Bill Fitzherbert. Others celebrating birthdays this week include Linda Bragg, Justin Howe, Morganne Emery, Carolyn King, Tom Olson, Mark Olson, Dale Olson, Hillary Albert, Kim Clayton, Pam Churchill, Sean Flanagin, Joel Humphrey, Allison Baker, Adam Fantasia, Lois Goodine, Anita Parker, Dick Hartford, Lynne Hyland, Michah Butler, Barry Flood, Dana Caron, Julie Wilcox, Meagan Dobson, Hillary Albert,
Special Halloween anniversary wishes go out to: Rodney and Charlene Drake, Raymond and Ardis Humphrey and Jayn and Beth Tilley. Anniversary wishes are also extended to Matt and Kathy Palmer, Marty and Kim Clayton, Al and Tracy Whitten, Alfred and Diana Easler, Stan and Nada Theriault, and David and Connie Heald.
Events/reminders
Please keep in mind that Sight Night activities are going on throughout the local area and volunteers will be at the Lidstone memorial Methodist Church on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The members of the church Sunday school will be collecting eyeglasses, frames, lenses and even non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses for distribution to various areas in some needy Third World countries. There are several areas also available as drop-off points. For further information, contact Chairperson Lisa Reed at 493-0989.
Special note: The 2008 Rotary Calendars are available for purchase. The calendars are a major fund-raising event for the Rotary and consist of a color cover page, plus color photo collages for each and every month during the 2008 year.
Anyone interested in purchasing their calendar is asked to contact any Rotarian or stop by White’s Exxon.
There will be a meeting of the Perham Planning Board on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the Town Hall.
The next scheduled meeting of the Perham Board of Selectmen will be held on Monday, Nov. 5, at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.
TOPS will be meeting each Monday at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse, starting with weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. and the meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For further information, contacts Birdena Cochran at 455-8353.
Bingo games are held at the Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile clubhouse each Tuesday starting at 7 p.m.
Washburn’s ‘big dig’
There was more than enough activity around the Main Street yard of White’s Exxon and across the street as well, but as of press time this week, things were getting back to normal. The water problems were solved after a hard week of cutting out pavement, digging trenches, holes and filling them back in. Appreciation goes out to the hard work and joint efforts and cooperation put forth by the town of Washburn Highway Department, the Washburn Water Company , R. L. Todd and Langille Construction.
The work involved a complicated digging that went eight feel deep, with passages ranging from 160 to 200 feet long. Holes were augured and a plastic sleeve was installed, all going together and luckily averting the Maine Street roadway being dug up. The water lines were likely the age of the building, built in the late 1940s to early 1950s.
As inconvenient as the job was, the timing was good, being after the potato harvest and before snowfall and frost, even before snow tire installation season, likely due to the good warm and somewhat unseasonable weather.
The crew at White’s also helped in the smooth going of the job, putting cars that required more repair time in the bay that was blocked, leaving the other bay open for the shorter jobs, avoiding down time for the garage. The crew and owner also installed some interior piping, saving time for the construction crews.
White’s Exxon also is more than appreciative of all who assisted them during this time, including water provided by a nearby neighbor and thanks their loyal customers for their continued patronage and recent patience.
Rec Center schedule
Basketball for grades 3 through 4 will be held on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the elementary school.
There will be men’s basketball at the high school on Monday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, there will be basketball for grades K through 2 at the elementary school from 6 to 7 p.m.
For further information on any Rec Center programs, contact Director Marcie Barbarula at 455-4959.
Wear Pink Day
Mrs. Bragg’s Pre-K class joined forces with SAD 45 School Nurse Christine McPherson and celebrated Pink is Powerful Day on Friday, Oct. 19. This was especially poignant as the school nurse is also a cancer survivor and this was a way for the Washburn school to show their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Visitors from the north
The second-born child of Marie and Herb Olson, Dale Olson, and Diane Fillman were home for a visit from Anchorage, Alaska. While home, the family enjoyed a potluck supper held at the home of Scott and Jennifer’s and the next day a surprise birthday donut fry party was held at Tom and Bette Olson’s.
The surprise birthday guests were brothers Mark, Dale and Tom Olson, all celebrating milestone birthdays. Mark celebrated the ‘big 50,’ Dale will soon turn 55, and the eldest of the trio, Tom, will reach his 60th year in the near future.
All six of Marie and Herb’s children were in attendance. Those attending the various events were: Marie and Herb, Tom and Bette, Dale and Diane, Sheila and Dave Bishop, Mark and Penny Olson, Sherrie and Mark Carmichael, and Scott and Jennifer Olson. Also most of Marie and Herb’s grandchildren and great grandchildren attended at least one of the parties, including: Shelly, Lyn and Brandon Gresham, Cory Olson and Mirranda, Robin, Wade, Rachel and Kyle Thurston, Crystal and James Iverson and Catie McGraw, Amy Carmichael and Piner, Nicole and Jarrett Olson and Margaret Wallace. The entire family enjoyed themselves during the various events and hope to get together again soon.
Library ‘bookmarks’
Washburn Memorial Library held its monthly story time on Monday, Oct. 15. The theme was How Do Dinosaurs. Jane Yolen wrote all the books read this time, including “How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food,” read by Janet Peary, and “How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?” which was read by Librarian Kathy Corey.
Refreshments were enjoyed, and the door prizes were handed out, then Karen Tompkins read “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” After everything was over, the children played a great game of Keep Away from the librarian.
Those winning door prizes included: Skylar Mette, Jenica Harris, Scott Flood, Dawson McCoy, Victoria Savoy, Adriana Arribas, Courtney Cannon, Sierra Ginn, Sarah Maynard, Laina Mette, Tal McCoy, Rebecca Savoy, Kaitlin Maynard and Valerie Flood.
Christmas craft sale
The ladies of the Lidstone Memorial Methodist Church will hold their annual Christmas Craft and Food Sale on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. There will be lots of good food for sale as well as coffee and muffins served at the church for as long as they last.
There will be treats ranging from homemade bread and beans, to pies, jams, jellies and lots and lots of arts and crafts with everything from pillows and blankets to holiday artwork. The church’s Youth Group will be participating as well. This is an important fund-raiser for the ladies’ group, and all area residents are urged to attend and do some fun shopping and visiting with the ladies.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or christie@ainop.com.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
REPAIRS and renovations at White's Exxon were recently done to upgrade the station’s water system. Business continued as usual as work was done.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
MRS. BRAGG'S Pre-K Class honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink on Oct. 18. 
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
WASHBURN children enjoyed recent Story Time activities, taking time to gather for a group photo.
