Joe Johnson, of the U.S. Navy, is home for a brief visit with his family before heading out to Iraq for a second tour of duty. This time, Joe volunteered deployment as an Individual Augmentee in Support of the Global War on Terrorism. He is currently stationed at Camp Shelby, Miss., prior to his mobilization to Camp Bucca, in southern Iraq.
Johnson is normally stationed at NOPF, in Damneck, Va., with a rank of E5, 2nd Class Petty Officer, and serves as a sonar technician. He’ll be going to Iraq as a part of Naval Group 10 and will be a prison guard. His training in Mississippi includes urban combat, along with convoy and detainee operations. One special and interesting note is that the Humvee that Joe’s being trained in had been refurbished at Limestone! It was the only one, and when Joe saw the decal, he grabbed it.
Joe is spending his short leave before deployment with family members, and made a stopover in Gardner, Mass., to meet his niece, Isabella (Izzy) Miner. She is the one-year-old daughter of Joe’s sister, Sheri (LeClair) and her husband Josh Miner.
While spending time with his parents, Jim and Debbie LeClair in Wade, the family enjoyed eating out at a local restaurant where they got a super special treat. A total stranger approached the LeClairs and thanked Joe for his service to his country, and on the way out, this stranger paid for all three meals for the family. This certainly touched the LeClair family and brought tears to mom’s eyes.
Joe is currently a seven-year Naval man, with four to go in this, his second re-enlistment. He is looking forward to serving his country in this time of need, and notes that he’s also looking forward to some care packages, which are always a hit with Joe and his buddies.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating Christmas birthdays include: Avis Drost, Elizabeth Howard, Stephen Rouse and Dave Nalley. Others celebrating birthdays this week include: Robert Mette, Kennedy Noyes, Tyler Strid, Rod Emery, Madisyn Umphrey, Brandon Farley, Alex Bird, Marie Drost, Betty Connor, Emilia Churchill, Owen Allen, JoAnn Bragg, Kevin Beaulieu, Breen Bagley, Gloria Doody, June Churchill, Rena Drost, Abram Dow, Laurie Blackstone, Ernest Bragg, Autumn Tuttle, Greg Anderson, Wade Willett, Anna Springer, Chuck Cunningham, Brent Tardie, Jenalee Bragg, Gerald Vaughn, Ryan Scott, Taylor Bagley and Gerald Carney.
Special anniversary wishes go out to: Art and Charlotte Griffin, and Kelley and Stacy Baker.
Events/reminders
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, contact Birdena Cochran at 455-8353.
Bingo games are held at the Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile clubhouse each Tuesday starting at 7 p.m.
The Perham Grant Writing Board has been combined with the Perham Planning Board and will be holding their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Perham Town Office. Due to the holiday, the next scheduled meeting will be on Jan. 8. Anyone wishing further information on Perham meetings or events is asked to contact Town Administrator Michelle McLaughlin at the Town Office on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 455-5887 and the office is closed Fridays and holidays.
There is still time to get your Washburn Rotary 2008 Faces and Places calendars. The cost is $10 and the calendar will be a great gift, especially for those who live elsewhere but still keep Washburn close to their hearts. The calendars are available from any Rotarian, ask for them at White’s Exxon, Katahdin bank or phone 455-8034. This is an important fund-raiser for this civic-minded group, and they are asking for your support. There will be no Rotary meetings on Wednesday, Dec. 26, and Wednesday, Jan. 2, due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
There are less than 80 cookbooks put out by the Crouseville Advent Christian Church left, just in time for Christmas gift giving. Keep in mind that no more of these one-of-a-kind cookbooks will be ordered. To get your copy, please phone Sherry Thibodeau at 764-0397 or Carolyn O’Donnell at 455-8437.
The town of Washburn will need your donations and toys for the Christmas for Tots program within the next day or two in order to get the boxes ready for delivery. There are lots of ways to contribute, such as a food box for a family costs $25 and families or individuals can donate everything from socks, underwear, mittens, boots and toys.
Please also note that all the donations of money, food or gifts go directly to the needy in Washburn. If toys or clothes are left after all needs have been met, the town shares them with Perham and Wade. Last year over 40 children were taken care of. With the price of gas and fuel, likely the total will be more this year. Any assistance you can give will be appreciated. To donate, or for further information, please contact Anne Carter at 455-8485.
There are Christmas ‘angels’ ready to give to the children of Perham. For those wishing to donate gift items, stop in at the Town Office or the post office to pick up your angel. Also feel free to phone Michelle to add your name (or someone you know) to the list for giving of some special toys from the United Way.
The town of Washburn will once again be having a Christmas light decorating contest. The judges will also be going out on Friday, Dec. 21, and checking all around Washburn, but if you want to be sure your home is judged, please phone the Town Office at 455-8485 to be added to the list. The contest will not cover homes in Perham or Wade. The judging will cover six categories including: Best Winter Wonderland Theme, Best Use of Lights and Color, Best Patriotic Theme, Best Youth Category, Most Decorative and Most Original. There will be one prize given for the winner of each category.
Church events for Christmas
St. Catherine’s Catholic Church will be featuring some special Christmas music on Christmas Eve. The choir will start around 5:30 p.m. and the children will be included in this musical interlude. There will also be a regular mass starting at 6 p.m.
The Crouseville Advent Christian Church will feature a Christmas Cantata during the 10:45 a.m. morning service on Sunday, Dec. 23. The Sunday school Christmas program with the children of the church will be held during the evening service starting at 5 p.m.
There will also be a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Monday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m. at the Crouseville Church.
The Dunntown Advent Christian Church will be holding a Candles and Carols Service on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and the children will be included in this event. The morning service, held at 10:30 a.m., will feature the adult choir singing Christmas music.
The Lidstone Memorial Methodist Church choir will be featuring special Christmas music during their service on Sunday, Dec. 23, starting at 9 a.m. There will be a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service held at the church starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24.
The First Baptist Church of Washburn will be holding a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the church on Monday, Dec. 24, starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Perham Baptist Church choir will be having some Christmas music during the morning service on Dec. 19, starting at 10 a.m. There will be a special children’s Christmas program held at the church during the evening service starting at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 23, there will be a Candlelight Service at 6 p.m.
Historical Society notes
Members of Washburn’s Salmon Brook Historical Society recently held their quarterly meeting and enjoyed a delicious potluck supper. The group of about 20 members visited and shared memories as well as singing Christmas carols. Paul Blackstone, always a crowd favorite, was their pianist. Instead of their usual Yankee Swap, the members chose to put in donations, and a general sum of $175 was raised and donated to the town of Washburn for their annual gift-giving efforts.
They also used this meeting to officially kick off the fund-raiser for Salmon Brook’s expansion. The addition to the barn is a much-needed expansion in order to house the many sleighs and carriages generously donated by Robert Solman. The estimated cost of expansion is $10,000, so this means a good amount of fund-raising efforts by the group.
This is an important and much-needed addition, and the members of the society appreciate any and all help in this endeavor. They already have $2,100, thanks to a grant received earlier this year, and are currently in the process of sending out donation letters. Those wishing to contribute can mail their donation to Salmon Brook Historical Society, P.O. Box 71, Washburn, ME 04786. Receipts for tax purposes will be sent upon request.
A very special couple
Herman and Viola (Saucier) Paradis were married at the Eagle Lake Catholic Church by Father Thibeau on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1947. The day was marked with a big snowstorm, and the way to the church proved to be quite interesting. Vi lived in the village of Eagle Lake, so she made it to the church in the usual mode of transportation, but Herman’s trip was quite unusual. He lived in Quimby and had to be transported to the church by snowplow! No one else but Herman Paradis!
The couple made their first home in Quimby, eventually moving to Washburn with their three children, Barb, Brenda and Leland.
Their celebration for their sixty-year union was spent at home with children Barb and Dana Caron, Brenda and Arnie Devoe, all of Washburn, and Leland and Terry Paradis, of Spring City, Tenn. Those joining the celebration included: grandchildren Leland and Heather Caron, Leslie and Dan Martin. Also celebrating with them were great grandchildren Noah and Ainsley Caron and Mallory and Jordyn Martin. The couple also received special phone calls from their grandson Tyler Paradis, granddaughter Starla Enman and great granddaughters Shayla and Alexis Enman, of Georgia.
The family had fun and enjoyed sharing a Thanksgiving meal together. They also shared many memories and thanked their parents for showing them the true meaning of family and love. The couple show it even today, still ‘caught’ holding hands quite often. The couple also find great joy in sharing time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A special anniversary cake was made by Brenda Devoe and decorated by Barb Caron and Terry Paradis. The family also presented Herman and Vi with a “Thanks for the Memories” scrapbook compiled by all the family members.
This makes 60 years – or 3,120 weeks or 720 months or 21,900 days – that this happy couple have been together, and they are looking forward to however many more they’ll be enjoying.
Town Council notes
Members of Washburn’s Town Council held their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 10, at the Civic Center at 7 p.m. The Council approved the minutes of the Oct. 15 meeting after amending two points and voted to approve the Nov. 19 minutes.
The Council reviewed the financial figures through Nov. 30 and were informed that all departments were on target for the fiscal year.
Tim McAffee updated the Council on the projected delay for installing the tower and insured them that even with the manufacturer’s delay, the tower will be ready for installation the end of February 2008.
The Council considered a request to discontinue a former public road right of way, located off Churchill Hill connecting with the Aroostook Hospitality Inn. It was noted that the town of Washburn no longer owns the road, just the right of way. Since there is no reason to maintain the right of way, the Council voted to approve the request to discontinue the right of way, therefore allowing potential business expansion.
The Council also voted to accept two resignations on the Revolving Loan Committee. They noted that they appreciated the years of service from both members, William Forbes and William Laskey, accepting the resignations with gratitude from the Council.
The Council approved a request for use of the Civic Center as it is a public place. The Council approved the usage for the petitions concerning the school reconsolidation laws be allowed to set up in the Civic Center on Saturday, Dec. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for residents to come by and sign the petitions.
The Washburn Town Office will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24 and 25, to celebrate the Christmas holiday and will re-open Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 7 a.m. They will also be closed on Monday, Dec. 31, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, to celebrate the New Year holiday.
The next scheduled meeting for the Washburn Town Council will be held on Monday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center. All interested residents are invited to attend.
Rec Center schedule
The grades 5-6 girls’ and boys’ basketball program will be starting during the Christmas vacation. The boys’ basketball team will be playing in a round robin in Mars Hill on Thursday, Dec. 27. The girls’ basketball team will be playing in a round robin in Ashland on Friday, Dec. 28. There will be practice for both the boys’ and girls’ teams on Wednesday, Dec. 26, with the girls practicing at 10 a.m. and the boys at 11 a.m.
Cross country skiing will be starting soon after the holidays.
For further information on any Rec Center programs, contact Director Marcie Barbarula at 455-4959.
Brownies plan party
There will be a Brownie Scout meeting and Christmas party for Troop 194 held at the Washburn Rec Center on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 2:45 p.m.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
