Special education students at Washburn District Elementary School have adopted a soldier, a local Washburn boy, Nick Sperrey. The students made some special Christmas ornaments and packed them in a box with other items to send to Iraq for Christmas. The Washburn Food Mart also included some snack treats to send, enough for all the boys in Nick’s unit hopefully.
This is Nick’s second tour of duty. He is the son of Gregg and Rhonda Sperrey of Washburn. He’s married to Mandy, and has a 1-year-old daughter, Kharma Sperrey. His grandparents are Carroll and Mary Jane Sperrey, and Mandy Sperrey’s parents are Ester and Ernie McPhee.
This is not the first package to go to Iraq from Washburn, as this class of very special children has been corresponding with Nick all this school year. Every other week or so, they mail him a pack of letters, and sent a special Halloween “Treat” box to him, as well. They really enjoy and look forward to sharing letters and goodies with their “Big Brother Nick.” They are the students of Mrs. Desfosses and Tech II Brenda Devoe.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy birthday wishes go out to Edwina Mills, Francis Powers, Maurice White Jr., Owen Allen, JoAnna Pike, Heidi Crouse, Bette Lou Tilley, Charlotte Griffin, Matt Conley, Cortney MacDonald, Nicole Kennedy, Trina Akerson, Art Griffin, Lindsey Blackstone, Holly Tompkins, Simone Willett, Kennedy Noyes, Rod Emery, Brandon Farley, Alex Bird, Marie Drost, Tyler Paradis, Sandy Dahlgren, Jay Blackstone, Tony Sellars, Marissa Emery, Lacey Snyder, Roger Connolly, Robbie Helstrom and Deborah Tarr.
Those celebrating New Year’s birthdays include Beth Tilley, Kristie Kelley, Kris McCoy, Loren Johnson and Scott Whipkey.
Anniversary wishes go out to Art and Charlotte Griffin, Kelley and Stacy Baker, Tim and Carolyn O’Donnell, Merle Jr. and Lynn Bragg, Willie and Judy Drost, and Jim and Debbie LeClair.
Superbug topic of Jan. 10 meeting
The community is invited to a special presentation by area health officials concerning some “superbugs” currently in our environment. The meeting will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 in the Washburn Elementary School cafeteria.
School nurse Christine McPherson has invited two professionals to participate in a community informational night.
Tammy Beaulier-Buller, RN, CIC Infection Control at TAMC and Dr. Usha Rami Karumudi, Infection Control Physician at TAMC, will be discussing facts about MRSA and other superbugs.
This is a basic “101” informational meeting, and will explain to parents and educators how these viruses are transmitted, and how to protect ourselves, how the children are involved and how to live with MRSA.
A video will be shown entitled “Prevention of MRSA in the Athletic Setting,” and a Powerpoint presentation about multi-drug resistant bugs and how they affect our children. There will also be a brief question and answer time following the presentation.
Events and Reminders
Beginning Jan. 4, 2008, there will be a public Stew Night every Friday beginning at 5 p.m. throughout the snowmobile season at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse at 48 Station Road.
Starting Jan. 5, 2008, the Washburn Trailrunners will begin serving breakfast at the clubhouse every Saturday and Sunday morning throughout the snowmobile season.
TOPS will be meeting each Monday at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse, starting with weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. and the meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m. For further information, contact Birdena Cochran at 455-8353.
Bingo games are held at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse each Tuesday starting at 7 p.m.
The Washburn Town Office will be closed Monday, Dec. 31, 2007 and Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008 to observe New Year’s Day. The office will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 at 7 a.m.
The Perham Grant Writing Board will be holding their next scheduled meeting Tuesday, 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.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The phone number is 455-5887 and the office is closed Fridays and holidays.
Rotary “Wheels”
There will be no Rotary meeting Wednesday, Jan. 2 due to the New Year’s holiday. The next scheduled meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 5 at the Civic Center with supper at 5:30 p.m.
During a recent meeting, the Rotary voted to make a sizeable donation to support the Town of Washburn in its giving of food baskets and gifts including toys and clothes to several Washburn families.
The Rotary Club of Washburn also held its election with the following new officers elected: president, Ellen Fitzsimmons; vice president, Barbara Turner; treasurer, Peggy Bugbee; and secretary, Charlotte Griffin.
Keith Brown is the Rotary Liaison for Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 and Charlotte Griffin is the Liaison for Washburn Brownie Girl Scout Troop 194.
Rec Center Schedule
The grades 5-6 Girls and Boys basketball program will be starting during Christmas vacation. The Boys basketball team will be playing in a round robin in Mars Hill Thursday, Dec. 27. The Girls basketball team will be playing in a round robin in Ashland Friday, Dec. 28. There will be practice for both the boys and girls teams 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.
Rec Center Seniors
Approximately 34 ladies attended a recent Christmas party for their group at the Washburn Recreation Center. The Washburn group of girls was joined by several members of the Easton Recreation Department Senior Citizens.
The group enjoyed a hearty serving of turkey, stuffing and gravy, baked potatoes, peas, carrots, fresh rolls, punch, coffee and tea. There was also a special dessert served by the Easton Rec Director, consisting of a mini piecrust with scoops of lemon and frosting. It was all more than delicious.
There was a lot of fun conversation going around the tables, with some of the women even having worked together over the years when McCain’s had plants in both Easton and Washburn.
A surprise visitor dropped in and shared handshakes, hugs and even some photo time with the ladies. Santa Claus made his jovial visit, making the luncheon party extra special for all.
The women also brought gifts to share in a crowd favorite, the Yankee Swap. Gifts ranged from beautiful handmade to store bought treasures, sweet smelling lotions, candles and charming Christmas decorations. These fine gifts were passed around throughout the game, and even one event after the game! Two of the Easton ladies, apparently either very good friends or archenemies, were sitting together and with one of the Washburn ladies. One of the Easton gals went to the other room for a minute, and asked the Washburn girl to watch her prize present from her neighbor! Her friend immediately exchanged the gift for a salt and pepper shaker set belonging to the Washburn Rec Center! The jig was up when another lady asked to check her present perhaps wanting to swap with her, and lo and behold, she realized she’d been had! This all led to a very wild and enjoyable time shared by all.
The good time shared will be done again in the springtime, as Easton has invited the Washburn group to attend one of their meetings.
Many thanks go out to all who donated and helped with this meal, including Umphrey Farms for donating the delicious potatoes!
Aroostook Native Gets Her Bear
Arlene Harmon Bubar recently shot her first bear in the Catskill Mountains of New York. She was hunting with her Cherokee husband, Swampotter aka Devin Mitchell, and patiently waited for her chance. She was on a stand near a creek and swamp, with her husband on the other side of the swamp. Arlene heard the bear around 4 p.m. coming up to her side of the creek, and dropped him in his tracks. She was using an Argentine Mauser 7.65, Model 1891 and a 3 to 9 scope.
Using a Motorola radio, she called for hubby and help to get the bear out of the woods with a 4-wheeler and trailer. The 225-pound female was approximately two to three years old, and will be quite the trophy for the family.
Arlene is a native of Woodland, the daughter of Wallace and Hazel Harmon, and widow of Terry Bubar of Caribou.
Santa Comes to Washburn
Once again, the members of Washburn’s Volunteer Fire Department assisted in giving Santa Claus their special treatment as far as escort service goes. They took him on the fire truck around town, doing the loop of Main Street, Story Street, Hines Street, Salmon Brook Senior Living, Washburn Estates, Kim Street Housing and back to the town park on Main Street. At the park, Santa greeted a wide array of children, both young and older, and the firemen assisted him in giving out treats. There were lots of children visiting with Santa and several representatives of Washburn’s Brownie Girl Scout Troop 194 singing Christmas carols for the many who attended this event.
The Last Week of the Year
Another year of Washburn news being published in The Star-Herald has come to an end. Thanks go out to all of the residents who’ve given me news to put in, and helping me with photos when I’m unable to get them.
This all goes together to make the Washburn News truly about Washburn, from the new babies born and birthdays to school events, clubs, organizations and senior citizen notes to municipal going- on. Everything together combines to keep our community events in the public eye. Thank-you’s also goes out to the several readers from far away states who write or call the office to tell how they enjoy the hometown news. We are fortunate to have a close-knit community, and it makes one proud to say they’re from Washburn. Once again, thanks for all your help, and keep on calling me with the news…
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
