Town Council notes
Members of the Washburn town council met on Monday, Nov. 17, at the Civic Center at 7 p.m.
Prior to the Council meeting was a Washburn Water and Sewer District meeting held at 6:30 p.m. The Trustees approved the minutes from the Oct. 20 meeting and reviewed the various responsibilities of Trustees appointed to the District.
Also included in the agenda was a vote taken regarding the election of District Board members.
During the Town Council meeting, the chair asked that the public please follow the five-minute time limit for public participation. If anyone feels it will take longer than five minutes, please call ahead and ask to be put on the agenda. The Council thanks everyone in advance for complying.
The Council approved the minutes from the Oct. 20 meeting and reviewed the financial figures through Oct. 31.
Alan Carter represented the Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile Club at the meeting and presented the club’s grant renewal for municipal signatures. He also passed on thanks to the town for all their assistance, enabling them to receive help through grants and other avenues.
Also included in the agenda was the denial of a personal property tax abatement application and a notice given from Time Warner concerning an increase in rates effective January 2009.
During the manager’s report, the Council was made aware of a letter from Senator Susan Collins’ office concerning improvements and repairs to the Story Hill apartments. They were also notified that all municipal departments are well on their way to clearing up minor citations by the Bureau of Labor Standards.
Due to the closing of the Caribou Pet Rescue, Washburn will be contracting with the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle.
The Council went into executive session to discuss economic development and legal and personnel matters.
The next scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, at the Civic Center starting at 7 p.m.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Sandra Haines, Carrie and Katie Kapuscinski, Al Whitten, Milton Haley, Dan Olson, Nathan Scott, Norma Baker, Josh Matowitz, George Howe, Darrell Wardwell, Nicole McLaughland, Beth Pickins, Heather Bragg, Billie Jo Corey, Rylie Turner, Karen Doughman, Kelsey Churchill, Troy Bragg, McCall Turner, John Burchett Sr., Tina Whipkey, Glenna Ewing, Heidi Currier, Benjamin Bragg, Malcolm Easler, Scott Powell, Tammie Bragg and Paul Sellars.
Special anniversary wishes go out to: Gerald and Glenys Dahlgren, Wayne and Linda Connolly, Andrew and Kolbie Churchill.
Rec Center schedule
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, there will be a bus going to the movies at the Caribou Cinemas, leaving at 12:30 and returning at 3:15 p.m.
On Monday, Dec. 1, there will be men’s basketball at the high school gymnasium from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, there will be basketball for grades K – 2 at the elementary school gymnasium from 6:15 to 7 p.m.
New baby
Tyler and Jamie O’Donnell announced the birth of their second child, Edrick Timothy O’Donnell. He weighed in at 10 pounds and one-half ounce and was 22 inches long. He was born on Friday, Nov. 14, and is already fitting into his new family. Big sister Christine is claiming him as “her baby” and is being a great help to mom and dad. Dad took a week off to help mom, as well as to enjoy his new son.
The proud grandparents include Tim and Carolyn O’Donnell, Tim Morse, Mary Greenlaw, Bear and Betty Roeske.
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.
The Washburn Town Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 and 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. They will reopen on Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 a.m. In Perham, the new dog tags are available at the Town Office. All dogs over 6 months old must be registered before Jan. 1, 2009 and rabies vaccinations must be current. The cost for spayed/neutered dogs is $6 and unsprayed/neutered dogs is $11.
The Christmas Angels are at the Perham Town Office and post office for anyone who would like to make a child’s Christmas a little brighter. Please return the gifts to the Town Office no later than Dec. 16. The town will also be taking donations of new toys and non-perishable food items at both Perham’s Town Office and post office, and they may be dropped off during regular business hours.
The Perham Town Office will be closed from Monday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Nov. 28.
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Salmon Brook Historical Society will be holding their quarterly meeting at the Washburn Civic Center. The potluck supper will start at 6 p.m. and will be followed by holiday appropriate entertainment provided by the musical group, the Barbershoppers. A business meeting will also be held. Please bring a main dish or dessert, your place setting, as well as friends and neighbors.
Helping the “Northern Lights” shine around the world
The Northern Lights Youth Choir will be holding their annual fund-raising auction on Friday, Nov. 28. The event will take place at the State Road Advent Christian Church on the State Road in Mapleton.
This special choir is a four-part Christian interdenominational choir composed of young adults from grade 6 through grade 12 and are from all over Aroostook County.
They are currently raising money for their Mid-East tour this coming April school vacation, where they’ll be performing many musical concerts.
The viewing of auction items will begin at 5 p.m., with auctioneer Bert Winslow starting the auction at 6 p.m. There will also be hotdogs, chips, coffee, soda and snack available for purchase throughout the evening.
Science class learning GPS
Teachers Tracy Reed and Ben Williams of WDHS recently took the physical science class on a field trip to the Presque Isle High School Farm. This was not a farming expedition, but the students helped to create an up-to-date map using GPS (global positioning system) units.
Mark Matson of UMPI and Felicia O’Clair and several employees of Maine Public Service were there to help the students in learning how to use the GPS units and assist teachers Reed and Williams by taking a group out to map designated areas.
There were 18 WDHS students making six groups in total and this is a project in which the Central Aroostook Math and Science Partnership has been working on to help improve the science and math curriculum as well as stimulating more interest in the Central Aroostook area.
Those attending the outing included teachers Tracy Reed and Ben Williams, along with students: Ashley Gagnon, Kelsey Churchill, Zach Davis, Jacob Reed, Nikkie Richardson, Nick Gumprecht, Breanna Hyde, Josh Brusso, Zach Maynard, Jesse Clark, Tia Dee, Marlaina Spooner, Amanda Preston, Ethan Pendexter, Kristie Sperrey, Taylor Schumacher, and D.J. Sparks.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
WASHBURN STUDENTS donned red, white and blue as they performed a star-spangled musical tribute to area veterans.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY was held recently for the newly-opened Washburn Soup Kitchen. This first day of serving, the kitchen fed 43 area residents who enjoyed meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and dessert. Shown here during the opening, pictured from left: Dolores Woodman, Board member; Councilman Fred Thomas; Keith Brown, councilman; Town Manager Andrea Powers; Soup Kitchen Director Elizabeth Richardson; building owner TJ Winslow; Council Chairman Jeff Wark; Board member Lucy Lovely; Donald Peary; and volunteer Margaret Barker.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
WASHBURN SOUP KITCHEN volunteers include, from left: Sandra Jacobs, Mildred Bennett, Margaret Barker, Cathy Winslow, Betty Bragg, Kelly Sparks and Alice Curtis. Anyone wishing to join the volunteers or the Board of Directors is asked to contact Elizabeth Richardson at 455-4900.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
A SPECIAL FIELD TRIP was taken by the WDHS physical science class to the Presque Isle High School. The group worked to create a GPS map. Students and teachers making the trip included: teachers Tracy Reed and Ben Williams, along with students Ashley Gagnon, Kelsey Churchill, Zach Davis, Jacob Reed, Nikkie Richardson, Nick Gumprecht, Breanna Hyde, Josh Brusso, Zach Maynard, Jesse Clark, Tia Dee, Marlaina Spooner, Amanda Preston, Ethan Pendexter, Kristie Sperrey, Taylor Schumacher, and D.J. Sparks.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
This four-generation photo was taken at a birthday party given for Lois Goodine at the home of James and Shauna Goodine. Standing is Gwen Bragg; seated is Lois Goodine holding her granddaughter, Olivia Goodine; and offering the cake is her dad, James Goodine.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Gwen Bragg is shown her enjoying a special visit with four of her five daughters. From left: Lois Goodine of Tennessee, Phyllis Kelley of Wade, Gwen Bragg of Wade, Mildred Bennett of Wade and Waunita Bragg of Tennessee. Missing from the photo was Gwen’s daughter, Trudy Clark of Florida.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
LOCAL VETERANS were honored during a Veterans Day celebration recently, hosted by Washburn students.
