Skating White sisters take top honors
WASHBURN NEWS
by Christie Cochran
On Saturday, Jan. 16, Elizabeth, Samantha and Amanda White competed in the “Smiles on Ice” figure skating competition at the Forum in Presque Isle. Elizabeth entered in one competition and placed first in the event. Samantha entered in two competitions and placed first in one and fourth in the other. Amanda set her sights high, entering two competitions and placing first in both.
The day was a busy one for the White family, with the skating competitions in the morning and then off to the All Aroostook Concert to watch Andrew in the All Aroostook Middle School Band.
The family, including grandparents Bob and Darlene Good and Aunt Amy and her husband Matt White, a niece and nephew, Hannah and Noah White, all went for a celebratory meal at Governor’s. They not only recognized the youngsters’ accomplishments, but also celebrated Bob Good’s birthday and Noah White’s achievement of placing third in a recent Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.
On Monday, Feb. 8, the annual Budget Committee met and passed all municipal departmental budgets, which will be listed in the annual report. Town Manager Beverly Turner thanked each department head for their diligent efforts in setting their annual budgets.
Immediately following the Budget Committee meeting, the Washburn Town Council held their February meeting with all councilors present. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and public participation. The Council approved the minutes from the Jan. 11 Council meeting and reviewed the financial figures through Jan. 31.
The Council was given information from Maine Public Service company on their upcoming tree and shrub trimmings and removals. The Council also reviewed and signed off on a commitment letter regarding the new fire truck, which will likely be delivered in March.
The Council reviewed and signed the fee agreement with the town of Wade regarding local services, including fire protection and usage of the Washburn Memorial Library and Rec Center. They also set the interest rate for 2010 delinquent taxes at the state set cap of 7 percent.
During the manager’s report, the Council was brought up to date on personal property tax work being done through the Town Office and signed off on appointing election clerks and ballot counters.
The annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 16.
The Washburn Trail Runners’ clubhouse was the site of a busy Saturday noon meal with a special visit from Andy Santerre and Jeffrey Earnhardt. This marked Santerre’s sixth annual trek — and Earnhardt’s second — through the County trails along with approximately 140 snowmobilers accompanying them, with many more joining them at the clubhouse.
The menu consisted of chicken stew, fish chowder, beans and hotdogs, tomato rice soup, along with homemade biscuits, rolls and a variety of delicious pastries. Much thanks and appreciation was given to the kitchen crew and their helpers for the day: Dick and Audrey Hartford, Mary Jane Sperrey, Terry Winger, Rhonda Sperrey, Rodney Sperrey and Billy Pike.
Thanks also was expressed to the many volunteers for baking desserts and sweets.
The clubhouse was full to capacity, and the parking lot was also full of sleds of all makes and models.
This Trail Runners’ effort raised a little over $600, and members voted to donate the entire amount, plus an additional gift, to make the donation reach $1,000 to benefit the annual fund-raiser. The Sno-Run was arranged to support AMHC’s Sexual Assault Awareness Services for victims throughout Aroostook County.
Ava Lynn Powers will be celebrating her special second birthday this week. Others celebrating birthdays include: Jessica Burchett, Glenys Dahlgren, Carly Rogers, Christian Boudman, Eric Beckwith, Snuffy Pinette, Sonja Robbins, Charlie Currier, David Forbes, Casey Dobson, Jonathan Durost, Ryan Dobson, Nicholas Viola, Lynn Dickinson, Rodney Wardwell, Michelle Creasey, Jared Dobson, Betty Wilson, Carla Pendexter, James Lavway and Bobbi Jo Plummer.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Fred and Helen Tompkins, Keith and Kathy Corey and Wayne and Barb Churchill.
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, there will be a special Bingo and Spaghetti Dinner at the Trail Runners’ snowmobile clubhouse. Meal tickets are $7 and a special 50/50 raffle will be held. The supper will be served starting at 5 p.m. and Bingo will begin at 6 p.m. The proceeds from the dinner and Bingo will go to the Washburn Rotary to help fund some of their Washburn community projects.
There will be a Family Snowshoe Walk held in Perham on Saturday, Feb. 27, starting at the Town Office dooryard at 10 a.m. There will be treats during the evening including free hotdogs and cocoa for a meal on the trail and a bonfire. Donations will be greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will go towards the Salmon Lake Bog Project.
The Perham Recreation and Events Committee is in need of new and interested volunteers, and those interested or looking for further information, phone Deb Viola at 498-3433.
There will be a Perham Selectmen meeting on Monday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m., and the Perham Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m.
There will be a special “Ms.” Washburn Pageant held on Saturday, March 6, at the high school gym at 6 p.m. The contestants are: Matt Donnelly, Adam Wilcox, Trevor Pendexter, Justin Howe, Jacob Theriault, Wyatt Rothlauf and Shayne Stevens.
The Destination Imagination Team will be having a Bingo night and supper on Tuesday, March 2, at the Trail Runners’ clubhouse. They will be serving hotdogs, beans, chili, rolls, French fries and various desserts. Supper will start at 5:30 p.m. and the Bingo will start at 7 p.m. This is to benefit the DI Team regional and state competitions.
The next order week for Friendly Coop will be through Friday, Feb. 19, with delivery for Friday, Feb. 26. To place your order, phone 455-8421 or e-mail to bunny@ainop.com.
The Washburn Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind citizens in their coverage area (Washburn, Perham and Wade) that the fire department does not do any fund-raising over the phone. If you receive a call asking for a donation to support your local fire department, it is not from the Washburn department. The Maine State Federation of Firefighters is raising funds thru this telemarketing campaign but the Washburn Fire and Rescue Department does not support this effort as the majority of funds does not stay in the state of Maine and only the smallest of percentage actually comes back to Aroostook County.
“Our department raises funds through our local governments and any locally-held fund-raisers we do host — such as chicken barbecue during August Festival,” explained Fire Chief Troy Heald.
Anyone wanting more information or wishes to discuss this, feel free to contact the fire chief.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
Dancing skating sisters — The White family has some very talented skaters, as proven during a recent competition at the Forum in Presque Isle. The sisters each earned “gold” (first prizes) in their respective categories, with a few “silver” (second prizes) along with other rankings going home with the trio. Pictured, from left, are competition skaters and sisters: Samantha, Elizabeth and Amanda White.
