Fund-raising events planned to help
12-year-old cancer patient
WASHBURN NEWS
There is a special little girl and sixth-grade student, Rachel Driscoll, age 12, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Once again, a small school in a small town has shown big hearts, and community members are planning lots of events to benefit Rachel and her family for the long road ahead of them. They are a strong family with a strong faith, and Rachel is one to always show a smile. She arranged her chemo treatments around school functions so she wouldn’t miss out on anything.
The schoolchildren held a successful “penny drive” and more fund-raising efforts are scheduled for the near future. The Washburn Redemption Center is also collecting bottles and cans for the fund-raising effort and there are collection cans in various local businesses who have also generously donated to this worthy cause.
On Saturday, June 26, there will be a fun barbecue held at the Washburn District Elementary School cafeteria and parking lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 12 and under, as well as a special $15 rate for families of four or more. There will be something for everyone including a dunking booth and games, as well as a quilt auction. One generous local artisan, Roxie Smith, made two quilts — one for Rachel and the other to be auctioned off.
Another fund-raiser for Rachel will be a Zumba Fest held at the Caribou Wellness Center on Saturday, July 17, and the fee is $10 per person. Instructors are Paige Huston and Kim Griffeth, and anyone not able to participate is welcome to sponsor someone else or make pledges and may phone Mena Irving at 493-3435 for donations and further information.
The Washburn Town Council held its regular meeting on Monday, June 14, at the Civic Center with 24 residents, councilmen, town manager and deputy clerk attending the meeting which was opened by Chairman Mike Umphrey. After the Pledge of Allegiance, a resident requested that the lights on the town clock be put in working order before the annual August Festival, and the Council approved this request.
The Council approved the minutes from the May 11 Council meeting and two special Council meetings on May 17 and June 4. They also reviewed the financial figures through May 31, 2010, and it was reported that all municipal department budgets are where they should be for this time in the fiscal year.
The Council reviewed and signed a warrant for the SAD 45 Budget Validation Referendum, and School Board member Mike McIntosh provided the councilors with a copy of a tax analysis with an emphasis on comparisons to local peers. The study also explains various expenses and State of Maine education cuts. He also noted that SAD 45 will be continuing to investigate options concerning school redistricting.
The Council also reviewed and signed off on a Ratio Declaration and Reimbursement Application and the acceptance of an MMA Legislative Police Committee Ballot. They also reviewed the policy regarding tax-acquired property. In the manager’s report, some new programs for bank CDs with much better interest rates were discussed and it was decided that members of the Library Board of Trustees will hold a work session with the Town Council in order to improve library bylaws.
The Council was informed of replacement of two tanks at the school, with the new ones being above ground.
The Council also announced that an ad for a librarian will be placed in the next issue of The Star-Herald.
Also in attendance was Troop 177 Boy Scout Bryce Roix who was fulfilling a requirement for his Communications Merit Badge.
The Council went into executive session to discuss economic development, legal and personnel matters.
The next scheduled meeting for the Washburn Town Council will be held on Monday, July 12, at 7 p.m. at the Washburn Civic Center. All interested residents are urged to attend.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Bonnie Lavway, Kristie Weston, Casey Maynard, Clayton Corey, Lorinda Duncan, Andrew Blackstone, Naomi Aegerter, MacKenzie McCrum, Bobbi Jo Hebert, Everett Merchant, Wilda Goodall, Alexis Bell, Garry Pangburn, Londa Brown, Jason Thompson, Susan Merchant, Lavina Corey, Dennis Conley, Doug Conley, Les Plissey, Keith Brooks, Susan Boyd, Angela Haley, Rose Doughman, April Flagg, Travis Drost, Jessica Hatch, Maryl Shaw, Jonathan Maynard, Marianne Helton, Larry Bragg, Steve Doody, Ian Robertson and Bernice Farley.
A belated birthday wish goes out to Heidi Simoes.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Roger and Sarah Hewitt Jr., Randy and Neisha Bragg, Tyler and Julie Turner, Jason and Heidi Thompson, Bruce and Kathy Drost, Randy and Sue Chasse, Bill and Sally Sargent, Dick and Gilda Howlett and Ricky and Heather Bragg.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society quarterly meeting and potluck supper will be held at the Civic Center on Thursday, June 24.
The Washburn Rotary Club will be sponsoring a truck pull at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 3. The pull is sanctioned by Maine State Truck and Tractor Pullers Association and will take place rain or shine. Registration begins at 4 p.m., with the pulls starting at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go to benefit Washburn Rotary projects. For further information contact Rotarian Peggy Bugbee at 754-8424.
Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 recently attended the annual Spring Camporee, hosted by Troop 194 of Fort Fairfield. It was held at Farm Park which was a grand setting for the fun weekend.
The Scouts took part in several events over the two-day Camporee, including a Dutch oven cook-off, with the following results. Eagle Patrol took third place in both the Compass Course and First Aid. The Bear Patrol brought home the first place in the Compass Course, and the troop took second place in campsite inspection and second place in the Dutch Oven Cook-off. The menu included a meal of sparkling potatoes, white chicken chili over rice and apple and pineapple cobbler.
At the closing ceremony the troop was awarded the coveted First Place Award for the weekend, a special traveling trophy in honor of longtime Scouter Edward Chase of Ashland. Last fall the troop earned the Ward Silsbee traveling trophy in honor of Ward Silsbee of Caribou. These awards are a combination of Scout skills, working together as a troop and patrol, showing Scouting spirit and following the Scout law and oath during the weekend.
Scouts attending representing Troop 177 were: Stacy Skinner, Curtis Thompson, Scoutmaster Larry Harrison, Tim Roix, Taylor Skinner, Brandon Cropley, Bryce Roix, Caleb Thompson, Daniel Roy, Tyler Jardine, Parker Thompson, Randy Thompson and Kody Brissette.
Troop 177 members and leaders took part in a Spring Camporee held in Fort Fairfield. They brought home several awards and other honors earned over the weekend. Pictured, front row, from left: Brandon Cropley, Taylor Skinner, Caleb Thompson and Bryce Roix. Center row, from left: Daniel Roy, Parker Thompson, Tyler Jardine and Kody Brissette, Back, Randy Thompson, Stacy Skinner, Curtis Thompson and Larry Harrison. Not pictured was Tim Roix.
Beaver Basketball Camp is in full swing, taking place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, and Thursday, June 17, at the elementary school fields.
On Wednesday, June 23, there will be K-2 basketball from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., grades 3-4 basketball will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades 5-8 will have the field from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Also on Wednesday, June 23, there will be swimming lessons from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and T-ball will be held at the elementary school fields from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
On Thursday, June 24, K-2 soccer will be from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., grades 3-4 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades 5-8 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the mini soccer field.
On Thursday, June 24, there will be arts and crafts held at the Washburn Rec Center . Grades 5-8 go from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades K-4 will go from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
On Friday, June 25, the first Friday Field Trip Day will begin with a trip to Gentile Hall on the UMPI campus for Junior Olympics. The van will be leaving the Rec Center at 9:30 a.m. and returning around 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided; this event is open for ages 8 through 13. The youth will have the opportunity to compete in four different events: soccer, tennis, 50-meter dash and basketball.
On Monday, June 28, there will be K-2 basketball from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. , grades 3-4 play from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades 5-8 play from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
There will be a Science Camp held the week of Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 2, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Washburn Rec Center. Science teacher Sara McQuarrie from Hodgdon will be the instructor and each child will do a different project daily. The time is from 9 to 11 a.m. and the cost is $50 for the week, or $10 a day, and is open to ages 7 to 12.
Also on Monday, June 28, there will be swimming lessons from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, June 29, teams will be playing soccer at the mini soccer field with grades K-2 going from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., grades 3-4 playing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades 5-8 will play from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Also on Tuesday, June 29, there will be Cooking classes held at the Rec Center. Grades 5-8 will have the kitchen from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Grades 2 through 4 will be creating goodies from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Each Tuesday evening there will be Minor League Baseball practice and each Thursday evening there will be Minor League games for ages 7-9.
Each Monday and Wednesday evenings there will be Major League Baseball for ages 10-12. Games will be played against other little league teams in the surrounding communities.
Junior softball for ages 9-12 will be played on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and practices will be on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The team will play both home and away games against other communities.
Pony League baseball for ages 13-16 will be played each Monday and Wednesday afternoons in Presque Isle and Washburn will be combining with Ashland to make a team.
The “Summer Free Breakfast and Lunch Program” is currently going on from Monday through Thursday, with breakfast served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunches served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The meals will be served at the elementary school cafeteria.
Members of Washburn’s senior citizen program through the Rec Center made a trip to Easton to join the Rec Center seniors there for lunch. Due to the rainy weather, the planned barbecue was replaced with a delicious buffet complete with large cheese and ham rolls, macaroni, potato and fruit salads, along with chips, pickles and fresh fruits. The ladies also enjoyed Brownie ala Modes for dessert, along with coffee and punch.
Those attending from Washburn included: Washburn Rec Director Marcie Barbarula, Barb McLaughlin, Gwen Bragg, Helen Armstrong, Drucilla Turner, Glenna Bragg, Anita Tarr, Norma Baker, Bernadette Rossignol, Sylvia Wardwell, Wilda Goodine, Arlene Cole, Jeanne Adams, Margaret Barker, CeCe Rossignol and Audrey Pavlick.
The Wade Selectmen held their June meeting and included in the agenda was the signing of a tax anticipation note. This will provide funds for town expenses until taxes are due. They also discussed a variety of options for office space and their decision will be announced in the near future.
Nicole Farley has been hired as the new treasurer and tax collector and Cheryle Matowitz has taken the position of Wade’s town clerk.
Also discussed were pending budget meetings related to school finances.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
