Washburn native wins music contest

13 years ago

Washburn native wins music contest

WASHBURN NEWS

by Tomi Henderson

Talented Maine country artist and rising star, Kelly Parker, formerly of Washburn, is pleased to have participated in the 2011 Q-106.5 Texaco Country Showdown presented by Margaritaville Spiked Tea & Spiked Lemonade as part of the Country’s Largest Country Music Talent Search on Saturday, July 9, at the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion, in the Q-106.5 Tailgating Zone. She went on to win the event and will now go on to compete at the national level.

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Parker has had the opportunity to share the stage with countless honorable industry acts including: Josh Tuner, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Jo Dee Messina, Darryl Worley and most recently Clint Black and Ayla Brown. Kelly will be opening act for Miranda Lambert, headlining the second stage at Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion this coming August.

“It would be a tremendous honor to represent Maine,” said Kelly, who hails from Topsham and Washburn, prior to winning the competition.

The 30th annual Country Showdown is designed to find the most promising country music talent in America and to give these performers a chance to launch their professional music careers.

The Country Showdown begins each spring with over 450 local talent contests sponsored by country music radio stations throughout the U.S. Winners advance to their respective state competitions held at leading fairs and expositions. Acts then compete for a $1,000 prize, the state title and the opportunity to advance to one of five regional finals. It’s the last step before the prestigious national final held at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The audience cheers on the regional winners, as they compete for the grand prize of $100,000 and the national title. A uniform judging system is used at all levels of competition to ensure fairness.

Contestants had a true country crowd there, as the show was performed the day of Toby Keith’s “Locked and Loaded” Tour with Eric Church as part of the Waterfront Concert Series in Bangor.

 

Boy Scout news

During the week of June 26 to July 2, Scouts and leaders from Troop 177 attended the annual week of summer camp at Camp Roosevelt, Katahdin Scout Reservation in East Eddington. The Scouts attended several merit badge classes during the week and earned several new merit badges.

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BOY SCOUTS — The Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 recently enjoyed attending summer camp. Those attending include, front from left: Tim Roix, Caleb Thompson, Tyler Jardine, Daniel Roy and Scoutmaster Larry Harrison. Back row: Randy Thompson, Parker Thompson, Bryce Roix, Taylor Skinner and Brandon Cropley.

Brandon Cropley and Bryce Roix completed the mile swim during the Thursday night challenge and the troop earned Honor Troop by completing several optional events during the week.

During the trip home the troop stopped at Coles Land Transportation Museum and had a very interesting visit, viewing the many exhibits. During the week, the leaders also put in several hours of service time working around camp, building picnic tables, staining several completed projects and doing repair to some of the facilities.

Washburn was one of 15 troops attending the first week of camp. Those attending were: Taylor Skinner, Brandon Cropley, Bryce Roix, Tyler Jardine, Caleb Thompson, Daniel Roy, Parker Thompson and Leaders Larry Harrison, Randy Thompson and Tim Roix.

 

Rotary Club

New officers for the 2011-12 year: President Steve Boddy, Vice President Andy White, Secretary Charlotte Griffin and Treasurer Dennis Harris.

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Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
ROTARY PRESIDENTS — Incoming Washburn Rotary Club President Steve Boddy and outgoing President Keith Brown exchanged the gavel at the end of last week’s meeting, as the new Rotary year begins in July. Keith has been a dedicated, hard-working president, and the Club would like to publicly express their appreciation for all he has done for the Club and the community.

The Rotary Club wants to thank everyone that came to the truck pulls on July 2 — drivers and trucks, as well as the crowd in the grandstand. The Club would also like to thank all those that helped in sponsoring the truck pulls. Organization members are looking forward to next year’s event. Hope to see you there.

This is the Club’s major fundraiser for the year, and the monies raised will be put to good use toward the many activities and groups that receive donations from the Washburn Rotary Club. Washburn’s organization is a small club, and each member has a desire to help the community while enjoying good company. Please contact any members if you might be interested in becoming a Rotarian. All interested individuals are welcome.

 

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Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
VOLUNTEERS —

Shown are two volunteers, at left, Larry Bull and Debbie Rideout, that worked at the truck pulls hosted by the Washburn Rotary Club on July 2 at the Presque Isle fairgrounds.

The Club members would like to thank all of the volunteers that made this evening a possibility and a success.

 

 

 

 

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Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
TRUCK PULLS —

A fun time was had by all at the annual truck pulls sponsored by the Washburn Rotary Club on July 2 at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds.

 

 

 

 

 

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Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
50/50 WINNER —

The 50/50 pot for the night was $952, and was won by Scott York of Presque Isle. Shown with him are Connor and Hunter York.

The 50/50 sales were manned by volunteers.

The Washburn Rotary Club thanks them and all of the others that helped out at the gates and during the pull, which was held July 2 in Presque Isle.

 

 

Salmon Brook Historical Society

New officers for the 2011-12 year: President Gary Cole, Vice President Bill White, Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Harris and new board member Anita Dickinson. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4 at the Washburn Civic Center.

The museums of the Salmon Brook Historical Society will be open for tours Sunday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 8-11 a.m. For tours at other times, call 455-8279 or 455-4723 a few days in advance to make arrangements.

 

Birthdays/anniversaries

Those celebrating birthdays from July 13 through July 19 include: Myah Elizabeth Hayes, Sylvia Paradis, Carter Shaw, George Howard, Don Peary, Charles Durost, Daren Churchill, Laina Mette, Robbie Irving, Zach Rossignol, Neil Baker Sr., Leon Howe, Derek Baker, Kenny Thibodeau, Connie Bell, Angela Pinette, Cassidy Tarbox, Charlotte Anderson, Andy Michaud, Christine Turner, Earl Scott Easler, Larry Harrison, Rachel Rand, Cindy Boot, Karen Shaw, Charlene Drake, Brandon Helton and Matt Cole.

Those celebrating anniversaries include: Danny and Dapheen Creasey, Kevin and Kristie Weston, Clayton and Lavina Corey, Tim and Colleen Plumer, Leland and Terry Paradis, Skip and Autumn Creasey, and Bruce and Tammy Berube.

 

Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Perham, Wade and Washburn. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com