WASHBURN NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
Washburn’s August Festival events were very special this year as the town celebrated its Sesquicentennial birthday. On Friday, Aug. 19, Katahdin Trust Company held their Customer Appreciation Day with a hotdog roast.
The Washburn Varsity Soccer teams took on Central Aroostook High School, with the boys battling to a 4-4 tie and the Washburn girls winning 6 to 1.
Various food booths were open in the municipal parking lot. The Washburn High School Alumni met for their social hour at 5 p.m., with supper at 6. There was a great turnout, and if anyone left hungry it wasn’t the food’s fault!
At 6 p.m., there was a Bike Parade with prizes awarded in three age categories. Winners in the Age 4-5 category were: First, Marah Clark of Presque Isle; Second, Breanna Tilley of Ashland; and Third, Nylah Drake of Washburn. Winners in the Age 6-7 category were: First, Emily Straetz of Wade; Second, Joseph Tilley of Ashland; and Third, Emma Dalessandris of Washburn. Age 8-9 winners were: First, Jacob Tilley of Ashland; and Second, Chance Bouchard. Age 10 and up winners were: First, Braxton Jenks; and Second, Mason Burby.
The Baby Parade followed the bike parade, and in my opinion, they were all winners! The official results were: Most Original, – Ethan Tilley; 3; Most Colorful, Madison Wells, 2; Best Overall,- Brady Drake, 2; Smallest, Jonja Green, 3 months; and Cutest, 18-month-old twins Chase and Charlee Barnes.
Music provided on Friday night included the Aroostook County Bluegrass Band performing in the park and J.R. Mitchell providing music and karaoke on the Town Office porch.
There were also games and events for the kids, ending with the movie “Gnomeo and Juliet” played on the side of the Salmon Brook Historical Society Barn.
Saturday, Aug. 20, began with a great breakfast at the Washburn Trail Runners Clubhouse. In addition to food booths in the municipal parking lot, Story Park was the site for arts and crafts booths and other attractions. The Post Office lawn was the site of many games and activities for the kids.
At 9 a.m. at the high school, the 3K Road Race began with 21 runners taking part. The overall winners were: Tom Bechum, with a time of 9:54 and Marie Bechum with a time of 11:31. This swift husband and wife team are repeat winners, having won last year’s race as well.
The Classic Car, Bike and Tractor Show took place on School Street, with many classes and prizes for the entries.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society Museum was open through the day, with some beautifully restored carriages and sleighs donated to the museum by Robert Solmon on display.
The 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration Parade included many floats, queens, tractors and other entries with candy, toys and prizes handed out to those who lined the streets. The King and Queen of the Parade were Atwood and Dorothy Sperrey. Both now 91 years of age, they have been married for 72 years and have six children, 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild! What a ‘great’ legacy of this farm family!
The Grand Marshalls of the parade were the 2010-11 Washburn District High School State Champions. This group is comprised of 24 young people who have, as teams and individuals, attained state champion status during the past school year. Included are members of the Girls’ Basketball team, two Destination Imagination teams, and individual track and cross country state champs. The State Champion Girls Basketball team members are: Carmen Bragg, Breeanna Roman, Rebecca Campbell, Amanda Libby, Carsyn Koch, Olivia Doody, Meghan Saucier, Rayah Saucier, Taylor Thompson, Nicole Olson, Kennedy Churchill, Sarah Sjoberg and Maegan Fitzpatrick. This team was coached by Mike Carlos with assistance by Tammy Tatlock and Owen James. The Destination Imagination teams include: Cameron Huston, Kyle Huston, Dakota Koch, Rachael Carmichael, Hillary Jackson, Jacob Reed, Marlaina Spooner, Marcella Cheviot, Kennedy Churchill, Carsyn Koch, Andrew McLaughlin, Rachel Rossignol and Izia LoBue. The advisor for the Destination Imagination Teams is Tracy Reed. Bringing home an individual State Championship in both Cross Country and Track and Field was Carsyn Koch. Mike Waugh coached Cross Country and Sean Diette coached Track and Field.
Throughout the day, Mane Event horse-drawn wagon rides were offered by Chad Putnam and mini tractor rides were offered by Sterling Haynes.
At 1 p.m., the boys’ and girls’ middle school soccer teams competed against Van Buren, with the Washburn boys winning 2 to 0 and the Washburn girls winning 6 to 0.
Other afternoon activities included a Country Music Jam with Paul Clayton and Friends at the Salmon Brook Mill Pond; special music by Lee Warner Archer was offered by the Town Office and Tim the Tune Man played during several games on Main Street. Musical chairs, the limbo and the Chicken Dance were fun to watch as kids and adults alike took part in the fun.
The Rubber Ducky 50/50 Derby launched off at the Mill Pond with Taylor Skinner held the lucky number.
Evening activities included a Baked Bean Supper served at the Civic Center; a music group, Sound Friendship, performed in Story Park; and the 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration Fireworks Display took place on the hill behind the high school.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, the Canoe/Kayak Race took place as well as the Antique Tractor Pulls at the Trail Runners Clubhouse parking lot. Brunch was served at St. Catherine’s Church Hall and the Salmon Brook Museum was open 1-4 p.m. The afternoon also included a gospel concert in the Washburn High School gymnasium.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays from Aug. 24-30 include: Lois McCrossin, Dale Easler, Earl Campbell, Geraldine Beckwith, Amber Thompson, Glen Tupper, Kevin Kidney, Charity Hebert, Martha Bouchey, Sam Ingersoll, Jenesa Charles Ingraham, Sandy Buckingham, Caleb Gordon, Justin Farley, Tiffany Bragg, Tiffany Carter, Rodney Tarbox, Kevin Tompkins, Lionel LaPlante, Tony Creasey, Atwood Sperrey, Mable Brown, Nolan Cunningham and Angelia Burchett.
Those celebrating anniversaries include: Robert and Valerie Maynard, Fred and Tamria Maynard, Mark and Diana Bragg, Mike and Peggy Kelley, Dale and Cindi Turner, and Joe and Germaine Whitten.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Perham, Wade and Washburn. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
