Special family, special night
Approximately 450 family members, friends and community residents crowded the Washburn District High School gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 20, to partake in a benefit spaghetti supper, with proceeds going to help with Amber Palmer’s medical bills.
The event was sponsored and put on by the town employees, with help from the Fire Department, Rotary Club and many volunteers. The firemen were of great assistance with traffic control, parking all the cars which filled both the high school and elementary school parking lots. There were guests arriving in a school bus from Easton, some students from Houlton and representatives from Mapleton, Easton and Presque Isle fire departments.
The supper menu of spaghetti, salad, rolls, meatballs and sauce along with a wide array of desserts was served by town staff and members of the Fire Department and Washburn Rotary.
Folks of all ages enjoyed the supper, ranging from a small little girl who just wanted a few pieces of “paghetti” to a chap who didn’t want to be the only one at his table taking seconds, so his buddy joined him. The funny part was that the first fellow had the various entrees of the meal, while his pal, who didn’t like pasta, just had some spaghetti sauce! The older residents sat with the younger generation. All ages, with the differences in tastes and interests, all enjoyed the evening.
The fund-raising included a silent auction, with all items being sold. The event, which was deemed a success, was a Rotary sponsored auction, and did well for the Palmer family. In addition to the supper tickets sold, there was an overflowing card basket, a full donation jar, and a 50/50 drawing that was won by Terry Plummer who turned it back over to the Palmer family. The Washburn Town Office is still receiving cards and donations in the mail, and during half-time at the high school basketball game, Houlton Christian Academy presented Amber Palmer with a gift check.
The Palmer family extends a sincere “Thank you” to all who participated in the event and to those who have kept them in their thoughts and prayers throughout this trying time. Their faith and trust in God has sustained them, giving them all what they need to get through this. Anyone watching the family, especially Amber during the supper event, had to see the strength and love this family has.
The evening certainly made it more than evident that small communities come together in times of need, and this one was an impressive showing of fellowship, generosity, compassion and caring for one another. The feeling of thankfulness and gratitude not only comes from the Palmer family, it makes each one of those attending feel grateful for being a part of this community, with its strong sense of togetherness. One could truly feel the presence of this throughout the entire evening.
Events and reminders
The Town Office will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 1, for the purpose of closing the town books for the year. The annual town report is also being prepared and all tax and sewer bills that are past due as of Jan. 31 will be listed in the town report.
In order to save overtime costs, the Washburn Town Office will close for the lunch hour from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Feb. 5, and continue through Tuesday, March 20.
TOPS meet each Monday at the Trail Runners clubhouse. For further information, contact Birdina Cochran at 455-8353. There is Bingo each Tuesday evening starting at 7 p.m. at the snowmobile club, and Stew Nights will be held each Friday and Saturday night starting at 5 p.m. as well as breakfast served each Saturday and Sunday starting at 6 a.m. Country Jam nights are held each Friday night starting at 6:30 p.m. and all are invited to come join the band or just listen.
There are just a few days left to buy some Girl Scout cookies. To order yours, phone Christie Cochran at 455-8034. There will also be several booth sales in March.
The deadline for registering dogs, six months or older, is Wednesday, Jan. 31. Any licenses issued after this date will be subject to a late fee of $15 in addition to the license fee. When registering your dog, you need to bring in a prior dog license, a rabies vaccination and spaying or neutering certificates. Registration fees are $6 for spayed or neutered and $10 for all others.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. the Reminiscence Group meets at the Washburn Memorial Library. For further information, contact librarian Kathy Corey at 455-4814.
Rec Center schedule
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the grades 5-6 boys’ basketball team will play at Fort Fairfield with the bus leaving the elementary school at 4:45 p.m.
On Monday, Feb. 5, there will be men’s basketball from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, and Wednesday, Feb. 7, there will be cross country skiing from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 3, the grades 5-6 basketball teams play at Mars Hill. The bus leaves Washburn at 10 a.m. and the girls’ game is at 11 a.m., with the boys’ team playing at 12 noon.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the boys’ team for grades 5-6 plays at Limestone at 4 p.m. with the bus leaving Washburn at 3 p.m.
Special discount tickets for Big Rock are available at the Rec Center. Prices include Junior lift tickets at $14 and Adult tickets for $19. For further information, contact Marcie at 455-4959.
Project Graduation updates
Tickets for the Feb. 14 drawing of a variety of Pampered Chef prizes and bottles of area honey are available at Griffin One Stop. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and are also being sold by any WDHS senior or members of Project Graduation, 2007.
The class has a variety of upcoming fund-raising events including a Senior Service Auction, a Silent Auction, a special dinner and the auction of a new Old Town Canoe Otter Kayak. Members of the Project Graduation Committee include: Chair Mena Irving, Vice Chair Pat Morrow, Secretary Linda Connolly and Treasurer Pam Wilcox. The group will be going to Six Flags in Massachusetts, a day trip to Boston including Quincy Market and the famous Duck Tour.
Rotary ‘Wheels’
The Washburn Rotary club recently received notice that a grant application was awarded to the group. This $2,000 grant will cover a variety of special public relations and advertising activities. The group noted a special thank you to Rotarian Keith Brown for his efforts in writing this grant.
Calendar sales are still progressing, and anyone wishing to purchase one may contact any Rotarian. The cost is $10 and is well worth it, with a different historical photo of the Washburn, Wade and Perham areas on each month of 2007.
The club also noted that the Silent Auction held for the Palmer family on Saturday, Jan. 20, was very successful, with all items being taken.
The Rotary is also working on their own annual auction, with Peggy Bugbee being named Chairperson and Barbara and Stuart Turner chairing the dinner arrangements for the evening. Current Rotary officers include: President-Andy White, Vice President-Cindy Richendollar, Secretary-Ellen Fitzsimmons and Treasurer- Stuart Turner.
The Washburn Rotary also will be hosting the annual August Festival, slated for Aug. 17, 18 and 19.
During a recent meeting of Washburn Rotary, the group voted to sponsor Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 for the upcoming year. The Troop is re-chartered for another year with 12 scouts and there will be three Webelos joining the group in February.
August Festival meeting
The 2007 August Festival Committee will be holding their first planning meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center.
The dates for the event will be Aug. 17, 18 and 19, 2007. Washburn Rotary has again agreed to be the host of the festival, with Michael Barker and Amy Berube being co-chairs. The meeting agenda will include the election of officers. They are hoping for fresh ideas. They would like to see participation from groups, organizations, school classes and representatives from all community areas including businesses and municipal departments. This is a community event, and input from all will be appreciated. For further information, contact Barker and Berube at 455-8348.
March elections
Nomination papers for all municipal elections are due back to the various town offices by close of business on Thursday, Feb. 1. Those running for the one open Washburn Town Council seat include: Keith Brown, Brad Bragg, Tom Bolstridge and Daren Churchill. There is one seat open on the Wade Board of Selectmen and nominations will be taken from the floor during the meeting for this, as well as annual re-elections for town clerk, tax collector and School Board directors.
There are two positions open on the SAD 45 School Board and nomination papers are out for Allyson Bragdon, Greg Doak and Cary Schumacher.
The municipal elections will be held on Monday, March 19, and the annual town meetings being held on Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m.
Business moves to Washburn
All Dec’d Out, formerly doing business at the Aroostook Centre Mall, is now a ‘cottage’ industry out of the home of Michael Barker and his wife, Amy Berube. They will be offering their decorating and bridal consulting, as well as working special parties, proms and the like. They also have a wide array of party supplies and display racks available for purchase. For further information, contact them at 455-8348.
