Gathering set for Jan. 6
There will be a public informational meeting on School Administration Reorganization plans for our school system. The meeting will be held at the elementary school gym on Tuesday, Jan. 6, starting at 7 p.m.
The Reorganization School Union proposed for our area includes Blaine, Bridgewater, Easton, Mars Hill, Perham, Wade and Washburn. Information on items in the proposal includes: educational benefits, central office administration, local allocation and a timeline of implementation. Information will also be provided on projected cost savings, salaries, penalties and start-up costs.
There will be answers available for any questions and this meeting is important for all residents to attend in order to decide how they should vote on this issue.
The vote for reorganization will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Anyone wishing further information may view the reorganization plan in its entirety on the Web at www.maine.gov/education/reorg/index.html or contact the Maine Department of Education at www.maine.gov/education/supportingschools/index.html.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating New Year’s birthdays include: Lacey Archer, Scott Whipkey, Chris McCoy and Loren Johnson. Others celebrating birthdays this week include: Maurice White Jr., Robbie Helstrom, Tyler Boyd, Deborah Tarr, Diane Dumont, Nicholas White, Roger Connolly, Don Thompson Jr., Michaela Bragg, Gaynel Tilley, Michelle Pinette, Aaron Kofstad, Amy O’Donnell, Elizabeth Kofstad, Penny Richardson, Scott Huntley, Kathy McCarty, Edna Sherburne, Ivan Boyce, Katherine Bragg, Ricky Cannon, Caleb Giustra, Chris Farley, Tyler Paradis, JoAnn Bragg, Jay Blackstone, Tony Sellars, Yannick Kilchenmann, Ricky Tarbox, Mia Pangburn and Sandy Dahlgren.
Special anniversary wishes go out to: Willie and Judy Drost, Jim and Debbie LeClair, Gary and Laurie Blackstone, Larry and Marlene Whipkey.
Town Council & School Board positions
There are two positions open on the Washburn Town Council and three positions open on the SAD 45 Board of Directors. Nomination papers for these positions will be available in January of 2009 at the Washburn Town Office. For further information, contact the Town Office during regular business hours.
Events/reminders
The Washburn Town Council will hold their next scheduled meeting on Monday, Jan 12, 2009, at the Civic Center starting at 7 p.m. All interested residents are urged to attend.
Please note that the December issue of the Scoop is now available at area businesses or stop by the Town Office for your copy. The next issue is scheduled for publication in March.
TOPS will be meeting each Monday at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse, starting with weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. and the meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For further information, contact Birdena Cochran at 455-8353.
The deadline is fast approaching for dog owners in Washburn, Wade and Perham to register their dogs. Dog tags are available at area town offices and all dogs over 6 months old must be registered before Thursday, Jan 1, 2009, and all dogs must have current rabies vaccinations. Fees for dogs spayed or neutered is $6 and those not spayed or neutered is $11. A late fee of $15 may be charged for any dogs registered after Jan. 31.
The Washburn Town Office will be open on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and closed on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 1 and 2, 2009, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, at 7 a.m. The Washburn Memorial Library will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. The library will also be closed on Jan. 1 and 2, 2009. There will be a meeting of the Middle School Book Group on Friday, Jan. 2, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Perham Town Office is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
The Washburn Soup Kitchen will be serving hot meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Anyone wishing to volunteer their time, or wishing to donate items or money may stop by on the open days or phone the kitchen at 455-0900 or Elizabeth at 764-3167.
Rec Center schedule
Approximately 36 senior citizens from both Washburn and Easton Recreation Department programs met in Washburn for lunch recently. The ladies enjoyed conversation and a ham dinner complete with peas and carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy and a delicious brownie ala mode dessert provided by the Easton group. After lunch, they all enjoyed several games of Bingo, with each participant winning at least one prize.
Looking ahead, Recreation programs for January will include basketball for grade 5-6 girls and boys. Registration forms have already been sent home with the students.
Also in January, cross country skiing will be starting up with the participants meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays after school. Trips will be taken to a variety of ski trails in the area.
For further information on any Rec Center programs, please contact Marcie at the Rec at 455-4959 during regular hours.
Library “bookmarks”
On Friday, Jan. 2, there will be a meeting of the Middle School Book Group. They will be discussing the book, “The Wizard of Oz,” and the meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Adults interested in writing their history down for their children and grandchildren are welcome to attend the library’s Reminiscence Group which will be starting up again in the near future. Also, a library volunteer would like to start a knitting circle, and knitters of all experience will be welcome. The group will be meeting on Tuesday mornings. If you would like to know more on either of these groups, please phone the library at 455-4814.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
Contributed photo
Four Generations – Betty Burtt Snider, center, of Caribou and formerly of Presque Isle, recently enjoyed a chance to celebrate having four generations of her family all together. Snider, holding her great-granddaughter Ava Marie, is shown with her grandson, Tyler (Ava Marie’s father) and her daughter Jeanna.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
SENIOR GROUPS from Washburn and Easton gathered recently to enjoy a holiday meal at the Washburn Recreation Center. Those pictured attending the dinner, in no particular order, included: from Washburn – Norma Baker, Barbra McLaughlin, Gwen Bragg, Margaret Barker, Drucilla Turner, Sylvia Wardwell, Anita Tarr, Barb Churchill, Eunice Carman, Wilda Goodall, Glenna Bragg, Glenna Ewing, Arlene Cole, Peggy Sperry, Bern Rossignol and Lorraine Harrison; from Easton – Marie Hewitt, Rena Richardson, Glennis Craig, Margaret Adams, Nina Trask, Ezalee Smith, Ida Doak, Linde Fowler, Arlene Ladner and Vera Cullins. Not pictured but also attending the luncheon was driver Dellas Adams.
