WASHBURN NEWS
by Christie Cochran
The Washburn Rotary Club is holding their second annual Mystery Dinner Theatre presentation and the event will be held on Saturday, April 17, going from 5 to 8 p.m. The title of the presentation is “Death on the Mound,” and those attending will follow clues to solve this baseball-themed mystery for a chance to win some cool prizes! There will be delicious appetizers served, a silent auction, raffles and much more including a special dinner!
The actors are all your friends and neighbors from Washburn, and this makes for a great photo-taking event, with lots of teasing for weeks to come. So be sure and attend to see who gets “struck out” and help solve who done it!
Tickets are $12 each and all proceeds will go toward scholarships and the playground project in Washburn. This event is hosted by the Washburn Rotary Club with support from Healthy You. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance from any Washburn Rotarian or by e-mailing bturner001@maine.rr.com.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Rodney Sperrey, Sam Belanger, Randy Bragg, Ray Hannah, Tammi Easler, James Canders, Nikole Herring, Alyssa Huston, Chico Hernandez, Paul DuMont, Valerie Maynard, Darren Pesut, Fern Sands, Russell Farley Jr., Lily Helton, Peggy Kelley, Madison Ziegler, Tom Berube, Andy Cole, Donna McNeal, Howard Johnson, Pearl Fitzgerald, Seth Thompson, Stan Baker, Caden Viola, Tracy Whitten, Lori Dahlgren, Amanda White, Zachary Forbes, Larry Hallowell, Amanda Harvath and Jaime Maynard.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Atwood and Dorothy Sperrey and Harold and Kay Adams.
The next Co-op meeting will be April 12 through the 16, with delivery on Friday, April 23. All orders need to be either e-mailed to bunny@ainop.com or called in at 455-8421 by Friday evening.
The second annual Spring Fling Dance featuring music from the ‘50s and ‘60s will be held at the Washburn Snowmobile Club on Saturday, April 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. The cost is $5 per person and the evening will include door prizes and a 50/50 drawing and winners must be present to win.
“Dancing with the Teachers.” a fun competition between students and teachers to some great musical routines, will take place at the Washburn High School gym on Friday, April 30, at 7 p.m. Get your tickets early as this will be a fun- and laughter-filled evening. Other activities will include People’s Choice, a 50/50 drawing and having your picture taken with a “star”! Tickets are $4 pre-sold or at the door for $5 for all ages, and those 5 and under free. Families (parents and school-aged students) of four or more can get tickets for $15. For further information contact Andrea Hallett at ahallett@msad45.net.
The Selectmen from the town of Wade met recently, with those attending including: Nelson Ketch, Donna Turner and Freeman Corey.
The Board of Selectmen is considering an option of hiring a private contractor for some proposed summer roadwork and the possibility of hiring a part-time person to work with the contractor on the roads for the summer. The Board noted that they will be continuing progress regarding the use of stimulus funds to complete some of the road work.
Also included in the agenda was a discussion of options for a Wade Town Office. A building in Washburn was toured but was deemed unfit for the town’s needs. The board also discussed the option of renting, and expenses for a Town Office were estimated and a warrant will be written for a special Town Meeting to determine if residents will support the implementation of the plan.
Other items discussed included notification that there will be a second edition of the Wade town newsletter to be developed, and the selectmen will need to make a decision regarding tax-acquired property.
The excursion from Washburn began with a lunch at Al’s Diner in Mars Hill where all the gals enjoyed the great food and special treatment by the staff.
Arriving at the sugar camp, they were welcomed by owner/operators Boyd and Charlene Bradbury and camp employee Kay Perkins. They got a chance to participate in the tradition of taffy making on the snow, with all agreeing that the cold treat was special. The group was shown the process of how maple syrup is made, from the tapping of the trees, sap collection from the miles of pipelines, to the cooking of the sap. The weather is also an important factor with the temperatures at night needing to be below zero and daytime temperatures being well above zero. It is tedious work, taking approximately 40 gallons of sap for each gallon of syrup! This certainly makes the sweet treat extra special.
The women also toured the gift store where many of the ladies purchased syrup and candy to take home and they each got a bag of maple cotton candy (made from maple sugar) which is made right on the premises. The operation is a combination of a store and kitchen, and the family makes a variety of maple products including jelly, crème, suckers and taffy, along with the syrup.
The group just made it under the time wire, and this was one of the final days of the season, with the farm now closed until next year, Products are available at the Bradbury residence at 22 Packard Road, Bridgewater or by phoning 429-8306.
On Friday, April 30, there will be two ladies from Northern Massage and Wellness who will introduce participants to the fitness of Zumba. Come and learn all the easy moves set to lively Latin music for a fun, calorie-burning fitness routine. Certified instructors Stephanie Caverhill and Tracy Spooner will be there to teach you the combinations of dance and workout that aids in weight loss and body fitness advantages. The event will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rec Center and there is no cost for this fun fitness event.
On Wednesday, April 14, there will be gymnastics held in Mars Hill from 2:45 to 5:15 p.m. There will also be a Zumba glass held at the elementary school starting at 6 p.m.
On Thursday, April 15, there will be arts and crafts at the Rec Center from 2:45 to 4 p.m. This event is open to grades 1 to 4.
On Friday, April 16, there will be a movie at the Rec Center from 2:45 to 4 p.m. and is open to grades K-4.
There will be several special activities held during the spring school vacation week from Monday, April 19, through Friday, April 23.
On Tuesday, April 20, there will be rollerskating at the Melody Rink in Caribou from 5 to 8 p.m. This is open for grades K through 8.
On Wednesday, April 21, there will be a trip to the Caribou Cinemas from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to grades K-8. There will be gymnastics in Mars Hill from 2:45 to 5:15 p.m. The Zumba class will meet at the Rec Center at 6 p.m.
On Thursday, April 22, there will be a trip to the Presque Isle indoor pool for grades 3 to 8 from 12:30 to 3:15 p.m.
On Friday, there will be lunch and a trip to the Planetarium at the Caribou Rec Center. This event is open to grades 2 to 5 and will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Donald Wilcox received the District Award of Merit at the North Star District banquet on Saturday, March 27, at the Grant Memorial Church in Presque Isle.
Donald started his Boy Scout career during the late 1970s, joining Troop 177. He was an energetic Scout, always looking for chances to advance in rank, and has continued this ethic to the current day.
Scouting in Washburn was very fortunate when Donald and his wife Pam brought their two sons, Troy and Adam, into Scouting, entering the Cub Scout program. The Wilcox family became part of the Pack leadership and followed each boy through their Cub Scout years where they eventually earned the Arrow of Light and graduated into Troop 177 as Boy Scouts.
Donald also entered the Boy Scout arena with Troy and eventually became and Assistant Scoutmaster for the troop. His dedication to the troop was invaluable as he took lead rolls in fund-raisers, troop bus repairs, camp construction and upgrades. He followed his sons through the Order of the Arrow, and as a testament to his leadership, family values and togetherness, both of his sons successfully completed the Trail to Eagle.
For the past few years, Don has been the District advancement chairman, which works to insure the highest standards of Eagle Scouting. He has been there for all the members of the troop, providing leadership and promoting work ethics in all. Don and Pam, along with Troy and Adam, have been a Scouting family for many years with Pack 162, Troop 177, North Star District and Katahdin Area Council benefiting from their presence.
Scoutmaster Larry Harrison was recently presented with his 45-year Veteran Status in Boy Scouting during a special ceremony during the North Star District banquet. Harrison received his 35-year award in April of 2002, and, to the delight of Troop 177 in Washburn, he has no immediate plans of retiring from Scouting.
Larry began his Scouting career in August of 1964 with Troop 176 in Crouseville, continuing on to Troop 177 in Washburn in 1971 and reached the rank of Assistant Scoutmaster under Scoutmaster Herman Nevers in May of 1973. During his military career, Larry continued on with his Scouting as Assistant Scoutmaster to troops at Travis AFB in California and Anderson AFB in Guam, before returning to Washburn’s Troop 177 where he made the advancement to Scoutmaster.
Also during the North Star District Banquet, Boy Scout Leader Stacey Skinner was elected to the position of North Star District chairman.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
