Labor Day tradition in Sherman

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    SHERMAN — What has been a tradition in Sherman for more than 20 years will be a familiar and welcome sight again on Labor Day before the parade when Jarice Kelley and her crew of about 20 friends make over 4,000 donuts. The donut making takes place at “Cap” Perrins’ which is well known in town and the home of Kelley’s parents.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
NOSTALGIA TIME — Jarice Kelley, left, and Allison Roy, look at photos of the 1967 state basketball champions who will be in Sherman’s Old Home Days parade on Labor Day. The theme for events this year is “Treasured Memories.” Before the parade, people in the know buy fresh homemade donuts and beverages at “Cap” Perrins.’ Kelley said she and her friends make more than 4,000 donuts.
    Kelley said the process starts around 5 a.m. “And, we start selling donuts, coffee, white milk, chocolate milk and orange juice at 7:30 a.m. We finish as soon as the parade is over. It’s such a big part of Old Home Days.” Kelley added that it’s hard to say how many people buy donuts since some purchase one or two and others buy dozens.
    The parade, starts at 10 a.m. and is a major highlight of the four-day festivities. Allison Roy, on the Old Home Days planning committee with Kelley, said it’s “the only twice-around-town parade” because it starts at the Sherman gym, goes through the town square and, then, goes around again.
    Old Home Days, an annual event in Sherman dating back to 1932, starts Friday, Sept. 3 with a dance at 6 p.m. in the gym. It wraps Monday, Labor Day, at 6 p.m. with a bean supper in the center of town at the park. The theme this year is “Treasured Memories” which recognizes the surviving members of the 1967 state basketball championship team from the former Sherman High School.