Wade volunteers pack shoeboxes
WASHBURN NEWS
by Christie Cochran
There were lots of people from all ages to all talents packing shoeboxes full of items ranging from school supplies, soaps, clothing and stuffed animals to craft articles, handmade mittens and slippers. These were all new items and the members of the Dunntown Advent Christian Church were getting them ready to go to help the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. This event is coordinated by Brian and Sue Martin and they note that the ministry is growing each year. Church members and friends gather and contribute shoebox items all through the year, and others donate the cost of postage, which is $7 per box.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
MORE THAN 100 VOLUNTEERS in Wade recently packed shoeboxes at the Dunntown Advent Christian Church for Samaritan’s Purse, an outreach ministry of Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Foundation. Samaritan’s Purse staff and partners plan to hand-deliver more than 8 million shoebox gifts to hurting children in more than 100 countries on six continents. The Wade group had a goal of 350 boxes, and their total at the end of the night was 406, which was a special blessing for all involved.
During the evening event, photos were shown on the overhead projector of packing the boxes during previous years, and the workers were entertained with Christmas music provided by Craig Sjoberg on the piano.
One thing different this year was known as “easy gift,” and through the computer tracking codes, the local church can keep track of where their individual boxes will end up. Working the computers were Pastor George McLaughlin, Brian Martin and Andrew Blackstone.
After packing the boxes, each one was prayed over by a church member and the packer, asking for safe passage and that the one receiving the box will be blessed by the gift.
The boxes will be taken to a local collection site, then by van to Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in North Carolina. Once again, a team from the Dunntown Church will be going along to help with distribution efforts in North Carolina, and include Beth Hartford, Laurie Blackstone, Bayfield and Nancy Bubar and Dwayne and Lynn Dow.
There were over 100 volunteers involved in this project. They had a goal of 350 boxes, and their total at the end of the night was 406, which was a special blessing for all involved.
This five-generation family photo includes, seated in front from left: Gwen Bragg of Wade holding her fifth great-great-grandchild Ty McLaughlin of Glenburn, and great grandmother Trudy Clark of Florida. In back is dad Jordan McLaughlin and grandmother Lee McLaughlin of Levant.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include Angel Farley, Sally Blakney, Bill Flewelling, Adam Doody, Louis Ecenarro, Mike Umphrey, Willie Drost, Chuck Fitzherbert, Brandon Chandler, Justin Thompson, P.J. Hitchcock, Matthew Walton, Kim Irving, Lois Learnard, Nicholas Doody, Vicky MacDonald, Andrew Dahlgren, Andrew Kofstad, Shawn Bragg, Jerome Churchill, Gene Brown Jr., Mike DeJohn, Diane Gramlich, Stephen Drost, Debra Viola, Ron Wilcox and Don Wilcox.
Anniversary wishes go out to Bill and Carol White and Mike and Cheri DeJohn.
The youth group from the Lidstone Methodist Church in Washburn is in the process of raising money to go to Youth 2011 next summer. It is a national four-day conference for United Methodist Church youth that occurs every four years.
Members of the youth group will host a special family photo day Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Lidstone United Methodist Church starting at 10:30 a.m. Photographers will be doing 15-minute sessions and unedited photos will be given to those purchasing them on a CD. Photos can then be used to make Christmas gifts, cards and prints. Each session will cost $25 and includes dozens of pictures. All proceeds will go toward the Youth 2011 fund.
For information call Lisa Reed at 493-0989 or e-mail her at randsguide@ainop.com.
The Washburn District High School will be the scene of the Varsity Club Supper and Auction held at the gym Saturday, Nov. 20. The supper begins at 5 p.m. and the auction will follow at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5. Anyone having donations can contact Ron Ericson at rericson@msad45.net or phone him at 455-4501.
The Washburn Town Council met Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, and opened with public participation, followed by the approval of minutes from the Oct. 18 council meeting, and also reviewed the financial figures through Oct. 31.
Included in the agenda was the appointment of the Alternate Code Enforcement Officer, George Howe. This appointment is to cover any emergency need when CEO Adam Doody is out of the office.
The council reviewed and signed off on a Municipal Release Deed, and reviewed applications for abatement of property taxes, and reviewed the proposed 2011 state evaluation.
Dana Fowler, gave a presentation to the council regarding solid waste. This was preliminary information of a “pay as you throw” plan and further information will be forthcoming.
During the executive session, the council discussed economic development, legal and personnel matters.
The 2010 annual report is currently available at the Washburn Water and Sewer District at 1259 A Main Street. The booklet provides much information to the general public including the budget and audit reports, bylaws and listing of WWSD staff and board members.
Matt Palmer is director of operations and Ryan Ashby is the assistant operator/office staff. The board is comprised of three trustees serving three-year terms with Leigh Morrow as chairman/secretary, Steve Davis as treasurer, and the vacant seat will be filled in March.
Elks Hoop Shoot is open for children ages 8-13. For further information, call Marcie Barbarula at the Rec Center at 455-4959.
On Thursday, Nov. 18, soccer awards for grades 5 and 6 will be held starting at 5:30 p.m. at Rosellas in Presque Isle.
On Friday, Nov. 19, the Harlem Superstars will be playing at the Ashland District School. This is for grades 5-8 and goes from 6:15-9:30 p.m.
On Monday, Nov. 22, and Monday, Nov. 29, there will be men’s basketball at the high school from 7-9 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 23, there will be swimming at the PI Indoor Pool from 12:30-3:15 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 23, there will be roller-skating at the Melody Roller Rink in Caribou from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Nov. 24, there will be a trip to Caribou Cinema from 12:30-3 p.m.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
