Masons award new bikes

    The end of another school year is now upon us and several children will be riding new bikes this summer thanks to the Monument Lodge No. 96 in Houlton.
    The Masons recently sponsored a Bikes for Books program, with the basic idea of the contest being the more you read, the more chances you had to win a bicycle. Each school was in charge setting the guidelines and rules as to what was read and the amount of reading a child had to complete in order to be eligible for an entry ticket.
    On May 27, Master Danny Milton and Secretary Lee Oliver, both of the Monument Lodge, had the pleasure of attending assemblies at both Mill Pond School in Hodgdon and Houlton Southside School to present the bikes to the winners.
Contributed photo
SOUTHSIDE WINNERS — Bicycle winners from Houlton Southside School were, from left, Douglas Reece, Michael Ross, Danny Milton of Monument Lodge No. 96 and Tessa McCormick.
    Mill Pond School decided to have three divisions — one for a boy student, one for a girl student and one for whichever student read the most books. The winners were:  Dalton Henderson boy student;  Erin Peters girl student; and Dylan Jurson read the most books.
    Houlton Southside School, which had over 300 students participate in the contest, decided to award one bike for each grade at the school. The winners were: Douglas Reece, fourth grade; Michael Ross, fifth grade; and Tessa McCormick, sixth grade.
    The overall goal for the program was to encourage reading and exercise at the same time. Judging from the reports from the schools, the reading from the students had increased, as well as the response from the students, our goal was accomplished. 
    The Masonic Lodge wishes to thank the local schools for participating in this program and are hopeful that next year the program can be expanded and more children will participate in reading and winning.
Contributed photo
MILL POND WINNERS — The Monument Lodge No. 96 in Houlton recently awards new bikes to students at Mill Pond School in Hodgdon as part of its “Bikes for Books” campaign. Lucky winners of new bicycles were, from left, Dylan Jurson, Dalton Henderson, Danny Milton of Monument Lodge No. 96 and Erin Peters.
    For more information on the Bikes for Books program or those who are interested in helping with this program in the future, should contact Oliver at 538-7119 or email trestleboard96@yahoo.com.