On Saturday evening, July 12, a large crowd of invited guests came out to the Northeastland Hotel to celebrate David and Janet Maxcy’s 90th birthdays. The party was hosted by their seven children with a large number of family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers attending. filled The Lounge (the former ballroom) at the Northeastland Hotel.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
More than 120 family, friends, neighbors and former and present coworkers of their parents attended the celebration. Guests enjoyed sharing time with Dave and Jan as everyone celebrated their upcoming birthdays. While Dave was born in August and Janet in October 1935, this date allowed all the family to be there.
David was born in Rockland and as we would say, “he is not from here.” His parents were Horace Maxcy and Eva Hunter Maxcy. Janet, on the other hand, is from Mapleton and is descended from the Griffin family that settled along Griffin Ridge. Her parents were Beaumont Griffin and Thelma Carr Griffin. They are descendants of the three Griffin brothers, Thomas, Stacey and Albert, who were the early settlers in Mapleton.
At the party, all three Griffin family branches were well represented. David and Janet now live in the very home in which she was born, next to the large farmhouse next door that was their home for many years.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Both were teachers. David started teaching at Freedom Academy, where he taught for one year before coming to Presque Isle. He taught civics, government and American History at Cunningham Middle School starting in 1958. Even though he retired after 50 years, he continued to substitute teach almost daily through this past year and is looking forward to the new school year ahead. He has so far spent 67 years with MSAD 1.
Jan started teaching at the Troy Elementary School, but stopped regular teaching once she and David moved to Mapleton to devote herself to parenting their seven children. There was some substitute teaching in the elementary grades, but their family was her priority.
Today they have 11 grandchildren ages 7 to 38 and three young great-grandchildren.
Special guests attended the celebration, including Janet’s sister, Jackie Owen, from Missouri and David’s brother, Brud Maxcy and his family, who traveled from downstate.
The couple’s seven children and their spouses organized the gathering. They are Joel Maxcy, the oldest, then Stuart Maxcy, Allen Maxcy, Susan Maxcy Whipkey, Elizabeth Maxcy Humphrey, Brendan (Ben) Maxcy and Patrick Maxcy being the youngest.
Ben Maxcy gave guests the opportunity to talk about their times with David and Janet.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Historical Society Hosts Local Author Book Signing
On Sunday, July 13, the Haystack Historical Society hosted a book signing by local author Dana Allison, who is a long-time Castle Hill resident and the Haystack Historical Museum’s oldest charter member.
Allison wrote a children’s book titled “Snowflake, The Little White Kitty, Disappears.” Her granddaughter, Persephone Bennett, a skilled illustrator, worked with her grandmother in the illustration of their recently published book.
The event was successful as several residents and neighbors came and visited with Dana and purchased copies of “Snowflake, The Little White Kitty, Disappears.” Assisting Dana at the signing event was local historian and author Dena Winslow.
The Historical Society thanks all who came out for an enjoyable time at the museum. Everyone who attended enjoyed chatting with Dana and discussing the new children’s book.
Allison is also the current holder of the Boston Cane as the oldest resident of Castle Hill.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
