The Washburn Rotary Club will be putting on their annual Hunter’s Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse. The menu will include eggs, ham, home fries, French toast, baked beans, donuts, coffee, juice, milk and hot chocolate for $5 per person. There will be door prizes drawn throughout the breakfast as well as tickets being sold for a raffle to be drawn at about 8:30 a.m.
The Washburn Memorial Library will be holding a special spaghetti supper and silent auction at the Washburn District Elementary School on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. The proceeds will go towards new public computers for the library, and tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children, with ages 5 and under being free, and a ticket for a family of four will be $15.
The Lidstone Memorial Methodist Church will be sponsoring a public harvest supper to be held at the Washburn Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The menu includes baked ham, hotdogs and rolls, yellow eye and pea beans, coleslaw and potato salads, sweet breads and pickles. Dessert will include delicious pumpkin and apple pies. The cost is $3 for ages 12 and under and $7 for adults.
Birthdays/anniversaries
A special belated birthday wish goes out to one of Washburn’s favorites, Ben Griffin. Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Logan Harvath, Ryan Whipkey, Diane Pelkey, Barb Caron, Seth Robertson, Bruce Blakney, Darrell Harmon, Christie Cochran, Heidi Thompson, Josh Maynard, Kathy white, Tom Olson, George Seward, Mike Tupper, Linda Seward, Kristen Kramer, Marion Levesque, Marion Turner, Larry Worcester, Bill Fitzherbert, Laura Churchill, Morganne Emery, Carolyn King, Hillary Albert, Kim Clayton, Pamela Churchill, Sean Flanagin, Allison Baker, Adam Fantasia, Lois Goodine and Joel Humphrey.
A very special 50th anniversary wish goes out to Raymond and Ardis Humphrey. Others celebrating anniversaries this week include: Matt and Kathy Palmer, Rodney and Martha Bouchey, Bob and Jackie Pribble, Eric and Julie Jencks, Eric and Hillary Brown, Michael and Zsa Zsa Simard, Marty and Kim Clayton, Al and Tracy Whitten, Harold and Barbara Hull, Alfred and Diana Easler, Stan and Nada Theriault and David and Connie Heald.
Town Council notes
Prior to the Oct. 19 Town Council meeting, there was a Special CDBG public hearing to supply the town with information on a planning grant regarding reuse of the former McCain plant and property.
There was also a public hearing regarding General Assistance Ordinance appendices A-C, 2009-2010. These issues are State-mandated updates and the Council voted to adopt.
The Washburn Town Council held their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, at the civic center at 7 p.m. Councilmen approved the minutes of the Sept. 14 Council meeting and signed off on the Special Town Meeting and minutes held the same night. They also reviewed the financial figures through Sept. 30, and were informed that all municipal department budgets were on line for the time of year.
Fire Chief Troy Heald apprised the Council of a request by the department to purchase software which would aid the department in training, developing their budget and streamlining many of the Fire Department needs such as required reporting to the State. The Council voted to allow the purchase of the software. The Council was also brought up to date on the possible purchase of a 1996 low-mileage fire truck. The Council approved a motion to go forward with the purchase subject to the approval and warranty supplied by the K and T Fire Equipment Company.
Included in the agenda, the Council voted to present Washburn resident Herman Doody with the Boston Post Cane, which is given to the eldest resident of the town. The Council also voted to name Rena Tarbox as a member of the library Board of Trustees. The Council was also informed of the Washburn Memorial Library intent to file for a Federal Stimulus Grant for various library needs. The Council authorized the town manager to sign the grant application with the stipulation that there be a letter of understanding from the Library Board regarding any matching funds.
Town Manager Bev Turner provided the councilors with information including the sale of an old town truck from the Cemetery and Grounds Department and it was agreed that the profit of the sale will be put down as a principle payment for the new truck loan. They also signed a letter of support to ACAP for issues dealing with healthy communities and lifelong wellness.
The Council went into executive session to discuss economic development, and legal and personnel matters.
The next scheduled meeting of the Town Council will be held on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Washburn Civic Center, and all interested residents are urged to attend.
Town notes
There will be a rabies clinic offered by the Presque Isle Animal Hospital held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Washburn Fire Department at 1287 Main St. from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Prices for rabies shots only for both dogs and cats are $8. All animals must be restrained either on a leash or in a carrier. Foir further information, contact Lisa Mette at 455-8485.
Property Tax and Rent Refund “Circuit Breaker” program applications and instructions are currently available at the Town Office during regular business hours. Residents may also file online at www.maine.gov/revenue.
Maine Recycles Week will be from Sunday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 15. For further information, contact www.recyclemaine.com/mrw.
Election information
The Referendum Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the Washburn polls being open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Civic Center. The seven referendum questions include a people’s veto on same sex marriages, a citizens’ initiative regarding motor vehicle taxes on highly-efficient vehicles and newer cars, a citizens’ initiatives concerning school consolidation, state and government spending limits and medical marijuana laws. Also on the ballot is a bond issue for a variety of highway improvements and issues concerning the Life Flight Foundation and a constitutional amendment concerning petition signatures.
Washburn residents age 18 or older may register to vote prior to or on the day of the election. Registrants must appear in person at the Town Office during regular business hours of Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch hour from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. On Fridays, hours are from 7 a.m. to noon. Anyone wishing to vote by absentee ballot may pick up their ballots at the Town Office or phone 455-4858 during regular business until 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
Ongoing events
TOPS, (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), holds their regular meetings each Monday at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse, starting with weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. and a meeting to follow from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. New members are always welcome.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society Museum will be open by appointment only until July 2010. For further information, contact 455-8279.
The Washburn Redemption Center is currently accepting returnable donations for the Central Aroostook Humane Society, the Washburn Food Pantry and Boy Scout Troop 177.
Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 meets each Thursday at the campsite on the Everett Road starting at 7 p.m.
Washburn Rotary International meets each Wednesday at the Civic Center with supper starting at 5:30 p.m.
Please feel free to check out the supply of coats at the Washburn Civic Center that were given by the Salvation Army Coat Program. There is a wide variety of coats and jackets in most every size.
Washburn Food Pantry
As of Thursday, Oct. 29, meals will no longer be served at the Washburn Food Pantry. Food boxes will be put up each Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon until all current supplies are used up. For further information, please contact Elizabeth Richardson at 455-4900 or 764-3167.
Rec Center schedule
There will be a fun fall cooking class at the Rec Center for grades 2-4 on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Friday, Oct. 30, from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.
Be aware that there will be a fun and entertaining Halloween Egg Hunt at the elementary school starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. This event is open to grades K-4.
“Local” news from Pennsylvania
Wendell and Phyllis Blackstone, of Perham, have received word that their granddaughter, Alyssa Blackstone, has been chosen “Concertmaster” for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra for the 2009-2010 season. Alyssa is the daughter of Michael Blackstone, formerly of Perham, and Julie Blackstone, a Pennsylvania native. The Blackstone family currently lives in Downingtown, Pa., and Alyssa is a sophomore at West Chester Christian School.
She began playing violin at the age of five and currently studies with Charles Ponall of Exton and Ann Fontanella of West Chester. At the age of nine, she won first place in the Kennett Symphony Competition, and at 11, she played first violin in the Delaware County Youth Orchestra, appearing on QVC during their holiday broadcast. Alyssa placed first in the Tri-County Competition in 2006 and received the Estella Frankel scholarship from the Wilmington School of Music in 2008.
Last summer, Alyssa attended Strings International Music Festival and was concertmaster of the gold orchestra.
Boy Scout “trails”
The campsite for Troop 177 located on Scout Drive just off the Everett Rd. in Washburn has a new name. During the past few weeks, some of the leaders and volunteers for the troop got together and collected some money, as well as products and discounts, and built a new deck on the front of the camp as well as building two sections of bridge walks over the pond at the campsite. This gives easier access to some of the woods area for the troop as well as an addition to a future trail system.
The group also recognized the many achievements of Scoutmaster Larry Harrison over the past 20 years in a very special way. As a tribute to Larry, the troop chose to name the troop grounds and building “Troop 177 Camp Harrison” and put the name on a special gateway they built that all must pass through when entering the campsite.
The building crew members included Don Wilcox, Greg Cropley Jr., Stacey Skinner and Adam Wilcox.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
SCOUTMASTER HONORED — Now officially known as “Camp Harrison,” members of the leadership and volunteers put up a special gateway entering the campsite of Troop 177 as a tribute and thank-you for Scoutmaster Larry Harrison.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Bridges built by volunteers, leaders and crew members will enable easier access to parts of Troop 177 property and will aid in building trails throughout the 15 acres owned by the Scouts.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Alyssa Blackstone, granddaughter of Wendell and Phyllis Blackstone, of Perham, and daughter of Michael and Julie Blackstone of Downingtown, Pa., will be the official “concertmaster” for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra for the 2009-2010 season.
