WASHBURN NEWS
by Christie Cochran
Many family names still familiar today immigrated to the area known as Salmon Brook and in 1861, it officially became an incorporated town called Washburn. Some of those names were Stoddard, Wilder, Crouse, Bugbee, Braddock, Tabor, Story, Dunn, Greenleaf and Churchill. One of the first recorded landowners in Washburn was Robert Wilder, who registered his deed on June 25, 1861. The area contained 127 acres and was on the map at Lot 13, Range 3.
Lincoln was president and the Civil War was in its first year. One year prior to incorporation, the 1860 census listed this area as having a population of 318. Israel Washburn Jr. was governor of Maine, and this is how our town’s name was chosen. He was from Livermore Falls, and that town donated a biography of Governor Washburn called “In Memoriam” which is a part of the collection at the Washburn Memorial Library.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Ivan Boyce, Katherine Bragg, Ricky Cannon, Caleb Giustra, Renee Belanger, Yannick Kilchenmann, Rick Tarbox, Mia Pangburn, Alton Bragg, Chris Farley, Corey Pinette, Denna Bragg, Mark Tarbox, Darrell Philbrook, Eugene McCrossin, Jamison Haley, Andrew Thompson, Gary Cole, Alex Searles, Jere Humphrey, Letha Lundgrand, Shelby Willett, Joe Nadeau, Andrea Bragdon, Theresa Donovan, Kelly Olcutt, Meranda Castonguay and Addison Dahlgren.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Larry and Marlene Whipkey, Kevin and Vicki Woodbrey and Josh and Mandy Johnston.
Town notes, reminders, events
The All Aroostook group will be traveling to Houlton on Friday, Jan. 14, for practice rehearsals and the big event will be Saturday, Jan. 15. The 12 participants include: Jessica Aube, Nick Silver and Andrew McLaughlin, and their chorus director Crystal Hobbs; Josh Reed, Brittany Corey, Jessica Aube, Elizabeth White, Hannah Heald, Tori Koch, Lindsey Blackstone, Kamryn Irving and Catelyn Coulombe and their band director Sean Diette.
Beginning with this issue of the Star-Herald’s Washburn column, there will be a new item added to the Washburn column. The entries can include family ancestry, town memorabilia, memories, trivia facts and more, and photos are also welcome. These will be published throughout the year in recognition of Washburn’s Sesquicentennial.
August Festival news
What a great year lies ahead. The August Festival Committee is busy planning for Washburn’s Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary celebration as well as the 31st annual Washburn August Festival to be held Aug. 19-21.
The Festival Committee realizes that this will be an amazing year for our community and hopes that all take tremendous pride in it. Please keep in mind that the August Festival Committee relies on community support and needs the assistance of all with their volunteering of time, talents and any support you can give. Monetary support is also needed by way of sponsorships in the form of cash donations of any amount to help provide the level of festivities all have grown to expect and deserve. These cash donations may be mailed to: P.O. Box 45, Washburn, ME 04786.
The Committee will be working very hard during the months to come to make the Washburn August Festival a success. If your group or civic organization would like to partake in the Festival, please contact Cindy Boot, chairman of the August Festival, at 455-8464 or any Committee member. Please come and share your ideas and suggestions at the next August Festival meeting to make this a memorable event. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 6:45 p.m. at the Washburn Civic Center.
Elks’ Hoop Shoot
Washburn’s phys-ed instructor Laura Gardner and Rec Center Director Marcie Barbarula recently combined their efforts to hold the annual Elks’ Hoop Shoot event in Washburn. Those winning in their age levels included: Noah Caron, Maggie Castonguay, Emilia Churchill, Edwin McLaughlin, Quintin Thompson and Mackenzie Vaughn.
These six athletes will be advancing to the next level of competition to be held in Presque Isle on Saturday, Jan. 8.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
