Scenes from Bridgewater’s 150th birthday celebration

16 years ago

Image    Saturday morning, July 26, saw the Bicycle Decorating Contest happen at the Grammar School prior to the parade. Pictured are, from left: Hunter Boyce (2nd Most Unique), Michaela Goff (2nd Most Colorful), Tanner Goff (3rd Colorful), Paul Kilcollins (1st Most Patriotic), Sabrina Brewer (1st Unique), Abigail Boyce (1st Colorful), Noah Boyce (3rd Patriotic), 3-year-old Jossie Boyce (2nd Patriotic) and Isaak Czekalski (3rd Unique).
Image    Thursday night, July 24, saw the Boston Post Cane, made of ebony and gold, being presented to Elsie Lewis as the oldest citizen of Bridgewater. She was born in Millinocket but moved to Bridgewater following her marriage to Vaughn Lewis in 1949. She has two daughters, Dottie Wheeler and Bonnie McKeen, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Elsie was presented with a plaque to take home, but the cane itself will be kept at the Historical Association. Many of the canes presented in towns throughout Maine since 1909 have been lost, as was Bridgewater’s for over 50 years. It was returned to Bridgewater after a couple purchased it at an auction in southern Maine!

ImageAlek Foote, Kristen Foote and Isaak Czekalski help Chris Finemore set up a tent during Bridgewater’s Sesquicentennial activities on July 26. There were games and face painting for the kids on Saturday afternoon.

Image    Steve Bradstreet digs out the 1990 Time Capsules prior to the Sesquicentennial events in Bridgewater on July 24 – 26. Before giving Steve full credit, note that Doug Bradstreet did the majority of the digging with a backhoe!

ImageRita Kingsbury, left, and Pat Lenentine hold up a quilt made over a seven-year period from 1900 – 1907 by Diane Clough’s great-grandmother, Mrs. Elbridge Hartley, while she was bedridden.

Image    The Bridgewater Historical Association’s model building takes part in the Bridgewater Sesquicentennial Parade on July 26. Gloria Gagne rides on the float in period clothing.

Image    Anna Blake takes part in the Bridgewater Sesquicentennial Parade on July 26 in her miniature covered wagon.

Image    Showing off their vintage clothing during the Fashions Through the Years Show are, from left: Laverna Williamson, Florence Cook and Robin Brady.

Image    The Fashions Through the Years Show on Thursday night, July 24, had Elvis “Joy Whited” sweeping Terri Brewer off her feet. Terri was modeling a cocktail dress.

Image    Sesquicentennial Committee member Mike Crawford dances with his granddaughter as part of Bridgewater’s Sesquicentennial events.

Image    Bridgewater’s own Little Miss Potato Blossom Chloe Wheeler preformed at the opening of the Bridgewater Sesquicentennial on Thursday night, July 24. She is definitely one of the cutest inmates that you’ll ever see!