WASHBURN NEWS
by Christie Cochran
Three dedicated employees of the Washburn school system will be retiring in the near future, after a combined total of 91 years of service to SAD 45.
Richard Landeen has taught English in Washburn for 26 years and has seen two generations of students pass through his doors. He has been noted as one of the more memorable teachers, and has been the favorite of many, always willing to go the extra mile to help his students.
George Seward has been on the SAD 45 staff for 23 years and has always been a dedicated, hard worker. He worked on the janitorial staff, has been seen mowing the lawns, helping out whenever and wherever needed. He has also been a faithful bus driver, always willing to take the trips to Bangor and other places.
Tom Olson is the “old man” of the team, working for the school for a grand total of 42 years. He worked as a janitor, custodian and bus driver, missing little time and always seeming to know what needed doing and did it.
The trio of retiring employees all worked well together through both hard and humorous times and all were spoken highly of by fellow teachers, co-workers, school staff and students. It is likely that they’ll still be spending some time at the school, substituting or volunteering in other ways.
Speakers taking part in the special program and luncheon held recently to recognize these three included: Daryl Molton, Don Thompson, Ricky Bragg and Superintendent Edward Buckley. The luncheon contributors were: Jody Dickinson, Stina Snyder, Vicki Larrabee and Glennis Carter.
Cody Frank, of Washburn, a senior at Washburn District High School, has been selected to receive the 2010 Principal’s Award, Assistant Principal Ericson announced recently. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principal’s Association, is give in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.
“Throughout his years at Washburn High, Cody has distinguished himself in the classroom, in many extra-curricular activities and especially as a valued member of the school’s DI Team,” noted Ericson in making the award. “He very much deserves this recognition.”
Frank, Ericson and other award winners and their principals will attend an Honors Luncheon at the Spectacular Event Center on Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m.
The Honors Luncheon recognizes these outstanding students with the presentation of an individual plaque, a lapel pin and the awarding of five $1,000 scholarships. This year there will be two additional $1,000 scholarships. This year there will be two additional $1,000 scholarships for a total of seven. These two additional scholarships will be awarded in the name of Dick Tyler, a former Maine principal and executive director of the association.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Parker Corey, Mackensie Harpine, Connie Markham, Mark Bragg, Robin Holmes, Lorri Jackson, Don Babin, Jim Wilson, Haley Howlett, Mark Doody, Evelyn Woodman, Shannon Olson, Connor Howe, Ron Powell, James Johnson, Debbie Bird, Chris Pesut, Lyn Gresham, Travis White, Velda Buckingham, Steven Hobbs, Eric Brown, Kyle Rider, Jean Wain, Beth Veeneman, Bill Sargent, Bob Clayton, Karen Carmichael, Colby Ann Hitchcock and Kyle Corey.
Special anniversary wishes go out to Craig and Crystal Hobbs.
His paternal grandparents are Charlie and Phyllis Kelley and Paul DuMont of Wade, and maternal grandparents Harold and Mary Megquier, both deceased. His paternal great-grandmother is Gwen Bragg of Wade, and special aunts and uncles include Kristie Kelley of Presque Isle, Heidi and Adam Simoes of Presque Isle, Debbie and Mike Kenyon of Weston and “Auntie” Denise of Van Buren.
The Washburn municipal election is set for Monday, March 15, with the Civic Center polling booths open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is one three-year term for a seat on the Washburn Town Council and incumbent Keith Brown is a candidate. There are also seats open on the SAD 45 Board of Directors, with no candidates running.
Washburn’s annual Town Meeting will be held at the high school on Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m.
The Family Snowshoe Walk will be held in Perham on Saturday, Feb. 27, starting at 10 a.m. and the day’s events include free hotdogs and cocoa on the trail and a bonfire. Donations will be appreciated, with all proceeds going towards the Salmon Lake Bog Project.
Be sure and get your tickets for the “Ms.” Washburn pageant to be held on Saturday, March 6, at the high school starting at 6 p.m. Contestants are: Matt Donnelly, Adam Wilcox, Trevor Pendexter, Justin Howe, Jacob Theriault, Wyatt Rothlauf and Shayne Stevens.
The Destination Imagination Team will be holding a Bingo Night and supper on Tuesday, March 2, at the Trail Runners clubhouse.
They will be serving beans and hotdogs, chili, rolls, French fries and various sweets. The supper will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo begins at 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the DI Team regional and state competitions.
Washburn Rotary will be providing some winter fun on Saturday, March 6, with a sliding and skating party on the hill beside WDHS.
Rotarians will be serving up free hotdogs and hot chocolate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure and listen to Channel X radio, 97.7 FM, for weather-related cancellation notices.
The students watched a video, “The Adventures of Wiggly Tooth,” and, with Wiggly as their guide, they learned steps in taking care of their own teeth, why they lose their baby teeth and how to brush correctly.
While watching the video they also learned about their friendly dentist and saw some real kids who told what it was like to lose a tooth. While the Tooth Fairy was busy collecting 10 teeth that were lost in an area school, SAD 45 nurse Mrs. McPherson, along with nursing student Tammy Leach and another NMCC nursing student, visited each classroom as ambassadors for the Tooth Fairy, officially naming them “Tooth Fairy Cheerleaders.” Each student received dental heath treats and took part in cheering for good dental health.
The Project Graduation Class of 2010 will be delivering pizza from the Washburn Food Mart on Saturday, Feb. 27, in the Washburn, Wade, Crouseville and Perham areas for a donation to Project Graduation 2010.
Phone in your pizza order to 455-8057 and ask for Project Graduation delivery.
Thanks in advance from the Class of 2010.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
