Scouts attend National Jamboree
WASHBURN NEWS
Scouts and leaders from Washburn’s Troop 177 recently completed their sixth National Jamboree Tour. Prior to visiting the National Jamboree for a full day and evening, the troop camped at Fairfax County Park in Reston, Va.
The scouts made many trips throughout the Washington, D.C., area visiting the Washington Mall and monuments, the D.C. National Zoo, the White House, the Boy Scout Monument, the Library of Congress, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian and Holocaust museums as well as the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.
A special wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington was performed by Troop 177 as well as a tour of the cemetery itself.
The troop also attended the Marine Sunset Parade at the IWO JIMA monument, and a special tour of the Luray Caverns was a trip highlight. A special wreath-laying ceremony was performed at George Washington’s Tomb at Mount Vernon as well as a tour of the facility.
Following the Jamboree, the troop moved to Denver, Penn., where they visited Gettysburg, Eisenhower’s farm, Valley Forge, Hershey Park and Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, Christ Church and cemetery, the Betsy Ross home and Carpenters Hall.
Pam and Adam Wilcox joined the group in Pennsylvania for the second week of the excursion, and cooks included Shirley Rand and Tina Jardine.
While on the trip, the troop members completed seven Historic Trail awards. This was certainly a rewarding experience for all attending and has been a Troop 177 tradition since 1989.
WASHBURN BOY SCOUTS attending the national Jamboree also had the opportunity to visit Arlington's cemetery. Members of Troop 177 are pictured preparing for a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In the photo, in front, from left are: Leader Tim Roix, Leader Ron Rand, Bryce Roix, Taylor Skinner, Drew White, Dell Brissette and Scoutmaster Larry Harrison. Second row from left are: Tyler Jardine, Parker Thompson, Brandon Cropley, Daniel Roy and Leader Donald Wilcox. Back row from left are: Leader Stacey Skinner, Leader Greg Cropley, Curtis Thompson, Randy Thompson and Jacob Reed.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Amber Thompson, Glen Tupper, Kevin Kidney, Charity Hebert, Martha Bouchey, Doug Drost, Sam Ingersoll, Jenesa Charles Ingraham, Sandy Buckingham, Burton Kierstead, Caleb Gordon, Justin Farley, Tiffany Bragg, Tiffany Carter, Rodney Tarbox, Kevin Tompkins, Lionel LaPlante, Tony Creasey, Atwood Sperrey, Mable Brown, Nolan Cunningham, Angelia Burchett, Kitty Cunningham, Herschell Conley and Dan Robertson.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Fred and Tamria Maynard, Mark and Diana Bragg, Mike and Peggy Kelley, Dale and Cindi Turner, Joe and Germaine Whitten, Galen and Carol Doody, Mike and Nola Amero, Loren and Judy Johnson, Tom and Bette Olson and Rodney and Shelley Chavez.
Thanks to some hard work and the planning of a grant funded by the Department of Conservation through the Recreation and Trails Program, a section of an area of ITS 105 was repaired and an unsafe bridge along with some re-ditching efforts turned the area into a nice section of trail.
Dan Bridgham of Bridgham Engineering and Land Surveying did the design work and cost estimate, and Gene Bradbury did the grant application, enabling this important project to be accomplished.
While visiting the work site, George and Linda Seward and Dick and Audrey Hartford saw a mom and baby moose at Cross Brook near the bridge, and bridge builders saw their share of moose, deer and beaver while working over the two weeks.
Bridge workers unable to be there for the photo were Joe Willette, Adrian Henderson, Kevin M. Morse and Carroll Langille.
A RIBBON-CUTTING ceremony opening the new ATV bridge on ITS 105 was attended by, in front from left: Trailrunner Club President Billy Pike; Peter Bull; owner/operator of Langille Construction, Chris Langille; Langille's granddaughter, Aaliyah Lichterman; and bridge builder Chris Willette.
Oscar Dow Post 48, along with Boy Scout Troop 177, will be conducting a Patriotic Flag Retirement Ceremony at Story Hill Park on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 5:30 p.m.
Following the ceremony, the Washburn Rotary will be providing a hotdog roast for those participating in this event, and the public is welcome to join in. Anyone having faded or tattered flags are asked to contact any Legion or Boy Scout member to arrange for pick up.
The second in a series of five delicious food sales organized and held by the members of the Lidstone Memorial Methodist Church in Washburn is being planned. These fund-raising events will be held at the Washburn Civic Center, with the next scheduled one being on Saturday, Sept. 4. Menu items include homemade beans and bread, green salads, cole slaw, cookies, cakes and lots of pies. Be sure and stop by to pick up supper!
The monthly meeting of the Washburn Town Council was held on Monday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Washburn Civic Centers. Some residents were present for public participation and one individual expressed concerns regarding a neighbor he was having problems with. A few other residents asked questions about the mil rate, expenses, valuations and other items. After the discussions ended, some suggestions were made by the residents that they would like the town to look into for next year.
The minutes from the July 12 meeting and the financial information through July 31 were reviewed and approved by the Council. The Council also approved two abatement applications and one supplemental tax bill. Insurance information for the upcoming year was also reviewed by the Council.
A request had been made by a parent that the Council allow a girl to be called “Little Miss Washburn” since there has not been a pageant for several years. The Council did not feel they had the authority to do this and that a pageant should be organized if there was interest.
A brief report was given regarding the calls responded to by the police department in the last few weeks, as many things have been going on around town.
The Council adjourned to executive session to discuss economic development, legal and personnel matters.
The next meeting of the Washburn Town Council will be held on Monday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Washburn Civic Center. All interested residents are invited to attend.
Sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, a portable toilet was removed from the Thomas Brewer Park in Washburn and deposited in the Aroostook River. Police were notified Saturday afternoon but have not determined the person(s) responsible. Town Manager Bev Turner was contacted and Tompkins, the business the town has a contract with for the unit, was notified and responded to remove the structure from the water. Festivities for the three-day August Festival — Aug. 20-22 — were otherwise relatively uneventful from a police perspective. Anyone with information is asked to contact WPD at 455-4043.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
