Wade residents pass 2011 town budget of $149,153
WASHBURN NEWS
by Christie Cochran
The town of Wade held their annual Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at the Dunntown Advent Christian Church basement.
Dwayne Dow was elected as selectman for a three-year term, joining Freeman Corey and Donna Turner. Sarah Hewitt was elected as Wade representative to the Washburn Memorial Library Board.
Discussion was brought up by a citizen regarding the town needing a new truck in the near future. The selectmen said they would take a serious look at this but nothing would be done without first having a special town meeting.
The meeting lasted 35 minutes and all articles passed for a municipal budget of $149,153.16.
WDHS STUDENTS AT WORLD CUP BIATHLONG
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
WDHS students who helped out with the World Cup Biathlon events included from left: Sarah Sjoberg, Dakota Koch, Lindsey Blackstone, Nordic Heritage Center Lion, Courtney Turner, Cameron Huston and Ann Carlson.
All were volunteers at IBU World Cup Biathlon.
All those attending had a very enjoyable and exciting time during the festivities and competitions.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Chris Aegerter, Julie Bragg, Wendy Bell, Andy Saucier, Gil Legassie, Susan Berube Tammy Barton, Elizabeth Richardson, Grady Churchill, Reta Anderson, Matt Connolly, Allison Woodman, Evan Sperrey, Peggy Soucier, Rachel Carmichael, Tyler Martin, Sarah Knowles, Dolores Woodman, Macey Currier, Andrea Doughman, Milford Helton, Salvatore Viola, Josh Clayton, Stephanie Silver, Isaac Currier, Steward White, Josh Connolly, Vicki Woodbrey, Rachel Dow, Breanna Beaulieu, Alice Doody, Candy Libby Faye Wardwell and Amy Berube.
Anniversary wishes go out to Ray and Linda Dahlgren.
Vacancy notice
The town of Washburn currently has vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Board and the Revolving Loan Committee. If you have any interest in serving on any of these boards, please contact the town office.
Town-wide notes
The next scheduled meeting of the Washburn August Festival will be held on Wednesday, March 30, at the Washburn Civic Center starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Washburn August Festival and 150th Anniversary Committee will be holding a fund-raising supper at the Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse on Saturday, April 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu will include a traditional Aroostook County Saturday night supper of beans and hotdogs. The menu will also include salads, rolls and dessert. The cost is $5 per person which will go towards the combined celebration the weekend of Aug. 19, 20 and 21.
Project Graduation updates
There will be a stew night held at the Trailrunners clubhouse in Washburn on Friday, March 25, starting at 5 p.m. The meal will include stews, soups, chowders, rolls, drinks and dessert. There will also be a 50/50 drawing. The cost for this fundraiser will be $6 for adults and $3 for ages 12 and under.
Looking ahead to May, Project Graduation will be holding a Mr. and Ms. Washburn Pageant at WDHS starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. For more information, contact Angela Farley at 455-8048.
Rec Center schedule
On Wednesday, March 23, there will be cross country skiing from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday, March 24, there will be indoor soccer for grades 7-8 at the elementary school from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, March 25, there will be a movie at the Rec Center for grades K-4 from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, March 28, there will be cross country skiing from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
Also on Monday, March 28, there will be Zumba at the elementary school from 6 to 7 p.m. and men’s basketball from 7 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 29, there will be indoor soccer for grades K-1 at the elementary school from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
On Thursday, March 31, there will be indoor soccer for grades 7-8 at the elementary school from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
White to be recognized
The American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter, Northern Maine Community College and WAGM TV are will be honoring six individuals as Real Heroes at the 13th annual Real Heroes Breakfast on Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 a.m. in the Edmunds Conference Center of Northern Maine Community College.
The honorees are being recognized for assisting others in need. They nominated by the public and later selected by a group of community leaders because they went above and beyond the call of duty to exhibit a true act of selflessness. Their heroic acts embody the principles and ideals of the Red Cross’ humanitarian mission.
This year’s awards will go to: Kim Martin of Caribou; Marjorie Bell of Caribou; Jerry Couture, of Frenchville; Mary McCarthy of Mapleton; Andrew White, Sr, of Wade; and Daniel Rioux of Fort Kent.
Andy’s quick actions last year saved a mother and child when fire broke out at the family’s trailer on Gardner Creek Road. He was passing the home on his lunch break when he spotted smoke. His quick action saved two lives.
Tickets can be purchased for $25 each and are limited. For more information, call 493-4620, ext. 108 or e-mail knorrj@pinetree.redcross.org.
Scouts capture top honors
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Boy Scouts from Troop 177 recently participated in North Star District Scouts Skills Show held at the Aroostook Centre Mall. Scouts attending in front from left included: Turner McLaughlin, Tyler Jardine, Caleb Thompson, Bryce Roix and Assistant Scoutmaster Tim Roix. In back: Scoutmaster Larry Harrison, Parker Thompson, Taylor Skinner, Brandon Cropley, Kody Brissette, Daniel Roy and Assistant Scoutmaster Randy Thompson.
On Saturday, March 12, Boy Scouts from Troop 177 participated in the annual North Star District Scouts Skills Show held at the Aroostook Centre Mall. This year, Washburn’s booth was centered on the “Leave no Trace” theme and had the Scouts providing skills to the public for hiking and camping in the ‘leave no trace’ environment.
Scouts took part in the opening march from the food court to the veteran’s memorial wall; and a short remembrance service included those from Troop 177 included: Kody Brissette, Brandon Cropley, Scoutmaster Larry Harrison, Tyler Jardine, Turner McLaughlin, Bryce Roix, Tim Roix, Daniel Roy, Taylor Skinner, Caleb Thompson, Parker Thompson and Randy Thompson.
Following the day-long activities, Troop 177 was named First Place Boy Scout Unit for the show. Additionally, Washburn’s Cub Scout Pack 162 was named First Place Cub Scout Unit for their space-themed booth. All in all, it was a great day for scouting in Washburn, and both segments of scouting represented their home town proudly.
Remembering Washburn’s history
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Pearl (Learnard) Estey served as a telephone operator around 1912.
The first mention of a telephone company in the state of Maine was in Portland in 1894. By many accounts of historical records concerning telephones in the County, the generally-accepted arrival date centers around the year 1905. However, there is a record of a telephone exchange being available in Washburn during the year of 1898-99. The Annual Register of Maine reports that the manager was Turner Wiley these years, as well as in 1902-03.
In 1905-07 the manager was F.W. Norton, and going forward to 1912-13, the first female manager was Kate Rideout. One of Washburn’s first telephone operators included Pearl Estey, placing calls to farms and villages. Pearl later married Harold “Spike” Learnard and raised four children: Weldon, Glade, Lois and Marion.
Telephone manager Kate Rideout was followed in 1920-21 by Miss Helen Norris, manager for the business of Aroostook Telephone and Telegraph Company. A closely-related entity, the Northern and Western Union Telegraph Company was managed for several of the early years by C.U. Bishop. Both the phone and telegraph companies held their offices in the bank building on Main Street after it was completed.
In the 1931-32 Aroostook Telephone and Telegraph Directory there were over 300 residences and business telephones listed. Some of the business ones were: Ernest O. Woodman, offering farm supplies — telephone 9; Henry M. Russell, groceries — telephone 125-2; Washburn Trust Company — telephone 15; and Washburn Electric Company — telephone 103.
Please remember that this column of history each week depends on Washburn residents submitting ideas. Anyone wishing to include a family “tree” of sorts, or accomplishments and histories of Washburn families is urged to do so.
Sources for this week include the Maine Register, family information from Barb and Wayne Churchill, Margaret Barker, Communities of Western Aroostook, and keepsake A T and T directories.
Friendly Co-op
The next Friendly co-op order will be March 28 through April 2. Call 455-8421 or e-mail your orders to bunny@ainop.com. Delivery will be Friday, April 8. Please plan to pick up your orders Friday up to 8 p.m.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
