Washburn Fire Department
celebrates 100th anniversary
WASHBURN NEWS
By Amy Sawyer
The Washburn Fire Department celebrated their 100th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 20, during the Washburn August Festival.
To start the day, the Washburn, Caribou, Mapleton, Fort Fairfield and Stockholm fire departments participated in the annual parade. This almost didn’t happen because 30 minutes before the start the parade the department was dispatched to a single-vehicle rollover with occupants trapped inside. In true first-responder fashion, all the departments responded with their equipment to assist those in need.
During the parade, the Maine Forest Service performed a “fly over” with their helicopter before continuing on to Limestone and eventually returning to Washburn for a live demonstration later in the day. Following the parade, the WFD held their annual Chicken BBQ fundraiser at the fire station. This has become a cornerstone of the August Festival and is always a big hit.
Firefighters and volunteers then descended on the Washburn Elementary School grounds where they had many fun and firefighter-themed games and activities for kids of all ages. Activities included a firefighter obstacle course, Scotty Safety Trailer, Dunk the Firefighter dunk tank, Lowe’s Build and Grow kits, and TAMC’s WOW (Wintergreen on Wheels) Wagon.
The Forest Service then performed tasks with their helicopter to show the general public their capabilities. These included doing a short haul of firefighting equipment and a water drop on a burning hay pile, after which they set the helicopter down in the soccer field for all to view and sit/explore in.
Washburn Fire would like to thank all who donated, volunteered or assisted with making this event possible. A huge thank to Caribou Fire, Mapleton Fire, Fort Fairfield Fire and Stockholm Fire for taking part in the parade, and thanks to the Maine Forest Service and TAMC’s WOW Wagon for their help at the kids’ carnival.
Welcome home, Ryker
Over a month ago, Ryker McManus, son of Kori and Marshall McManus, suffered a lacerated pancreas and was life-flighted to Bangor.
His progress was set back due to the leaking of digestive enzymes (amylase) in his abdominal area and an extremely high temperature. Ryker’s amylase level was far from the normal range of 140-160 at 6,000. He was life-flighted to Boston Children’s Hospital, where the family was welcomed with around-the-clock top-notch care in the ICU. Over a period of time, Ryker’s amylase level returned to normal range at 151. He was advanced to a fatty diet and had his catheter line and drain removed.
During this time, Angel Flight provided flights for the family and caregivers. Family members said they were a blessing; their staff was easy to work with and took care of all things travel-related, so the family didn’t have to worry about anything other than Ryker, making the entire process of being away much easier.
Ryker was discharged on Friday, Aug. 26. At approximately 6:30 p.m. that evening, on his ride home from the airport, he was joyfully escorted by the Washburn Fire Department, many friends and family.
In efforts to support Ryker’s recovery and provide financial support, T-shirts are still being sold. They are $10 and range in size from 2T to adult XXL. Orders can be placed at Washburn Trailside with an option to pay via PayPal at http://paypal.me/afields85 and are due by Sept. 16. Cash and checks made out to Amber Fields will be accepted.
For further information,contact Fields at afields@msad45.net.
Baked Bean Supper
There will be a baked bean supper on Sept. 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Trailrunners Snowmobile Clubhouse in Washburn, with proceeds to benefit the Salmon Brook Historical Society for a new roof on the Wilder House Museum.
The supper will include franks, beans, coleslaw, potato salad, apple crisp and Willie’s rolls. This event is sponsored by Washburn Rotary and Salmon Brook Historical Society. Adults minimum $7 donation and children under 12 any donation. Takeout will be available.
There will be door prizes and a raffle drawing for the quilt “Summer Play”. Tickets for the quilt are available at $1 each or 6 for $5. Send money for the tickets to Rita Kingsbury, P.O. Box 475, Washburn, ME 04786. Include your name and phone number. Upon receipt of money, books of tickets will be made and deposited.
Girl Scout registration
Washburn Girl Scout Troop 1585 is holding registration for new members. For anyone interested or needing additional information, contact Troop Leaders Lisa Puccio at 455-2021 or Susan Boyd at 455-4665. The first meeting of the school year is scheduled for September 9th at 3:00 pm in the conference room at the Washburn Library.
Scheduled meetings
The Washburn Town Council meets in regular sessions on the second Monday of each month at the Washburn Civic Center. The next meeting will be held Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The next SAD 45 School Board meeting will be Sept. 13 in the David J. Lyon Washburn District Elementary School at 7 p.m.
Washburn PTO
The Washburn Area PTO held its first meeting of the school year on Friday, Aug. 26. Angela Farley was elected as chair, Amy Sawyer as vice chair, Crystal Hobbs as secretary and Jenny Charette as treasurer.
Taking place in September is the walkway construction at Washburn District Elementary School, which is sponsored by the PTO. This walkway will be dedicated to the former superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth Ervin. After a short time in the district, Ervin resigned due to health complications resulting from breast cancer. Donations are currently being accepted to help fund this project. To support this cause, contact Angela Farley at 455-8048 or email afarley8@hotmail.com.
Washburn Area PTO’s scheduled events are as follows:
On Friday, Oct. 21, there will be a spaghetti supper held at the Washburn Trailrunners Clubhouse from 5-7pm. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for kids under 12, and a family rate of $20 for four or more. All proceeds will benefit the PTO.
A bake sale will be held at Washburn District Elementary School on Nov. 22 during the parent/teacher conferences. To donate baked goods, contact Angela Farley at the above contact information or another PTO member. The PTO is in need of some talented cooks to help out with this fundraiser.
The PTO will sponsor concessions during the middle school basketball games this year, and its famous Candy-Cane-O-Grams will be sold again in December.
There will also be a ‘Christmas shopping store’ at the Washburn District Elementary School Dec. 15 and 16 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in an unused room at the school.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Angela Farley or any PTO member.
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Washburn Recreation Center starting at 6:30. All are invited and encouraged to participate.
Birthdays
Those celebrating birthdays between Sept. 7 and 13 include: Amy Sawyer, David Belanger, Erik Phelps, Phyllis Blackstone, Ginger Pinkham, Elwood Doody, Taylor Howe, Joe Allen, Barbara Bragg, Martha Cade, Valerie Bragg, Sterling Bragg, Greg Cropley, Jr., Wendell Humphrey, Sheila Michaud, Kelly Baker, Nancy Tarr, Anita Crilley, Jane Humphrey, Dylan Drost, and Jim Henthorn.
Anniversaries
Those celebrating anniversaries between Sept. 7 and 13 include: Graydon K. and Lori Buckingham, Matthew and Amy White, and Dan and Jody Morin.
Amy Sawyer is the correspondent for Perham, Wade and Washburn. She can be reached by calling 227-8679 or by e-mailing sawyer.amysue@gmail.com.
