Oldest citizen honored
The Boston Post newspaper began a famous tradition in 1909, 100 years ago. The company had made several hundred gold-tipped canes and distributed them to many towns in New England. The canes were to be presented in a ceremony to the town’s eldest resident. Washburn is still in possession of an original cane, and on Monday, Nov. 9, a replica was presented to one of Washburn’s favorite citizens, Herman Doody.
Herman was born in 1913 and on June 13, he turned 97, earning him the title of Washburn’s eldest! Herman and his family moved to Maine from California Settlement, New Brunswick in 1929, where he has lived ever since.
He was married on Christmas Eve, 1935 to Sadie (Spooner) Doody, and the couple had a long life together, raising three sons, Wendell, Wallace and Galen. They had a total of 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Herman farmed with his brother, Warren Doody, for 40-plus years and grew potatoes on 80 to 100 acres of their larger farm. The farm also included raising cows and horses, and both brothers were always known for their willingness to help their neighbors and nearby farmers out during harvest and as potato house crew.
Herman and Sadie’s biggest “hobby” was their church, where Sadie was a lifelong member, and Herman is still a dedicated member of the Presque Isle Pentecostal Church.
Herman is a true family man, especially enjoying new babies as they come along, and always keeping a close watch on all his family, checking in on them in person quite often. The family still gets together for the traditional Saturday night bean supper at “Gramps” where they still enjoy Gram Sadie’s tried and true recipes.
Herman still lives alone at his farm and is still driving his own car. He likes going to McDonald’s for visits with his older buddies and sharing all the news. His family is certainly more than proud of their patriarch, and is happy he had a chance to receive the prestigious Boston Post cane.
Birthdays and anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include Mike Umphrey, Willie Drost, Chuck Fitzherbert, Brandon Chandler, Justin Thompson, P.J. Hitchcock, Matthew Walton, Kim Irving, Lois Learnard, Nicholas Doody, Vicky MacDonald, Andrew Dahlgren, Andrew Kofstad, Shawn Bragg, Jerome Churchill, Gene Brown, Mike DeJohn, Adam Doody, Andrea Powers, Stephen Drost, Debra Viola, Don Wilcox, Ron Wilcox, Lloyd Bragdon, Carter Doak, Amanda Libby, Shawn Helton, Bob Dickinson, Michael Butler, Debbie LeClair, Dawn Rowbotham, Margaret Allen, Cheryl Cray and Lisa Austin.
Anniversary wishes go out to Bill and Carol White, Mike and Cheri DeJohn and Dale and Beverly Knowles.
Town notes
The Washburn Town Office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, to observe Thanksgiving, and will reopen Monday, Nov. 30 at 7 a.m.
Dog registration for animals 6 months old or older can be done at the Town Office. The fees are $6 for spayed or neutered dogs and $11 for those that are not, and registration from last year and certificates for rabies and spaying or neutering is required.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society will be holding its quarterly meeting Dec. 3 at the Washburn Civic Center at 6 p.m. There will be a potluck supper, and those attending are asked to bring a main dish or dessert and your place setting.
There will be a business meeting, and included in the agenda will be a monetary collection for needy Washburn families.
The evening will also include some special entertainment provided by the “Barber Shoppers.” All are welcome to attend.
School fund-raising supper
On Saturday, Nov. 21, there will be a fund-raising supper/auction at the WDHS gymnasium to benefit the Washburn Varsity Club. The supper will begin at 5 p.m. and feature a menu of baked stuffed chicken, vegetables, and baked potatoes, as well as desserts, coffee, tea and milk. The auction will begin at 6 p.m. and the ticket price for the whole evening is a mere $5 per person and will be available at the door or from any Varsity Club member.
More donations are needed for the auction, and for further information, contact WDHS at 455-4501 during school hours.
Rec Center schedule
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, there will be Arts and Crafts at the Rec Center for Grades 1-4.
Rec Center basketball practice for grades 3 and 4 will be held Thursday, Nov. 19 from 7-8 p.m. at the elementary school gym.
On Friday, Nov. 20, there will be a movie at the Rec center from 2:45-4:30 p.m.
Also on Friday, there will be an awards ceremony at the elementary school for the grades 5-6 soccer teams starting at 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, basketball practice for grades K-2 will be from 6:30-7:15 p.m. at the elementary school gym.
Men’s basketball will be held at the high school gym Monday, Nov. 23 from 6:30-9 p.m.
On Monday, Nov. 23, there will be a meeting at the Rec Center to provide parents of potential and registered Girl Scouts with any information they need as far as participation in Girl Scouting in Washburn. Adult volunteers and leaders are needed, and Girl Scouts is for all girls between the ages of 5 to 17.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, grades 3 and up will be participating in a field trip to Presque Isle from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. They will be getting their lunch at McDonalds and going bowling.
Grades K-8 will be attending the movies at Caribou Cinemas from 12:30-3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Library cookbooks
The cookbooks featuring local cooks and their treasured recipes is in the hands of the printers. A proof book is available to preview at the library, and advanced orders will be taken. Orders can also be placed by phoning the library at 455-4814 during regular hours. The cookbooks will be arriving the last of November, just in time for Christmas gifts.
Town Council notes
Members of the Washburn Town Council opened their meeting Monday, Nov. 19 with the Pledge of Allegiance and the presentation of the Boston Post cane to Herman Doody.
The councilmen approved the minutes from the Oct. 19 council meeting and public hearing along with reviewing the financial figures through Oct. 31, 2009.
In other business, the council signed off and voted on several issues including the Washburn Trailrunner’s grant application, a corrective municipal quitclaim deed and a municipal valuation return.
The councilors were updated on the upcoming fire department radio requirements which will have to go to narrowband within the next two years. They were also informed that their bids for two fire trucks the department was looking to purchase were not accepted. The council also voted to allow Fire Chief Troy Heald to go again with negotiations to purchase a truck that may become available, notifying the Town Manager and/or the Town Council prior to the purchase.
The council also approved an application for property tax abatement and reviewed and signed off on a form 801 issue. They also voted to cover the cost of Boy Scout insurance for Washburn’s Troop 177 in return for Scout services putting out and taking down the town flags.
The council also reviewed and signed off on a Special Town Meeting Warrant and the date was set for Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Washburn Civic Center, just prior to the regular December council meeting which will start at 7 p.m. Any interested residents are urged to attend.
During the Manager’s Report, the council agreed to establish a new rental agreement covering both the Washburn Civic Center and the Washburn Recreation Center. The new fee with be $35 which includes a $10 key deposit that will be returned after inspection and key return. This rate is for two and-one-half hours with an additional cost of $10 per hour over and above this time.
Councilmen were also advised on an agreement with the Town of Mapleton as to sharing some road plowing and grading.
The council went into executive session to discuss economic development, legal and personnel matters.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
Photos courtesy of Christie Cochran
MEMBERS OF THE DOODY FAMILY in Washburn took advantage of their patriarch, Herman Doody, being presented the Boston Post cane and had history-making photographs taken with him. In the five-generation photo above, are, front row, from left: great-granddaughter Emily Davis Peers, great-great-grandchildren, baby Sadie Peers and brother Charlie Peers, along with Herman Doody. Back row: granddaughter Kathie Davis and son, Wendell Doody. In the four-generation photo below, are, front row: great-granddaughter Natalie Doody and Herman Doody. Back row, from left: Herman’s grandson, Adam Doody; great-granddaughter Olivia Doody. and son, Wendell Doody.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
WASHBURN’S TOWN COUNCILORS, from left: Jeff Wark, Chairman Mike Umphrey and Kermit Fuller, right, present the town’s eldest resident, Herman Doody, with the Boston Post cane during a town council meeting Nov. 9, 100 years after the original cane was given to the town.
