Final festival updates
For anyone not yet having a copy of the August Festival brochure, you may pick one up at several area businesses or at the Washburn Town Office during regular hours.
Correction: The members of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will have their food booth open on Friday, August 17, and will be serving chili, vegetable soup and sandwiches along with coffee, water and sodas. They will be located next to the Town Office in the municipal parking lot and will open at 5 p.m. This is an important fund-raiser for the TOPS group with proceeds going towards donations to the snowmobile club as well as annual dues for special workshops and the fall rally. During their Friday night serving time, there will be tickets sold for a 50/50 drawing to be held during the Saturday night program at the high school.
Keep in mind that Main Street from the truck route to the town hill will be closed on Friday, August 17 at 5 p.m. and all day Saturday, August 18.
There will be some fun horse-drawn wagon rides all over town from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. done by Chad Putnam, and there will be many wagon stops around town. A great way to get from event to event.
The Washburn Memorial Library Board of Trustees will be honoring Barbara Porter and Joyce Davis for their years of service to the library. They will be named honorary trustees at a ceremony held on Friday, August 17, at the library at 2 p.m.
Be sure and check out the Salmon Brook Historical Society Museum which opens on Saturday, August 18, at 9 a.m. and Sunday, August 19, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The firemen will be serving their famous chicken barbecue at the firehouse from 11:30 a.m. until the chicken is gone.
The Youth Group from the Washburn Pentecostal Church will be holding a baked bean supper at the Civic Center on Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will go towards the various activities of the group as well as a trip.
The Perham Ladies group will be holding the annual brunch at the Civic Center on Sunday, August 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be breakfast at the Trail Runners clubhouse from 6 to 9:30 a.m. with a full menu to fill you up for your big day at the festival.
There will be lots of music ranging from bluegrass to vountry, karaoke entertainment and old-time country music, as well as some more modern ‘80’s music and light show.
There will also be some special events including baby and bike parades, s road race, living history display, classic vehicles on display, and children’s events including scavenger hunts, rubber duck racing and a kid’s carnival. Kids of all ages will also enjoy the dunking booth held on Saturday at the town parking lot.
There will be some antique tractor pulls and ATV pulls available for those interested, and be sure and see the Saturday night Variety Show at the high school at 6:30 p.m. and the Sunday afternoon Gospel Concert starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Don’t forget to get your special 3-D glasses to watch the fireworks with. They will be available at the Rotary stand in the park at a cost of $1. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Birthdays will be celebrated this week by Kassy Belk, Bob Pribble, Amy Farley, Sheldon Cunningham, Bruce Turner, Christina Barnes, Kristen Durost, Terry Paradis, Melinda Farley, Don Whipkey, E. B. Brown, Matt Doody, Elaine Churchill, Connie Heald, Bill Sargent, Julie Doody, Cindi Turner, John Howlett, Phyllis Kelley, Robert Schwartz, Chelsey Dodd, Nicholas Crouse, Troy Heald, Cheryl Bolstridge, Melinda Farley, Rick Castonguay, Kori Tupper, Carroll Bragg, Brad Barbarula, Kolbie Churchill, Frank Long, Ryan Taylor, John Canders, Scott McIntosh, Drew Condon, Stacy Baker and Krysten Blackstone.
Special anniversary wishes go out to: Rodney and Cheryl Sperrey, Kevin and Holly Tompkins, Donnie and Julee Maynard, Brad and Alice Bragg, Lee and Heidi Farley, Adam and Angela Rider, Scott and Tammy Susi, Mike Barker and Amy Berube and Chris and Peggy Wilson.
Event/reminders
The Washburn Fire and Rescue Department will be taking a special income survey in hopes of obtaining some CDBG grant money. The town is hoping for 100 percent participation from the citizens of Washburn during the second week of August. If you know you won’t be available at that time and are able to come to the Town Office prior to August 17, please phone Andrea L. Powers at 455-8485 for a survey.
On Friday, August 17, at 2 p.m. at the Washburn Memorial Library, special recognition will be given to Past Librarians Barbara Porter and Joyce Davis. They will be awarded the position of ‘honorary trustee’ by the Library Board of Directors. All are welcome to attend.
On Wednesday, August 22, a scrapbooking class for beginners will be held at the Washburn Memorial Library at 6 p.m.
The next meeting of the Dow Post 48 of the American Legion will be held on Tuesday, August 21, at the town park on Main Street and will include a special flag retirement ceremony. Taking part in this impressive ceremony will be members of the Post 48 American Legion, Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177, Junior Girl Scout Troop 15 and Brownie Troop 194. Anyone having faded, frayed or torn flags of any size to dispose of may bring them to the ceremony or contact any legion member prior to the ceremony.
Members of the Wade Natural Resources Committee will meet at the Washburn Library on Wednesday, August 15, at 6 p.m.
Sixty years and counting
On Tuesday, August 5, 1947, Jasper “Bud” Umphrey and Elizabeth “Betty” Lavway were married at the Crouseville Advent Christian church by Reverend Woody Devoe. The best man was Bud’s brother, Gary Umphrey, and the maid of honor was Wilda Silver. They still keep in touch with their wedding entourage, even with Gary living in Florida, and Wilda Silver Martin returning to Washburn this year for their class reunion.
The couple always knew each other through church and school, but during a special basketball game after Bud returned from the war they met again and the courtship began. It wasn’t too long after that the U.S. Army staff sergeant and the hometown girl were married.
They had three children, Mike, Paul and Hollie Umphrey, and are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. They range from a great-grandson who is 6 foot 5 inches at age 15, and a great granddaughter who is a mere two weeks old. The couple enjoys them all.
Their family paid no attention to the ‘threat’ of no parties, and Bud and Betty were surprised by their family with an anniversary celebration held at the Crouseville church’s Mission Building. As usual, Bud enjoyed a good party, and Betty found it hard to be too upset while surrounded by such a great family.
They were joined by approximately 30 family members, with 15 of them less than nine years of age. The group reminisced and shared many memories with the family. They also enjoyed a great barbeque that was attended to by ‘chefs’ Troy McCrum and Josh Johnston. Their anniversary cake was lovingly made by their granddaughter, Nicki McCrum, and was adorned with their wedding colors of yellow and white flowers. Another special treat was also enjoyed, thanks to their son, Mike Umphrey, who made some delicious Cherry Garcia and Grape Nut homemade ice cream.
The couple received many cards and the family gave them money to put towards a trip Betty has always wanted to make. They will be going to Nova Scotia leaving from Bar Harbor in the near future on the famous Cat.
It looks like Bud said it best when he noted that “It seems like just yesterday” and Betty agreed that the couple have made a very special life for themselves and their family.
After the party, several members of the family went to Hollie Umphrey’s place at Portage Lake for a few days.
New baby
Josh and Mandy Johnston and big sister Emma welcomed a new baby girl to their family, Madelyn Johnston, born on June 4, 2007.
The proud grandparents are Mike and Lynn Umphrey and John and Susan Johnston. Great grandparents include Dorothy Shaw, Bud and Betty Umphrey and Bill and Ruth Flewelling.
Local daycare donation
Tiny Hearts Daycare, a newly-opened daycare service located in the Washburn area, has donated runner-up trophies to the Washburn Major League team. An award ceremony was recently held in Washburn, starting with a fun-filled game of parent-child baseball where the children were victorious over their parents.
During the awards ceremony, representatives from the Tiny Hearts Daycare handed Washburn Rec Director Marcie Barbarula 15 runner-up trophies. These were more than earned by the team, as they fell only one run short during the championship game with Fort Fairfield which went into extra innings.
Owner of the daycare, Allison Page, noted, “It was a lot of fun to watch these boys play all season and always gave the fans something to cheer about.” She also noted they always played with super sportsmanship and that it was “great to be able to do this for the team.” She also noted that Washburn’s rec director does so much for the team that is was important for her daycare to help the Recreation Department in some way, and she hopes to be able to continue the tradition in the future.
Perham postmarks
The Perham Selectmen hold their regular meeting on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
The Perham Planning Board now meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 30 a.m. These hours will soon be going back to the 7 p.m. time, so check for postings. Additional Board members are still needed, and anyone interested is asked to call Deb Viola at 498-3433.
The Perham Grant Committee will be holding their first office meeting on Tuesday, August 14, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall on High Meadow Road. The Committee is headed up by Jan Grieco of Perham, and members include Debra Viola and Ray Wood. Any and all interested residents are welcome to attend the meetings and share input and ideas.
Perham residents are being notified of two household hazardous waste collection days, sponsored by NMDC. They will be held on Saturday, August 18, in Presque Isle, and Saturday, August 25, in Houlton. Special Notice: Perham residents may participate for free, but pre-registration prior to July 27 with NMDC was mandatory, and you must bring your permit with you on the day of the event. For registration and your permit, or for more information, contact Connie Bondeson at 498-8736.
Library bookmarks
On Friday, August 17, at 2 p.m. at the Washburn Memorial Library, special recognition will be given to Past Librarians Barbara Porter and Joyce Davis. They will be awarded the position of ‘honorary trustee’ by the Library Board of Directors. All are welcome to attend.
On Friday, August 17, at 5:30 p.m. there will be an Awards Program for the summer reading program that’s been ongoing this season. The event will include the awards and a hotdog roast.
On Wednesday, August 22, a dcrapbooking class for beginners will be held at the library at 6 p.m.
On Monday, July 23, the library held the “Solve It” Story Time. Karen Tompkins read the book “What’s Under My Bed;” Cheryle Matowitz read “Cranberry Mystery” and Librarian Kathy Corey read “Is Milton Missing?” Refreshments were served, and each child was also given a pair of giant feet to decorate so that they would be big-foot detectives.
Door-prize winners included: Valerie Flood, Braedon Campbell, Virginia Farley, Shiloh Matowitz, Victoria Savoy, Scott Flood, Mariah Campbell, Rebecca Savoy and Natalie Matowitz.
The Washburn Memorial Library Middle School Book Group met on July 30 and enjoyed a lively discussion on the story “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. The students had pizza and Kool-Aid and those in attendance were: Izia LoBue, Brooke LoBue, Kala Farley, Desiraie Rediker, Darbie Koch, Kolby Koch, Shanae Burtt and Mackenzie Worcester. The next book will be “Tuck Everlasting” and the group will be meeting on Monday, August 27, at 5 pm.
Elementary school start date
The first student day for Washburn District Elementary School will be on Tuesday, August 28, according to Superintendent of Schools David Lyon. A workshop for teachers will be held on Monday, August 27, at 8 a.m. in the elementary school cafeteria. Lunch will be served. New students may register for preK-8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the elementary school office.
The bus schedule will remain the same as last year. Hot lunches will be available beginning the first day of school at a price of $1 for preK-8 breakfast, $1.65 for grades 1-6 lunch, $1.75 for grades 7-8 lunch, $.30 for small milk, $.45 for large milk and $3.50 for adult meals.
Anyone having questions regarding the 2007-2008 school year may contact the Superintendent’s Office at 455-8301 or the elementary school office at 455-4504 during regular business hours.
Class of 1966 reunion
Washburn High School Class of 1966 (Forty + one) was delayed due to fellow classmate Dave Guerette’s being deployed to Iraq. He’s now home and the class will be meeting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, at Trailrunners Snowmobile Club in Washburn.
