Three more weeks June 23, 29 and July 3, 2013

July 3, 2013 

I just got in some breaking news that the-Down East Country Fest is coming to the Pines Events Center in Milbridge, Maine on Saturday, July 20^th 2013. 

    Artists include country music star and Render Records artist Lisa Torres.  Torres has had a very successful career and brings an impressive resume to Down East Country Fest. She has performed with many of the top country acts in the world, including backing vocals on Jason Aldean’s “My Kind Of Party”.  Along with Torres, Boston-based Miller’s English will be appearing at Down East Country Fest, as well as local favorites The Stillwaters Band and Milbridge’s own Tyler Openshaw. More artists are expected to be added to the line-up according to Caleb Paul. 
    Caleb Paul formerly of Addison, founder and promoter of Down East Country Fest, explains, “It is rare that Down East Maine has the opportunity to host such talented musicians.  We believe this will be the most talented line-up from beginning to end in the four-year history of Down East Country Fest.”
       Now in its fourth year, Down East Country Fest, sponsored in part by Machias Savings Bank, is an annual music event in Washington County, Maine.  It features a variety of music, including country, blues, bluegrass, and Americana.  Past performers have included Nashville recording artists Michael Peterson, Maine-native Johnny Hiland, Jason Sturgeon, and Andy Griggs.
      More information is available at www.downeastcountryfest.com  or contact: Caleb Paul at Phone: (207) 615-4140. This should be a great time in the community. 
       William Wallace Tabbot and his family came from Spartanburg, South Carolina for a few days to do some research on his ancestors the Tabbot family of Addison,. While here his family stayed at the Austin/Plummer Home in Addison. I met up with him and his family during the weekend and spent an enjoyable evening with him, his father Milton Tabbot, his wife Vicky, son William Jr., daughters Morgan and Caitlin on Sunday evening June 30th.William is another one of my Facebook friends doing genealogy in the area.
       William Wallace Tabbot and his family came from Spartanburg, South Carolina for a few days to do some research on his ancestors the Tabbot family of Addison. While here his family stayed at the Austin/Plummer Home in Addison. I met up with him and his family during the weekend and spent an enjoyable evening with him, his father Milton Tabbot, his wife Vicky, son William Jr., daughters Morgan and Caitlin on Sunday evening June 30th.William is another one of my Facebook friends doing genealogy in the area.
           I forgot to mention that at the 150 Celebration in Columbia Falls last week that a Signature Quilt made by the Pleasant River Grange #433, March 1906 was on display. The names on the quilt were of folks from this Pleasant River area. Another thing that Wilbur ‘Junior’ Grant of Columbia Falls was recognized as the oldest citizen of the town.
            While we were in Ellsworth we stopped by to visit with Huddy Peterson. She told me she loves to get cards and have visitors stop by.
      Tuesday evening I had a phone call from Fred Nash of Wisconsin who is in the area researching his Nash line. I was able to tell him where to find some of this information at the Mayhew Library and what books that could help him. I told him that a map was in the library that shows the lots of where the Nash families lived on the Ridge Road. Hopefully this will help him find what he wants.





     June 29, 2013. 

On Friday evening June 28 at the Union Hall, Columbia Falls, Maine Charles Plummer impersonating Civil War General Joshua Chamberlain and talking about the Civil War Volunteers from the towns of Columbia and Columbia was well attended. Carroll and I both enjoyed it his talk very much. 

Even though Saturday was a damp and rainy day, the 150^th celebration carried on their celebration all day and into the evening. What a great time it was, starting with the foot race and then the parade in the morning. As I was part of the DAR float I did not get to see what was in front of us to take photos of. I did take photos of the folks that lined the street which was a different perspective for me. Children of the area was surprised to see me on a float and called out to me as we went by. The DAR members were all dressed in their period clothing for the parade. I was the only one that stayed in period clothing all day. I got a taste of how the ladies had to dress in that area and at that early time of life. I wish there was a way one could go back in time and live for a day or a week to see how folks survived and they did or we would not be here today.  

      At the Union Hall a collection of historical items were on display. Richard Grant had one whole side with his items: a stand up wringer for clothes, a treadle sewing machine, a sewing container, a large rum bottle, utensils, powder keg, a Springfield Rifle and Bayonet 1849 and cartridge box, pewter ware, a wooden funnel, pudding mold, butter mold, candle box, spice box, old bottles and even some old traps, were just some of the items to be seen of his historical collection of the area.

      Philip Worcester’s displays were of old traps used to trap beavers, muskrat and bear, which our dad used when he was trapping animals. Philip also had a large fish net, a two person saw and other items that I can’t remember what they were called. 

      Alice Grants photos of Columbia Falls were on display from the Ruggles House, as well as the Ruggles Coat of Arms and also a ‘Cubs’ ball uniform was on display donated by John Tibbetts.

      Roberta Hammond had a nice display of items that were in her family from Columbia Falls.

      My display was of the Worcester genealogy showing the family of Moses Worcester of Pleasant River area and a collection of ‘Then and Now’ canning jars with an old 1875 cookbook loaned to me for this occasion. I had many folks stopping by my table to talk about their family history. One of them was another Facebook friend Ken Strout of Hermon, Maine on the Strout side.   On my table were the new 2014 calendars hot off the press of old businesses of the area as well as the 2013 calendars that are of school classes in the area.

       The artist that came to paint Columbia Falls for the day brought into the hall a wonderful selection of paintings of Columbia Falls. It was hard to say which one I would have had to choose to be the best. I enjoyed watching one young lady paint her picture in the hall all day.  If only I was as talented as the ones that chose to participate in this. 

      The ‘Paint Columbia Falls’ ladies, Ann, Jean, Ora, and Virginia spent the day at the hall to register the artist for the art show and auction.  

      We did not attend the dances Saturday evening but did hear that they were well attended and that the fireworks were great.

     Our daughter Diadem, her husband Jesse and grandson Asa Washburn of Boston came for a quick visit this past weekend also my granddaughters Jasmine and Brittany St. Pierre and their mother Kimberly of Carmel; they were here Sunday to help Master Konner Strout celebrate his birthday. Konner’s party was well attended with all of his relatives, friends and school mates. 

 

June 23, 2013

 Photo: Lorraine & Chris Thompson speakers at the Pleasant River Historical Society meeting.

Photo: Ronie Worcester Strout & Paulette Look Veit in the cellar hole of Moses and Diadem Worcester at Saco Village Columbia, Maine.

 

On Monday evening June 17 Pleasant River Historical Society had a meeting at the Cape Split Chapel with Lorraine and Chris Thompson as our guest speakers. They had a slide presentation of their mission trip to India.  The next meeting will be on July 15 with Ronnie Gray talking about Addison Businesses and it will be held at the Addison Town Hall. 

The 2013 & 2014 Pleasant River Historical Society Collectible Calendar’s will be on sale at the 150 Celebration June 29 in the Union Hall. I will have a few to sell there on Saturday. I also will be having a genealogy display at the Union Hall on Saturday on the Worcester’s of Columbia. 

I received my copy of the History of Columbia Falls by Gloria Allen Hayward. I was pleased to see several photos that I had donated. They were the Calithumpians postcard, a photo of my dad’s class 1926, my grandparents Leeman and Angie Grant and also the Indian River Water tank that has Eri Drisko in it. You can also get a copy of this book during the Celebrations on Saturday and Sunday from the committee members. 

We enjoyed a lovely dinner with our friends the Morrisons in Milbridge Saturday evening. 

The garden is still being planted; we have a few more things to get planted this week. 

My white roses, snowball bush, wisteria bushes, day lilies and my button bush are all in blossom. It sure does smell good around here. 

Rory Seesman has been in town at his family’s summer home for a week. I am sure he misses his parents being there. 

The buses of the district are being worked on at the garage; we should be all set when September comes. 

I have been doing some more genealogy with folks on line. I have heard from Roland Grant on what he has been learning about the Tucker family. He and his wife have just returned from Europe on searching out new information on the Tuckers. 

 Bob & Paulette Veit of New Hampshire are here for a week, they will be here for the 150^th Celebration for Columbia Falls. Over the weekend we all visited the cellar hole of Moses & Diadem Worcester’s homestead at Saco Village where our ancestors lived. Moses and Diadem were our two and three great grandparents. I enjoy sharing what I find on our history with her. 

 

 

 

 

       

 

           

June 16, 2013

 School is out for the summer, watch for children playing outside near a road, you never know when they will dart out in front of you.

On Thursday we ended the school year by having a district wide barbeque at Narraguagus High School.

Twenty four members attended Alcyone #71 Eastern Star meeting Thursday evening in Milbridge. A good time was had by all. We are planning on a bean supper for July 17 & September 7 at the Masonic Hall in Milbridge, mark this on your calendar. Another fund raiser for a Foodless Food Sale is ongoing with the chapter this month; if you are a member you will soon be receiving a little poem in the mail telling you all about it. Mark your calendar that there will be  a Craft Fair the first Saturday in November at the Columbia Falls Community building.

The Eastern Star Chapter Alcyone #71 of Milbridge prepared the meal for the Milbridge High School Alumni on Saturday afternoon. The workers for the afternoon were Madelyn Phinney, Becky Atwater, Clara Driscoll, Sylvia Joy and I.

We have had our grandson Konner Strout a few days since school let out and he sure has kept us busy. We visit the neighbor’s chickens and goats, go for walks in the woods and some quiet time spent in side with the little toys ie match box cars that his dad and uncles use to play with when they were his age. Konner loves to go to the attic to check out if there are any more hidden toys to play with.

I have been corresponding with folks on the Mayflower and DAR Groups this week. I have looked up information for several of them hoping they can join both societies.

Just was informed today that our neighbor that owned a summer home here on the ridge passed away in April. I had wondered why we had not heard or seen him this spring. Condolences go out to Allen Seesman's family of Elliot and Columbia, Maine. He will be missed.

Condolences also go out to the families of Pauline Perry of Gouldsboro and Harrington as well as to the families of Virginia Grant of Cherryfield.

 

 

 

June 9, 2013

 

The Pleasant River Historical Calendar is going to the printers this week, the theme for 2014 are old businesses in the towns of Columbia, Columbia Falls, and Addison.  We have plenty of 2013 calendars left if you would like to get one for a souvenir.

Summer vacation for the students of SAD #37 begins on Wednesday. Hopefully they have lots of ideas on how they will spend it. Eight graders will be graduating this week from all of the schools in the district.

While I have been out and about, I noticed that a lot of things are happening on the Ridge Road in Addison, a lot of construction work has been going on. Roofs being shingled or replaced, homes being spruced up with new paint, a new driveway being put in for a new home for Kimberly Taylor and her husband, gardens being planted, lawns freshly mowed, wood being sawed and split and delivered to folks for their winter supply, and then we have the flowering trees and shrubs showing their beauty off every day as they come into their bloom.  

On Tuesday June 4, the 6, 7, & 8 graders of Harrington had a field trip to Ellsworth to the bowling alley, and then we traveled to Lamoine Beach to enjoy the nice day before their lunch at Jordan’s Snack Bar. A good time was had by all.

Saturday evening I met up with another Facebook friend in Milbridge at the Morrison’s home. Paul Kirby of Jasper, Georgia, was here for the interment of his mother Verna Kirby on Tuesday of this week.

Get well to Huddy Peterson of Harrington, she has now been moved to the Collier's Rehab  & Nursing Center in Ellsworth. Cards can be sent to her at 33 Birch Ave., Ellsworth, Maine.

Out and About

June 1, 2013

 June 2, 2012

Condolences go to to the family of Barbara Libby of Columbia who passed away May 29, 2013. Around forty family and friends attended the service for Barbara at the Wescogus Cemetery in Addison on Sunday afternoon.

Get well wishes go out to the following folks: Eve Alley of Addison, Jason Carroll of Columbia, Huddy Peterson of Harrington and Mary Farnsworth of Cherryfield.

I have been working on the calendar for the Pleasant River Historical Society quite a lot this past week.  Some think that it is easy to do but I have had to do some research on the pictures that I am using and then fixing them so they will print out better for the calendar. I also have received some more photos of the area to use in the calendar that have been posted on my groups from Ernest MacLauchlan formerly of Addison.  It is really interesting connecting on Facebook and learning more about the history of Addison through photos that are being posted.

This past week Alan & Peggy Tabbut of Wisconsin was in the area doing research on the Tabbutt line. They stayed at the Llama Farm in Addison where I had a nice visit with them one evening. I sent them home with some Maine goodies for them to try. I knew them only through Facebook until I met up with them here in Addison. It felt like I had known them for year. Now I hear that another Facebook friend William Wallace Tabbot of Spartanburg, South Carolina will be coming to Addison to do some research on the Tabbot line at the end of June. I hope to be able to meet up with him while he is in the area.

There seems to be a lot of conversations on my genealogies groups: Pleasant River Historical Society Group, Washington County Pleasant River Group, and the Washington County Historical Genealogical Society Group. I am pleased that a lot of local photos of Addison are popping up and more and more of my ‘friends’ in the genealogy world are connecting. So much fun to connect with them and help them find out more information on their ancestors.

 

Out and About

Out and About

May 24, 2013

 

Here is an update on our friend Huddy Peterson of Harrington who is still in the hospital in Bangor. Huddy told me she is enjoying receiving the get well cards that are being sent her way. She is getting a lot of visitors and finding out what is happening in our area, so she is not missing out on the news. In fact she mentioned to me that Jason Carroll of Columbia had fallen and was in the hospital. Get well wishes go out to the both of them as well as to Joan Ramsay of Addison, who has been out of school for a while recuperating from a knee operation.

Pleasant River Historical Society held their monthly meeting at the Addison Town Hall on Monday evening with guest speaker Dr. Ben Treadwell speaking on health issues for seniors. Those folks that came out to listen to Dr. Treadwell were Arleta & Lee Grant, Jeannette Perry, Tim & Mary Thompson, Lorraine & Chris Thompson, Martha Treadwell, David Spaulding and I. 

On Wednesday evening, Carroll and I attended the Spring Concert at Harrington, our grandson Konner Strout was in it. The students at Harrington Elementary all did a great job singing. It was great to see all of the grandparents that were able to attend the program. Afterwards ice-cream sundaes were served to everyone which was a great hit for the students and others.

Thursday evening twenty two folks turned out to the Jonesport Historical Society. The guest speaker for the evening was Ed Flanagan, president and CEO of Jasper Wyman and Sons, Inc.  Wyman’s founded in 1874 and based in Milbridge produces and markets wild blueberry products and complimentary frozen berry products.  Refreshments served afterwards were made with blueberries and they all were delicious.

The Memorial Day Ceremony at Narraguagus High School was held Friday morning in the Charles F. Lawrence Gymnasium with all students from fifth to twelfth grades in the district attending. The guest speaker for the program was Gary Wilson of Addison who received a standing ovation for his speech.

I heard from my son Matthew St. Pierre of Etna that he is on vacation in Las Vegas for ten days. He should be so lucky he is there and not here with all of this cold and rainy weather we are having.

May 17, 2013

On Thursday I was in Orono with the Narraguagus track and team for their meet. While I waited for the team I visited with the Washington Academy bus driver that brought their team there. We got caught up on all the news since the last time we saw each other. It is always great to connect with friends while you are waiting around for a team at these meets.

This week I have been researching for information on the daughters of Virginia Worcester who married Theodore Mingo. Virginia grew up and graduated from Columbia Falls, she was the daughter of Earl and Beryl (Pennell) Worcester. The memorabilia room has a Junior Speaking trophy that was Virginia’s and they are looking for a school photo of Virginia to go with it.

I was able to track down one of the daughters Judie and we spoke on Sunday afternoon. I had a lovely talk with her and she said she would try and see if her sister might have a picture of their mother back then. Judie asked me how I was able to fine her and I said that I sent out my query via the internet to the genealogy groups that I belong to and received enough information to send a message to Judie via Facebook, and a connection was made. I must say it didn’t take that long to come up with the info that I needed.

Carroll and I traveled to Boston on Saturday with Michelle McLaughlin and Konner Strout both of Harrington to attend Asa Boothe Washburn’s first birthday party at his home in Boston. Asa is the son of Diadem and Jesse Washburn.  Over thirty friends and family came together to make his day special with a barbeque in the back yard of his home.

Get well wishes go out to Huddy Peterson of Harrington who is in Eastern Maine Hospital in Bangor. She fell at her house and broke some bones; she could use some cheering up and would love to get cards from her friends. I spoke with her Sunday evening and she said that she missed my short visits with her between bus runs. Her son Roger came from Florida to be with her for a few days. Cards can be sent to room 533 at Eastern Maine Hospital, Bangor, Me.

Condolences go out to the family of Gloria McKenney on their loss of their mother.  

  

Ronie Strout

To

•  

 

Columbia News July 20, 2012

On Saturday the 14^th my two cousins Becky Hall and Ruby Rogers of Corinth came to visit me in Addison on their way to their Look Reunion in Columbia Falls. Alas I was not home to receive them as I was in Massachusetts visiting my grandson Asa Washburn for a few weeks.

On Saturday in Massachusetts I had a visit from the former Jean Christian-Richardson of Addison, we went out to lunch and than visited her nephew Neal Christian surprising him and his family. A nice visit was had by all.

While I have been visiting my daughter and husband I have had the pleasure of meeting up with their friends for a Fishapalooza on July 15 in Weymouth, Massachusetts.

On Thursday July 19 we were guest of more friends Terrance and Tanya Jones of Allston, Massachusetts for a lovely meal and great conversation.

On July 20, my grandson turned two months old, doesn't seem possible he already has traveled across the United States to Minnesota and back by car.

Condolences go out to the following families, Ralph Pineo of Addison and Lindell Beal of Beal Island. Keep them in your prayers.

Clarice Garnett of Tibbettstown, Columbia Falls will be having special visitors for a few weeks, her sister Alma and husband from Australia will be staying with her. We hope they have a great visit to our area.

By the time this comes out Addison Days will be over as well as the Downeast Fest in Columbia Falls.

 

July 15, 2012

 

            On July 4^th Carrol and I joined Steve and Bunnie Plummer of Harrington, Abby Plummer, Caleb Norton, and Leslie Norton of Jonesboro for a picnic at Rogue Bluffs. On our way back home we stopped in Columbia Falls for an ice-cream to top off the day.

 

This past week I had another eye operation that I am now recuperating at home from. It is not looking good for me to have a vacation this summer, but maybe this too will pass and something good will come out of this for me.

            Thank you goes out to the Woodsum’s and Peterson’s for the meal they sent in to us. It sure does come in handy for something different to eat and not have to figure out what to get for a meal.

            I am reading books left and right on my kindle as it is the only thing I can do with my head having to be down all the time. Hopefully after my next appointment I can lift it up and see where I am going.

            Konner Strout of Harrington had a friend in for a play date on Saturday the 7th. He told me they played with his little cars and swam in his pool. He said he had lots of fun. On Sunday he came to visit with me a bit in the morning.

            Condolences go out to the families of John Driscoll of Columbia Falls, Richard Perry and Justin Thompson of Addison, Sue Leighton of Harrington, and Jared Dorr of Milbridge.

            Don’t forget the Downeast Country Fest at the Columbia Falls Gymnasium, Columbia Falls on Saturday July 21, starting at 7 pm. It will be a full night of music featuring Nashville Recording Artist Jason Sturgeon, Shannon Selig, Whiskey Project and Down East’s own Stillwater Band. Open to the public 21+ BYOB, $10.00 a ticket first come first served. For more information go to www.downeastcountryfest.com

•  
  July 4, 2012
   
              Kristen (Caler) Hernandez formerly of Addison and her husband Tim Hernandez of Charlotte, North Carolina attended Zebadiah and Molly Strout’s wedding in Minnesota along with the rest of us. I had left her name off the list from last week. .
              While we were in Minnesota for the week the weather stayed good for us.
              On Tuesday, June 26 after arriving at the airport in Minnesota we were taken to our final destination and left our luggage before going to Minnetonka Lake for a boat ride with the Ulku family and friends.. We enjoyed the trip stopping at one place where the younger folks went swimming by a sand beach and than another place for them to dive into the water. A good day was had by all.
              On Wednesday June 27 we met our grandson Asa Washburn for the first time, son of Diadem and Jesse Washburn of Dorchester, Massachusetts, at his Uncle Zeb’s apartment in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
              In the evening along with the Ulku family we all met at Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill for dinner and dancing. Konner Strout my grandson did some break dancing for us and also enjoyed meeting one of the band members. The radio station that was there had everyone sing to him happy birthday and his name was drawn where he received a CD from them.
              Thursday we spent the day helping the Ulku family get ready for the groom’s Maine dinner being held at their house in the evening. The groom Zebadiah Strout had lobsters flown in from Beals Island, Carroll made a potato salad and I made blueberry pies to go along with corn on the cob we got from the farmers market in town.
              The wedding day June 29 came upon us to fast, and after arriving at Olympic Hills, Eden Prairie Golf Club where we found a beautiful setting for the bride and groom to be married. We knew that it was finally happening our son was getting married to a beautiful girl, Molly Ulku.
              On Saturday I went with my granddaughters to the Mall of America so they could shop, I must say, I really don’t need to go again, I have seen it, been there, and done that.
              Sunday came, and we off to the airport for the trip home.  We made it home by two in the afternoon, tired, but glad to be back in Maine.

 

Columbia News June 23, 2012

 

Condolences go out to the family of Lola Savage Ingersoll. She died May 3, 2012 in Veazie, Me.  Lola “Lorie” was born September 14, 1923 to Lola (Wallace) & Guilford Savage of Columbia, Me.; she graduated from Columbia Falls High School class of 1942.  She and her husband Elliott Ingersoll just celebrated their 70 wedding anniversary in January. She is survived by her children Priscilla Bird and husband Kent of South Portland and Michael E. Ingersoll and wife Iona of Brewer, Me., four grandchildren, five great grand children, and seven great-step-grandchildren, her brother Guy Savage of Cousins Island and several nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed. Her husband Elliott Ingersoll has had to move to the Woodlands, 53 Colonial Circle, Brewer, Me. 04402 and would enjoy getting cards from folks there.

            On Monday the 18^th I traveled to Bangor and Ellsworth for two doctor appointments, which made a long day for us.

            Cathy Fonda, Tim & Mary Thompson, Lee & Arleta Grant, Jeannette Perry, Tony& Dalaine Grant, Susannah Doolittle, and my self attended the Pleasant River Historical Society meeting held at the Addison Town Hall Monday evening. The guest speaker was Christine Alexander of Udder View Farm, Columbia, Maine who demonstrated making goat cheese. She also had samples for us to try.  The next meeting will be July 16 with speakers Lloyd Jordan & Everett Grant on salt marsh dikes.

            The 2013 calendars have gone to the printers and will be on sale during Addison Days. You will also be able to find them at the town office in Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, and other businesses in the area.

            Konner Strout celebrated his fifth birthday early on Saturday June 23, 2012 with friends and family at his home in Harrington.      

               

.June 17, 2012

            On Tuesday I was finally able to get out that evening and be one of the ballot clerks for the town, it did not take us long to count the ballots for the Primary Election with the small turnout that we had. It seems good to be doing something after lying around for a week, doing nothing but read books and watch the day go by.

            Now that school is out watch out while driving as the children are out and about on their bikes here on the ridge. It is good to see them outside playing in the good weather we are having.

                        We attended the Cherryfield Public Supper on Wednesday evening, June 13,  before going to our grandson’s Nursery School graduation. It does not seem possible that these children are old enough to start school in the fall. The Weald Bethel Chapel was standing room only with all of the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles attending the ceremony. The graduates sang two songs for us; ABC’s and Little Bird with The Yellow Bill before receiving their diploma and medal. Congratulations go out the graduates: Cody Leighton, Gabreal Perry, Jacob Dorr, Emma Parker, Ava Gaudette, Konner Strout and Zackary Ray.          On Thursday the end of the year party for the Narraguagus Nursery School ended with a gathering of all that had attended this year with a luncheon with lots of great food brought in by the parents and grandparents.

            Our son Zebadiah Strout along with Matthew Pounder was here in the area for a couple of evenings this week.  Zebadiah was here for his bachelor party that was being held in New Hampshire Friday evening. It was great seeing them even if it was for a short period of time.

            The entire employees of SAD #37 were treated to an end of the year barbeque on Friday June 15 at Narraguagus High School. Recognitions were given out to employees that had been working for the district for 20 years and up. Congratulations go out to Alfred Moore being the only employee that is still working in the district for 47 years as a teacher and now as a bus driver.

            On Friday evening we were guest at Steve and Jan Morrison’s in Milbridge along with Peter Sawyer , June and Harry Rolfe with good conversation and some fine dining to boot.

            I was unable to attend the Milbridge Alumni with my husband on Saturday; I heard they had a nice turnout to it anyway.

            Carroll heard from all of his children on Sunday wishing him a great Father’s Day. He enjoyed going out to eat at the Seafood Shack here in Columbia.

            Get well wishes still go out to Muriel Grant who has returned home from the hospital and is recuperating.

            Condolences go out to Beatrice and George Hammond, Frances Korord and Anita Trahan-White families. Their families will surely miss them.

            The Friends of the Church on the Hill here in Addison will be having a spaghetti public supper on the 22 at the Addison Town Hall. They are selling tickets on a queen size quilt made by Lillis Norton, which can be bought from any of the friends, Lillis Norton, Terry Grant, Jeannette Perry; they sell one for a dollar or six for five dollars.

            Congratulations to Zachary and Tiffany Strout of Harrington celebrating their 6^th wedding anniversary on June 24^th.

    

June 10, 2012

            This week has been trying for me, on Sunday I headed for the hospital and on Monday I had my gall bladder out. Not a fun time for me.

            Even though I haven’t been out and about I know that Donaleen Chandler celebrated her 70^th birthday on Saturday June 9 in Jonesport with her family, and a family gathering was held at Ronald and Charlene Gray’s home on June 10^th in Addison. Of course I was unable to attend these gatherings due to my problems. I did travel to my granddaughter’s graduating party at her home in Carmel on Saturday afternoon that got me out of the house this week. Jasmine turned 18 on the 2^nd and graduated on the 9^th from Hermon High School. She will be attending University of Orono in the fall.

            Paulette Veit of New Hampshire stopped by for a visit while in the area this weekend.

            A family gathering was held for Donald & Peggy Grant of Addison this weekend to celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary.

            Congratulations also to Michelle and David McLaughlin on celebrating their 6^th wedding anniversary on the 10^th.

            My husband has had to do some replanting in the garden this weekend as some of the seed did not germinate with all of the wet weather we have had.

            Keep Ralph Pineo of Addison in your prayers, he came home the other day from the hospital.

            Happy birthday to Michael Gray of Columbia Falls, he will be 10 on June 14^.

            Just a quick note the Union Church in Columbia is no longer available for the people of the town for use. It sure does put the migrant folks in a pickle for the thrift shop for the summer blueberry harvest season with no notice to them. It is too bad we will lose the building now; it seems no one wants to do anything to keep it up. It is a puzzle to me how the selectmen have decided they will take it over when they won’t do anything to save the church building. They say it is unfit to use. I see the end is near; it will be razed instead of saved just like the other church was. I have tried ever since my mother passed away to keep the society going and that fizzled out as no one wanted to do anything as I was involved with it but yet they talked like I was to do it all by myself.

            I did all of the work on getting it put on the National Register of Historical Places in 1997 and in 2000 I had the church repaired with the help of a program thru the Washington County inmates of  Machias. Not one person in the town appreciated it or came by to help.

            Cemetery stones were once seen just a few rods  west of the church building as I am told was where the black people were buried now long gone under the vegetation that has grown up around them.

            Our ancestors came to Columbia and settled here, if it was not for them we would not be here. This church, this building was built in 1829 where our ancestors came to worship, to marry and to lay their love ones to rest a part of our history will be lost forever if this building is razed. No one cares anymore about preserving history, our history that brought us to where we are today.

June 3, 2012

           

            Two more weeks of school, and then the students will be out for summer vacation; that is if it will ever warm up around here to be summer.                                                                         

            On May 31^st all of the eighth graders in the district traveled to “The Forks” for their class trip. They did whitewater rafting and paint balling while there. After spending the night in cabins they traveled to the Bangor Mall for some shopping, then onto Trenton to the Water Park for several hours before returning to Harrington. They were joined in the activities at “The Forks” with Jonesport eighth graders on Thursday. All of the students had a great time.

            Steve and Jan Morrison have returned to their cottage in Milbridge for the summer.

            Julie Swan of New Hampshire spent a few days with Dick and Molly Woodsum before returning to her home in New Hampshire.

            I just received word that Beals Historical Society is hosting a Gospel Talent Show on Saturday June 9^th, at 6:30pm, at the Beals Gym.

            Prom night was held at Narraguagus High on Saturday evening. I saw some photos of the girls all dressed up in their dresses, they were all beautiful.

            My granddaughter Jasmine St. Pierre will be graduating from Hermon High this coming Saturday. It doesn’t seem possible that she is all grown up; seems like yesterday she was a baby.

 

 

 

 

May 20, 2012

 

            Welcome to our family, Asa Boothe Washburn son of Diadem & Jesse Washburn born at 9:37 a.m on May 20, 2012 , 7 lbs. 14 oz, 21 inches. Asa was named for his fifth great grandfather Asa Tucker. I am anxiously waiting to see some photos of him as soon as they get home from the hospital.

            The next public presentation of the Jonesport Historical Society will be held this Thursday May 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport. President Donald Woodward will present a PowerPoint slide show called “Very Old Jonesport News”.

            On Monday May 14^th, Roberta Hammond and I were in Bangor for my doctor’s appointment and also did a little shopping before returning home.

            On Thursday I took the Narraguagus High Track Team  to Orono for their meet. It was a long night for all of us.           

            We attended the benefit supper Friday evening in Columbia, a great turn out of folks supporting the Church family. As usual the food was great.

            On Saturday I attended the T-Ball game of my grandson Konner, the team is improving every day. They are all so cute in their uniforms.   

            Al Moore of Columbia Falls is now back home after his operation. Get well wishes go out to him and Fred Prince. We do miss the both of them as it makes us short on bus drivers for the district.

            My granddaughter Jasmine St. Pierre had her Senior Prom Saturday evening, I have seen some photos of her and her friends all dressed up. It does not seem possible that she is graduating this year.

            I have noticed while I have been out and about that everyone is working in their gardens getting them prepared and planted. We started this weekend on ours. We are now enjoying fresh asparagus from ours as well as rhubarb.

            Allen Seesman was home awhile ago on the Ridge Rd for a few days.

            While driving through Columbia, I noticed a lot of rock picking is being done on blueberry land. This sure does change the scenery but it does make the land easier for the growers to get at their berries.

           

May 13, 2012

Harrington’s T-Ball Team two, the Pirates

            Just a reminder not to forget  the benefit supper for the Church family on Friday May 18, 2012 at the Columbia Town Hall from 5 pm to 8 pm.

            We have been enjoying some fresh smelts this week. It is always nice to get them in the spring. You can’t beat it for a meal off the land along with the vegetables that we raise in our gardens. No additives are allowed in my canning process unlike what you find at the grocery store. This week has been great, one meal was a moose meat stew , with all vegetable in it from our garden, one was moose meat steak with dandelions and of course several meals with the fresh smelts.  We don’t have to go to the grocery store; we just go to our basement for our food. Bon appétit

            On Saturday May 12, we attended our grandson Kenner’s first T-Ball game at Milbridge. He plays on the Pirates second team in Harrington. The teams were so cute in their t-shirts and hats playing ball and all looked like little munchkins. It was hard to recognize them out on the field unless you saw their names on their shirts as they all looked alike. Doesn’t seem possible that Konner is old enough to play ball and that he will start school in the fall. When we arrived at the field one of the coaches remarked about how many folks had turned out for the game. He did not realize that not only the parents were there but all of the grandparents were too.  As grandparents we also remarked that we had attended the games of our children many years ago and now meeting up with each other watching our grandchildren play. We all thought that once our children were out of school we were done going to and foe to games and planning our schedule around them. Boy was we wrong.

            Saturday afternoon I attended the DAR meeting in Machias at the Burnham Tavern, and afterwards stayed to help with the Mother’s Day Tea that we had there. We had over thirty turn out to this event. One special display for the Tea was the Victorian Wedding dress that my daughter Diadem (Strout) Washburn made for her wedding in 2010.

            This week I have been retyping some history of Pleasant River that I found. Some of the articles were written for the Moses Worcester Historical Society back in the 40’s and 50’s. Then the author really began to do some more research on this area and found a lot more information that I have found to be interesting. So far I have read about the area in the Revolution, how the deeds came about for this wilderness land, some town affairs, and especially about Levi Leighton store at Epping Lower Corner. One paper was about three episodes that happened at Pleasant River: The First Settlers, The Land Lottery and the Bingham Purchase, and Squatters’ Rights. The papers are old and some are hard to read so I am retyping them for others to enjoy this history. If I get lucky I will also add some pictures to this information to share.

 

Out and About

 

May 12, 2013

Fifteen members of Alcyone #71 Milbridge and two members of Irene # 97 of Ellsworth attended the Eastern Star stated meeting Thursday evening in Milbridge. A Mother’s Day program was given to recognize all mothers. We were glad to have Madelyn and Charlie Phinney back with us from their winter resident in Florida.  Refreshments were served after the meeting. Another great evening was had by Star friends.

The graveside service for Susie (Tucker}, Leighton, Brewer was held Friday morning at the Greenwood Cemetery in Milbridge, and afterwards all attended the gathering at 44 Degree North Restaurant in Milbridge, Maine for a luncheon.

I had a nice call from Dr. Benjamin Carr of Hancock asking about the house that he own at one time on the dike in Addison. He wanted to know if there was any way he could see the pictures that I took of it. He connected with me on Facebook and was able to see all of the pictures. He also told me a bit about the history of that house. It started out as a dance hall at Ripley Point in Harrington, then was moved to a spot on Church Hill Lane and used to raise turkeys. Later it was moved to the dike, and was sat up as a clam shop and worm business. Later Bryon Lamson a carpenter of Addison put a pitch roof on it to make it into a home for Dr. Carr. He told me that he had the best house on the dike. Well, yes of course, it was the best house as it was the only one there at the time. He was very sad to hear that it had burned.

I received a letter form Florence (Crowley) Mayne formerly from Addison recently. She and her husband Robert Mayne Sr. will be celebrating their 50^th Wedding Anniversary on June 16, in Browns Mills, New Jersey where they live. They were married in the Addison Methodist Church in 1963.

 Florence is the daughter of the late Lawrence and Gladys Crowley of the Ridge Road in Addison and granddaughter of Neil and Pheobe (Joy) Plummer.

Florence and Robert have two children Sarah Ann (Mayne) Smith and husband Daniel of New Jersey, and Robert Mayne Jr. of Elmira, New York. They have two granddaughters and six great grandchildren.

If you wish to send a card to wish them a happy anniversary, their address is 412 Chippewa Trail, Browns Mills, NJ  08015 or give them a call at 1-609-893-7313.

I had a nice Mother’s Day; we enjoyed a meal on Friday evening at 44 Degree North Restaurant in Milbridge. I received two plants and a gift card to buy one at a local florist shop along with cards and phone calls from my children. I also had a nice mess of smelts brought in to me.

This weekend I was able to get some fiddle head greens to put in my freezer for the winter. I took inventory of one of my freezers and found that I still have plenty of fiddleheads and strawberries to use up. I guess we did not eat as much as I thought out of that freezer. It sure looks empty, so we  must of ate something.  Won’t be long before we start planting the garden and decide on what we need to plant for the winter supply.

OUT AND ABOUT

The kindergarten, first and second grades of D W Merritt, Addison Elementary School enjoyed their visit to the Children Discovery Museum in Bangor on Tuesday April 30. Some of them were even on the news that evening.

On Wednesday Mary Alice Look, Roberta Hammond and I were in Machias helping to get the Burnham Tavern cleaned and ready to open for the season. There will be a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday May 11 in the afternoon from 2 to 4 PM.

On Saturday, I attended the Cherryfield Quilt show held at the Cherryfield Academy building. There were lots of nice quilts and it was hard to choose which one was the best. I choose them all, but alas had to pick one that stood out to me as the best on there. Afterwards I ventured to the small Cherryfield Library to check it out and to see what they had for genealogy material. One of these days I would like to go again and document all that is there. I did take some photos of the inside, to post on Facebook in a couple of groups that I belong to.

On Sunday afternoon, the home of Linda Smith at 490 Ridge Rd on the dike in Addison burnt down. Thank goodness no one was to home but the sad thing is that she had just left this morning to be away for a few months in her camper. Hopefully someone will be able to reach her and let her know what has happened.

Mary Farnsworth our town office assistant is in the hospital, cards would be welcome, her room number at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Me is 388.

Children Discovery Museum, Cherryfield Quilt Show, Fire at Addison.

I have one of those spring colds, which just won’t give up. On these nice days I actually wanted to be outside working in the yard, instead of lying around.

Out and About Jan. 2013 to Apr 28, 2013

OUT AND ABOUT

 

Columbia News 2013

 

 January 5, 2013

 

            We got more than enough snow in this last storm on top of the foot we already had. If we get anymore it will be hard to find a place to push it in our yard.

            Prayers go out to my cousin Rebecca Grant Hall of Corinth who is in the hospital in South Carolina for an operation. Get well wishes to all those that are sick in the area; our postmaster has been out of the post office due to illness and Terry Grant is in the hospital are just a few that I know of.

            Condolences go out to the family of John Sims of Mason Bay Rd, Jonesport who passed away recently. He will be missed; I got to know him through scouting years ago when my children were in it.

            School is back in session after the holidays. The students on my bus are glad to be back to school to socialize with their friends. 

            While driving the bus this week we saw an eagle in a tree on School Street and we usually see deer on the Ridge Rd and on the West Side Rd every day. One student said he saw a six point buck in his yard and wished it was still hunting season.

            A few folks have been trying to find solid ice to go ice fishing. Hopefully they all will be careful out on the ice.

            Saturday December 29th my son Matthew St. Pierre and his daughter Jasmine came for a visit, it is always nice to have them drop by for a bit.

            This week I have been corresponding with George Sawyer of Biddeford via the computer on genealogy.  I think it is wonderful that he knows how to use the computer to be in touch with his family. Mr. Sawyer is related to me on the Columbia Worcester side. I have chatted with him on the phone so got to know him a bit better.

            I did not make any New Year Resolutions; I just will continue to work on organizing my genealogy room and find more relatives to correspond with.

 

January 12, 2013

 

Photo of First timers at the Public Supper in Cherryfield
On Saturday evening January 5, we attended the public supper at the Narraguagus Snowmobile Cub in Cherryfield. At our table were Jack Gray and Doreen of Ellsworth, Randy and Joanne Gray of Brewer and first timers John and Wendy Haley and their daughter Kim Ripley of New York.  We all enjoyed socializing with the first timers at our table who had never been to a public bake bean supper before. They were here over the holidays staying in Milbridge.

On Tuesday I returned a bus to Old Town and picked up my bus that had been in the shop for repairs. I am glad that I have my bus back finally: we enjoyed a quick meal at Governor`s Restaurant.

Wednesday evening I drove the Lady Knights to Machias for their game where they lost by a few points.

PRAYERS and well wishes go out to Barbara Libby of Columbia and Rebecca Grant Hall, they are both home from the hospital..

Belated birthday wishes go out to my brothers:  Thomas Worcester on January 12 and John Worcester on January 14.

This week I have been contacted via Facebook from a man from New York who is related to all the Worcester’s in Columbia. He wanted to know if I had any information on his family as he didn't know any Worcester’s. Did I have news for him? I let him know that I could help him as well as that I was distantly related to him and that he had a close cousin with the same name on his father's side. I also told him I had photos of his grandparents that I would share with him and that I would connect him to his two second cousins he said he did not know of and their families. 

Isn't it wonderful that we can connect via the internet these days and find more family?

 

January 19, 2013

Columbia News

Worcester Family Tree photo:

On Saturday January 12, the Narraguagus Cheerleaders came in third place at the Cheering competition in Calais out of the five teams that competed. It was a long day as we had to leave early in the morning. The cheerleaders again competed in the competition at Sumner High School this past Saturday; they will go onto Bangor at the end of the month.

On Sunday the 13^th, Mary Snowdeal, Maureen Healy and I traveled to Ellsworth to see the movie Les Miserables at the Maine Coast Cinema. I have not been to a movie here for a very long time as usually we go to the Milbridge Theater.

I finally got my computer on Monday and have been trying to learn the new display and Windows 8 on it. I sometimes think it would be easier to just stick with the older computer but that died finally. Why can’t the companies stick with one program and not keep changing it every time you turn around. Change does take time for us older folks.

Get well wishes go out to Allen Grant of Columbia Falls, and Barbara and Roger Libby of Columbia. A lot of folks have been sick with the cold virus, I have not heard of the flu in the area.

Condolences go out to the family of Mary Thompson of Cape Split of Addison; she will be missed

On Wednesday we had a half day of school due to the storm that we got. The roads were very slippery when we took the students home and I for one was glad to get back in my yard with the bus.

On Saturday we had errands to do in Ellsworth, and afterwards we saw the movie Django at the Maine Coast Cinema.

On Sunday seven members of the Pleasant River Historical Society met at the home of Tim and Mary Thompson, Cape Split, Addison. Those that attended the business meeting were: Mary and Tim Thompson, Cathy Fonda, Ronie Strout, Arleta and Lee Grant, Ronnie Gray and Jeannette Perry. We discussed what we are having for upcoming programs. If anyone has an idea or want to present something for us we would love to hear from you. We are looking for photos for our 2014 calendar of businesses in the Pleasant River area, we would love to have one of Pineo Mill, the mill down town Columbia Falls, Blueberry factories in Columbia Falls, the Country Kitchen in Columbia, and others that we can find.

I have been working on genealogy in my spare time, one of the items are putting photos of a family in the area on a page. I can usually get at least three to four generations on the paper. I have done one Worcester family tree with photos of Moses Worcester 3^rd gravestone and his wife Diadem Smith on one side and on the other side Daniel Worcester and his wife Keziah Smith’s gravestone down to Ronie and Ralph Worcester .The one with the Ingersoll family has Governor William Ingersoll, his wife and seven of their children down to Arnold Ingersoll of Columbia Falls. I will have to use gravestones to fill in the ones that I don’t have a real photo of. All in a day’s work done when I can print it off on photo paper.

 

 

 

Columbia News

January 26, 2013

Photo of Arnold Ingersoll family;

 

Wow what a cold week we have had here in the area, we had minus 12 one day here on the Ridge Road.  Thank goodness we have a Union Crawford black iron cook stove in the kitchen and the coal stove in the main part of the house. We kept warm but that wind wanted to blow us right off the ridge. You know you live in an old house when the wind blows in the winter. Right chilly it is at times.

.  Hopefully the temperature will be a little warmer in the coming week for us and the wind will die down.

The buses in the district have had break downs during this cold spell but with our own special mechanic Russell Grant has been keeping up with repairs for us. I especially want to thank him for fixing the heater in my bus when I lost all the heat one morning.

Monday we were in Bangor for several doctor appointments, and we enjoyed having lunch at the Olive Garden. I had a couple of gift cards to use up so it did not cost us anything to eat out. In the evening I attended the meeting of the 150 year celebration of Columbia Falls along with twelve other folks that turned out. The festivities are coming along with all of the planning they are doing. I am marking my calendar so I won’t forget the dates.

Prayers and get well wishes go out to Roger and Barbara Libby of Columbia, Rebecca Hall my cousin, Betty Hammond and all the other folks that are under the weather. I heard the other day that some folks have the flu, but so far all I have had is the cold virus that is going around.

Birthday wishes go out to the following folks:  Jan. 28, Grace Peterson, Jan. 29, Barbara Libby, Feb 1, Bruce Worcester and Jacob McLaughlin; Feb. 3, Susan Plummer Norton; and Feb. 5, Calista Morrill and Nona Cirone. I hope they all have a great day.

Condolences go out to the family of Lucille “Pineo” Pttman of Hackett, Arkansas. Lucille was the daughter of Fred and Shirley Pineo of Columbia Falls.

Sunday afternoon eleven folks turned out at the Columbia Falls Community Building to learn how to create a costume for the 150 Birthday Celebration in the Civil War era out of what you already have in your closet. Interesting ways to adapt what you already have in your closet was demonstrated by Roberta Hammond.

Don’t forget the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club’s public supper on February 2, at the Cherryfield Club on the Ridge Road. The supper starts at 5:30 p.m., hope to see you there.

 

Feb. 3, 2013

Photo of Hilda & Calvin Hooper with Lillian Sawyer and Orrin Worcester.

It seems when you are looking for something you cannot find it when you want it; but it always show up later on when you are not looking for it. This week I have been going through some papers and photos on the family and low and behold I found an answer that I have wondered about. A while ago last year, a lady in Bucks Harbor called me and told me she had some stuff for me that belonged to my Aunt Hilda Worcester who had married Calvin Hooper of there. A small Brag Book was one of the items that I received, in that book were several photos of her taken in 1932 & 1962 along with her wedding picture on 31 August 1935, her family home, her and husband’s home, a picture of the camp in Wesley, their dog Penny, and a photo of her husband. In the wedding photo I recognized my father Orrin Worcester as best man but could not identify the maid of honor.  I finally found the answer to this when I found the write up of their wedding in clippings that were given me a few years ago by another relative.  So now I know the rest of the story. Miss Lillian Sawyer was the maid of honor and my dad was best man to Hilda and Calvin Hooper.

I will be sharing the entire write up on the Columbia Falls Record http://www.columbiafallsmerecord.org/History_Snippets.php in the near future. This is when the write up included everything about what took place and a list of who attended the wedding.
            A lot of folks will be celebrating their birthdays in the coming days they are;  Richard Paul and Jean Christian-Richardson on Feb. 6; Ronie Strout, Roger Libby, Virginia Tibbetts, Doris Joy and Jack Gray on Feb. 8; Betty Jordan on Feb. 9, Tracy Ramsay and Dave Balwin on Feb 10, and, Chub Dowling on Feb. 11.

Condolences go out to Rebecca Davis family of Cherryfield on her passing. I also heard that Steve Morrison’s aunt Verna Brackett Kirby passed away at the age of 99 years and 5 month. She was a very nice lady and I am sure the family will miss her. She was the daughter of Mary Wallace and Vernon Brackett of Milbridge, Maine.

Carroll and I were guests at the home of Chuck and Roberta Hammond Friday evening. Good food and great conversations during the evening, we tried to solve the world problems.

Prayers and get well wishes are extended to Betty Hammond, Barbara & Roger Libby, Dawnette Robbins, Rebecca Hall and all others that are under the weather that could use some cheering up.

 

 

February 9, 2013

 

Photo: ‘Pistol’ Pete Mellilo and Jeff ‘Giggles’ Britton of Vermont reading the Machias Valley News Observer in Massachusetts.

 

The 2013 Blizzard Nemo should be over by the time this comes out in the news. We will be plowed out and back to normal as normal can be. I watched the news about the blizzard, and thought when I was a small child we had a huge snowstorm, I guess it could have been a blizzard, cause we were snowed in for a week.  I remember the electricity was out and the snow plow man Stillman Dyer of Jonesport got stuck just below our house in a huge drift. He had to crawl on his hands and knees over the snow to get to our house. He remained with us for the whole week until the roads were dug out with big equipment. His plow truck was buried in the snow and I think it was a back hoe that probably removed the snow to get that truck out.

 During the days of that week my siblings and I would be out digging tunnels in the snow, making snow forts and sliding in the back field; in other words just having a good time.

I know that the meals at our house  during the week was probably at least one made from what was put up in the cellar; a menu of  canned deer meat, mashed potatoes, green beans and hot biscuits that my mother would cook up. Mr. Dyer told her he enjoyed being stuck for a week with us because of the food. After supper if we didn’t have popcorn cooked on top of the wood stove we would have apples from the cellar that my dad had put down for the winter. It was fascinating to watch dad peel an apple as he would do it so it was one long peel. To this day I cannot peel an apple in one long peel.   A lot of evenings we would play a hand of 83 a card game with dad, or cribbage at the kitchen table. In the living room we always had a game of monopoly going at the card table with my siblings.

We didn’t have to worry about heat when the electricity was out because we had a wood heater in the dining room and the cook stove in the kitchen and we always had a wood shed filled with wood that dad had cut and processed for the home. When it was really really cold my sisters and I would gather around the heater stove and play with our paper dolls and my brothers with their matchbox cars. Those are the good old days!

On another note I was visiting the other day with my next door neighbors and they told me that their son Caleb Paul loves getting the local weekly newspaper the Machias Valley News Observer. He lives in an apartment in Newton, Massachusetts along with two roommates ‘Pistol’ Pete Mellilo of Colchester, Vermont and Jeff ‘Giggles’ Britton of Norwich, Vermont. Caleb met them while at Bryant University where they did cross country together.

 Caleb reads the local news to them especially the Harrington News by Huddy Peterson and of course the Columbia News by me. These boys just can’t believe that this is a real paper and has this kind of local news in it. On top of this that Caleb knows all the folks that we write about. It looks like we have some new fans for our local weekly paper and just maybe they will come for a visit sometime and see the rest of the story.

Back to the past, my dad always called this paper as the’ Sink Spout’ paper, why I don’t really know, but he always was saying he loved getting the Sink Spout on Thursdays to read. I imagine because it contained the local dribbles of news in our towns.  Bedsides the ‘Sink Spout’ he also subscribed to the Bangor Daily News, the Ellsworth American and then later years the Downeast Coastal Press. He enjoyed reading all of these papers for the news of the area. Dad was not much on television, I don’t think he ever watched a program, but once in a while he would listen to the news or watch a basketball game during the tournament week in February. If the teams were not on television he would listen to them on the radio. 

I received a call from my daughter in Boston and they have gotten a lot of snow from the blizzard. She said she had not lost her electricity and that it was still blowing and drifting there on Saturday. In talking with her I found out my grandson Asa just figured out how to crawl with his knees. He has been doing commando crawling with his arms; plus he is pulling himself up and getting from one item to another, so it won’t be long before he will be walking by himself. Doesn’t seem possible he will be nine months old on the 20^th.  I can’t wait to go for a visit during school vacation to visit with him. 

One of our bus drivers Lori Mathews have been out of work this past week because of the flu, she hopes to feel better and be back driving on Monday.

Prayers so out to the Crocker family of Centerville on the loss of their home on Saturday morning to a fire.

Those that will be celebrating a birthday in the coming week are: Dea Peterson on the 13^th, Lanie Perry on the 14^th, Derek Hawes on the 15th, Valerie Worcester and Chucky Peterson on February 17.

There is a lot of sickness in the area, what with the flu and a few folks are in the hospital with major problems, I wish them all get well wishes and hope they all will be up and about soon.

 

The rest of the story"".....Still windy and snowing here. my husband is baking marafax beans for supper so it smells good here. All I have done is check emails facebook and getting the news out today. I have not been out as the mail was canceled because of the storm. It is a good day to stay in and read or watch tv. We have not had any power outage here so that is good. I hope all the rest of you on the East Coast makes it through the Blizzard of 2013 okay. Take care.. Ronie

 

Feb 15, 2013

 

The other day I realized I had been side track all day in getting things done. I went  upstairs to get one item that I needed in the morning and by the time I got back down stairs it was afternoon.    I had gone through some boxes and decided to organize some of the items; of course this led me to another and another box. I had picked over and sorted a whole lot of ‘stuff’. I did end up getting rid of some things. I must say this is a never ending project when you are into genealogy. One item that I did find was an article that my aunt had saved in her things on my uncle Oswald Worcester when he was overseas in the service.

My Uncle Oswald Worcester was an honorable man and was recognized by this write up in a local paper many years ago.

Two Years Overseas With Engineer Unit

ATA USAAF  Airfield in Italy –Recently celebrating two years overseas with an outstanding engineer aviation battalion was Tec. 5 Oswald L. Worcester , Columbia.

More extraordinary than most, have been the experiences of these GIs. Since sailing from a U. S. Port early in 1943, they have traveled three quarters of the way around the globe covering a distance of more than 20,000 miles.  They are one of the few outfits to boast continuous overseas service in two theaters of war, with operations extending to five continents.

It was in North Africa in the spring of 1943, they discovered that their months of desert training at Camp Young, Cal., had not been in van.  Carving runways out of the soft sands, they saw swarms of bombers heading northward to deal out lethal blows that were to reduce Italy into submission.  One morning, Liberators which had been practicing peculiar hedge-hopping tactics for a month on a miniature city that unit had built, set out on the now historic Ploesti raid that threw the wrench into Hitler’s smooth-running war machine.  Their outfit received personal commendation from the Commanding General of the Mediterranean Theater.

Shortly after the surrender, the battalion was constructing a new bridge of airfields spanning Italy from which our bombers and fighters blasted away at enemy- held territory.

Last summer they completed one of their most important and confidential assignments.  On a site north of Rome, within range of Nazi guns, they converted a mine-cleared wheat field into a temporary base from which huge transport glided into the sky bearing troops to the newly-occupied coastline of Southern France. 

Recently they were cited by General Eaker, chief of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, for sustaining and promoting every phase of operation in the Mediterranean Theater.

Oswald lived in Connecticut for a few years before returning home to Columbia for the rest of his life.

Wednesday I was in Bangor with one of the buses for needed repairs, and then on Thursday evening I drove the Harrington basketball team to Beals for their playoffs for the junior high students. This will wrap up the junior high games and then peewee games will start soon.

This week is school vacation and I will be traveling to Boston to visit with my grandson Asa  and his family and praying that we don’t get a snow storm at the end of the week when I will be coming back home. I really hope the temperature will be up while I am there.

Birthdays coming up:  Priscilla Kennedy and Andrew McLaughlin on Feb 20, and Dick Woodsum on the 23^rd of Feb.

 

 

 

February 23, 2013

 

I spent a lovely week in Boston visiting with my grandson Asa during the school vacation. On my way to Boston I met up with Helen Ray of Milbridge on the bus, she was traveling to South Carolina to visit with her daughter for the week. We also came home on the same bus this past Saturday.

On Monday February 18, Jesse, Diadem and Asa took me to see the Looney Tunes at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, Ma. We also met up with Jesse’s cousin Tanya Washburn there.

Diadem and I worked most every evening on an outfit for the upcoming Civil War Ball in April in Columbia Falls. We got part of it finished and she will finish the top hopefully soon and send it to me.

On Thursday I spent the day with Jean Richardson formerly of Addison, she now lives in Maynard, Ma. Jean showed me the area that she now lives in and after enjoying lunch at a Chinese Restaurant she brought me back to my daughter’s home.  We had a nice visit and got caught up on the local news.

Condolences go out to Valerie Batson and Roy Stubbs families. These folks will be missed in our small town.

It seems a lot goes on when you are away for a while what with the deaths of folks that you know and the drug bust last week here in Addison.

While I was gone I had a lovely email from an ex- nephew of mine asking for information on his side of the family. He was in luck that I had done it and had enough info for him to get started on doing his family tree. I was thankful that I had photos of his father’s family to send him as well of the family tree. We accidently got hooked up by an email a few years ago from something that was sent to my daughter in law at the time. I thought I was replying to her.  Kevin St. Pierre sends me an email saying he did not know who I was talking about but he did have family from Aroostook County. When I replied I asked who his family was and found out that it was the same that I had married into years ago. I then informed him of his cousins my daughter and son and told him how he could get in touch with them. My daughter Michelle called and said a cousin had contacted her and wanted to know how I knew him.  Just by chance that was all it took for us to get connected as I knew about his birth but lost touch with the family about 40 years ago. Hopefully my children will stay in touch with this side of their family.

Put on your calendar the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club in Cherryfield is having a supper on March 2 at 5:30 pm and the last one for the season will be on March 23 at the club house

I see that Janice Tenan has a birthday on March 2 and Donna Haire and Kathy Amador on March 3. May they all have a great day and have many more birthdays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2, 2013

 

Photo: Narraguagus Snowmobile Club kitchen helpers at the Supper on March 2, 2013.

I have had another busy week around the home front. I worked on genealogy for a couple of folks.  Took me a bit of time to print out the information for my friend Maureen Healy on her tree but that is done so now I can move onto something else.

I was surprised the other day while talking with one of my students on the bus when she mentioned to me that she did not have any gloves or hats at her house.  I went right home and gathered us some items that my own children had used that I had saved and took them to her; hopefully she will be able to use them.

Kristina Bailey of Columbia is at boot camp in Oklahoma and would love to receive mail. She said for every letter she receives she will do pushups. So here is her address:  PVT Bailey, Kristina, CL22-13, A Battery 1^st Platoon, 1/19 BN, 5970 South Boundary Rd, Sill, OK 73503-5001. Let’s shower her with mail from home; even if she doesn’t know you, I am sure she would love to hear any home town news. She is the niece of Kim & Dale Look of ‘Elmer’s Discount Store”. 

On Friday we had a no school day due to the stormy weather. I called my grandson up and had him over for the day. We spent most of the day in the attic , him playing with the toys up there and me picking over ‘stuff’ and getting rid of a couple more boxes. I was able to say that I accomplished a lot while he was here.  We also visited with the Paul’s next door where Konner loves to visit their chickens; afterwards Konner and I had a snow ball fight before going in to dry off. I sent him home with a bag of books that he found in the attic. He told his dad he even had Huckleberry Finn to read.

I worked in my ‘genealogy’ room all day Saturday and was able to organize some of the mess I have. I found some interesting reading in The Second Boat genealogy publication co-edited by Rosemary E. Bachelor and Mary H. Dormer of Machias, Maine that was published in the ‘90’s. 

Saturday evening Carroll and I attended the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club supper in Cherryfield. We enjoyed the food and the folks that turn out to these suppers. The folks that put on the supper are all good cooks.

Sunday afternoon while we were out and about we stopped by for a visit with Steve & Bunnie Plummer of Harrington and had a cup of tea while catching up on the news.

 

 

 

March 10, 2013

Photo of David Mague of Columbia third place adult winner of DownEast American Idol.

 

Day light saving time is finally here again. I love it when we have the extra daylight in the afternoon. It won’t be long before the first day of spring (Spring Equinox) will arrive on March 20^th; let’s hope Mother Nature will bring us warmer weather.

            On Tuesday March 5, seven members of Hannah Weston DAR Chapter met at the home of Valdine Atwood in Machias. Those that attended were: Ronie Strout of Addison, Roberta Hammond of Columbia Falls, Ruth Ahrens of Lubec, Barbara Maloy and Celeste Sherman of Machiasport, and Mary Alice Look of Whiting, The next meeting will be held at the Livingroom, Upper Court St. Machias on April 2^nd at 1:00 PM.

            On Thursday March 7^th a bus load of students from Narraguagus High traveled to Hermon Mt. for skiing, snowboarding and tubing there. It was a late night for all of us.

            Carroll and I were in Ellsworth and Brewer on Saturday doing errands. I so do hate to waste a whole day doing errands and spending my hard earn money.

            Friday evening Tracie Peterson of Harrington hosted a 31 Party at her home. Many folks turned out for it. A fun time was had by all during the demonstration, afterwards we gathered around the table for some good old fashion socializing.

            On Saturday the 5^th Annual American DownEast Idol was held at Narraguagus High School with seventeen contestants. First place for the Junior Division went to Will Somes & Kasara Decker 2^nd place to Elexis Dubose, 3^rd place went to Alexis Fletcher.

The Adult Division had first place go to Gabby Jackson, 2^nd place Alora Felix and 3^rd place to David Mague.  

            Mark on your calendar that the next meeting of the Washington Co. Historical & Genealogical Society will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2013 in the Emergency Management Room, 28 Center Street, Machias, Maine.

            Sunday was a busy day for me, as first we went out to breakfast to meet up with our grandson Konner and his parents, and then I tackled hunting for photos of my grandparents that I know I have and probably put in a very safe place, which I cannot find. In looking for these I found other photos of our extended family that desperately need to be put in albums. Alas I do not have the time in one day to do everything I want to. I did find a nice photo of the Class of 1929 of Columbia Falls, with Fred Chandler, Fred Pineo, Jr. Mellen Stevens, Evabelle Libby, Genetta Drisko, and Alvina Libby that was in my collection and the program for the Commencement Exercise.

            I guess this week was ‘call’ your cousin week as I received calls from two cousins this week, Alice Jones and Maize Dennison.  I also enjoyed talking with Barbara Farren of Addison. She wanted to know if I knew that my brother Bruce was in Florida as her relative had called and told her that he had talked with him. His truck gave him away with Worcester on it. You just can’t keep a secret where you are if you have your business on your truck because there is always someone that will know you.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 16, 2013

            Photo: Town of Addison new First Selectman Brad Hamel

            Photo; Rainbow Girls at Milbridge.

 

                        Addison had their town meeting on Tuesday evening March 12 at the D.W. Merritt School; one hundred fourteen voters voted on the first selectman position that was opened. Mike Murphy received 34 votes and Brad Hamel received 79, with one vote disqualified. Mike Murphy and has a lot of knowledge of the town of Addison in his head as he has held office for 32 years.

Congratulations to Linda Davis our mail carrier on her upcoming retirement in working for the Post Office here in Addison, she has delivered mail to all of us for many years.

On Thursday Carroll and I were in Ellsworth and Mount Desert for errands, and while waiting for my appointment we took a ride to Bass Harbor.

Condolences go out to the family of Rebecca Grant Hall, my cousin who passed away on March 11, 2013 in South Carolina. Rebecca is related to Worcester’s, Look’s and Grant’s in the Columbia Falls area. We will surely miss her amongst the family reunions and gatherings. Her funeral was on Friday in Bangor. Those from the immediate area that attended were Chuck and Roberta Hammond and Philip, Valerie and Malinda Worcester of Columbia Falls, Sherry Polly and Ronie Strout of Addison.

Saturday afternoon The Order of Eastern Star, Rumery Chapter #46 of Jonesport had sixty members and one guest at their Installation Ceremony the new 2013-2014 Officers. The Alcyone Chapter #71 of Milbridge had fifty two members and one guest at their Installation Ceremony for the new 2013-2014 Officers. A supper was held before the Milbridge meeting.  The Rainbow Girls of Bangor / Ellsworth area preformed for us before we had our Installation which was very beautiful.

Members of the Order of Eastern Star that attended the two installations came from: Florida, Ashland, Jonesport, Jefferson, Thomaston, Orrington, Presque Isle, Orland, Bangor, Machias, Lisbon Falls, Ellsworth and Milbridge.

On Sunday the Pleasant River Historical Society met at the home of Jeanette Perry’s in the afternoon. Discussion was held on the upcoming calendar progress and on the cannons base replacements progress. Everything is right on target as soon as the weather gets better. We looked at older photos of the Town of Addison that Jeanette Perry had in her collection. Those that attended were Jeanette Perry, Cathy Fonda, Tim and Mary Thompson, and Ronie Strout.

Sunday evening March 17, we enjoyed our St Patrick Corned Beef dinner with friends, Roberta and Chuck Hammond of Columbia Falls .  Doesn’t seem possible that March is half over and another snow storm in the forecast.

Tickets for the Civil War Ball are now on sale at the Columbia Falls Town Office for April 6. The tickets are made as a program where you write in who is dancing with you during the evening. This will be a great souvenir for the 150 year celebration of Columbia Falls.

I am excited about going to the Civil War Ball as I with the help of my daughter have made my outfit for it.  This should be a great social activity for the town and as some folks say ‘something different’ is happening in the area. Sounds like fun and I hope the locals will all turn out for it in their finery. The best part of the outfit I have made is that I can wear it during the day of the celebration in June. I think it would be so neat to have anyone that can be dressed in the Civil War era go in their outfits this day.

 

March 24, 2013

 

Photo of Grace Peterson of Columbia voting at 94

Photo of Meeting:  Ronald Pesha speaker for WCHGS

Photo of cooking off syrup on Maple Sunday

 

The Town of Columbia had their 217th town meeting on Monday, March 18, 2013 with forty seven folks attending. Sonny Beal was reelected as first selectman, and Brandon Lovejoy was reelected as Road Commissioner. All forty two articles were passed with only one article with some discussion on it. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 P.M.

The annual town meeting supper sponsored by the Columbia Cemetery Society was attended by sixty three folks from surrounding towns.

 Ninety four year old Grace Peterson the oldest resident of Columbia attended both the supper and voted at the meeting.

Because of the snowstorm on Thursday school was canceled in our district, but it did not stop us from going to Ellsworth for my appointment and stopping at Jordan’s for the first ice-cream of the season. There was quite a crowd out for the first day of spring at Jordan’s.

This week we were saddened to hear that Susie ‘Tucker” Leighton/Brewer passed away, a funeral will be held on March 30 in Augusta. Also during this week I was informed of the deaths of two first cousins. Joseph Steward Jr. on December 1, 2012 and Agnes “Maddie” (Madden) Cameron on March 10, 2013, brother and sister they were the children of the former Gladys Grant of Columbia Falls.

On Saturday the Washington County Historical & Genealogical Society met in Machias with twenty one folks attending. Ronald Pesha was the speaker for the day. He spoke on the Gold Swindle of Lubec back in the 1800’s. Those that traveled to the meeting were: Valdine Atwood, Wallace Bunrer, Jim Appleman all of Machias; Bill Plaskon, Donald Woodward, Patsy Kelley, Shane Farris, Buzz Alley and Billy Milliken all of Jonesport; Cathy Fonda and Ronie Strout of Addison; Barbara Sellitto, Ron and Rowna Pesha all of Lubec; John and Bonnie Van Dyke of Brewer; Tom Gaddis and Paul Dyer both of East Machias, Celeste Sherman and Betsy Fitzgerald both of Machiasport.

Sunday we attended the Maine Maple Syrup Sunday activities at the Exeter camp with over seventy of our friends showing up. On the menu, was two dump can turkeys,  barbecue spare ribs, ham, two batches of bake beans, homemade yeast rolls, cold slaw, pasta salad, Caesar salads, potato salad, hotdogs and rolls, pies, cookies, bars and homemade ice-cream with fresh maple syrup. What a wonderful time we had with catching up on the news for the year and seeing old friends.

I am now looking for photos of old businesses in the towns of Addison, Columbia and Columbia Falls for the 2014 Calendar that the Pleasant River Historical Society is putting together soon. I am looking for a good copy of the Country Kitchen/Bargain Box in Columbia and of the gas station on the Four Corners back in the early 50-60's.

 

Columbia News

 

March 29, 2013

 Photo: Donnie Woodward speaker at the Jonesport Historical Society

Photo: John Tibbetts speaking on the Union Hall.

.

            A benefit supper for Matthew Mitchell will be held at the Addison Town Hall Friday April 12 at 5:00 p.m. Donations will be taken at the door. Homemade baked beans, casseroles, chop suey, rolls and pies will be served. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, call Tina Ryan at 497-2811

Get well wishes go out to Joseph Tibbetts of Columbia, we hope he will be home soon from the hospital and to Al Moore of Columbia Falls. We hope that Al will be back to driving the bus soon. He is greatly missed.

Columbia Falls held their 150 town meeting in the Union Hall this year with over one hundred residents and spectators attending.

Jay Look won by one vote for the second selectman position against Todd Emerson who has held the office for a few years.

The position for one assessor was voted on and Dale Smith was reelected by a close call against Pam Look.  Grace Falzarano lost to Lenora Weaver on the Treasurer position by one vote. Nancy Bailey, Administrative Assistant, Mike Bailey, Road Commissioner, and Sally Thompson, S.A. D #37 School Board Director kept their positions for another year.

Sally Thompson had lots of discussion on the report this year, and requested to adjourn the meeting till some of the questions were answered. It was voted to continue on the meeting. A long discussion was held on the naming of the Union Hall, some folks wanted it left that name Union Hall as it is in the deed and others said it was always the ‘town hall’ when they were younger and it should be named just ‘Town Hall”. The town voted to postpone this article.  The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

Jonesport Historical Society had seventeen members turn out to their meeting on Thursday March 28, 2013.  The speaker was President Donnie Woodward on old homes in Jonesport and who they belonged to in the present and past. It was very interesting to hear with comments from the audience that added more information to what he had gathered. Donnie will have to have another meeting about the homes and who owned them as we did not have enough time to see all of them at this meeting.

On a sunny and warm Saturday over 60 friends and relatives came to celebrate and honor the life of our family member Aunt Susie Tucker Leighton/Brewer at the Knowlton-Hewins Funeral Home in Augusta. Following the lovely service, refreshments were served at the home of her son Gary Leighton on Patrick Street. Folks from our area that attended were Carroll and Ronie Strout of Addison, Ruberta Plummer of Harrington, and Jonathan and Danielle Plummer of East Machias.

Another family gathering was held at the Strout’s home on Easter Sunday. Our children, Michelle and David McLaughlin, Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout joined us for dinner. A small egg hunt for the grandson preceded the meal. A good time was had by all.

 

April 7, 2013

 

Photo: White Family Home

Photo Recognition Certificate for Columbia Church

 

On Thursday of this past week I was given a tour of the White Family Museum in our own little Town of Columbia. This has been the best kept secret for a number of years and only a few have had the pleasure of having a tour of this historical home.

Sonja Grant the daughter of Betty and Clifford Grant of Columbia walked me through the historical home of Julius and Anne White on Route One reminiscing of all that her mother had put into fixing the house up as a small museum. One of the items that I really found interesting was the certificate of The World Service of The Methodist Church Certificate of Recognition, whereas, Columbia Church has met its full apportionment for World Service for the years 1949 & 1950 thus strengthening and extending the Proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This certificate was awarded by the Council of Secretaries in recognition and appreciation of the loyalty and Service of the membership of the Church and it was signed by Louis S. Staples, District, Superintendent.

Two more interesting certificates hanging on the wall dated 1867 stated that Ferdinand Maxfield was a member of the Order of Knights Templar around the Globe and that he also belonged to the Royal Arch Masonry in Eagle R.A. Chapter in 1866. The historical value of finding two actual certificates belonging to two organizations from this small community is just mind boggling. I wonder now if anyone else has historical documentations in their homes that they would share with us.

Another great historical document is the 1870 marriage certificate of Julius E. White and Anne P. Smith with their photos and a photo of the Justice of Peace, Levi Leighton is also hanging in the home.

Betty and Clifford Grant’s intent in the beginning was to restore this home and use it as an “Educational Tool” for people to see what daily life would be like in those eras of the late 1800's and early part of the 19th century. It was meant to “feel” like a home, that the family just stepped out for a minute. With the help of Clifford's brother, Leslie "Toot" Grant, they did preserved this family legacy.

Betty and Clifford knew it would be different from the Ruggles House in Columbia Falls because the era was different and this was a "middle class" family home. The intent was always a museum of some type. When Betty was alive she would open it on weekends for anyone that wanted a tour, now that she has passed her daughter Sonja Grant says that she would be delighted to schedule a tour any day she is available. You can reach her at this number 483-2727 to set up a tour.

Over eighty folks attended the Civil War Ball Saturday evening at the “Union Hall, in Columbia Falls. We were taught the basic steps in Contra Dancing before each dance. What fun we had with some of us dressing up in our ‘finery’ in period costume.

Kindergarten registration was this week in our district for the coming school year. I spent all day in Harrington answering questions to the little people about riding the bus and giving them the chance to see what the inside looked like. Other drivers that did the same thing this week were: Pat Thaxter for Addison, Clara Ann Freeman for Milbridge and Tracey Peterson for Cherryfield.

Joseph Tibbetts is now recuperating at home after his stay at the hospital. I bet it won’t be long before he will be out and about again.

 

April 14, 2013

Photo: Orrin Worcester with a coyote:

 

The math team from Narraguagus High School traveled to Bangor on Tuesday April 9 to compete in the Thirty Seventh Annual Maine State Math Meet at the Bangor Auditorium.

On Thursday evening April 11 twenty Eastern Star members came together for a meeting at the Masonic Hall in Milbridge, the Chapters that came to our Alcyone Chapter 71, were Irene Chapter 97 of Ellsworth and Riverside Chapter 123 of Orland. Refreshments were served following the meeting.

            We got word that on May 10 at 11 am at the Evergreen Cemetery in Milbridge there will be a grave side service for Susie (Tucker) Leighton-Brewer formerly of Milbridge for friends and family that could not attend the service in Augusta.

            While going through some photos this week I found this one of my Dad, Orrin Worcester of Columbia showing me the coyote that he shot out of the dining room window that day. I know of many coyotes that he took care of this way instead of trapping them. In recent years there are local coyote hunters in the area that eliminate quite a few of them here out and about on the Ridge Rd.

                        We recently have adopted a new cat. Jasper is about two or three years old, he has almost trained us in what he wants. We wondered how we got along without him up to now.

            This week during school vacation I will be spending some time in Boston with my grandson Asa Washburn and his parents. Asa has grown since I was there last in February and he now signs when he is hungry and claps his hands.

On my way to Boston on the bus, Saturday I met a lovely young man Tom and his wife Julie who are actors in New York, they had been to Portland, Maine to celebrate his parents wedding anniversary. The man sitting behind me told me he was from St. John, New Brunswick.  My trip on the bus went by very quickly when you can socialize with other folks.

My daughter said she just couldn’t figure out how I can start talking with people and find out where they are coming from and where they are going to; besides the movie wasn’t any good, so why not pass the time away talking.

The weather in Boston is about the same as in Addison, right now. I was kind of hoping it would be warmer. I did notice the forsythia bushes along the streets are in bloom. Diadem is waiting and watching to see what comes up in her flower gardens at her home.

April 20, 2013

Photo: Humvees, and Graveyard.

I was in Boston last week during school vacation and was caught up in all of the events that took place there. Thank goodness I was not near where the bombings took place on Monday. I was at my daughters in Dorchester, where we first heard about this via the internet and then by television.

 On Tuesday Sarah, Asa and I did go into the City for a trial run to find my way to where my appointment on Thursday would be. The day was beautiful, folks were out and about enjoying Boston Common. Sarah, Asa and I  spent some time walking around the area and stopped to play with my grandson on Boston Common where we saw lots of military personal and police officers across the area.  

On Wednesday Sarah, Asa and I took a three mile walk around the area where  my daughter lives. Then on Thursday another beautiful day,  I took the Mass T into Boston and walked to Tuffts Medical on Tremont Street for my appointment.

Before my appointment I visited the Cranary Burying Ground.   Off a website I found the following information; that many of the Burying Ground’s tombstones are decorated with elaborate flying skulls (to represent the soul flying up to Heaven), the Grim Reaper, Father Time, scroll work, and epitaphs in fancy script.

That there are 2,345 markers at the Burying Ground, but not everyone was buried with a marker, and in some cases one marker was used for multiple people.  Estimates of how many people are actually buried here run from about 5,000 to about 8,000. The Granary Burying Ground also contains a marker for the “Infant’s Tomb,” where an estimated 500 children were buried. It was truly amazing to go into this burying place and read the history of the folks that are buried there. Among those who are known to be buried at the Granary Burying Ground are many prominent Bostonians from history.  These include: * The parents and certain relatives of Benjamin Franklin (though not Franklin himself, who is buried in Philadelphia) * Samuel Adams * The victims of the Boston Massacre, whose ashes are interred in Samuel Adams’s family tomb * John Hancock * James Otis * Paul Revere * Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence * John Endecott, the first governor of colonial Massachusetts  and* John Phillips, the first mayor of Boston.

After my appointment I met up with my daughter Diadem and we visited the King’s Chapel Burying Ground another historic cemetery on Tremont Street that is older than the Cranary Burying Ground. Here in this lies John Winthrop, Massachusetts’ first Governor and Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower. Again on the internet I found this information that the most notable about this historic cemetery is Joseph Tapping’s stone in the front of the burying ground where a skeleton and Father Time battle over the eventuality of death it says that it is Boston’s most beautiful headstone. Of course I took lots of photos of both cemetery.

We then ventured to  the market place where did a walk by, we saw the New England Holocaust Memorial before we walk down to the Boston Marriot Wharf where we watched the Presidents plane take off, then we walked by the Aquarium, up to the Financial District where my daughter works, then onto South Station to take the Mass T home. A lot of history and information to put away in my head. Just not enough time to see everything in one afternoon.

Friday morning in checking the news we found that all of Boston was in lock down. That meant my daughter had to stay home from work till the bomber was found.  Here again another beautiful day about 76 degrees and we could not go into the city. We did venture out to Ronan Park for fifteen minutes just a short walk from Diadem’s home.

I spent the rest of the day cooking; making yeast bread and cookies, watching a movie, and reading and checking the news to see what was happening and wondering if I would be able to leave on Saturday morning for Addison, Maine. Alas on Saturday morning I read on the internet that South Station was up and running again. I got to the station early and caught my bus for home. Later I found out that the station was evacuated for a while due to a suspicious package right after I had left on the bus.

I was glad to get home and resume my normal routine in my hometown Addison.

 

April 28, 2013

Photo: Rosanne Saucier

 Fish fry folks .

 

            Twenty eight folks turned out to the Jonesport Historical Society meeting Thursday evening on April 25. Rosanne Saucier, the genealogy reporter for the Bangor Daily News was the guest speaker. Her genealogy news articles, called Family Ties, appear in the Bangor Daily News on Mondays. Rosanne’s talk was on “Who’s Your Cousin?” with the explanation of family relationships, such as first cousin twice removed, and second cousin three times removed.

Roxanne said that in the coming weeks she will be writing about her trip to Jonesport, Maine in her Family Ties column.

Many folks near and far came to the annual Smelt Fish Fry in Columbia Falls on Friday evening April 26. Moose meat stew, smelts, bake beans, hotdogs, smoked chicken, squash, different kinds of salads, biscuits and a blueberry crisp for desert was on the menu.   At our table there were two families from Columbia Falls, a lady from Sullivan, and Lennox Ramsay of Addison that we visited with while we enjoyed our meal.

Tracey Peterson and I drove all fifth graders in the district to the Shrine Circus in Bangor on Saturday. This was Tracey’s first time to the Shrine Circus. During the intermission I socialized with the folks behind us and found out that I knew their families the Garnett’s and Frasers of Harrington.

All artists mark your calendar for June 29, to create a painting at the Columbia Falls 150 celebration. Anyone and everyone can create a painting during the day and have it auctioned off at the Union Hall.  Proceeds with 30 % of final bid will benefit the town of Columbia Falls; 70 % of final bid will benefit the artist. Look for more information coming up in the local papers in the coming weeks.

I heard that a lot of family and friends turned out to congratulate Linda Davis on her retirement from Addison’s mail carrier on Saturday at the Addison Town Hall. I could not attend as I had driven the bus to the circus and did not get back in time.

It seems nice that we have had a few good days to work out in the yard; it got me out to buy a few herb plants at a local hot house even thought I can’t plant them outside yet, I did put them in larger pots.  I also was able to fine enough dandelions around the yard for a mess for supper. Dandelions are a delicacy for certain folks in the area and they are so good for you too.