Out and About

 

Columbia News for the Year 2011

 

January 8, 2011

 

Alfred and Mary Moore have moved recently into their new home on the Epping Road, in Columbia Falls.

Theresa Dempsey of Columbia was in Boston on Friday to see her doctor. Hopefully everything went well with her. A couple of get well wishes go out to Lawrence Grant of Columbia Falls who is in the hospital and to little Nickson Rusecky of Addison who broke his shoulder bone on Saturday.

I have had a busy week first with a doctor appointment on Wednesday in Bangor where my doctor said I was improving and to see her in a couple of weeks. Then on Thursday I attended the Methodist Women’s meeting along with eight other members at the old Columbia Falls Elementary School.  At the same time of the meeting I checked out the new library that is not open yet but Loyce Worcester is working to get it up and running. Later on that day I was able to get to the Cherryfield Library where I was trying to do some research on the Steven’s family. I will have to get back there to do some more research another day soon. I was out and about another day this week for a nice visit with the Healey’s in Columbia Falls. It does break up the day when a person can get out for a bit. I guess cabin fever has hit me.

I just heard that Suzanne and Stan Foss of Columbia Falls will be celebrating their 50^th Wedding Anniversary on January 15 with an open house at the former Columbia Falls School. Another couple Alice and Owen Beal of Milbridge will be celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary on January 22 with an open house at the Milbridge Elementary School.

The Narraguagus Snowmobile Club in Cherryfield had another one of their suppers Saturday night at their clubhouse. A wonderful meal of marafax beans, casseroles, rolls and all the other fixings; everything were delicious. My cousin Joanne and Randy Gray attended the supper from Brewer and sat at the same table we were at. Always nice to visit with relatives that you don’t see much of. The Club’s next supper won’t be till March 5^th so mark it on your calendar and plan to attend.

I hear that Andrew Davis of Columbia is visiting with relatives in North Carolina and he is having a great time.

Some more birthdays wishes are coming up this month for the following: Thomas Worcester on the 12, John Worcester and Lynn Lyford the 14, Sherry Paul and Judy Randall the 16 and Tiffany Strout and Lorna Greene the 18.

Don’t forget the upcoming meeting with the Washington County Genealogical Society in the Conference Room of the Washington Cty. Emergency Management Office on 28 Center Street, Machias at 1 p.m. on Saturday January 15.  A snow date has been sat for the following Saturday, January 22.

Now for the rest of the news:

I still have the gas bubble in my eye, I have about 20% left to go away and  it is in my way now…LOL…still too much reflection, and my eye is still dilated, but I have stopped taking the drops for that. The dr. said it would take a few days till my eye is not dilated….I see the regular eye dr. on Monday the 17^th and the surgeon on Jan 24^th. I have been driving my car a bit on Thursday, Friday and today, but I am not going to far without the sunglasses as the sun bothers my eye. I don’t feel comfortable yet to drive bus, the bubble is too much in the way even though I can see over it, it moves around not good. I know I would not want to drive more than 15 minutes at the moment.

I am starting a walking program trying to do a mile with a walking tape and that is going well. Hopefully I can build up energy to get some other stuff done. I hope tomorrow to make mincemeat with help from my husband. He can do the grinding and I will put everything together. I have cooked the deer meat off tonight so it will be ready tomorrow. Might as well do something while I am out of work.

Hope all you folks are doing well, till next week stay tune…….Ronie

Jan 15^th. 2011

The Downeast Salmon Federation is having an evening snowshoe/hike on Saturday January 22 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on the Pleasant River Community Forest trails Everyone is welcome. For more information call 483-4336.

Some more birthday wishes coming up in the next few days for the following folks: Carole Hart and Lillian Shaw the 19, John Lyford the 20, and Barbara Libby, 29^th.  

Get well wishes go out to the following folks, Dale Crowley and V J Lenfesty of Addison, and Joseph Tibbetts, Dennis Worcester and Roger Libby of Columbia. 

Condolences go out to the family of Richard Francis Hammond of Harrington on their loss.

I understand that Ruberta Plummer, Susan and Abigail Norton of Jonesboro returned this weekend from their cruise last week.  I hope to hear all about it in the coming days.

Cathy Fonda, Mary Thompson and I attended the Washington County Historical & Genealogical Society in Machias on Saturday along with twenty-five others that came for the reorganization of the Genealogical Society.

Guest at our house on Saturday evening was Chuck and Roberta Hammond of Columbia Falls. We enjoyed a good old fashion Columbia bake bean supper with marafax beans, brown bread, cole slaw and hot biscuits. As always-good food and good conversation was had by all.

The girl scouts are out and about selling Girl Scout cookies; I had one stop in on Sunday where I placed an order with her. I can remember when my daughter would sell cookies; we would go out all day and stop in to every house in the area. We always left one special lady for last as the lady loved to talk and we knew we would be there for at least an hour.

We got another two inches of snow Saturday evening, and I heard that another storm is heading our way in the middle of the week. Hopefully it will go out to sea for us.

Rest of the news:

Our son Zebadiah is on a container ship in the Arabian Sea area where all of the pirates are. So far they have not seen any…but they have the warnings to be on the look out for them.

He has called us twice to talk but mostly he is in contact with his girlfriend and she keeps us informed what is happening.

We have had our grandson several days visiting for the day, which is always great fun and may have him a day or two this week.

I go on the 17^th to my regular doctor for an eye check up to make sure I can drive the bus and hopefully everything will be okay.

Stay tuned for more news that is, if it happens. LOL I call folks and they tell me that they don’t know any, well they do but you can’t print it in the papers.

There is sickness in the area, a few folks are getting either the flu or a virus and are quite sick, I just hope we here in our house don’t get it. Stay well, and warm.  Ronie

January 23, 2011

 

Don’t forget the 2011 Andy Santerre Down East Snow Ride for Saturday January 29. Registration begins at 8:30 in the parking lot of the Allen Blueberry Freezer in Hancock with the ride beginning at 10 a.m. and will end in Cherryfield where lunch will be serve at noon at the Cherryfield Elementary School. A banquet will be held at the Elks Club at 6 p.m (pre-registrations only) with an auction at 7:30 p.m. Contact Michael Reisman at the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center. Proceeds to benefit the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center and the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club.

A press release was sent to me from my daughter Diadem Washburn of her volunteer involvement at Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics Company where she works as an Immunoassay Technician in Walpole, Ma. She was Vice President last year part of a site safety team called “West”. In addition to this, the team raises money for charity by having a canned food drive where if you brought in five cans on their October-West day you could buy a whip cream pie to throw at one of the higher ups in the company.  A great way to earn money for charity!

On Saturday Carroll and I attended the 50^th Wedding Anniversary of Owen and Alice Beal at the Milbridge Elementary School. We were able to mix and mingle with folks that we knew. I even got the chance to discuss genealogy with a couple of folks that got me into working on genealogy for the rest of the weekend.

On Friday we had another snow day from school, which I am sure the kids enjoyed. I just hope with the next storm coming in this week we don’t lose more days of school.

This weekend we heard from our son Zebadiah Strout who is working on a container ship heading to New York from Singapore. It is always nice to hear from him and know that all is well.

Get well wishes go out to the following folks, Dale Crowley and V J Lenfesty of Addison, and Joseph Tibbetts, Dennis Worcester and Roger Libby of Columbia and Mary Alley of Lamoine. 

Birthday wishes go out to Barbara Libby and Joanna Strout on January 29, Bruce Worcester and Jacob Eric McLaughlin on February 1.

January 30, 2011

On Sunday, February 20^th the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club will be holding a Poker Run. Registration will be held at the clubhouse on the Ridge Road in Cherryfield, starting at 9 a.m., where the first card will be picked up.  A public breakfast will precede the ride for those who would care to have to eat prior to the Run.  There will also be lunch available to purchase at noontime.  Watch for more on this event and mark the date on your calendar.  In case of inclement weather, the alternate date is February 27^th.

February birthdays being celebrated this week are: Jack Gray and Bruce Worcester on the1st, Charles Lovejoy on the 2^nd, Susan Norton the 3^rd, Leslie Guptill, Nona Cirone, Calista Morrill on the 5^th, Jean Richardson and Richard Paul on the 6^th, Doris Joy, Ronie Strout, Virginia Tibbetts, and my pen pal Janice Goetz on the 8^th.

Carroll and I were in Bangor on Monday January 24 for one of my eye appointments. It was a very cold day to be out and about and I was glad to get back home.

Get well wishes go out to my son Matthew St. Pierre in Etna, Maine who is having some medical problems.

Our grandson Konner has visited with us for a couple of days this past week. He says the cutest things. I had taken him for a walk in the snow when he told me that his little legs couldn’t get through it, and that I had to pick him up.

We had a nice phone call from Carroll’s sister Judy in Texas this week; we got caught up on all of the news.

It is that time of year that I try to get into the attic to pick over stuff. I work at it for an hour or so as often that I can when the weather is not too cold. It is either too cold this time of year or too hot in the summer, never a happy medium.

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I have been babysitting my grandson a couple of days a week; he sure does keep me busy. I have been trying to get some more stuff done in this huge attic, picking it all over and sorting it out. I am having some work done up there, so must get busy with it.

I will be heading out tomorrow for another eye appointment in Ellsworth this time. Of course this keeps me from doing my extra run, as I won’t be back in time to do it.

I had a nice long conversation with my daughter Diadem; she has been busy with work and her activities. Diadem went snowboarding this weekend with a friend for the first time.

Have a great week! Ronie

February 5, 2011

 

Birthday wishes going out for the coming week goes to the following folks: Wayne Trunk on the 8^th, Betty Jordan on the 9^th, Tracy Ramsay on the 10^th, Dexter Smith on the 11 th, Lana Perry on the 14^th, and Andrew McLaughlin on the 20^th. 

On Saturday my granddaughter Brittany St. Pierre’s cheerleading team came in first place in the competition for her age group.

Congratulations on the birth of Vincent Tyler Joubert, son of Danielle Joubert on February 4, 2011.

School was closed again on Wednesday for a snowstorm and it looks like we are to have some more snowstorms this coming week.

Snow days off from school gets me into a cleaning spree in my attic and this is the time of year to do it when you can’t get out doors to work in the gardens.

I have been posting on my Facebook wall that I have been up attic cleaning almost every day, in doing so I have gotten many comments from my friends.

One friend wrote that attics are amazing and that people don’t realize the time capsule that lies right over their heads. Even with attic elf’s one wrote is what I may have working against me as I mentioned that the “stuff” seems to grow even though I am getting rid of a lot.

Some comments have been made on the size of their own attic space or open chambers anywhere from a 6x6 size, unlike mine, to crawl spaces, and some do not even have an attic but they store their memories in their cellar or garage. One even commented on how long it takes to dispose of things, as they have to read everything they come across and then cannot dispose of it. Yes, it is hard to choose what to keep, but I found that if I make up a box for each of my children I could put in what I want to keep for them and then later they can choose to do what they want with it.

One friend commented on my wall that I had inspired her and that she has started on cleaning her basement that would take her a few weeks to work at. 

Another mentioned how lucky I was to have an attic, that every house should have one to have memories for our children and grandchildren. She said that today, memories are just thrown out the window or put in yard sales. She is right there are many things I don’t want to get rid of thinking that it should be saved for historical purposes or just saved for the memories that it brings to mind. I know what I think is important to save is basically not important to my children or to anyone else.

My youngest daughter sent me a note that she loved having an Attic and a ‘Up Over Head’ or rather known as an ‘open chamber room’, that it was like having her very own The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe magical space. Yes indeed it is magical to have an attic especially one like ours.

My post on the attic has gotten my children; their friends and even a nephew remembering their time spent playing in my attic and finding things they thought had gone missing. If my attic could only talk, I wonder what it would say about all of these children that have played there and what it could tell us about the history when it was a schoolhouse for math, science, music and astronomy in the late 1800’s as the Stephen S. Nash School “Ridgehaven”.

For Out and About News.

January 27, 2011---Took grandson for a walk in the snow, we gathered the neighbor’s eggs for them, then went to the bakery and got a juice. On our way there he said his little legs would not go through the snow. LOL After having the juice we then walked to get the mail where he told me to watch out for the big bad wolf that was in the woods. We had to run to get away from that wolf. When we got in the driveway he wanted to make a snow angel, threw himself down then jumped back up and said it’s too cold get me in the house quick.  From there we started putting puzzles together, He did three before his attention span went onto other stuff, then watched Clifford the dog on TV. After the program we went to the attic, Konner followed me and filled two big bags up of junk until we found the box of little vehicles and ninja turtles. He brought them down to play with. After the snack of a cupcake and milk, he said he had to take a nap, falling asleep in the dining room chair. Dad came and he was able to get him ready to go home. He had me find the packet of stuff that was his dad’s that I was going to throw out, plus the traveling checker game that was his dad’s. Off he went with some cupcakes and other stuff. 

Great day, but was I bush!

Feb 6, 2011

As you can see I am still working on the “Attic” it is a never-ending job and probably will never get done. Besides who needs to look through all of those bank statements 40 years ago? I don’t, so off they go to be gotten rid of. Thank goodness we have a burn pile to take care of some of this stuff. After this I have the “open chamber “ to do.

Stay tune for another fun pack week of cleaning the attic. LOL. Ronie

February 12, 2011

 

The Narraguagus Snowmobile Club will be holding a Poker Run on Sunday, February 20^th.  Participants will register at the clubhouse, starting at 9 a.m., pick up their first card and be given directions to pick up remaining cards.  First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded.  The clubhouse is open for breakfast and lunch for those wishing to purchase something to eat.  Mark your calendar and plan to attend. . For more information contact Velma Orcutt at 546-7205.

Get well wishes goes out to the following folks: Clara Donovan, Matthew St. Pierre, Dale Crowley, Cheryl Look, Carol Fickett, Ruth Hartford, Sheila Batson, Brandon Beal, Bonnie Sproul. Clifford Grant and cousins Alice (Bagley)Jones and Merton Bagley Sr.

Birthday wishes for the coming week go out to Rise McKenney, Blair Hudson on the 15^th, Valerie Worcester Feb 17, Gary McLaughlin and Andrew McLaughlin on Feb 20, Vance Pineo on Feb 24 and Vance Pineo, Jr. on Feb 25.

We were in Ellsworth Thursday for another doctor appointment and afterward we enjoyed a belated birthday lunch at Riverside Café.

On Saturday I took the JV basketball team to Calais for a round robin.  It was a long day for us all with them winning two games out of three. The traveling going down was a bit slippery but coming back the roads were clear. 

Michelle McLaughlin of Harrington went to a baby shower at the Lucerne Inn this weekend and then finished the day shopping in Bangor.

Madison Peterson & Zachary Look represented Harrington Elementary at the county spelling bee in Perry on Thursday.       

Dixie Cirone of Harrington welcomes her great great grandchild Mackenzie Rae Ripley born February 9, 2011 at 10:45 p.m. weighing 8 lbs 8.5ozs and was 22 inches long. Mackenzie resides with her parents Kenneth and Nicole Ripley and sister Emmalee Ross in Whitefield, Maine.

Sunday evening we enjoyed good food and conversation with the Hammonds of Columbia Falls. It is always good to get out once in awhile to socialize with friends.

February 20, 2011

 

I need to make a correction; Dixie Cirone of Harrington welcomes her great grandchild Mackenzie Rae Ripley born February 9, 2011 at 10:45 p.m. weighing 8 lbs 8.5ozs and was 22 inches long. Mackenzie resides with her parents Kenneth and Nicole Ripley and sister Emmalee Rose in Whitefield, Maine.

Last weekend, great grandmother Dixie Cirone along with Aunt Tiffany and cousin Konner Strout visited the new addition to the family on Sunday February 13. I understand that cousin Konner wanted to bring baby Mackenzie home with him.

Konner came to visit Nana and Papa this week, and the first thing that he wanted to do was go to the attic looking for more toys. He found several small boxes and began to lug them down stairs to the living room where he lined up all of the trucks and cars to play with. I guess it is a treat for him to play with toys that his father played with at the same age Konner is now.

Konner and Tiffany Strout were in Whitefield on Saturday February 19, 2011 to celebrate Emmalee Rose six-year-old birthday.

February school vacation has begun; I heard that some students had the chance to travel to Florida over vacation. Sally and Erland Thompson are heading for Florida for there winter retreat. I hope they have good weather while there.

Spring is just around the corner and I hope to have my attic and open chamber cleaned by the time it arrives. The rest of the house has to take a backseat to these two rooms for a while.  In order to organize my ‘stuff’ I found a real good buy at Home Depot on plastic totes while we were in Ellsworth on Sunday.

Our son Zebadiah called and talked with us on Wednesday February 16 from the ship he is on in Malta an Island in the Mediterranean. We got caught up on his travels and filled him in on what was going on in the area.

Get well wishes go out to Clifford Grant who has had a hip operation and is now recuperating at his daughter’s home and also to Glendon Crowley who has had some medical problems lately they are both from Columbia.

The good news that I have is that it won’t be long before we turn our clocks ahead for daylight saving time. Spring is just around the corner.

February 27, 2011

 

Representative Diane Tilton of District 33 will be at an informal Republican Caucus gathering at the home of Tim and Mary Thompson, Cape Split, Addison, Maine on Friday March 4^th, at 6 p.m.

The Narraguagus Snowmobile Club will hold a public supper at their Clubhouse on the Ridge Road in Cherryfield on Saturday, March 5^th, starting at 5:30 p.m.   Baked Beans, Casseroles, Cole Slaw, Rolls & Biscuits, pickles and desert will be served.  Their last public supper for the season will be served on March 26^th, same time, same place.

Get well cards would be welcome for the following folks: Gen Thompson of 15 Dyers Point Lane, Cape Split, Addison, Maine 04606 and Wanie Grant has broken her hip and is in the hospital at Southern N.H. Medical Center, Room 327, 8 Prospect Street, Nashua, N.H. 03061-2014. Also get-well wishes go out to Glendon Crowley and Clifford Grant of Columbia and Huddy Peterson of Harrington. 

During school vacation the EDGE students had a chance to swim at the Machias pool on Wednesday and Thursday while others went sledding and ice skating at the EDGE building in Cherryfield. What a great way to break up the school vacation by doing something like this. I saw some students from Addison, Columbia and Harrington that I knew on those two days.

I have heard from several folks this week having to do with genealogy. One person has shared her family tree with me and I have been adding info into mine via ancestry. We are related through her great grandmother Algenaid Worcester and my great grandmother Genetta Worcester who was sisters so that makes us third cousins.

It‘s funny when I connected with her back when my dad was alive he actually knew her parents and grandparents and told me a lot about them. Now, she is looking for information on doing her DAR line and I have been giving her some help on that as well as letting her know how to do her Mayflower line. Hopefully this summer she will venture this way and I will actually get to meet up with her when she comes to Jonesport. 

All art teachers in Washington and Hancock County are joining a day-long workshop on Saturday, March 26 organized by the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium (SISS). The field trip will include visiting a quarry, see large-scale, granite sculptures as public art from the 2007 and 2009 International Sculpture Symposia and have a chance to collaborate with fellow teachers to integrate Art and the SISS in science, math, language arts, social studies and art.  For more detail contact your school art director for this free workshop that will earn you 8 contact hours (or CET equivalent) or contact Jane Weil at 546-2269 or email her at jweil@myfairpoint.net as registration needs to be in by March 19^th.

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The rest of the news:

Looks like another storm heading our way with snow and ice. Tomorrow will be messy for the morning and afternoon commute if there is school. We got another ton of coal; hopefully this will be it for this winter season for our heat. I am looking forward to warmer weather in a month or so….

Carroll went out to shovel out the shed door to put the coal in, he had me take a picture of him doing this. You will think he did it all by himself but….the truth is with some help from the neighbor he got it done plus help from Zac our son who came over to help put the bags into the shed for us.

I have been working in the attic, sorting, throwing out stuff and keeping some (why I don’t really know) LOL…. but now that it has been insulated, and sheetrock it really looks nice and now I am waiting for some electrical work to be finished up and six doors made for the knee walls to “hide” the stuff that is packed in there. I check the temperature up there and it hovers around 56 degrees, not bad for an attic. I want to get it taped and mud so I can put a coat of primer on it and maybe a coat of paint before I move up my genealogy stuff.

I am now working on the open chamber over the wood shed…going through boxes and throwing out more stuff and wonder what I am going to do with all of this stuff that I have. I went through this same area somewhat about two years ago and got rid of a lot, & I mean a lot…. now to do it again. I am whittling it down piece-by-piece and just maybe it will get done before April first, which is my goal at the moment to get it done.

I am adding some pictures:  one of my grandson helping to make cookies with me and of Carroll shoveling snow.

Oh yeah, seven smelt shacks were seen on Columbia Falls River this week, I have yet to see any fresh smelts this winter. I have had several messes of clams, which we either fried, had clam fritters or chowder with them. Yum, yum.

Till next week. Ronie

March 5, 2011

 

Get well wishes to Carl Ganiel of Harrington and to Glen Crowley, Roger Libby and Clifford Grant of Columbia.

Our district had a bus accident on Route 1 in Harrington last Thursday. A pick up truck rammed the back end of one of the Harrington buses. Thank goodness no one was injured, the truck was demolished and the bus will need extensive work done on it before it can put on the road again.

Michelle and David McLaughlin of Harrington will have returned from their vacation in Florida last week when this comes out.

On Friday between my two bus runs I drove a bus to Old Town to Cyr Bus garage to have some work done to it. Carroll and I then enjoyed lunch at Governor’s Restaurant in Old Town before returning to Addison.

On Friday evening ten folks attended the Republican Caucus at the home of Tim and Mary Thompson, on Cape Split in Addison. Representative Diane Tilton spoke on what was happening in Augusta followed by refreshments. Others that attended were: Eleanor McLaughlin, Cathy Fonda, Dick and Sherry Paul, Sheldon Trundy and Carroll and I.

The Narraguagus Snowmobile Club in Cherryfield had another one of their suppers Saturday evening with a full house. As usual the marafax beans were perfect along with the many casseroles that were served. At our table were Richard and Judy  Farnsworth of Columbia Falls, Jennie Ganiel, Zachary, Tiffany & Konner Strout  of Harrington, Joanne and Randy Gray of Brewer and Carroll and I of Addison. My cousin and I try to get caught up on the family news at these suppers.

If you are looking to do some genealogy of the area, you need to stop by the Cherryfield Library. I spent three hours on Saturday looking up information and found that I will need to go back for some more time looking at all the information they have of the area. I even found several articles that I had written in their files and some local information of Columbia.

I found an interesting article on Earl Crowley, a blind man that made toys from his small workshop he had next to his home on the Basin Road in Addison. I have driven by this workshop for a number of years on the bus and wondered how many folks have grown up with one of his toys that he made. The shop is still there, but barely, it has fallen in and looks so sad that its duty is no longer needed. If it could talk it would tell you of the rocking horses, trains, trucks, army tanks, racing cars etc that it has made for a lot of children. Some of those toys are now being played with by my grandson Konner made by Mr. Crowley way back when in the years of 1942 and later. You see these toys were made for my husband when he was a little boy. My husband also has a desk and chair that was built by Mr. Crowley. These are antiques now but they are still very useful.

Those that are celebrating birthdays this week are: Priscilla Diehl, Homer Morrison, Debbie Ziroli, Edith Clark, Eric McLaughlin, Stephen Leachfeldt on the 7^th, Winky Bartlett on the 8^th,  Jan West Rossi and Anna Ramsay on the 9^th, Emily Worcester, Clarice Garnett, Kimerly Pitula, Paul Newcomb, and Steve Morrison on the 10^th,   Tom Hall, Nicole Pounder and Chuck Hammond on March 11^th,  Louise Emerson on March 13^th and Lita Bagley on the 15^th.

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The rest of the news: This week has been busy with driving bus to a pee wee ball game, doing the after school program, taking one bus to the garage to leave for repair work, babysitting my grandson, doing some genealogy on line, and at a library, getting my daughters’ wedding announcement finally sent to the papers for her, plus attending the Republican Caucus on Friday evening, going to a public supper on Saturday evening and then Sunday to church and visiting with neighbors. Trying to exercise and trying to get in 10,000 steps a day, have not made it yet but will keep on trying. Driving bus I guess does not use many calories up especially if I snack on something. LOL…. Well guess that is it should do some cleaning around the home front, but it is such a yucky day out, and it is Sunday ---I think someone told me it was suppose to be a day of rest. Well if I get this done then I can decide what else to do, watch TV or read or genealogy or… or…. or……oh well something will keep me busy I think. Catch you all later! Have a great week; it won’t be long before spring will be here. Ronie

March 12, 2011

Photo: Front view of Mr. & Mrs Jesse Washburn.

Get well wishes to Carl Ganiel of Harrington, Tom Worcester of Columbia Falls, Glen Crowley, Roger Libby, Dennis Worcester  and Clifford Grant of Columbia.

Over 100 registered voters of Addison attended the March 8  Town Meeting to vote on  33 articles. We elected a new school board member Angel Alley who replaced Peter Davis and reelected Tom Batson for another three years as the third selectman.

On Thursday we were in Ellsworth for another one of my eye appointments at  Coastal Eye Care.  As Jordan’s had opened the day before, we stopped for our first taste of ice cream and I got to see my cousin Mary and her husband Arthur Alley who also had stopped for a bite to eat.

On Thursday evening my son and his family stopped in when I was at an Eastern Star meeting and as they drove into the yard they saw a coyote in our back yard. That is too close for me to have coyotes so near my home.

Pee wee ballgames are going on, I drove the Addison Braves to Jonesport on Friday evening. These little ones are so much fun to watch as they are just learning the game.

The roads are really getting bad, with all of the pot holes that are hatching. On the Ridge Road in Columbia I have never seen it so bad, if it keeps up I will lose the bus in one of those holes. The road commissioner must  not be working on the roads as I haven’t seen any activity of work done on the roads in all of Columbia.

We have been following the tragedy of Japan on TV this weekend, what a horrible thing to have happen.

I have had a lot of comments on my daughter’s wedding picture that was in the paper this month, so will post a front view of the couple for them all.

On Saturday I was at the Henry Moore Library in Steuben doing some genealogy on the Stevens’ family. There are many notebooks of genealogy on other families of the area. If you are related to someone in the Steuben, Milbridge, Harrington, Cherryfield and Columbia area you might find what you are looking for there. On Saturdays the library is open from 9 to noon for folks who can’t get there during the week.

The Columbia and Columbia Falls town meetings will be coming up on March 21 and 22 respectfully. I heard there will be a bake bean supper before each of them this year. 

March 19, 2011

Photo: Great grandchildren Spencer & Cooper Rygiel attended the birthday celebration of their great grandmother Julia Worcester.

Don’t forget all art teachers in Washington & Hancock County are having a day-long workshop on Saturday, March 26 beginning in Machias and ending in Winter Harbor. This sounds interesting to me and I get to go along as the bus driver. I hope there will be a good turn out for the folks that are doing this presentation. To round out the day you can attend the last public supper for the winter season at the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club on the Ridge Road in Cherryfield, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Emily Rathburn of Columbia Falls on March 28 who will be turning sweet 16. Belated wishes to Julia Worcester who celebrated her birthday this past week. Her family had a celebration on Sunday March 20 at the Columbia Town Hall where over seventy five friends and family gathered to help her celebrate her 80^th birthday and to wish her many more. Her children Oswald Worcester Jr, Deborah Metzler & Cyndi Grant and their families were in attendance.

My husband Carroll and son Zac Strout was at the hunting camp in Exeter for the weekend helping to boil down maple sap in the sugar shack.  Between Friday and Saturday they made 12 gallons of maple syrup.  While up there everyone mention seeing a lot of deer out feeding in the snow free fields.

The Destination Imagination teams of SAD 37 did very well at the competition held at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor Saturday. They now will compete at the state completion on April 2 in Orono. Some of these young folks had played in a pee wee basketball game on Friday evening then had to get up and be on the bus by 4:30 a.m. Saturday. I know it was a long day for me as I drove for both the game and to Bangor for the DI completion.

I heard from our son Zebadiah that he would be arriving in New York in two weeks he was in the Arabian Sea, so we will be seeing him soon.

Caleb Paul wants you to mark your calendars for the Down East Country Fest that will be held on Saturday, July 23^rd at the Down East Fairgrounds. Tickets are on sale now at www.downeastcountryfest.com  and you can also reach Caleb Paul here at this address cpaul9@gmail.com for more information on this upcoming event. I did hear that more sponsors are needed to help support this event. I even told him to try and book a relative of mine to come and perform, maybe next year; it might be a way to get him north of the Mason- Dixon line and back to his ancestors’ home in Addison. In fact it just might turn out to be a family gathering at the same time. Anyway, we are rooting for the second annual event to super succeed last year’s attendance.

March 26, 2011

Photos of bus:

We don’t have pot holes to worry about; we have kettle holes that can swallow you up on the Ridge Rd in Addison.

Josephine Konyak and Grace Peterson both in their 90’s were the oldest voters at the Columbia Town Meeting on March 21.

Put on your calendar for an ‘All U Can Eat’ pan cake breakfast on Saturday April 2, 2011, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Faith United Methodist Church on Route 1 in Columbia. The menu will include pancakes, sausages and biscuits and gravy. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children.

The Town of Columbia had their annual meeting on Monday evening the 21, with the residents voting on 51 articles.  They elected Kevin Lovejoy for selectman, Mark Wright for school board director, Brandon Lovejoy for road commissioner and Marcia Worcester replaced for assessor. Grace Peterson and Josephine Konyak both in their 90’s were recognized for being the two oldest voters.      

The Town of Columbia Falls had their annual meeting on Tuesday evening the 22, with the residents voting on 41 articles, they elected Bernard Ward for selectman to replace Vance Pineo Sr., Dawnette Robbins replaced Alan Grant as assessor, Sarah Willson was re-elected treasurer, Mike Bailey re-elected road commissioner and Sally Thompson and Courtney Hammond were re-elected for school board director. They recognized Vance Pineo Sr. for his years of service as a selectman in the town. I was pleased to see a photo that I took from the river showing the town was on the front cover of their Town Report.

On Saturday I drove a number of art teachers and community members on a trip for the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium that I will put in a separate article.

On Sunday we traveled to Exeter to attend the annual gathering of the maple syrup cook off at the hunting camp. Over sixty folks showed up for the cook off and a pot luck lunch.

I have been reading an autograph book of Bernice E. Allen, b. Centerville, Maine the daughter of Eben F. and Julia M. (Smith) Allen and one of the autographs we believe is my great great grandmother Emma ‘Amy’ (Tucker) Worcester, another autograph Clytie R.Worcester was a first cousin to my great grandfather Herman Grant. I am sure if I keep looking I will find some more relatives.

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Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium

Photo: Photo: A Glimpse of the Moon done by Jesse Salisbury of Steuben

The Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium organized a workshop for teachers in Hancock and Washington counties for classroom lessons in science, social studies, language arts and art on March 26, 2011 to illustrate how SISS can be incorporated into all areas of study. 

Teachers and community members from Washington County met at the University of Machias at the first sculpture The Islands of Maine by Jhon Gogaberishvili of the Republic of Georgia before beginning their tour to the granite quarry in Jonesboro where Jesse Salisbury a sculptor and Chris Koteas a geologist gave us an inside look of how granite was cut from the quarry. Chris said that the granite crust here in Maine actually came from eroded roots of a volcano in North Africa, as it has the same make up of granite in North Africa. The volcanic action pushed it up to North America 400 millions of years ago. Both Chris and Jesse told us how granite was mined from this quarry. After this discussion we left to visit more sculptures: Milbridge, the Transitory done by Dominika Griesgraber of Poland, Steuben, A Glimpse of the Moon done by Jesse Salisbury of Steuben and Winter Harbor, Cleat done by Don Justin Meserve of Maine before going to the Hammond Hall in Winter Harbor, home to Schoodic Arts For All.

After a delicious lunch we where presented with a slide show from Jesse Salisbury and Chris Koteas. Jesse showed us photos of other sculptures around the world and Chris spoke on geology and showed us the different grains and color in the granite and how you could tell what happened with the light and dark spots in the stone. 

After the slide shows we ventured to the Schoodic Educational Research Center where we saw our last sculpture Tribute to Life by Ian Newbery of Sweden before we heard the talk from Kate Petrie on what they do for programs at the Research Center.

The sculptures that will be done this year in Washington County will be placed in Addison, Eastport, and Rogue Bluff with three more in Hancock County,  Blue Hill, Hancock and Sorrento.

The first week of August will begin the SISS and continues for six weeks where the artists will be working on their sculptures. Anyone can stop by to watch this process and meet the artists. The six artists will be two from Maine, one each from New Brunswick, Canada, Taiwan, Japan and Germany.

Need more information, call Weil at 546-2269 or jweil@myfairpoint.net or Cathy Lewis at 422-6224 or cathylewissor@roadrunner.com.

April 3, 2011

The April Fool snow storm dropped eleven inches here in Addison, and closed schools along the coast for the day.

There is a lot of sickness in the area; with many students out of school this past week due to illness, even I have been out sick with bronchitis. Glen Crowley broke a rib on Friday and Theresa Demsey broke her arm the same day so it looks like a few of us ended up at the doctors on April Fool’s Day. Get well wishes also go out to Roger Libby, and to Ruth Burgess who was in the hospital and missed her grandson Jeremy Tyler’s wedding. Congratulations go out to Jeremy and Kim Tyler on their recent wedding on April 2 in Jonesport.

The Destination Teams traveled to Orono on Saturday for the state competition. Congratulations to the four teams: Addison, the high school team and two teams from Cherryfield, they will now go on to National. A lot of fund raisers will be coming up to help these teams to attend National. Way to go DI teams!

Our son Zebadiah sent us an email stating that he will be 220 miles off the coast of Addison on April 4 at approximately 4 p.m. on their way to New York. He should arrive in New York on Tuesday. I will wave to him about that time here from the Ridge Rd.

April 10, 2011

Photo: 1^st place winner in the Junion Division DownEast Idol, Holly Weaver of Campobello Island

Photo: Winners in the Adult Division: Devon McDaniels, Kyle Stanley, and Mindy Reynolds

We have been seeing an eagle in our back yard; several times he has been seen in the compost pile. We have spotted turkeys on the Ridge Road; this is not a good thing as they can really do damage to our gardens this spring and summer.           The peepers are out which is another good sign that spring is finally here.

New construction has started on the Ridge Road; someone has bought a piece of property and already put in a road to get ready to build a home.

Thursday I spent a long day in Machias to see if I would get picked to serve on jury duty. I don’t have to go back till May for the one that I was chosen to do.

On Thursday evening the following folks began to plan for the Moses Worcester Reunion for September 10, 2011.   Skipper Worcester and Jeff Worcester of Bangor joined Dawnette Robbins and I for this first planning session.

On Saturday nineteen members turned out for the Washington County Historical & Genealogical Society in Machias. At the meeting I received some unidentified photos that could be Nash’s from Addison /Harrington area. Now the detective work begins on trying to find out who they are.

I attended the 3^rd Annual DownEast Idol contest Saturday evening April 9, at NHS. In the Junior division the winners were: 1^st place Holly Weaver of Campobello Island, 2^nd place Will Somes of Columbia Falls, and 3^rd place Elexis Debose of Cherryfield. The winners in the Adult division were:  1^st place Mindy Reynolds, 2^nd place Kyle Stanley and 3^rd place Devon McDaniel.  A good time was had by all that attended.

Get well wishes go out to Theresa Demsey and Glen Crowley of Columbia and Charlie Robbins of Columbia Falls.

We welcomed home our son Zebadiah Strout and his fiancée Molly Ulku , they are planning on  staying with us for three weeks.

April 17, 2011

Schools are out this week for their spring break, hopefully the students will be able to get over their illnesses and have a great vacation before school starts again. I know all of the bus drivers need a break as well.

Get well wishes go out to Clara Ann Freeman, Theresa Demsey, Roger Libby, Merton Bagley Sr., Charlie Robbins, and Violet Grant are just some of the few that I have heard are all in need of your prayers.

The couple of good days that we have had recently have had folks out cleaning up their yards as well as us doing some more spring cleaning in the open chamber and attic. I also have tried to get some spring cleaning done in the main house but it is hard when you are sick to keep on that task.  If it wasn’t for the help from my son and fiancée I don’t know if I would have as much done.

Tiffany and Konner Strout along with Dixie Cirone spent the Saturday  in Whitefield visiting relatives and having an Easter Egg hunt. On Sunday, Konner spent the morning with us before he attended  Sullivan Strout’s second birthday party in Milbridge in the afternoon, then he went to his Aunt Shell’s for a barbecue with the rest of the family.

On the genealogy quest, I am now looking for information on: Addie L. Gray who married Charles Fickett, Bertha Galen who married George Fickett from Beddington, Me and any info on Remona Alice Fickett and Ronalee Worcester. If anyone is related to these folks would you get in touch with me. 

Congrats to Megan Smith on the birth of her baby Matthew William Smith. I hear he is a cutie.

Birthday wishes go out to Cheryl Worcester on the 18, Debbie Wallace on 20^th, Patricia Ward and Sally Thompson on 21^st, may they have many more.

Sympathy goes out to Debra Worcester on the death of her mother this month. Debra called me to let me know that she was in New York to be with her family at this time of need.

April 24, 2011

Photo: Konner Strout with dad Zachary, holding his first fish, a 14 inch brook trout caught April 22, 2011

Konner along with his dad, mom and cousin Brittany St. Pierre went fishing for the first time on Friday afternoon April 22, 2011 where he caught his first fish, a 14 inch brook trout. Konner ate his fish the next day and told us it was very delicious.

When Konner Strout arrived at our home on Sunday he received a letter from the Easter bunny telling him that he could not stop and chat but he did leave some eggs for him at his Nana & Papa’s house.

On Sunday, guest at our table for Easter dinner were, David and Michelle McLaughlin, Zac & Tiffany and son Konner Strout, Zebadiah Strout and Molly Ulku.

Birthday wishes go out to Sally Gay on April 26, Jill Hurlbert on April 28, Kim St. Pierre on April 28, Diadem Washburn on April 30^th, Shelly Hall-Peterson and Pam Doane on May 1^st.

When spring starts I see a lot of people outside walking off the winter, the snow melting away, flowers budding and then opening in the days’ sunshine.  I start to think of my garden, family I haven’t seen and need to visit.  I start looking for my sandals, rotating the closet and washing the windows.  The best part of spring is the arrival of Humming Birds.  I start to watch for them around the middle of April and beginning of May.  Maine has two species of Hummingbirds, Ruby-throated and Rufous. 

The Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is one of the quickest fliers and has the longest migration routes of all US hummingbirds.  They have been observed in every state and province except for Hawaii and Quebec.  They winter in Central American countries, Mexico and possibly Panama. Adult males have a non-iridescent rufous (reddish-brown or brownish-red, as of rust or oxidized iron) crown, tail and sides; the back may be rufous, green or a little of each; the gorget (throat) is bright orange-red and a white breast.  Adult females have a green back and crown, white breast, streaked throat, and rufous sides and base of tail feathers.  Females are larger than males.

In the Rub-throated species it is the males that have the iridescent ruby red gorget and the females have a white breast and throat.  In both sexes their backs are emerald green.  They are the most common species in North East America with their distribution and migration spreading from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands making a remarkable non-stop crossing of the Gulf taking approximately 20 hours and then spreading up Midwestern and Eastern North America to southern Canada.  The lifespan of a hummingbird is believed to be 3 or 4 years however a female Broad-tailed was banded and recaptured 11 years later. 

Humming Birds are fun to watch and the easiest way to watch them is to get a feeder.  There are many types of feeders and any feeder can attract hummers but the important feature is to consider ease of cleaning.  If you are having a hard time getting hummers to you feeder first place one near your garden or near hummingbird plants.  It is not necessary to purchase commercial nectar mixes, the birds will get all their additional vitamins and proteins from the flower nectar and insects that they consume.  All the hummers want from us is the quick energy they will get from the sugar water. 

Here is a recipe: Use one part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.

It is not necessary to boil the water.

It is okay to store unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

This mixture approximates a sucrose content of the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds, without being so sweet that it attracts too many insects. 

Do not use: Honey, Jell-O, brown sugar, fruit, or red food coloring in your feeder.  Honey ferments rapidly when diluted with water and can kill hummingbirds.  It is not necessary to color the water to attract birds to your feeder and there are some reports saying that red dye may cause tumors; let’s not take the chance.

With every filling of your feeder, flush the feeder with hot tap water; a bottle brush can be very helpful however do not use soap the hummers do not like the taste.  Visually inspect the entire feeder for black mold; a bleach soak is the best way to remove the mold.  If the sugar solution in your feeder turns cloudy it has spoiled and needs to be replaced.  This can happen in as little as two days.  At least once a month your feeder will need a thorough cleaning.  Make a solution of ¼ cup bleach to one gallon of water.  Soak the feeder in this solution for one hour, and then clean with a bottle brush.  Rinse well with running water and refill.  Happy humming bird watching this year.

May 1, 2011

Photo: John Crowley Jr

A going away reception was held at the home of John and Brenda Crowley Sr for their son, Lcpl. John Crowley Jr. who is a member of the United States Marines and is slated to be deployed to Afghanistan in late July or early August with his unit. Those attending were: the guest of honor and his wife Kristin, children Dylan, Isabella & Savannah Crowley, Grandmother Dorothy Alley, Sasha Crowley, Millard, Marlene & Robert Alley, Donna Mills, David, Mona, Brandon, Anna & Collin Emerson, Mariner & Ruth Burgess, Luther & Donna Choate, Harvard Peabody, Tina Ryan, Kevin Merritt & Melina Church. We all wish Lcpl. John Crowley Jr and his unit good luck and a safe deployment. I called on the new folks, Lynneth & John Chadhorstakis that have moved into the Plummer house on Main Street of Addison Wednesday evening. They have been restoring the home and have been asking around if there were any photos of the Austin family that owned and built the house. They were told that there were none until I showed them some photos that I knew a cousin actually had and had been sharing with me. They are really interested in Addison and its history and especially on their new home. They showed me around their home and what they have done to it which is remarkable as the house was so far gone when I was in it last. We have been working out side raking and picking up around the house after the long winter we had. It won’t be long before gardening will start, if only the weather would warm up some more. I have now had two large messes of dandelion greens and have put up 13 quarts for the winter. I guess that will be plenty as I have some left over that needs to be eating. The bus drivers held another training session on April 28, where we practiced on evacuating from a bus window. Some of us actually went out the window for practice and I must say I hope we never have to do it for real. All fifth graders in the district traveled to Bangor to the Shrine Circus Saturday and afterwards they had lunch at McDonalds in Ellsworth before returning home which made a long day for us all.                                                         

May 8, 2011

Photo of Lady Gertrude of Addison

Another week of cool weather and rain does not help us in getting the lawn mowed or working in the garden. It did seem nice to see the sun on Sunday, May 08, 2011 for Mother’s Day. My grandson Konner brought me some pansies for Mother’s Day and the gift certificates from my children were used to pick up some plants that I wanted this year. I am now enjoying the magnolia bush I got last year, with all of the white blossoms on it. I just hope my dogwood tree will be as pretty when that blooms. Lady Gertrude, a Canadian goose has made her nest on the marsh close to the road here in Addison. Every day as I drive by in my bus the students look to see if she has any goslings hatched. I can’t wait to see their expressions when we get to see the goslings.  It roughly takes a month for the eggs to hatch then the goslings usually take within 24 hours of hatching to be mobile. After hatching, both parents will defend their blood for the next 10 weeks so we ought to be able to see them swimming around as we drive by                                        . Our son Zebadiah and his fiancée Molly Ulku are on their way back to Minnesota, with stops on the way visiting with friends. While they were here we got a lot of things done around the house that needed to be done with younger folks helping us. Our daughter Diadem and husband Jesse has returned to their home in Canton, Mass. having spent a week visiting with Jesse’s sister Sarah in Fingerville, South Carolina. Congratulation goes out to Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington who came in first place at the first day of racing at Speedway 95 Saturday evening. Get well wishes go out to Glendon Crowley who is in the hospital in Togus, I am sure he would love to receive some get well cards, his address is:   Togus VA Medical Center, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330.  Prayers for Eric and Becky Reynold’s baby, Keegan Emerson Reynold who has been in the NICU sense his birth on May 4.    

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“The rest of the news not in the paper”

Wow this week went fast, while Zeb and Molly were here the first two weeks we got a lot done around the house, Molly and I did some more work picking over stuff in the attic and started in a corner of the open chamber, throwing out junk, we kind of got bogged down there. Zeb and Zac moved my clothes washer up stairs and hooked it up in the shed. Now we have to make sure we get the shed insulated before winter sets in. On top of that they also hooked up a dish washer for me in the kitchen; I had a two year old dish washer given to me, so now there is no excuse to have dirty dishes in the sink or on the cupboard.  My sons said I probably will wear it out in three months with all of the washes that we have done with it, while cleaning in the kitchen. The best part will be in doing my canning jars when the garden comes on this summer.

Zeb and Molly spent one week looking for a car for her as they wanted something that did not use so much gas like his pickup. The last week they were here was getting things that got started finished and enjoy some down time before they left on Friday.

I ended up at the doctor’s office on Friday afternoon as I had pulled a muscle in my stomach/back while I was wrestling with a clothes washer that was out of balance. I guess I have to take it a bit easier around it for now on. But what can I do if no one is here to straighten it out for me? Oh well hopefully I don’t have to do this too often and I am thankful that it is now out of the cellar.

I was unable to attend the DAR meeting and tea on Saturday at the Burnham Tavern in Machias as I was out of balance too because of the washing machine. I heard that it was well attended via email to me.

Saturday, evening we had our marafax bakebeans for supper that Carroll cooked all day in the oven. Sure does taste good along with biscuits and coleslaw.

Sunday – today May 8, - we had a turkey dinner and our grandson Konner and his mother Tiffany joined us as Zachary was still working down east on mowing blueberry land. We did make him up a huge meal to microwave when he does get home tonight. We will be having him tomorrow to baby-sit for his parents. He is just so cute, and keeps us on our toes.

 

 

May15, 2011

I need to let everyone know: Mark your calendars

2011 MOSES WORCESTER FAMILY REUNION

Saturday, September 10, 2011 @ 11 am
Columbia Town Hall
118 Epping Road, Columbia, Maine

If you can follow your line back to Moses Worcester you are all welcomed to come.
Come join us in celebrating 32 years of the Worcester Reunion!

There will be a potluck luncheon at noon. Bring a casserole to go with our bake beans and chop suey.

Please bring an item or two for the silent auction, it can be old or new, highly valued or worthless, precious or funny, homemade or strictly sentimental.

Program is in the planning stage, any suggestions will be welcomed.

Contact, the following for more information:
Skipper Worcester <wskipfish@aol.com>; Jeff Worcester <j9078@roadrunner.com>; Ronie Strout, roniestrout@yahoo.com.

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May 15, 2011

Photo: Bus drivers of RSU/SAD 37 at end of year gathering on May 10 at Narraguagus High School, Al Moore and Tracey Welsh

Mark your calendar for the Moses Worcester Family Reunion, it will be held at the Columbia Town Hall on Saturday, September 10, 2011 @ 11 a.m. For more information contact one of us: Skipper Worcester, wskipfish@aol.com; Jeff Worcester, j9078@roadrunner.com; Ronie Strout, roniestrout@yahoo.com

Things I noticed while I have been out and about this week: folks outside working on their lawns and gardens, blueberry growers burning and spraying on their fields, County Concrete paving the Ridge Road in Columbia, students awaiting the hatching of Lady Gertrude’s goslings, fiddleheads showing up at road stands, asparagus popping up in gardens, strawberries being planted, grandchildren visiting grandparents over the weekend, walkers in South Addison and Columbia, azaleas, tulips, forsythia, and magnolias in bloom,  Nancy’s Collectable’s open, yard sale signs and more liquid sunshine than solid.

I received an email this weekend asking if I had any information on a Mayflower and DAR line of Stephen Smith son of Job Smith and Diadema Booth of Steuben. It looks like that line has not been done yet. Hopefully I was able to help her with what I sent to her.

Prom time is here again and I was told that Kameron Jordan of Addison and his lovely date Hunter Rivers attended the Sumner Memorial High School Prom on Saturday May 14, 2011.

The Professional Driving Team of RSU/SAD 37 has raised $595.00 towards their goal of Buster the Bus! Keep watch for a BIG fundraiser this summer! Donations are still being accepted. Thanks to all who have helped so far. For more information contact Lori-Ann White of Milbridge. The drivers met in the cafeteria on Tuesday for their end of year gathering, with Lori-Ann White overseeing the games and pot luck brunch.

Birthdays being celebrated this week are: Sunshine Strout on May 16, Harriet Perry, May 20 and Nancy Merritt on May 22.

Get well wishes still go out to Glendon Crowley, he is now home from the hospital and trying to improve every day and special get well to Brandon Beal who is still in the hospital in Boston

Condolences go out to Linda Harmon on the passing of her sister Barbara Poors and to the family of a long time friend Clifford Wetmore of Bangor who I knew from scout camp.

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Narraguagus High School students of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) have actively led a large number of projects aimed to better the community and school all while helping the students gain valuable problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and other leadership skills. FCCLA has led numerous efforts against the use drugs and alcohol and most recently has worked with the state legislature to help the entire state strengthen the requirements for driver education in the area of substance abuse education and the impact of it while driving. While students researched drug and alcohol related fatalities, they decided that they also wanted to present some ideas to help combat what seems to be a huge problem for teen and adult drivers alike. With help of Representative Diane Tilton ® Harrington, the students submitted LD 661: “An Act to Require Driver Education for All New Drivers,” that would increase the amount of time spent in driver education classes focusing physiological, social, and economic impacts of driving under the influence. Tamra Lenfestey and Caleb Aarsand, two FCCLA students from NHS, testified on behalf of the new requirements and shared some insight into their project and reasoning behind their recommendations. In the tough economic climate, the bill was defeated citing that there may be some additional clerical paperwork needed, but did not fail to catch the attention of Secretary of State, Charles Summers. Summers wrote to the students saying “I agree with you that this is a very important issue and would welcome to the opportunity to meet with you” and plans to visit Narraguagus High School on May 23 to meet with FCCLA students to talk about their ideas for improving driver education and address the entire student body about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse while driving in an all school assembly.
Lenfestey and Aarsand have led this project with other FCCLA members and received a gold medal at the State Leadership Conference where they presented their work as part of the STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) and now plan to attend the 2011 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, CA where they are up for national recognition for their efforts. FCCLA students are busily fundraising to pay for the expenses of this trip where they will receive additional leadership training, networking, and will showcase the efforts they have made to make Maine’s roads safer. The Harlem Rockets Showtime Basketball team will play against teachers and staff of MSAD #37 at Narraguagus High School on May 26 at 6:00 pm. Pre-sale tickets are available for and encouraged by calling the high school at 483-2746. Pre-sale prices are $6.00 for students and $8.00 for adults.

May 22, 2011

Photo” Lady Gertrude and Lord Addison with their family.

Congrats to Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington on winning the COCA-COLA Street 35 lap Series #1 race at Speedway 95 on Saturday evening. He is taking right after his dad.

Frank and Del Jones celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary at Jasper’s Restaurant in Ellsworth Saturday with 25 of their family and friends. Congratulations go out to them on reaching this milestone.

The Cub Scout Pack 137 of Addison is open for boys in grades 1-5 in Milbridge, Harrington, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Addison and Jonesport. Current Kindergarten boys will be able to sign up for Cub Scouts as of May 15^th. If you know anyone who is interested in joining scouts please contact Donna Haire of Addison.

The Narraguagus seniors had their senior class trip this past week; they left on Wednesday and returned on Friday morning. While there they took in a Red Sox game.

. Allen Seesman is at his home on the Ridge Rd for a few days; it is always nice to see him out and about.

The Beth Wright Walk was a success on Saturday with many out to it.

The benefit supper for Violet Grant at the Columbia Falls Community gym was a great success with all of her friends and family helping to put it on.

Got a chance to stop by and say hello to Jerry and Maureen Healy, Roger and Barbara Libby, Molly and Dick Woodsum and their daughter Carrie and Paulette and Bob Veit this week for a few minutes in my spare time.

Sunday turned out to be a great day after all, I started to clean in my cellar and take my dahlia bulbs out side to get ready to plant. I will have extra and will put them beside the road to sell. My lawn got mowed by my son Zac this week thank goodness as I just would not have had time to do the whole thing and still get other things done on our one and only nice day.

Lady Gertrude and Lord Addison are receiving congratulations on their goslings this week. We noticed that last weekend Lady Gertrude was off her nest and some students told me they actually saw the goslings in the nest when they rode by with their parents. They can be seen along the river banks at low tide.

On Sunday afternoon I attended a bridal shower for Tracey Welch at Sandra Robbins home in Harrington, a fun time was had by all.

Jerry Healy and Violet Grant of Columbia Falls, Glen Crowley of Columbia, Brandon Beal and Philip Farren of Addison are all on the sick list this week.

 

 

May 29, 2011

 

Bus evacuation training was done during the week of May 16 in the schools; I helped at the Addison and Harrington schools while the others did Cherryfield and Milbridge schools. This time we told them about how to exit from just the side door in the event of a rear collision like the one that happened this year in Harrington with one of our drivers.

On May 19, the 6-7 graders in the district were bused to Cherryfield for the Holocaust Presentation. We heard from a gentleman about his experiences in surviving the Auschwitz camps and then coming to the United States to live.

The Memorial Program held at the Narraguagus gym on Friday May 27 was well attended. John Cicci and Lowell Beal were presented a painting of The Battle of Pigeon Hill Bay done by Barbara Doak of Columbia Falls, as they are retiring this year from the school system.

Diadem and Jesse Washburn of Canton, Massachusetts was visiting us on Saturday for a few hours during the day, while here they helped me move a few items that I needed help with. They were in the area for a wedding on Sunday before they return home on Monday. It is always nice to have younger folks come and give me a hand with the things that I shouldn’t be trying to move by my self.

I had hoped the weekend was going to be really nice so we could get some planting done, I was able to plant the flowers that I had gotten last weekend at a sale in Milbridge . Hopefully they will take and I will have some pretty flowers to enjoy. My rhubarb is growing really great even the ones that we transplanted to a different area. I have made some sauce already for dessert from it.

The Ruggles House in Columbia Falls will be open for the summer on June 1 from 9:30 - 4:30 on weekdays and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:30.

On the sick list this week are Jerry Healy and Violet Grant of Columbia Falls, Glen Crowley of Columbia, Brandon Beal and Philip Farren of Addison. Celebrating birthdays this coming week are: Jasmine St.Pierre on June 2, and Sandy Stevens on June 5.

 

 

June 5, 2011

Looks like a lot is happening in the area in the coming weeks, these are just a few that I may be attending: on Thursday June 9, Alcyone #71 will hold their monthly meeting in Milbridge; Margaretta Days on Saturday June 11 in Machias as well as the Harrington High School Alumni will meet at the Columbia Falls Community Building; Pleasant River Historical Society will have their regular meeting on Monday June 13 at the Indian River Grange Hall in Addison; Saturday June 18 Milbridge High School will hold their Alumni meeting at the Elementary School; Jonesport Historical Society will hold their Monthly meeting on Thursday June 23 at the Peabody Library, The Browders in Concert will be held Friday June 24 at the Harrington Elementary School. Columbia Falls High School will hold their school alumni at the Columbia Town Hall on Saturday June 25.      

            Downeast Bus Safety Conference will be held at Narragauagus High School for the second year in a row. All school bus drivers in Washington County are invited to attend, contact Dawn Coffin at SAD 37 office for more information.                            Folks say there is nothing to do in the country; well my calendar is booked up all summer with something that I want to do besides working in the garden. I do enjoy getting out to all of the historical societies and especially volunteering at the Milbridge Museum this summer.

            Harrington and Cherryfield 8^th graders went on their 8^th grade class trip to The Forks on June 2 and returned on the 3^rd. They went white water rafting in the afternoon and paint balling in the evening. While they were paint-balling, several of us hiked in to see Moxie Falls where we enjoyed taking pictures of the falls.

            Staying overnight in cabins on their class trip was a treat for the students.  On Friday after breakfast we traveled to Bangor Mall where the students spent some time shopping before going to Great Skates for a few hours of skating. On leaving there we traveled to Ellsworth for a meal at China Hill before returning to the high school in Harrington later that evening. Other students at The Forks sharing the same activities were the Jonesport 8^th graders on their own class trip.

            On Saturday June 4^th family and friends gathered at the Masonic Lodge in Winter Harbor for an 80^th birthday party for Grace Gerrish. A good time was had by all and we look forward to her having many more celebrations like this one.

 

June 12, 2011

             

Congratulations to Andrew McLaughlin for coming in 1^st place again for the 3^rd time out of 4 on Saturday June 11 at Speedway 95.

Our friends Steve and Jan Morrison have arrived at their cottage in Milbridge for the summer, we welcomed them on Friday the 10^th.

I received word that on Saturday Jesse and Diadem Washburn of Canton, Ma. attended Pride in Boston. They went to the parade and then met up with many friends to celebrate the day.  

The Cherryfield Celebration Committee will be setting up a “Hometown Heroes” Thank You Wall honoring Cherryfield Military, Firefighters, EMS Personnel, Teachers, Family & Friends between the Legion and the Bandstand that will be displayed June 20^th to July 5. For more information contact Cheryl Brown - tel.# 812-1880

I received a note from Nicole Abbott Ripley that her daughter Emmalee is graduating Kindergarten on Wednesday the 15^th. It does not seem possible that little Emmalee is that old already. How time flies for our little ones. The next thing you know I will hear she is graduating from high school. Speaking of graduating, Narraguagus High School class graduated on June 10 and I wish the best to all in their future endeavors.

A belated birthday wish goes out to Kyle Look who celebrated his big 13^th birthday...on the 4^th” 

On June 11 pack 137 had their Cub Scout Family BBQ & Awards ceremony at the home of their leader Donna Haire’s in Columbia.  

Carroll and I have been working in the garden, we finally got the tomato plants in and one special pumpkin plant planted for our grandson Konner. With trying to keep up on the mowing of the lawn and working in the garden between rainstorms has kept us quite busy on the homefront. I do enjoy mowing the lawn my way and my plants that are blooming shows up better too. My orange mandarin lights azaleas and snow ball bush are beautiful, as well as the purple and rose color rhododendrons that are in bloom. It won’t be long before the honeysuckle bush, and wisteria bushes will be in full bloom.

Over 80 Harrington High School Alumni attended the alumni meeting Saturday evening at the Columbia Falls Community building. Pres Robert Hammond presided over the event welcoming everyone to the gathering. For the entertainment Mr. Hammond gave a history of Harrington schools throughout the years.

The following folks: Evelyn Curtis Frye gave the Memoriam to the five that were no longer with us; Barbara Spizio, Robert Coffin, Charles Doucett, Elizabeth Scott and Gwendolyn Reed.  Jennie Strout Ganiel read letters that several folks sent their regrets that they could not attend this year. Jeanne Frye Begley welcomed the honored class of 1941, Joyce Drisko Bagley who could not be there this year. Lillian Grant Foss welcomed the honored class of 1961 with tidbits of information on each of the alumni. Helene Lawrence Hammond informed us that Daniel Bagley and Vivian Jackson were the recipients for the Harrington Alumni scholarship this year.

Joan Frye Meserve gave the roll call of classes where I believe actually 51 alumni’s attended along with their spouses or guest.

Deborah Frye Cashman presented flowers to the oldest, Carrie Strout class of ‘39 who will be 90 years old soon, Maynard Moore class of ’66  came the furthest from Missouri and the Smiley Face Award was presented to Joyce Ficket class of ’54 by Kendrick Randall 

In closing Gwen Faulkingham Strout class of ’53 lead the singing of the Alma Mater and Bernard Hammond Jr class of ’66 gave the closing prayer.

The alumni banquet was catered by Truena Woodworth Rankin class of ’64 and Hazel Woodworth Carter class of ’57 to benefit the Albert Woodworth Memorial Fund.

A great time was had by all socializing with the folks that attended and hoping that next year we all will be back for another alumni gathering.

June 19, 2011

Photo of Addison 8^th graders on their class trip at “The Forks”

There will be a Card Party for Dixie Cirone of Harrington on June 26 to celebrate her 75^th birthday. Send her a card to 1519 Main Street, Harrington, Me 04623. Include a note or picture for her to read or look at. Let’s see if she can get more than 75 cards wishing her a happy birthday.

Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington again came in first place at Speedway 95 on Saturday evening again.

A graduation party was held on the Ridge Road in Addison for Kameron Jordan on Saturday, with over forty friends and family attending.

Another busy week for me, on Monday I went to two cemeteries looking for certain stones for Find a Grave site, took the pictures and then posted them on the site. In the other cemetery I found my great grandparents stones that I had been hunting for, while there I took pictures of the whole cemetery and will have them posted when I get the chance to work on it. I was soaking wet when I got home and had to dry out before I did my bus run. 

On Tuesday I took the eight graders of Addison and Harrington for their step up day to high school and later in the evening I was one of the ballot clerks for the school budget. Only 44 turned out in Addison to vote that day.

On Thursday the 8^th graders of Addison had their class trip to “The Forks”. We left at 4:30 am and arrived back to the school by 8:30 pm. All of the students had an enjoyable trip white water rafting on the Kennebec River and the weather was great being 84 degrees all day.

On Friday evening Carroll and I along with June and Harry Rolfe and Peter Sawyer were guest of Steve and Jan Morrison’s in Milbridge for our Friday night dinner gathering. As usual we enjoyed the evening, dining and socializing with our friends and catching up on the news.

Saturday afternoon Carroll and I attended his 50^th high school alumni at the Milbridge Elementary School where 100 folks turned out for the meeting, socializing and of course the food that was catered by the Eastern Star ladies of Alcyone #71 of Milbridge.

On Sunday, Father’s Day, our son Zachary, wife Tiffany and grandson Konner invited us to a meal at the Top of the Hill restaurant in Southwest Harbor. Before returning home we took a ride to the top of Cadillac Mountain as our grandson said he had never been on a mountain before

Looks like we will be going on another moose hunt this fall as Carroll was drawn for the fall hunting season.  Congratulations to all the others that got a moose permit; in Columbia, Mike Farren, Jacob Vandessand and Kenneth Nichols received one, for Columbia Falls, Derek and Jared Thaxter, Benjamin Grant and Tracy Kyle received one, and in Addion besides Carroll, Charlene Reynolds, Benjamin Libby, Chad, Larry and Larry Hanning, Douglas Johnson, Maxwell Peabody and David Thompson received a permit. Also my son Matthew St.Pierre of Etna received a moose permit for a September hunt.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I wonder to my self, what else I need to get done here on the home front, a list would tell me, but I am off on to another challenge of getting my bus cleaned up so I can leave it at the office for the summer. I worked three hours in just washing the outside of it, well that also included washing the car and my son’s truck on Sunday morning. My power washer that I got in a yard sale leaks a lot of water, which might be why it took me so long to rinse the bus down.
Today, Monday did some cleaning for the antique dealer in Harrington, and then checked on a dog as his master is in the hospital again. In the next day or two will clean his trailer so when he comes home he will have a neater place to come too! Hopefully he will come home and get through another bout with pneumonia or I might be left with a dog.....

Oh yeah a house fire here in Addison, happening about 6 pm, tonight- I think it was a house that was a rental, will find out more tomorrow on my bus run how much damage is done to it. Two more days of school for me......yippee!!!!!

That’s about it for the time being....got to get to bed a bit earlier tonight at least before 10 p.m. Catch you all later. Ronie   

 

June 25, 2011

 

School is out for the summer, and I am sure it will go to quick for all of us. I just wish we could get some sunshine for the gardens.

Wild life, bear and deer have been seen on the Ridge Rd in Columbia. Hopefully they won’t come near our garden.

Monday evening an unoccupied house on the East side road in Addison was on fire but the firemen were able to save the home that was having some outside work done on it.

We attended an informative Estate Planning session at the Community building in Columbia Falls on Monday evening with Jeff Jones a lawyer out of Ellsworth.

Get well wishes go out to Glen Crowley of Columbia, Brandon Beal of Addison and Nina Seesman of Elliot, Maine.

Wednesday we had a surprise visit from Carroll’s aunt Susie Brewer and her son Gary Leighton. We met up with them for lunch in Milbridge before they returned to Augusta. There is never enough time to get caught up on all the news when it is such a short visit.

We finally got to one of the church suppers here in Addison on Tuesday evening, joining us was our grandson Konner Strout of Harrington. He was such a good boy and well behaved for us and he ate everything on his plate. Later that evening I had to check on a friend’s dog and I took Konner along. It was so cute as Konner introduced himself to the dog, told her that he was glad to meet her and that he had never seen such a big dog before and how big her eyes were. As we were leaving he said to her that he would be back and not to forget him. You had to be there to hear the conversation with him and the dog as it was priceless.

On Thursday the school district had an end of the year barbeque at the High School for all employees.

Peter Sawyer, Carroll and I were guest of Jan and Steve Morrison on Friday evening; good conversation along with a delicious meal was had by all.

Congratulations to Jamey and Annie (Woodsum) Polk on their wedding on Saturday June 25 in Winter Harbor. 

Dixie Cirone celebrated her 75 birthday on Sunday June 26, she was pleased with all the cards that she received in the mail.

Don’t forget the Downeast Bus Safety Conference at Narragauagus High School on June 30^th for all bus drivers in Washington County.

June 30, 2011

Photo: Konner Strout of Harrington turns 4 years old June 27, 2011

On Thursday evening June 23, the Jonesport Historical Society had almost 50 folks out for their monthly meeting; the guest speaker was Allan Lockyer, whose presentation was called “Downeast Country Stores as Economic and Social Institutions”. He showed slides of some of the stores that he had written up in his book. He also told us how the front cover came about. The publisher changed the one he had wanted which actually was supposed to be Amos Noyes store in Cherryfield. The publisher put the Palmyra General store on instead which is not a “Downeast Store”.

Bus drivers Lori-Ann White, Tracey Hatt, Dave Mathews, Ronie Strout along with Mike Peterson were in the Cherryfield parade on Saturday, promoting Buster the Bus a fully animated remote controlled robot. We are working to raise the necessary funds to purchase a ‘Buster’ for our kids, for out District, to teach the importance of school bus safety. We passed out information to the on lookers.  We even had a thunder shower during the parade, and we did get wet, but it was still fun and the parade still went on regardless of the weather.

Over 50 attended the Columbia Falls High School Alumni at the Columbia Town Hall, Columbia.  The 50 year class of 1961 was attended by Sally Driscoll Thompson, Lana Pineo Smith and Donna Bridgham Brustalon. Other members were unable to attend due to illness or other commitments.

Friends and family celebrated Konner Strout’s 4^th birthday at his home in Harrington on June 26. Konner and his little friends enjoyed a barbeque of hotdogs and hamburgers and the fixings and his slippery slide before opening his presents and having his cake. A fun time was had by all.

Get well wishes go out to JoAnne Champney and Glen Crowley of Columbia.

On July 9^th the Addison School Days Reunion will be holding their annual Banquet. Roast Pork and Beef are on the menu with all the fixings and a variety of desserts. The entertainment for the evening will be the Cole Creek Singers. Make your reservation by calling 483-2923 by July 7^th. $10.00 per person.

 

MSAD #37 Professional Driving Team

Photo:Back Row: Kevin Rice, Ronie Strout, Patricia Thaxter, Lori-Ann White, Transportation director Dawn Coffin,

Front Row: Tracey Hatt, Dawn McManus, and Darlene Stubbs.

Ronie Strout 2^nd Place #1

Tracey Hatt 1^st Place #2

Thursday June 30, thirty one bus drivers competed at the 2011 Regional Bus Safety Conference other wise known as the Bus Rodeo at Narraguagus High School in Harrington, Me. MSAD #37 Professional Driving Team drivers walked away with almost all of the trophies. In the Conventional Bus Competition first place went to Kevin Rice a spare driver, second place Darlene Stubbs and third place to Dave Mathews a spare driver, all drivers from our district. In the Transit Bus Division first place went to Tracey Hatt, second place to Ronie Strout both from SAD #37 and third place to Samuel Simonson of Falmouth School District. The overall points for the Downeast MAPT Regional Skills Competition went to our Professional Driving Team- MSAD #37 where we will hold the title till next year Regional Conference.

After the competition we had four workshops: #1 Sharing The Road With Distracted Drivers Is it Always someone Else?, #2 Bullying By Driver, #3  Managing Student Behavior on the Bus and #4 Smoke On The Bus.

The district provided a lovely luncheon with lasagna, salad, roll and apple crisp a la mode which everyone enjoyed.

Our fund raiser for ‘Buster the Bus’ drawing went to Arthur Smith of Steuben who won the camping gear. On the 50-50 raffle, both the winner and MAPT donated the money to our fund raiser for ‘Buster the Bus’.

July 10, 2011

 

Photo: Celeste Sherman newest member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the Hannah Weston Chapter.

On Sunday July 3, I volunteered at the Milbridge Museum as hostess for the afternoon. While I was there waiting for folks to come in I catalogued what was in the Museum for genealogy and now need to type it up for them. It was a long process looking at it all but I believe I got everything that was on the shelves. I looked through all the unidentified photos that were in the corner section, hoping to be able to say I found someone I knew. If you have time, stop on in and check out these photos, you never know someone just might be your ancestor from Milbridge, Maine.

We spent the fourth working around the yard, instead of running to and foe to parades and fireworks and enjoyed fresh crabmeat rolls for our meal.

We were in Bangor on the Friday the 8^th for my eye appointment and then ran to Togus to pick up our neighbor and brought him home from the hospital before heading to Milbridge for our regular Friday evening gathering with friends. It did make for a long day with all of the traveling we did.

We are enjoying fresh lettuce out of our gardens now and hopefully it won’t be long before we enjoy some vegetables out of them.

Saturday July 9, 2011 a DAR meeting was held at the Hammond’s cottage at Guard Point in Harrington where ten members enjoyed a luncheon before the meeting. During the meeting we welcomed Celeste Sherman as a new member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the Hannah Weston Chapter. Those that attended the DAR meeting were: Ruth Ahrens, Valdine Atwood, Debra Butler, L. Rosa Dykes, Roberta Hammond, Barbara Maloy, Arline Seavey, Celeste Sherman, Carole Ann Sprague, and Ronie Strout.

Congratulations go out to Tracey and Mike Peterson on their recent wedding on Saturday July 9, 2011, held at the Cherryfield Congregational Church and the reception followed at the Legion Hall in Cherryfield, it was a lovely wedding and reception, Carroll and I enjoyed socializing with many folks that were there.

Sterling and Jen Paul of Pittston, Maine was here to attend the wedding of Tracey & Mike Peterson on Saturday evening July 9. Their children Caitlin and Casey spent a few days this past week visiting with their grandparents Cheryl & Richard Paul of Addison.

I have been in contact this past week with another distant Worcester relation…Dave Caranci of Kernersville, North Carolina, who is a 4^th cousin to me via the Alfred, Leonard, Moses Worcester’s line. His great great grandfather was Charles K. Worcester of Columbia, plus his maternal line goes to the Orland, Russell, Ebenezer, Job Smith line of Columbia & Steuben area. In looking up his line it seems we had four Bartlett Campbell Smiths from Columbia, the first one was the son of Russell Smith who married Electa Ingersoll, #2- Bartlett Smith Jr. married Bessie Grant, #3 Bartlett Campbell Smith was the son of Orland Smith and #4 was Bartlett Campbell Smith 3^rd,

son of Frank and Helen Smith who married Mary Ploude and who everyone in the area knew as B.C. Smith.  Wow, that must have been some family name that was well liked. It sure does get confusing when you start doing genealogy and find how the name gets carried on.

Have you been in the new store that has opened up in Cherryfield yet? It is called Riverlily and it has a little something for everybody with bath and beauty items, jewelry, greeting cards, glass ware, Christmas ornaments and kid’s stuff for folks to buy. I stopped in on my way home from Ellsworth on the day that they opened. On Cherryfield Day’s I checked out  two antique stores to see what was in them and found items that I would love to of had, but alas could not buy at this time. Cherryfield is booming with businesses again. 

July 16, 2011

Photo:John Chadhorstak playing on the old banjo at Addison Days July 16, 2011 

Photo: Michcala Hills, Emily Bosley and Emmeline Beal at the Pleasant River Historical Society meeting

On Monday July 11, 2011 at the Indian River Grange Hall in Addison, the Pleasant River Historical Society heard from the winners from the essay contest “Describe Your Life As If you Lived in Your Town 100 Years Ago. They were to describe their life if they lived 100 years ago in their home town. 1^st place went to Emily Bosley of Milbridge receiving $100. 2^nd place Emmeline Beal of Cherryfield receiving $50.00 and 3^rd place to Michcala Hills of Addison receiving $25.00.

After the readings on the essay contest our guest speaker was Bob Garofalo who spoke on “The Evolution of the 17^th and 18^th Century House”. He had an extensive display of 18^th and early 19^th century building materials including nails, spikes, hooks, locks, latches and examples of paneling, windows, moldings, and paint samples.

On Monday I traveled to Machiasport to visit with Maxine Colbert for a few hours in the middle of the day, I had a lovely visit with her and her son.

Sandra Stevens of D.C. was in the area on Wednesday looking for information on the Edmund Stevens line. I spent the better part of the day taking her around and looking up information. We are trying to find out where Edmund actually lived in the 1700’s.

Thursday evening the Eastern Star Alcyone Chapter #71 had unexpected guest from California stop in to attend the meeting. These folks just happen to be driving by and saw some ladies going in all dressed up and realized it was a Star meeting. They turned around in their camper, changed their clothes and joined us. They had been to Campbello Island for a couple of days and were on their way back through Milbridge.

Tom and Glen Kilbourne of Delaware joined us at our Friday night gathering in Milbridge, they are here for the week visiting Steve and Jan Morrison.

Addison Days took place on Saturday the 16 with a small parade. Lynn Chadhorstak was serving lemonade to folks outside the library as they checked out the book sale inside and her husband John strumming on the old banjo along side her

The 2012 Addison calendars showing schools of Addison, Columbia and Columbia Falls are now for sale, I was able to pick up mine while I was checking out Addison Days.  

On Friday I had a phone call from Roland L Grant of Billings, Montana looking for information on the Tucker line in Cherryfield. In talking with him I had some information that I could send to him via the computer. He is also related to the Grant’s of Columbia Falls and to me.

Sent to County Wide on line paper. On July 15^th.

Photo: Andrew McLaughlin with the Trophy and race car:

Photo of Andrew McLaughlin getting out of the Race Car looking like a professional Winston Cup driver

Photo: Racing Team: Zac Strout, Eric McLaughlin, David McLaughlin and Andrew McLaughlin and Kevin Robinson

Congratulations to Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington for winning the First Annual 50 Lap Ikey Dorr Memorial Race at Speedway 95, Hermon, Maine on Thursday July 14, 2011

Photo: Michcala Hills, Emily Bosley and Emmeline Beal at the Pleasant River Historical Society meeting.

On Monday July 11, 2011 at the Indian River Grange Hall in Addison, the Pleasant River Historical Society heard from our winners from the essay contest “Describe Your Life As If you Lived in your town 100 years Ago.. They were to describe their life if they lived 100 years ago in their home town. 1^st place went to Emily Bosley of Milbridge receiving $100. 2^nd place Emmeline Beal of Cherryfield receiving $50.00 and 3^rd place to Michcala Hills of Addison receiving $25.00.

July 24, 2011

Send again to Machias Valley News and Downeast Paper

Photo of Andrew McLaughlin

Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington won the First Annual 50 Lap Ikey Dorr Memorial Race at Speedway 95, Hermon, Maine on Thursday July 14, 2011

July 24, 2011

 

Prince Edward Island Adventure

On Sunday July 17, my daughter Diadem Washburn and I left to go on vacation to Prince Edward Island; after crossing The Confederation Bridge, which is the longest bridge over ice-covered waters in the world at 12.9 kilometers, we arrived at three p.m. Canadian time at the KOA Camp ground in Cornwall. Our little log cabin had built in bunk beds that slept five people, it also had a bench and a shelf that was attached to the wall that we used for a table to cook on. Outside there was a swing on the porch that over looked the West River. We also had a picnic table, a grill and a fire pit to cook over if we wanted to.

After Diadem and I unpacked our vehicle we ventured to Charlottetown to the information center. We walked the boardwalk while checking out the shops and listening to live music in the square. We took a hike up and down a couple of residential streets and found an address of 100 ½ and also found one of the oldest surviving brick building in the area before returning to our cabin.

On Monday July 18 we left Cornwall to go to Cavendish to see the Historic site of Anne of Green Gables, Avonlea and then to visit Grandpas Antique Photo Studio to have our photo taken.

At Anne of Green Gables site was the farm belonging to Lucy M. Montgomery’s relatives where it was the inspiration for the most famous novel, Anne of Green Gables. After touring the barn and home we took a stroll on one of the trails, crossed the highway to visit the Macneill Homestead where Lucy Montgomery was brought up. All that remain was the cellar hole surrounded by trees and flower gardens and placards with quotes from the author’s journals. We then followed the path to the post office and crossed the road to the cemetery where we found the gravesite of Lucy Montgomery and her grandparents. We arrived back at where we had begun our walk to enjoy a picnic on one of the tables placed in the farm yard. From there we travel to Grandpas Antique Photo Studio and while waiting for our photos to be processed we decided to visit Avonlea the village of Anne of Green Gables. At Avonlea we strolled through out the village visiting all of the buildings sat up as a village depicting the way people lived over 100 years ago. 

Tuesday July 19, we were up bright and early to head for another adventure in P.E.I for the day. We headed for Orwell Corner Historic Village, PEI Agricultural Heritage Museum where we spent three hours touring the site. After  we left there we headed for to Little Sands to the Rossignal Winery to sample fine table wines, fruit wines, and liqueurs and enjoy panoramic view of Northumberland Strait.

Next on our trip was to travel to Panmure Island Provincial Park where we enjoyed more views of the area, saw red sand dunes and a light house. We decided because of the fog bank that came in, we would not stay at the beach and headed back to New Glasgow for a traditional P.E.I lobster supper that served an “All-you-can-eat” seafood chowder, mussels, salad, bread and rolls, beverages and dessert with your lobster. After our dinner settled we returned to Charlottetown to watch the Sound and Light Show presented by Homburg Canada Inc. This free show is projected onto Province House, a National Historic Site of Canada, and is set to authentic Island music every night from July 4 to September 30 at dusk. When this show ended  we walked down one street and listen to a live jazz band before we returned to our cabin at the KOA camp ground in Cornwall. We were tired from our busy day and wanted to turn in to be rested for our next adventure.

On Wednesday we traveled to the National Park  Brackley-Dabay on the Central Coastal Drive so we could swim in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We spent about three hours enjoying the first beach area we came to.  We then checked out a few more beaches and ended up on the Ile Robinson Island and explored it before we took another route back to our camp ground. We decided that the beach we stopped at first was by far the best one. By taking a different route and getting off the major routes we could see the fields of potatoes, corn, grains, and farms of cattle and horses in the area. The panoramic views while driving were amazing to see. Alas our time on P.E.I had come to an end and on Thursday morning we returned home to our every day lives wishing we could have spent another few days on the island.

July 31, 2011

 

On Sunday July 24, I volunteered at the Milbridge Museum as hostess for the afternoon, I had seven folks that came in and three were from Ohio, one from Massachusetts and three from Cherryfield. The lady from Massachusetts had also visited the Burnham Tavern in Machias and was looking for some info on the Cox family. I was able to show her some information that I found in one of the books in the museum, and told her if I had anything at home I would be glad to email it to her. We both enjoyed talking genealogy and it did take up the rest of my time there.

On Wednesday Tracey Peterson and I traveled to Sugar Loaf for the 40^th Annual Pupil Transportation Safety Conference. We both attended classes titled: “Bullying and Teen Suicide Prevention; ”Homemade Bombs”; “Bullying on the School Bus”; “What is a Crisis and What Do We Do?”; “Start a Safety Program in Your School”; “ Students With Behavior Issues”; and “Managing our Youngest Aggressive and Angry Children on our Bus”.

We did have some fun while we were there; many of the drivers were able to take the chair lift to the top of the mountain on Wednesday evening to enjoy the views. On Thursday evening before attending the dance in the King Room at Sugar Loaf, some of us went riding around in the area and we got to see a moose.

A thank you goes out to Jake Morgan transportation director of AOS 81 and his bus drivers: Bonnie, Cindy, and another Cindy, Dawnette, Jeff, Patty, and Patricia made me welcomed again and for putting up with me for the duration of our stay at Sugar Loaf. These drivers have made me feel right at home ever since I have known them. They are fun to be with and if it was not for them I would not have been able to take the training that has been offered to bus drivers every year.

On Saturday July 30, Carroll and I attended the wedding of Leslie Trott and Michael Pelkey that was held at Point Lookout in Northport, Maine. On our way we stopped into Cherished Home in Belfast a gift shop for a look see on what they had.

Friends and family gathered on Sunday to help David McLaughlin celebrate his 50^th birthday at his home in Harrington.

Three of the Professional Driving Team of MSAD#37, Lori-Ann White, Dave Mathews and Tracey Peterson along with Mike Peterson and Nancy Prince joined with Toys for Tots for a fundraiser in Franklin on Saturday to raise money to purchase Buster the School Bus for the district. At the end of the day Don & Mona Clark (Event Coordinators) presented the Professional Driving Team with $1000.00 for their efforts.

Buster is a fully animated remote controlled robot. He moves, speaks, listens, plays audio, and activates his lights all by remote control. With his optional stop arm he has all the warning devices of a real bus. He can wink, blink, and move his eyes, and with his smiling mouth he presents a positive and friendly image to young and old alike. Buster is an important teaching tool of school bus safety and we are having fund raisers to make him our own safety tool for our district.  Several members of our team have signed up for the training to operate Buster later this fall. We welcome donations to MSAD #37 Buster the School Bus Fundraiser. 

August 7, 2011

 

I received word that Velton Peabody is now formally back in the genealogy business. Picking up where he quit many years ago, he is gathering additional data for publication of a book to be known as the Descendants of Solomon and Lydia (Alley) Peabody. He will be in Maine for a week beginning Aug. 9 and will be mining data for the book, primarily in the Jonesport-Beals area. Please come to the Clyde Peabody family reunion at Lamoine August 14 prepared to share. This book will not be limited to people named Peabody, but will include all descendants for about six generations. Solomon and Lydia lived at Head Harbor Island and Beals in the 1820s. Their descendants include most of the Downeast Peabodys, plus many Alleys, Beals, Kelleys, Porters, Backmans, etc. In connection with the Peabody research and to aid in that research, he is gathering photos for use on AncestrydotCom and for possible use in the book. He may be reached at the reunion, by email at misterpeabody@comcast.net, or by snail mail at 301 South Spring St., Unit 104, Independence, Missouri 64050.

Roger Libby of Columbia is still in the hospital and would love to get some cards wishing him well. His address is Roger Libby, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Room 220, Union Street, Ellsworth, Me. Barbara his wife could also use some encouragement as she is going to and from the hospital every day to be with him.

This past week I have had two calls on genealogy; one was from a lady looking for information on Daniel Merritt of Addison, asking if I knew what happened to his cemetery stone. The stone has long been gone and wonder if anyone has ever taken a picture of it before it disappeared. The other call was a lady looking for information on Cecil Worcester of Columbia. I myself have not come across this name before in my research that I know of. I also had a Worcester gentleman stop by and leave with me some of his genealogy papers to look over. He is planning on attending the Worcester Reunion in September.

If anyone has photos of ancestors of Columbia/Columbia Falls and cannot identify them, give me a call as I have identified a number of them through other folks and would like to share what I have.

On Thursday Carroll and I along with Steve and Jan Morrison went to Acadia for a two hour carriage ride. We enjoyed our ride even though we got somewhat wet before it was all done. After our ride we headed for Pat’s Pizza in Ellsworth for a meal before we returned home.

On Saturday Madeyln Phinney, N. Joanne Smith, Priscilla Kennedy and Ronie Strout members of the Order of Eastern Star, Alcyone Chapter 71of Milbridge catered the Winter Harbor High School Alumni. The alumni had at least fifty folks out with the oldest being 94 years young. They all enjoyed the meal and looked like they were having a great time being together another year and was planning next years’ alumni meeting.

August 14, 2011

Get well wishes go out again for Roger Libby of Columbia, he is now home from the hospital, so all get well cards can now be sent to his home address 584 Station Rd, Columbia, Maine 04623.

Condolences go out to the families of Stanley Look of Columbia Falls and Alice Beal of Milbridge. They both will be greatly missed.

On Monday evening August 8 Danny Davis of Beals Island gave a presentation to the Pleasant River Historical Society on the “100-year history of Sealand” a Head Harbor settlement of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Mr. Davis gave a historical background of the island, its early settlements, and the growth of industry including quarrying and fishing, and the work of the Maine Seacoast Mission there. His power point presentation showed many photos of the island. We had a great turn out to this meeting.

On Thursday I joined Jan and Cheryl Morrison, and Shane and Shana Rauch on a hike in Baxter State Park. This was a first for me to hike in the park. I had been only as far as the Girl Scout camp many years ago when I took my daughter there for a week of camp. We hiked the trail to Little and Big Niagara Falls that was a 2.4 mile trail. This was a nice hike for the older folks that were out of shape. Cheryl, Shane and Shana were here for a week visiting Cheryl’s parents Steve and Jan Morrison in Milbridge and this was just one of their activities while they were here.

Saturday nineteen members turned out for the Washington County Historical & Genealogical Society meeting that was held in the Jonesport Historical Society building the former Sawyer-Worcester Building. Bill Plaskon and Donald Woodward gave a presentation of their computerized historical and genealogical program of Jonesport history and its families.

At the Peabody Library in Jonesport there are two computers for researching families of Jonesport and Beals Island. The next meeting for the Jonesport Historical Society will be on postcards from Glass Plates by Kevin Johnson on Thursday August 25 at 6:30 PM.

Check out their website at http://www.peabody.lib.me.us/jonesport-historical-society.php and watch the papers for information on their up coming meetings.

Friends and family gathered at Stanley Look’s home in Columbia Falls for a celebration of his life on Sunday morning August 14. It was a lovely day to remember Stan and our condolences go out to the family.

 

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I have been picking and canning beans again this week; I also picked or rather I raked some blueberries and have been freezing and making jam with them. As they say make hay while the sun shines. Tomorrow my grandson will be coming for the day, so not much will get done.

Won’t be long before school starts up -just three weeks and summer vacation will be over.  Catch you all again, I am sure I will have another interesting week here on the home front.     Ronie

August 21, 2011

Photo: Sculpture for Addison “Matured By Nature”

On Tuesday Carroll and I were in Machias doing some research on Austin’s of Addison and also on Moses Worcester of Columbia. I think I am finally getting the hang of it on looking up information in the registrar of deeds. It is really interesting to see and read the old deeds of Columbia. I have also been doing some research on the Grant family of Cherryfield and received a phone call from Ronald Grant of Montana that is related to them all. He is also another distant relative of mine on my mother’s side. He is looking for information on Harvey James Grant and Ella Mae Tucker.

Friday evening along with June Rolfe, Carroll and I enjoyed another evening with Steve and Jan Morrison at their cottage in Milbridge.

On Saturday morning August 20, 2011 friends and family gathered at the Columbia Falls community building to extend condolences to the family of Merton Bagley Sr. I was glad to visit with Lucy (Bagley) Harper and her children, Christopher, Thomas and Lorena Bagley and their families that had made the trip to the funeral. It is sad we only get together at funerals, and don’t make an effort to come when our families are alive and well.

On Saturday afternoon Steve and Jan Morrison and Carroll and I took a ride to the Schoodic Symposium in Prospect Harbor to see the sculpture that is being created for Addison and then took a ride around Schoodic Point before retuning home.

My granddaughter Jasmine St. Pierre was visiting her aunt Michelle McLaughlin of Harrington this week. While Jasmine was here she tried her hand at raking blueberries and made some spending money before returning home.

Congratulations go out again to Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington on his eighth win this year at Speedway 95 on Saturday evening.

Condolences go out to Sharon Rolfe’s family, Carol Crabtree’s family and Lillian Rogers’s family.

Lillian Rogers was the daughter of my Great uncle Luther and Great Aunt Jennie (Worcester) Sawyer of Columbia Falls, Maine.

Get well wishes are extended to Roger Libby of Columbia.

I heard from our daughter Diadem Washburn Sunday that she is all moved into her new apartment in Roslindale, Mass.

Mark your calendar for the Jonesport Historical Society meeting in Jonesport this Thursday August 25 it will be on Postcards from Glass Plates by Kevin Johnson in the Community Room, Peabody Library at 6:30 PM. Put on your calendar the Worcester Reunion on September 10 at the Columbia Town Hall, Columbia, Maine.

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I have been working on genealogy a lot lately, and today a lot when I was not mowing on the lawn. I have been to two funerals in a weeks time then heard that another distant relative on my father’s side died so there will be a service at the cemetery later on. There is another funeral coming up on Thursday that I will be going to…and to help with the refreshments for it. We have had a lot of folks that we knew pass away recently. Hopefully no more for a long while.

I am trying to get some canning done if only the garden would produce. It is quite slow this year in growing. Everyone says the same thing. Hoping the cukes will produce soon so I can make some pickles.

Blueberry season for the migrants are about over, the harvesters will rake for another three weeks. My son Zachary has his own harvester so he is quite busy these days with it raking night and day.

Mazie and Alice we really missed seeing you Saturday but understand that neither of you were able to attend Merton’s funeral. There were many out to it, as well as on Friday evening. I attended both, and was really glad to see Lucy, Christopher, Tom and Lorena there. Tom had stopped by two weeks ago and visited with Carroll while I was out doing my volunteer work. He tries to stop by when he is in the area.

Lucy sure does look great and happy. I am so glad for her. She has a good looking family and they all seem to be doing well.

I have earned some money doing genealogy for a couple of folks this summer and that has really come in handy for me. I will be back to work driving bus soon and then the paychecks will be coming in again. Just in time I am thinking.

Zeb is going back to sea in California first of Sept. taking coal to Hawaii and sugar back to Calif. He did not come home this time while he was ashore, he spent it with his fiancée in Minnesota, which I don’t blame him.

Thank goodness he left his truck here as we have had to use it as our car has been broke down most of the summer. He probably the next time he is home will be back to pick it up and take it as far as Minnesota.

Diadem and Jesse had to move into another apartment as the house they were renting with another couple did not work out, so they are back in Roslindale, Mass on the 3^rd floor apartment. They had Jesse’s father helping them this weekend.

Zachary has been harvesting blueberries with his own harvester and will probably have another three weeks to work. Some places have good berries and others say they don’t have any at all. I have not raked this year, probably should of tried to but have had a lot to do around here---keeping Carroll busy. Well I do try to but he does his own thing. He has been splitting the fire wood and that has kept him busy at times.

Matthew is working all the time, I don’t here much from him, Michelle is still working at Jackson Lab in Bar Harbor, and Zac’s wife Tiffany also works there.

I get Konner, Zac’s boy once or twice a week to look after as their babysitter quit in Dec got done because of her health. His great grandmother watches him the other days and one day he has day care. I think this fall he will be able to go to day care every day, but not sure of that yet. Konner turned 4 in June and next year he will be going to school, does not seem possible that he will be starting school in the fall of 2012.

Well not much else is new here, trying to keep the lawn mowed, the garden produced canned up and house work done. Some does not get done and some does just depends on what “I” want to do in a run of a day. LOL. Take care you two and catch you around the corner in OUT & ABOUT…Ronie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 28, 2011

 

The Moses Worcester Reunion is right around the corner, coming up on September 10 starting at 11 A.M.  with a pot luck luncheon at noon. Come and socialize and get caught up on family news.

Moses Jr.  was the first white male to be born at Pleasant River at Wooster Point at Columbia. He married Hannah Leighton and they had 12 children, both of them lived to be in their nineties. If you are related to any of these Worcester, Wooster, Worster families you are all welcome. 

Put on your calendar that there will be a community-wide yard sale (everyone having their own yard sale) in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Sept 10 starting at 8 am.  (Think of all the yard sales you can go to - all in one day)  For information call Leni Weaver at 483-2280 or Loyce Worcester at 483-2319.

Over 300 friends and relatives turned out Thursday for the funeral service of Brownie Rolfe of Milbridge at the Milbridge Elementary School. Condolences go out to this family.

On Thursday evening Kevin Johnson Photo Archivist of Penopscot Museum showed a slide show on postcards from Glass Plates of Jonesport, Beals Island, Machias, East Machias and Machiasport. He works with them at the museum to help preserve them for future generations. If by chance you know someone that may have glass plates in their homes, please have them contact Kevin so the plates may be preserved. He can be reached at the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, Maine. The phone number is 207-548-2529 ext 210.

School will soon start on Sept  6 in our district, so be prepared to see the yellow buses out on the road from 6:15 to 8 A.M. and 2 P.M to 4 P.M. Of course they are also on the road with ball games and after school programs later in the evenings. Remember the yellow lights mean that the buses are ‘about’ to stop to pick up or drop off students after the bus stops the red lights will come on. Please do not try and pass the bus at this time, this is when an accident can happen. Another thing, do not pass a bus in a school yard, students are running around to go with their parents or could be chasing a dropped piece of paper and may run in front of you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 3, 2011

Photo of bus drivers workshop.

Have you noticed that the end of summer always happens when the blueberry season ends, the Blue Hill Fair arrives, school starts and the weather becomes cooler? The summer season does not on end on the first day of fall which is September 22 but instead when school starts

All of the SAD #37 employees have attended workshops this past week gearing up for the school season. On Friday September 2 the bus drivers Al Moore, Lori White, Ronie Strout, Wayne Grant, Kevin Rice, Tracey Peterson and contract drivers, Mary Moore and Carroll Strout attended the workshop at the EDGE building in Cherryfield for team building along with Dawn Coffin transportation director.

This summer I have been writing a School Bus Safety Book for all kindergarten students and hope to have them in all of the schools the first week of school. The title is Gooney Bird and Buster the Bus, the Half Pint Bus. It is a booklet that all students in kindergarten will be able to take home for their parents to read to them about bus safety.  

The bus drivers have been raising money to buy Buster the Bus a robot bus that teaches the important lessons of school bus safety. A chemical free dance fund raiser is planned this month at the VFW in Harrington.

While at the ‘Friday Night Club” at Steve & Jan Morrison’s cottage with the usual in attendance we had a telephone call from Peter Sawyer bringing us up on his news while he is on vacation with Judy Sprague.  As usual we had good food and good conversation through out the meal.

Congratulations go out to Andrew McLaughlin again who placed first at Speedway 95, his 10^th win for the season on Saturday eveing the 3^rd of September.

While I was out and about I stopped at a local on going yard sale and found two postcards of Columbia Falls addressed to Mrs. Genetta Leighton, my great grandmother from her daughter in law Marcia Leighton and one address to my great aunt Miss Bessie Leighton. It is a really great fine and one that was unexpected to fine.

While reading through the Old Town records of Columbia 1752-1917 and Columbia Falls 1863-1891 I found the marriage intentions of Moses Worster and Susannah Knowles that was published March 30, 1805 and Moses Worster Jr and Miss Diadem Smith marriage intention that was published on June 16, 1838. These Moses Worsters are ancestors to all Worcesters in the area.

When researches go to the town offices they are always told that all records have been destroyed because of a fire and that they only have records dating from 1862 to present. The town offices all should have a copy of a CD with this information for folks to get on to do their research. Then again if the town does not have a computer that folks can use it would be impossible to search this record. I know that Picton Press has all of the towns on CD’s and they can be purchased from them at a reasonable price. I sometimes wonder did the whole state of Maine burn up for them to tell us that they do not know of any of these prior records. You can now order a CD with a 1861 map of all of Washington County.  In fact the Burnham Tavern has some on hand to sell.

The Town of Columbia also has a copy of a type written book on the Legal Meetings of Columbia from Thomas Ruggles a selectman of the town dated this 5^th day of April 1796. It does not say who originally typed the records and it goes only to 1828.

The more I do genealogy the more interesting things I run across n the history of Columbia and surrounding towns.

 

 

September 11, 2011

 

           

We have seen some deer on the Ridge Rd in Columbia, and we also have seen where they have hit our gardens this year. Maybe this fall I will be able to get my meat and vegetables all at once during deer season. Doe permits are out, but alas we did not get drawn this year.

On Sunday the 4^th Carroll and I visited with Gerry and Maurine Healey’s in Columbia Falls for a wonderful meal along with seven other folks in the area. A good time was had by all.

Won’t be long before the moose hunt starts, we are all gearing up for it and making our plans to travel to the ‘county’ in October.

On Saturday September10^th another Worcester family reunion has come and gone with 34 folks attending. I will do a complete write up later on.

On Saturday September 10, 2011 Carroll and I attended a beautiful outdoor wedding at Edgewater Cabin in Sullivan for Amanda Kennedy and Brian The reception was held at Acadia Birches Knights Inn in Ellsworth with the Steel Rail Express band providing the music for their reception.  Amanda is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. James Kennedy of Harrington, and Brian the son of Mr. & Mrs. Ken LeBlanc of East Falmouth, Massachusetts. Congratulations go out to both of them on their recent wedding.

The first week of school has come and gone with some changes on our bus routes. We hope to have it all straightened out soon. I am now assigning seats to my students on my bus, subject to change at any time.

Get well wishes go out to Glen Crowley of Columbia and Arlene Guptill of Addison.

Lee Worcester and Damaris Smith of Southwest Harbor called on Molly and Dick Woodsum in Addison after attending the Worcester reunion on Saturday. The Woodsum’s also had their daughter Kim and husband Phil Pitula stop overnight on their way to Eastport for the Pirates Festival.

Condolences go out to Nina Seesman’s family on her passing on July 5, 2011. We will miss visiting with her at her summer home in Columbia. Her husband Allen Seesman attended the Moses Worcester Reunion this pass weekend.

 

Rest of the news.

Yesterday was a busy day, yard sales first thing before my Family Reunion from 11-2, then off to a wedding at three, home late. Today, taking care of Reunion stuff, organize what is left of supplies for the reunion, settling up on Reunion expenses ,did a wash & hung out to dry, took care of recyclables, put away some canning supplies, and picked up supplies at the hall that was for the reunion. Walked in the cemetery and took pictures of some stones. Found a useful item to scrape off moss on stones that actually works but you end up with a little bit left of it which is not useable any longer. I did one load of clothes to hang out to dry while the day was good. I talked with a friend on the phone to update on the reunion. Catch you all later. Ronie

September 18, 2011

            The high school physical education class are now canoeing and kayaking on the Narraguagus River every Tuesdays and Thursdays. With the weather turning cooler I should get some pictures when the leaves turn with the students in the river.              I drove the high school boy’s soccer team to Woodland on Tuesday afternoon. It was foggy here, but when we got to Woodland the sun was out and just enough wind to keep the flies at bay.  Our students in Elementary School are kept busy with soccer games and cross country this time of year.

            Get well wishes to Carroll Strout and Philip Farren of Addison, Roberta Hammond of Columbia Falls and Glen Crowley of Columbia are just some of the few that I know about.

            Our daughter Diadem and husband Jesse Washburn stayed overnight Saturday evening as they had been to a wedding in Winter Harbor during the day. It is always good to have her home no matter the length. On their way out I gave them some goodies to take back with them.  They will be back in November for Thanksgiving for an overnight stay. Both of them have a very busy schedule and if I want to see them next weekend I must go to the Common Ground Fair where they volunteer to work. Both of them have been doing this for a number of years.

            For the first time Chuck Hammond of Columbia Falls and his two sons Chris and Chad and grandson Rufus Hammond went kayaking on 2^nd Lake Mopang together earlier this month. They enjoyed a swim and a picnic lunch before they waded up upstream to 3^rd Mopang. It was a great day to be out and about with his boys.

             Check out the new website for Columbia Falls that is now up and running at http://columbiafallsmerecord.org/.

            On Saturday committal services were held at the Columbia Cemetery and refreshments at the Town Hall for Lillian ‘Sawyer ‘Rogers who grew up in Columbia Falls. Under the circumstances I was still able to visit with my cousins a bit before they returned to their home. 

            Condolences go out to the family of Letitia ‘Tyler’ Tibbetts of Columbia Falls and Machias.

            Mark your calendars for September 24, for the Fundraiser Dance for Buster the Bus, child size robotic school bus that the bus drivers are raising money for. The chemical free adult dance will feature DJ Clyde Merrill with 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s music from 9-12 p.m.

            Mark your calendars for the 2^nd annual  Quilt Show at the Columbia Falls Town Hall on Saturday October 1, this event will feature a display of quilts from antique to contemporary as well as quilting and craft demonstrations and vendors.

            Also on Saturday October 1, the Oktoberfest in Harrington will be having a book sale at the library, Horseshoe Tournament, a parade, Bigelow Park activities, vendors, food, entertainment, and a lobster bake and car show at McLaughlin’s Garage in Harrington followed up by an adult dance at the VFW in Harrington. Sounds like a good time to me.

           

NOW for the rest of the news, my husband has cellulites on his leg and since Wed evening when I made him go to the hospital and have this checked out we have been returning every night for him to get his antibiotics via IV’s. We get home around 9 so far every night. We went again tonight and he does not have to go back but have to change his antibiotics to something else. So off tomorrow for a new prescription to be filled.

September 25, 2011

 

The fund raiser for Buster the Bus did not turn out well, but the few folks that did turn up to the dance had a wonderful time dancing to the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music with some karaoke done by Lori-Ann West and Kevin Rice.

Good food and conversation was again held at the Morrison’s in Milbridge Friday evening. They will be attending their daughter’s wedding next week so it will be two weeks before we meet up with them again.

On Saturday, Carroll and I ventured to the Common Ground Fair in Unity for the day. We got to visit with our daughter Diadem and Jesse Washburn for a bit as they were volunteers for the weekend at the fair. The day started out with rain in the morning but by the time we arrived at the fair the sky was still overcast with some scatted showers but over all it was a good day for all fair goers. We did not get around to everything at the fair but there is always next year to go again.

While at the fair I met up with Neil Lash a teacher at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro. Lash teaches horticulture and is the director and cofounder of the Heirloom Seed Project at Medomak Valley High School. In talking with him I found out his daughter in law is from Columbia Falls and that he also loves marafax beans. I got his address so I could send him some of my wild goose beans that have been passed down to me from my father Orrin L. Worcester. I also gave him the recipe on how to cook them and marafax beans the ‘Columbia way’.

On Sunday afternoon Tracey Peterson of Cherryfield held a Tastefully Simple Party at her home with where we all learned about the products that this company sells.

The Pleasant River Historical Society is raising funds for the cannon restoration project.  The two cannons that have graced the Mayhew Library lawn, since 1962, were an indefinite loan with Clayton H. Small by the US Department of the Navy.  The guns were mounted on cement pedestals as recommended by the Navy.  The cannons were set in memoriam to all service men and women of the town who have served their country.  In the nearly fifty (50) years the cement pedestals have succumbed to the weather.  As a tribute to all service men and women the Pleasant River Historical Society voted to make this a project to help raise the funds necessary to replace and repair the cannon monuments to their original state before the 50 year anniversary in 2012.  Please help us by making a contribution to the: Cannon Project, C/O Pleasant River Historical Society, PO Box 300, Addison, Me. 04606

 

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The rest of the news....I am exhausted today, got to bed at 12:30 this morning- left early yesterday to go to the fair, and returned in time to go to the fund raiser dance. Did not get up to early today so did not much done but the wash and some genealogy look up, attended the Tastefully Simple Party, stopped at two yard sales, visited next door for a bit and did some filing of papers. Tomorrow begins another day of bus; I am off to Eastport tomorrow afternoon with the boys’ soccer team.  Catch you all later....Ronie

October 1, 2011        

 

            On September 22, I attended the Jonesport Historical Society at the Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport. We had two guest speakers; the first was historian and Professor Jay S. Hoar talking about coastal Maine authors, including George Savary Wasson, Lincoln Colcord, Robert P.T. Coffin and Edna St. Vincent Millay and the second was Gary Elwell an expert antique collector and historian. Mr. Elwell had on display some antiques that he brought with him. I believe one item was from the 17^th century that he found at a yard sale. Both speakers were very interesting and informative.                                                                                                                            On Friday September 30, D.W. Merritt School held a bus evacuation program with bus drivers Lori-Ann White, Dave Mathews, Pat Thaxter, Darlene Stubbs, Dawn McManus and Ronie Strout. The drivers presented to the school a skit with puppets Gooney Bird, Bianca the Ballerina and Whalen the Wakadumis with a cut out school bus for the stage. After the presentation on school bus safety and bus evacuation, the students went outside to actually exit a bus in an emergency. After the bus evacuations each child in grade one received a safety booklet that I wrote to take home telling about the danger zone, with bus evacuations questions, school year and winter reminders, parent’s information and the First Grade Song. Last month the kindergarten class also received a safety booklet on the same thing with their very own kindergarten song.                                                 Saturday the Oktofest event in Harrington went on as usual, with some things not held due to the heavy rain. The parade and car show was held but the outdoor lobster feed did not happen. A dance at the VFW was well attended I was told.                                      Carroll and I attended the movies in Milbridge, The Help was playing and where I have read the book I now could put actors to the characters. The movie followed the book quite well. Many that attended, I over heard saying they also had read the book and that Jonesport Library had it.

            Condolences go out to the families of Jacob Beal of Addison and Ruth Hartford of Columbia Falls.

 

Oct 8, 2011

Kim Meuse of Jonesboro the newest DAR Member in the Hannah Weston Chapter Sculpture at the Addison Park.

On Saturday October 8, nine members met for the DAR Hannah Weston Chapter meeting held at Wreaths Across America in Columbia Falls, Maine. Our chapter has received six new members since February, and this day we welcomed Kim Freeman Meuse of Jonesboro as our newest member. We have several more potential members waiting to hear back on their applications.  The next DAR meeting will be November 5 at the Bluebird Restaurant in Machias with MSODAR State Regent Virginia Spiller guest and speaker. The DAR members were introduced to Lt. General Robert J. Winglass (Ret.), Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor for Governor LePage. He and his wife happen to stop into the museum while we were having our DAR meeting. They said they were on their way to Machias to see their grandson in a soccer game. Sad 37 Bus drivers put on two more programs on bus evacuation this past week in the Harrington and Cherryfield schools.  The students in grade one received their booklet on safety at this time to take home to share with their parents. The sculpture has arrived at our park in Addison on Thursday October 6. If you are in the area stop by and check it out. The park is right next to the Masonic Lodge overlooking the marsh and the Pleasant River. Quite a few folks will be on their moose hunt this week; I wish them all good luck on their hunt. Wedding anniversaries celebrated goes out to: Cheryl & Richard Paul on Sept.  25,  Diadem & Jesse Washburn on Oct 9, 2011, Carroll & Ronie Strout on Oct 2, Ruberta and Stephen Plummer on Oct 7, and  Richard& Molly Woodsum on Oct 11.          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 16, 2011

Photo Carroll and Zachary Strout with their moose

On Sunday morning October 9, Carroll and I along with our son Zachary and my daughter Michelle headed for Aroostook County to start our moose hunt expedition in the county. We arrived at our lodging, and then took to the woods to look for moose. From Monday to Friday morning we hunted hard the Irving lands from Caribou to Eagle Lake, not seeing a bull moose that could be shot. We were up every morning at 3:30 and on the road by 4:15 to be at our hunting spot waiting and hoping a bull would be there by daylight. By the time we got back to our lodging it would be close to 8:30 p.m.  After being out that length of time we were all tired. Every day we ate lunch out in the woods, some good food as we had sandwiches three days, moose meat hamburgers one day, and moose meat chili all cooked on the back of the pick up. On top of that I had taken blueberry cake and moose meat mincemeat squares for dessert. We saw a lot of cow moose, a couple of bull moose, a few deer, two bears, and plenty of partridges while riding the wood roads. The views were spectacular in some of the spots that we went to. On Friday October 14, at 6:53 A.M, Zachary Strout of Harrington shot an 1174 pound bull moose that field dressed at 905 pounds, with 25 points and a 51 inch spread.  My husband Carroll held the permit this year, but let our son shoot it. After getting the moose tagged and weighed at the tagging station in New Sweden we headed to the butcher shop to have our moose processed. Later in the afternoon I visited my ex sister-in-law where we got caught up on all of the family news. Mid morning on Saturday we picked up our moose and headed home to Addison where on Sunday I processed all of the stew meat in canning jars to be placed on my shelves in the cellar. The moose hunt was now over for a few more years.

               Steak, roast, hamburger, and sausage are all in the freezer. Jared 61 quarts and 31 pints of moose meat from the 130 pounds of stew meat that I had left.

. That’s it for this week; today Sunday was a busy day for me up at 7 am, did three loads of clothes, hung them out to dry and then brought them in before they got damp again. Canning moose meat stew all day, last count 70 jars. More to do tomorrow., did go to a yard sale and get a bureau, then had help to get it into bedroom upstairs, took old one out and got rid of old clothes etc. and cleaned the corner out where it went. Had moose heart for supper with toast, that was delicious, then a mince meat square made from moose meat for dessert. Just too busy today and now am waiting for the meat to bath off so I can go to bed. 

I think this week will be busy with the bus and trying to get outside work done between bus runs and trips. Hope you all are doing well and stay tuned till next week.

Ronie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 22, 2011

 

            Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association is planning on holding Fly-Tying classes at their club house in Columbia with master fly-tier David Klausmeyer of Steuben. More information will be forth coming as soon as they get the schedule.

            Tuesday the 7^th grade of Harrington and the 8^th grade of Cherryfield traveled to the Cole Museum in Bangor to interview veterans and also to have a tour of the museum. Mr. Cole himself spoke with the students and then gave to each of the students the book Quiet Courage, Stories of the Unselfish Dedication of Maine Veterans by Don Colson on their way out of the museum. Before returning home the students had lunch at the Twin City Buffet in Brewer.

            Get well wishes go out to Ruberta Plummer of Harrington, she broke her wrist in a car accident on Friday, she is home recuperating.

            On our regular Friday evening engagement, Peter Sawyer, June & Harry Rolfe, and Carroll and I were at Steve & Jan Morrison of Milbridge and enjoyed fine dining and getting caught up on what had happened in the neighborhood over the week. It won’t belong now before the Morrison’s will return to their home in North Carolina for the winter.

            Around the neighborhood this weekend I noticed laundry drying on the lines, people mowing their lawns hopefully for the last time, folks working on their fire wood and putting it in for the winter. For us we were busy digging up the dahlias and the rest of the potatoes in our gardens and putting them into the cellar for the winter along with working on getting the wood pile into the shed.

                        The Jonesport Historical Society will be having their last meeting for the year on Thursday October 27 at the Jonesport Library with guest presenters Susan and Stephen Sanfilippo, historians, educators, and performers of historic songs. The Sanfilippo’s will present a second edition of “Song-Finders” for the Society, at 6:00 PM. Donald Woodward will also give a short presentation called “More Treasures Found in the Sawyer Building”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 30, 2011

Photo of the genealogy section at the Porter Memorial Library

Photo of Bus Evacuation at  Milbridge Elementary School

            The first snow storm for the winter arrived on Sunday the 30^th; I wonder if this is a sign that we will have lots of snow this winter. Even so we were able to finish putting in our fire wood just in time on Saturday.

            On Tuesday Lori-Ann White, Dave Mathews, Clara Ann Freeman and my self met at the Milbridge Elementary School to do a Bus Evacuation program and then on Wednesday Lori, Dave and I presented the program to the children at the Flaherty Center in Machias. Thank you goes out to David Smith the Machias Director of Transportation for letting us use a bus for the presentation.          While I was in Machias I stopped into the Porter Memorial Library and checked out their collection of books and of course the genealogy section which is impressive. I hope to get back there and really get my hands on some of the genealogy history that can be found there.

            The Phys Ed class at the high school traveled to MDI to hike on Thursday. After hiking the trails they enjoyed having their lunch on Sand Beach before returning back to school. Some of these students would never get to do this if it wasn’t offered in their class. I would loved to of joined them but I had to park the bus at Sand Beach and wait for them to return.

            Hunting season has begun, I have not heard if any one locally got their deer on the first day. Don’t forget if you are out in the woods hunting, walking or gathering brush to wear orange.

                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 6, 2011

            I just got a notice when the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club will be having their suppers for this coming season. The dates are Nov. 19, 2011 and for the year 2012 they are: Jan, 7, Jan 28, March 3, and March 24. The suppers all start at 5:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse on the Ridge Road in Cherryfield.

             Monday night I had quite a few Trick or Treater’s that came out. My grandson Spider Man Konner was one of the first to come. It is always a treat to see these little goblins.

            The Mainely Country Band played at The Pines Saturday evening; we stopped by as I knew the band members and listened to them for a couple of hours. It is always a pleasure to see these folks. For the folks that did not get a chance to hear them, you can check out their site on http://www.themainelycountryband.com.

            On Saturday I stopped by and checked out the Craft Fair at the community building in Columbia Falls and started my Christmas shopping.  From there I traveled to Pembroke with Valdine Atwood of Machias and Betsy Fitzgerald of Bucks Harbor;

to the Washington County Historical Genealogical Society meeting held at the Pembroke Historical Society building. Members that attended were: Betsy Fitzgerald, Christine Small, Celeste Sherman, Bill Plaskon, John Sprague, Bonnie and John Van Dyke, Valdine Atwood, Ellen Thomas, France Raye, Pam Beveridge, Ronie Strout and Arthur Carter.

            Bonnie and John Van Dyke have now returned to their home in Brewer after spending some time at the Pleasant River Camp Ground in Addison. While they camp here they go around to different cemeteries in the area and take photos of stones that folks are asking for on Find A Grave. We laughingly spoke how I was one step ahead of them on several of the listings. On this site google - http://www.findagrave.com/ are lists of cemeteries in Washington County and you can find a photo of the stones and sometimes a photo of the person. This is a good way to get your documentation for your ancestors. I have tried to put not only the stone but if I can find a photo of that person I add that as well. It does take time to search for the stones especially if you don’t have a good record of the cemetery to go by.

            Philip Worcester of Columbia Falls has just celebrated another birthday on November 5 and Kenneth Thompson of Addison celebrated his 90^th birthday on Monday November 7. I hope they both had a great day.

            There will be a Veterans Day program on Thursday November 10 at 9 am at the Narraguagus High School for the public. Show your respect and thank your fellow veterans for their service and sacrifice.

 

Now for the other news:

Just can not tell it all, it is just too hilarious and besides you would not believe it anyway.....Got all of the wood in last weekend, started up the coal stove so to make the house warm today.. It has been somewhat a stressful week for me, just hope this week will be fine, what with all of the bus runs I have, counting ballots on Tuesday night, and the Veteran Day program on Thursday, and taking photos for a wedding on Friday, will keep me a bit busy I guess.

This news only to one person Jake:  LOL….

 

We missed seeing you folks at the dance on Saturday evening, we know you was just sitting at home and relaxing, but really if I can get my ass out you can too!!!!!

Anyway my ‘boss’ was there and I told the other person that what goes on at Sugar Loaf stays at Sugar Loaf, and she does  need to know! She I mean boss was hitting on my husband, he wasn’t too happy about that! I thought it was funny considering her friend was dancing with her close and all. Never mind that guys it was just too funny.

By the way, hope you all had a great fall so far, I am now busy with cleaning the ‘house’ as my son and girl friend will soon be arriving this week for an undetermined stay…..could be good as you see my clothes dryer is dead and I know neither one will hang out clothes so looks like I will get a new clothes dryer soon. Yippee!!!!! And maybe something else will get done in the house like insulating my shed so my washer does not freeze up….

Well not much for Christmas orders on Centerpieces Christmas Balls or wreaths. Got a couple of personal ones to do but that is it. Oh well don’t feel like working my ass off just to pay the taxes…gosh it is just too darn cold, started up the coal stove this morning, hope to get a ton of coal before the week is out or I will be rather cold again. Got all of the wood in last weekend , just about broke my back in tossing the wood onto the pick up truck and then tossing it in the shed and piling it up. The last load I got tossed in and told my husband he could pile it as I was beat. He did too!!!! He did lose his leg on one of those loads, had to get him a chair to sit in and straighten it up, and it was not completely off just looked kind of off kilter.  Just had to straighten it up….it was so funny, needless to say he didn’t think it was funny.

Today we got the rest of the potatoes picked over to put down cellar for the winter. Then

I went to a Home Interior Decorating Party my daughter hosted. Gees I had to buy something so bought myself a couple of items then bought my future daughter in-

 law her Christmas and birthday present. Figured I might as well. But really I hate to shop for Christmas. Oh --I saw a cute sign that said “I can at Grandmothers” well first thing that came to mine was…. yes my grandson Konner does can at Grandmothers as he helped me can beans…..well you know the rest that was not what the sign meant. It meant that he could do anything he wanted at grandmothers……well-- I have a photo of him helping me can beans so I think I will print that picture and put “I can at Grandmothers “ on it. What do you think neat idea…then give it to his parents for a gift…..well enough foolishness, have a great week and catch you around the corner sometime. Tell the rest of the gang hello for me. Ronie  ( Did not send to others,

Just had to add it to remember it all.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 12, 2011

 Harrington EDGE students at the East Machias Aquatic Research Center

Eagle on the East Machias River November 10, 2011

           

            The first public supper of the season will be held on November 19^th beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Narraguagus Snowmobile Clubhouse, Ridge Road in Cherryfield. This is one supper you want to get out to as the marafax beans are cooked the ‘right way’ by June Rolfe of Milbridge. They also have lots of different kinds of casseroles to go with the beans. Great places to socialize and get caught up on the news while enjoying the home cook meal. 

            Sheila Mitchell, Jane McGray, Jeanette Perry, and Ronie Strout were Addison’s ballot clerks for the election on Tuesday November 8. It did not take long to count the ballots this election.

            We are enjoying having Molly Ulku and Zebadiah Strout in the area, they arrived on Thursday evening November 10 for a few weeks while Zebadiah is between jobs.

             Saturday evening friends and family attended the wedding of Lori-Ann & David Mathews on November 11, 2011 at the Knights of Pythias, Beano Hall, Gouldsboro. I had the pleasure to take some candid photos for Lori & David to remember the event.

            Thursday the EDGE students from Harrington traveled to East Machias Aquatic Research Center building and then to UMM in Machias for an hour of swimming.  While in East Machias we saw an eagle overlooking the river. The Milbridge EDGE students also swam at UMM and then they had a science workshop after their swim to go to.

            Did you know that there are some hiking trails in Columbia Falls that the Downeast Salmon Federation has made? They have a map out that shows where the trails are and where you can park. The property can be accessed from two locations, the “Little River Road” off of the Cross Road on the North side of the property and the ”A.P. Smith Road” off of the Tibbettstown Road on the West side. The “Highland Trail” is about .65 miles and the “River Trail” is about .60 miles. It says that a loop can be walked from either access point including both trails and is approximately 2.0 miles. . I am in hopes to get a chance to hike these trails when my daughter is home over Thanksgiving

            This week I received my copy of Washington County, Maine in the Civil War 1861-66 by Ken Ross.  Chapters about the home front, regiments and their members and life in the Army & Navy are provided. If you are interested in the Civil War, send a check to the St. Croix Historical Society, Calais Maine 04619 for $32.00. For more information contact bearcovequilts@yahoo.com  

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 18, 2011

 

            This past week I received an article from a friend in North Carolina that was written for the Down East Magazine sometime in the mid 50’s, called Down East Emporium by Earl M. Benson.  Mr. Benson has written an article on Joseph Wallace who came from Beverly, Massachusetts and was one of the first settlers in Washington County in 1763. It tells about opening a trading post near the mouth of the Narraguagus River in Milbridge where he bartered for goods within a fifty miles radius. Wallace also was able to lodge and feed customers in a crude log cabin which was called a tavern. The trading post was handed down to his son Joseph Wallace Jr as the second owner, and then followed by Joseph’s son Samuel. The fourth owner was Stephen son of Samuel and fifth owner was Samuel’s son Nelson C. Wallace.

            . The ownership of the store was in the Wallace family for six generations with Everett Wallace owning it till 1943 then Everett sold it to his nephew Reginald Strout. The next two owners were Donald Grant, and then Linden Perry who owned it at the time it burned a couple of years ago.  It goes on and tells that Wallace owned his own ships, and where he got his goods from. It does make interesting reading of the history of Milbridge, Maine.

            While I am out and about driving the bus, I have seen some deer hanging up, so I know a few have gotten their deer for the season. I have seen herds of deer on folks lawns, but alas no bucks. I also see that a few have been through my garden searching for the leftovers, which they did not get during the growing season. Some folks in the area wish they had not gotten their deer the hard way by running into it with their vehicle.

            The wreathing season is up and running, with folks harvesting brush and then making it into wreaths.

            The school bus drivers are having a Warm and Safe Raffle to benefit Buster The Bus they are trying to get for the district. You can purchase a raffle ticket from any of the drivers. The Raffle consists of Robur Euro-Therm gas (propane) fired convector heater/wall mounted vented/w/thermostat, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, flashlight w/batteries for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. The drawing will be held on December 20, 2011.

            Birthday wishes go out to my son Matthew St. Pierre of Etna, Maine on November 28th

 

Sent to DECP, MVNO, Ellsworth American, and County Wide on line paper

for the wedding announcement November 18, 2011.

 

            Lori-Ann & David Mathews was married on Friday evening, November 11, 2011 at the Knights of Pythias, Beano Hall, Gouldsboro, Maine.

            Lori-Ann is a professional school bus driver for SAD #37 and David is Supervisor of Security for Wyman’s Blueberry Co.

            Parents of the bride are Lois and John Farnsworth of Addison and parents of the groom are the late Harry Mathews and Eleanor Mathews of Cherryfield.

            Lori-Ann is the daughter of Lois and John Farnsworth of Addison and David is the son of the late Harry Mathews and Eleanor Mathews of Cherryfield.

 They reside in Milbridge. MVNO charged ($22.95) Lori paid for this announcement with picture.

 

November 26, 2011

 

Photo of Friends of Columbia:

            The Cherryfield Snowmobile club had another great supper on November 19^th; many folks were out to enjoy the meal and to socialize with everyone.

            Thanksgiving has come and gone, we did not have ours till Saturday the 26 so as to have everyone home from the hunting camp.  Those that came for the feast were: Michelle & David McLaughlin, Zachary, Tiffany & Konner Strout all from Harrington, Zebadiah Strout & Molly Ulku from Minnesota, Diadem & Jesse Washburn from Rosindale, Massachusetts. Michelle brought her famous mudflat pie and Tiffany a hot chip & dip to share with the gang.

            I had the chance to check out the craft fair in Steuben on my way to Ellsworth Friday. While in Ellsworth, I happen to run into a couple of nice ladies near Radio Shack store from the Gouldsboro Historical Society selling a couple of their history books. One book that I got was called Historical Researches of Gouldsboro, Maine published by the Daughters of Liberty in 1904 and reprinted in 1984. This would make a nice Christmas gift for anyone that is doing research for their own collection. I know anything that has to do with genealogy is a good gift for me.

            This week a friend on Facebook posted a picture dated before 1900 of Friends in Columbia, Maine.  I have an original but on mine I only had one name labeled. In this photo all are labeled and thanks to the young lady that found it in her mother’s photo’s we now know the rest of the people. The list of names are: Ronie Worcester, Aseph Leighton, Bud Cotton, Ethel Cotton, Gene Mitchell, Eri Worcester, Fred Mitchell, Flora Leighton, Lucretia Look, Nancy Worcester, Maude Look, Cam Smith, Victor Look, Minnie Grant, Della Cotton, Addie Coffin, Hattie Stevens, Nettie Grant, Ray Look, Ethel Leighton, Bertha W. Tibbetts, Lena T. Worcester, Alta Grant Sproul and Marcia Coffin.

            I have been busy with making Christmas balls otherwise known as Kissing balls for the holiday season. Others in the area are busy making wreaths.

            I also have been working on a family tree for a friend of mine, and I finally figured out how to print it out in book form using my family tree program. I have a lot of fun doing this, not only in researching but sometimes you have to go right to the family to get the information you need and when you do you end up with more and more information to add to the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 4, 2011

.

            This has been a very busy week for me, with driving the bus every day and working on making Christmas Balls at home for gifts. I have started to do some of my own decorations for the holidays over the weekend. It seems like it takes a month to decorate, then when the holidays are over has to be taken down in one day.

            This weekend I was able to attend the craft fair in Machias where I found some great items to add to my Christmas gifts. I think all of Washington County went to this as the place was crowded. We enjoyed our lobster roll that was being sold at the craft fair before we returned home.

             Friends and family gathered for a Memorial service for Walt Stadler at the VFW Hall in Harrington on Saturday afternoon.

            Our son Zebadiah and his fiancée will be returning to Minnesota next week, we surely will miss having them around and about.

            Carol Hart and family of Addison have returned home from a visit with her husband’s family. I stopped by on Sunday for a quick visit with them. While visiting I realize the cemetery at the Llama Farm has been well taken care of. On my list of what I want to do will be to check this cemetery out and take photos of the stones. I probably now will have to wait till spring and warmer weather to do this.

            Condolences go out to the family of Iona Polk of Addison/Cherryfield and to the family of Shirley Louise Worcester of Lincoln, Maine, wife of Carroll D. Worcester.

            Some good news to share this week is that Conley Worcester of Southwest Harbor celebrated his 90^th birthday on the 28^th with a family gathering. Way to go Conley we wish you many more years.

            Get well wishes to Tracey Peterson of Cherryfield, she is one of our bus drivers that have been out on sick leave. Another bus driver Lori-Ann Mathews has now returned to work after her bout of illness. Get well wishes are also extended to Fred Prince on all that is going on with him. Hopefully the New Year will come and he will be back on his feet. It seems that some of our bus drivers are getting some maintenance work done not only on their buses but on themselves as well.

                          Got a few things done today, decorated two k-balls, put in a zipper & fixed button on pants for son, organized sewing basket w/ziplock bags, put brush in tubs outside, Xmas decorations on three windows, and lights up on two windows, finished a Xmas gift, wrapped several gifts and visited an hour with a friend, my grandson was here for awhile along with three of my children that were here today off and on doing their thing. Guess that was all that she wrote, stay tune for another week of news or not!

Ronie

 

 

 

December 11, 2011

 

Photo: State Regent DAR Virginia Spiller

            Narraguagus Honor students singing Christmas Carols

            Arlene Guptill and Tuddy Kenney two oldest at the Addison Christmas Party.

 

            Ronald Gray of Indian River, Addison has written and compiled a book on Indian River Village and Its People in 2008. I have a copy and just this winter realized that others just might like to get one for their own as it has a lot of information on the history of the village and its people. Ronald writes that Indian River began in the 1770’s and that the center of the Village was on lot 40 of the township of Pleasant River (later Addison) according to the plan of this township as surveyed by Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Lewis and Ichabod Buckman.  Some of the names in the book are Anderson, Bryant, Carver, Chandler, Crandon, Crowley, Davis, Donavan, Dorr, Drisko, Driscoll,  Emerson, Farley, Farnsworth, Goff, Gray, Hinton, Jordan, Kelley, Knowles, Larrabee, Leighton, Manchester, McKenzie, McPherson,  Norton, Noyes,  Ramsdall, Seavey, Smith, Steele, Tibbetts or Tabbutt, Wass, White and Wright. In the book there are many family photos of the folks of Indian River that many folks will enjoy seeing.

This would be a great gift for someone on your Christmas List that does genealogy. If you would like your own copy make a check out for $38.50 to Indian River History Museum, 877 Indian River Road, Addison, Maine 04606 or call Ronald Gray at 207-483-4492 for more information.

I have attended the following gatherings in the last few days:

On Wednesday evening December 7 th we had a gathering at our home for Zebadiah Strout and fiancée Molly Ulku on celebrating their December birthdays and a small Christmas party for them before they left to return to Minnetonka, Minnesota for Christmas with her family. Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout and Michelle and David McLaughlin were here to also help celebrate with them.

Alcyone Chapter #71, Order of the Eastern Star in Milbridge had their last meeting for the year followed by a Christmas party on Thursday evening, December 08, 2011

On Friday the Honor students of Narraguagus High School traveled to Milbridge to sing Christmas Carols to the nursing home folks that were having lunch at WHCA. The students also helped the residents to play several games of bingo before returning to school.

.Friday evening nine Professional Bus Drivers of SAD #37 and their better half’s met at China Hill for their annual Christmas Party. A fun time was had by all that attended.

Twelve members of the Hannah Weston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held their last meeting on Saturday afternoon for the year at the home of Regent Roberta Hammond in Columbia Falls, Maine with State Regent Virginia Spiller as guest speaker. 

On Saturday evening senior citizens of Addison attended the annual Christmas Party hosted by the Addison Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. The menu consisted of turkey and ham and all of the fixings along with homemade pies.

 The two oldest folks that attended this year were Arlene Guptill (87) and Tuddy Kenney (87). There were drawings on chocolates, centerpieces and gift certificates to Walmart, Citgo Gas Station, Hannaford, and Four Corners Grocery Store.

We enjoy going every year to socialize with the other folks that come and to exchange gifts.  

 

December 18, 2011

I had several calls stating that I had made a mistake on the ages of the two oldest folks at the Senior Citizens party in Addison. Arlene Guptill and Tuddy Kenney were actually both 87 years old not younger.

 On Friday the 16^th I gave out to my students on the bus huge candy canes as most of them rode home that day and I was afraid we might get a snow storm this coming week as all of the schools will be out for Christmas break beginning on Thursday. The students are all having their holiday parties on Wednesday afternoon and a lot of students go home with their parents.

Friday evening the Masonic Lodge in Milbridge had their annual Christmas Party with Santa arriving to hand out gifts to the young children that attended. We all had a fun time playing Bingo for prizes and socializing with everyone.

Have you all noticed all of the Christmas movies that are on television? I have enjoyed watching a few in my spare time.

Tiffany Strout and four year old Konner Strout of Harrington attended Rodney Atkins concert Saturday evening in Lewiston. They also had a backstage pass to meet and greet Kip Moore and Kellie Pickler but the highlight of the whole show was when Rodney Atkins took Konner up on the stage to sing I’ve Been Watching You with him.

Konner was sitting on Rodney’s knee singing with him while Rodney played his guitar.  Tiffany said that the crowd went wild and that they barely got Konner out of there alive as all of the girls were running up to him and asking to take his picture. Konner is a “star’ and our grandson and we are quite proud of him.

This week I have been emailing a man in Minnesota having to do with the family tree of my son-in-law Jesse Washburn. It seems that he is the genealogist in his family and he wanted to update Jesse’s information. Small world when you get right down to it. He says he is related to Tuttle’s in Maine. Interesting to find that out, I wonder just who they all might be as I know a young lady that is married to a Tuttle and just maybe I will get that information when I receive his information that he is sending to me.

(The rest of the news)  It has been cold here today; I’ve been getting gifts together to put under the tree and writing more Christmas Cards to send out. I put up a bit more of the holiday decorations and think I will now call it quits for this year. I did some cleaning and straitening about in the house that was needed; my husband finally got the last of the marafax beans shelled today.

 

                       

.December 25, 2011

 

                        I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that everyone will have a Happy New Year.

            On Christmas Eve we served our traditional sea food stew made by Carroll Strout. Those that joined us were Jesse and Diadem Washburn, Sarah Caldwell, Tiffany, Zac and Konner Strout, Michelle and David McLaughlin. For dessert we a special cake made by Michelle Strout, a Boston cream cake and the other came all the way from Boston a---Hazelnut Genoise & Praline Butter-Cream & Amaretto Goroche made by Terrance Jones friends of Jesse and Diadem. Later on in the evening Michelle opened her Christmas Day birthday presents with us.

            On Christmas Day Zebadiah called us to wish us all a Merry Christmas, he is now in Minnesota for awhile.  We again had a houseful for our Christmas dinner in the evening as everyone was elsewhere at noon. We had our gift exchange after the evening meal. A good time was had by all.

            Belated birthday wishes go out to Stephen Plummer on the 24, Michelle McLaughlin on the 25, Ruberta Plummer on the 26 and Jolene Farnsworth on the 27.