Out and About: 2015

Columbia News 2014

January 5, 2014

The New Year 2014 came in with an ice storm and it looks like the ice will stay on the trees for a while to come. The school students had just one day of school on the 2^nd and then on Friday it was too slippery and cold to go to school. This is our second storm date for the school season. Now with the next ice storm that is coming our way we may lose our power and have to cancel school again.

The Hydro Company really did a great job restoring our power as quickly as they could. We finally got the power lines reattached to our house along with the phone wire, now we are waiting for the electrician to come and reattached the line to the meter box.

We are prepared here on the Ridge Road for whatever comes our way in this next storm. Hopefully the trees will survive the additional weight of ice on their branches. The scenery is beautiful but dangerous to walk near the trees that are bent over to the ground.

The deer have been out scouring under the apple trees looking for food and we saw three cross in front of us on the Old Addison Road on Sunday. Deer are seen on the West Side Road feeding, sometimes up to forty of them in one area.

My daughter Diadem and her family of Boston were here for a few days after Christmas. We had a family gathering on Saturday evening December 28 for our seafood stew that Carroll makes for this. Those that attended were: Michelle and David McLaughlin, Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout of Harrington and Diadem, Jesse and Asa Washburn of Boston. The next day on Sunday everyone came back for our late Christmas dinner and to open presents.

My son Matthew St. Pierre and fiancée Karmen Young of Hancock stopped by in the afternoon after visiting with her grandmother Doris Joy of Addison.

On Monday December 30 during school vacation I drove the Narraguagus Lady Knights to Washington Academy for a game.

Our daughter Diadem and family returned to Boston on December 31 before the next storm came in. We had such fun with our grandson Asa, all he wanted to do was to play on the piano while he was here.

Get well wishes go out to Martha Weaver and Bunnie Plummer of Harrington, Obbie Davis of Addison, Vonalee Huckins and Eddie Cirone of Milbridge, and others in the communities that I have not heard about. I have heard that the flu bug is out and about our communities. Hopefully it will pass us by; I just do not have time to have that in my house.

On Saturday January 4 we were in Bangor for an appointment but returned in time to make the Cherryfield Snowmobile Club supper. I counted about fifty folks that ventured out in the cold to come to it. As usually it was a great supper, the food and company was great. Those homemade pies were the best. If you get the chance to go to one I recommend it highly. The next one will be at the end of the month I am not sure of the date yet.

We stopped by Huddy Peterson for a visit on Sunday while we were out and about. She is doing well and really enjoys having visitors.

January 12, 2014

All good things come to you even if you have to wait for them for weeks or years. This week a lady that I know handed me a notebook and said she had found it in her house. She thought it had belonged to an aunt but instead it was a note book that had my grandmother's handwriting in it. My grandmother Ronie (Leighton) Worcester had taught school in the surrounding area of Columbia, Maine. She taught in Webb District in 1897 & 1891, Branch School 1897 and 1898, Deblois 1899, Carberry School (Georgetown section of Columbia) in 1901 & 1902. There are a list of students and ages and notes when they were tardy. How neat is this? Over 100 years old! This is a really good piece of genealogy information of the people that were in the area and went to school in this time period.

One school the Carberry School in the Georgetown District of Columbia, Me. in Sept to Nov 19‘01’ had pupils with their ages listed:

Mary Randall 13, Bessie Frye 13, Samuel Randall 10, Alberten Carter 11, Louise Robinson 7,

Bruce Lawrence 6, Mable Lawrence 5, Drew Randall 6, Lindall Lawson 7,Grover Carter 10

Sylvenus Grant 7, Adfa Carter 13, Florence Carter 6, Maggie Randall 5,Irene Randall 7

Earnest Grant 4,Raymond Grant 5,Elmer Randall 16, Albert Frye 15, Eliza Nash 7,

Rolland Nash 6, Walter Robinson 14, Lydia Sinclair 10, Sophia Sinclair 13, Edith Sinclair 7

I plan on putting the rest of the schools with the names of the pupils that she taught at on my Facebook groups, Pleasant River Historical Society, Washington County, Pleasant River group and Washington County Genealogical & Historical Society group.

On January 6 school was canceled due to another storm where the roads were slippery with some power outage in the area during the day. It really was not fit to be out on the roads that day.

Friday evening I drove the Narraguagus Knights to Woodland where they beat Woodland in over time.

On Saturday Carroll and I had an appointment in Bangor for our car and due to the weather it took us four hours to get there. The roads in the Lucerne area was covered in ice with no one moving for well over an hour and half, then it took another hour to reach the garage on Hogan Road. The roads begin to clear up so the ride home was better.

Sunday was a great day to get out for a walk with the temperature being in the forties and to visit the neighbors in the afternoon.

Condolences go out to the family of Sue Willey of Cherryfield, she was a wonderful wife, teacher and mother and will be missed by all her friends and family.

Quite a few birthdays coming up this month to wish a happy birthday too: Tom Worcester of Columbia on the 12^th, John Worcester and Arlo Worcester- 14^th, Sherry Paul-16^th, Tara Skeate – 19^th, Tiffany Strout, Ed Gosnell, Frances Stanwood , and Lorna Greene – 18th, Carole Hart – 19th, Arleta Grant, and Larry Shaw on the 23rd,Grace Peterson – 28^th.

January 19, 2014

I am looking for Civil War photos of people that served in the Civil War of the Pleasant River area (Addison, Centerville, Columbia and Columbia Falls) and their information on them for the next calendar for the Pleasant River Historical Society. 2015 is the last year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

I have found nineteen and have actual photos of eight of them, none in uniform but that is okay, for the rest I will try and get cemetery stones to post. The ones I have found so far are Jethro Hartford, Fonze and brothers Warren and Wentworth Leighton, Stephen Phipps, Harrrison Smith, Arthur and brothers David, Hillman, James and Joseph Tibbetts, Sidney W. Tucker, Charles S. White, Algernon, Asa, Joseph, Moses 3^rd son of Moses Worcester and Moses 3^rd son of Asa Worcester and William Bingham Worcester. I am looking for photos of their stones if you don’t have an actual picture.

Get well wishes to Obbie Davis, Ronnie Gray, and Carroll Perry of Addison, Lucy Bagley Harper of New Hampshire formerly of Columbia, Michelle McLaughlin, Martha Weaver and Huddy Peterson of Harrington.

More birthday wishes go out to Chris Gosnell on the 22 and Matthew and Mark Hurlbert on the 23 and Grace Peterson. Let’s shower Grace Peterson with birthday cards on her 95^th birthday on Jan 28^th. Send to Grace Peterson, 110 Farnsworth Rd, Columbia, Me. 04623. Grace is the oldest citizen of Columbia, Maine.

On Wednesday I traveled to Calais with the Narraguagus Knights basketball team. The traveling was okay, but it was foggy in some places coming back after the game.

Friday evening I traveled to Ellsworth with Rebecca Atwater to attend Eastern Star at Irene Chapter # 97. Others from Alcyone Chapter # 71that attended were Jolene Farnsworth, Priscilla Kennedy and Grace Gerrish and from Jonesport Rumery Chapter 46 was Richard Farnsworth III.

On Sunday January 19, 2014 the Pleasant River Historical Society met at Mary and Tim Thompson home at Cape Split where we discussed the programs for the coming season. We have decided to change our meeting date to the second Friday of the month. We also decided on our 2015 calendar that will be on men in the Civil War from the Pleasant River area. Those that attended beside the Thompsons were Ronie and Carroll Strout, Jeanette Perry and Richard Paul.

Columbia News

January26, 2014

By now the local folks in SAD #37 will have gotten the Adult Education Course in the mail for the spring session. I will be doing the genealogy class starting on Wednesday Feb 5 from 6 – 8 p.m. for 10 weeks when school is in session.

If you want to research a Mayflower Line, Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution line; you have come to the right place. I have local genealogy books and lots of handouts to get you started.

Beginners and all others that have dabbled in researching your family tree are welcome. If I don’t know the answer I will find it for you. Bring your laptops if you have one, notepad and pencils. Call NHS to pre-register at 483-2746 and ask for Dawn Stubbs.

Some little sayings to share with you: Beware of the genealogy bug – its bite can be addictive. We are all time unravelers. Don’t judge me by my relatives, I didn’t choose them and my family tree is full of nuts! Are yours?

Get well wishes go out to the following folks: Ty Batson, Ronald Gray, Obbie Davis, Carroll Perry, Martha Weaver, Huddy Peterson, Sandy Look and Lucy Bagley Harper.

Condolences go out to the family of Edna Davis of Addison and to the family of Edward Sprague of Machias.

Winter came back this past week with the cold weather. It was nice when it was a bit warmer before this hit us. The good news is that in seven weeks it will be spring.

The electricity has been flicking and then was out for a while early Saturday morning. I did see the electric company on our road about 2 a.m. so I knew that something had to be fixed. If the trees that are still hanging on the wires were removed we might not lose our power so often. Just a thought anyway.

Saturday evening we attended another great supper at the Snowmobile Club in Cherryfield. The raspberry pie that I heard was to die for. About seventy two folks turned out for the supper with a couple from Brewer. The next one will be on February 8 so mark your calendar before you forget it.

On Sunday Tracey Peterson had a Tasteful Simple party at her home in Harrington. As usually everything was delicious. It is always a great chance to get out in the middle of the cold winter to visit with other folks.

Don’t forget to wish Grace Peterson of Columbia a happy birthday this week.

Feb 2, 2014

Don’t forget this week is the beginning of the Spring Semester Enrichment classes at the High School. I have been working on my handouts for the genealogy class over the weekend and picked out the genealogy books that I will be using for the class.

I talked with Huddy Peterson and she is getting to stand up and walk a few steps with help from Tracey and Mike Peterson. Hopefully by summer she will be up and about on her own. Huddy has a long way to go yet.

I am still looking for photos of Civil War men/women from the Pleasant River area for the 2015 calendar. I recently was able to get a copy of Joseph Dorr Jr. from an old newspaper clipping from a local couple. I just wish more folks would share their photos so they will not get lost to future generations. I can come to your house and take a photo with my camera or even scan them onto my computer so they will not leave your house at all.

A lot of the trees that were hitting the top of my bus here in Addison have been cut back thanks to John Rittenhouse. I still have to drive on the wrong side of the road on the Columbia end of this street in several places, but was told that the trees would be taken care of sometime in the near future. Here’s hoping.

The buses in SAD #37 are looking good for a few days, after some of the drivers in the district washed theirs on Friday.

Get well wishes to: Betty Farnsworth, Obbie Davis, Ty Batson, Ronald Gray, Carroll Perry all of Addison; Betty Hammond, Martha Weaver and Huddy Peterson of Harrington; Sandy Look of Columbia Falls, Virginia Torrey of Deblois and Lucy Bagley Harper of N. H.

Birthday wishes go out to the following folks: Nona Cirone on the 5^th, Richard Paul & Jean Richardson on the 6, Tracey Ramsay on the 10^th, Virginia Tibbetts, Virginia Torrey, Doris Joy, Ronie Strout, Jack Gray and Roger Libby on the 8^th, and Betty Jordan on the 9^th.

February 8, 2014

This week went fast as we had the middle part of it off due to another snow storm. Hopefully we don’t lose any more days this winter.

The junior high basketball team of Addison played Beals boys and girls on Friday night and won both of the games. D.W. Merritt will be in the play offs this coming week.

On Saturday I attended the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Hannah Weston Chapter meeting held at the Bluebird Restaurant. The guest speaker was Betsy Fitzgerald showing slides of old Machias, Maine. Others that attended were: Carole Sprague, Regent, Holly Davis, Barbara Maloy, Theresa Farnsworth, Patricia Hall, Nicolette Carter, Mary-Alice Look, Lucille LaRue, Jean Ingalls, Betsy Fitzgerald, Valdine Atwood, Debra Butler, and Roberta Hammond.

Saturday evening we attended the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club Public Supper again. The club had a full house for supper. Wonderful food and good conversation with all that were there. I believe the table that had the Centerville crowd and others finally figured out who I was.

Mark your calendar as Richard Paul, Chair of the Addison Republican Committee, has announced that the Addison Republicans will caucus on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at the Mayhew Library beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The purpose of the caucus is to elect Delegates and Alternates to the State Convention, elect members to the Washington County Republican Committee, and organize for the upcoming elections. All Addison Republicans are urged to attend this event.

For the first time The Columbia Falls Republicans will join the Addison Republicans for a join caucus. This is an excellent opportunity for local Republicans to meet and speak with those who are running for office. For more information contact Richard Paul at 483-4760.

February 16, 2014

Many friends and family turned out for the celebration for Betty Hammond at the VFW Hall in Harrington, Maine on Sunday February 9, 2914.
Doris Joy of Addison enjoyed getting out on Sunday to celebrate her birthday dinner with her family at the Bluebird Restaurant. Doris who turned ninety-nine on the 8th had a lovely birthday.
On Sunday afternoon my son Matthew and Karmen Joy stopped by for a visit on their way home from visiting her grandmother.
Condolences go out to the family of Sandra ( Farren) Chipman on her recent passing.
Condolences go out to Sharon and Mike Woodsum of Addison on the lost of their home due to a fire.
Good luck to the Narraguagus girls this week, at the tournament in Bangor.
Don' forget the next snow mobile club supper is this Saturday in Cherryfield; they always have a good turnout for these suppers.
I made it to Boston between snow storms for a visit with the Washburn family this past weekend.. The grandson was happy to see me, he is growing so fast.
On Sunday we all went to the Brattle Theater to see the Bugs Bunny Film Festival an annual event with the Washburn family. I am sure this week will go by fast for all of us.

February 21, 2014

What a weird week for weather! While I was in Boston visiting with my daughter and her family we had rain, snow and thunder and lightning with a little bit of sun thrown into the mix. While visiting them, I along with mom Diadem and grandson Asa had a swim date at a local pool. What fun it was for the little one and us. Another day, Asa had a play date with his Uncle Zeb, Aunt Molly and their dog Silva at the Ronan Park in Boston. On Friday evening we all had dinner in Roslindale at Delfino, an authentic Italian Cuisine Restaurant.

On Saturday we all went in to the City to visit the New England Aquarium where we saw lots of exhibits of harbor seals, jellie fishes, African penguins, a tropical gallery exhibit, little Blue Penguins, giant groupers, tiny seadragons, piranha, anaconda, salmon and an electric eel. We explored a sea tidepool, the Gulf of Maine exhibit and saw an octopus and sea anemones. At the very top was the Yawkey Coral ‘Reef center with batfish and garden eels as well as turtles and colorful fishes swim around the vibrant coral reef. It was a beautiful day to be out and about with many other families enjoying the Aquarium. Asa seemed to enjoy his trip with all of us and seeing the many fishes that he so likes.

While off visiting with my daughter and family I did not do too much genealogy as I was busy with the grandson. I did keep up on what news I heard from the local area and found that I missed out on all of the snow that Washington County received while I was gone; but I did hear that Robins have been sighted in the area. Sounds like Spring may be coming.

Get well wishes go out to Sharon Tibbetts of Columbia who has returned home from the hospital. Hopefully she will be up and about in the near future.

March 1, 2014

Photo: Helen Sprague, Bryce Vane, John Batson, Devin Schoppee and Travis Alley at the Fishermen’s Forum February 28, 2014.

Last Sunday February 23^rd my son Zebadiah and his wife Molly brought me home from Boston on their way to Addison. Before leaving Boston we had lunch at the China Pearl Restaurant in Chinatown. It is always a treat to get to go here whenever I visit my daughter Diadem, Jesse and grandson Asa Washburn.

I was sorry to hear that Mona Farren formerly of Columbia passed away on Feb. 22 at Marshall Healthcare in Machias. Sympathy is extended to her family; she will be missed in the Town of Columbia.

Sympathy is extended to Michelle McLaughlin and Matthew St. Pierre on the death of their father Wilmer St. Pierre of Florida on Feb. 27^th.

On Friday four Narraguagus High School students; Travis Alley, John Batson, Bryce Vane, and Devin Schoppee and their teacher Helen Sprague attended the 39^th Annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum at the Samoset in Rockland, Maine. These students are in the Eastern Maine Skippers Program that prepares students to actively contribute to the vitality of our fishing communities today and in the future. In the pamphlet that I have it says that they learn academics through fisheries activities. Narraguagus is one of the seven high schools in this program; the others are Vinalhaven, North Haven, Deer Isle-Stonington, George Stevens Academy, Ellsworth and Mount Desert.

Many vendors were there for the Trade Show during the three day Maine Fishermen’s Forum. As their bus driver on this trip, I enjoyed meeting these folks and talking with them while the students were busy. I also listened to the talk on the Green Invasion- How European Green Crabs are eating their way through Coastal Maine. I even got to see Gov. Paul LePage as he walked by me as I was leaving the lobby.

A belated birthday wish goes out to Arlene Guptill of the Basin Road in Addison. She turned 90 years young on March 1, 2014.

March 9, 2014

Photo: Julian and Gloria Bagley from Centerville and other folks at the Narraguagus Snowmobile club supper.

The adult genealogy class is going well at Narraguagus High School, with everyone working on their family tree. The time goes by fast when we are finding out the history of our families.

I have stopped by and found that Huddy Peterson is getting up and walking a few more steps each day. She is really working hard to get mobile and it won’t be long before she is out and about when the warmer weather comes.

Friday evening Priscilla Kennedy, Eleanor West and I traveled to Ellsworth for Eastern Star meeting with Irene Chapter # 97, another lovely meeting with friends.

On Saturday evening Carroll and I attended the public supper at the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club in Cherryfield. A very good crowd turned out this evening to enjoy the home cook meal. The next one will be March 29.

I am gearing up for the presentation at the Washington County Historical and Genealogical Society on Saturday March 15 at 1 p.m. I will be speaking on the Worcester family of Washington County. I will have posters for showing the children of Moses 5 Worcester and his first wife and their children and who they married. The second poster will show the children of Moses 6 and Hannah (Leighton) Worcester and their children and who they married.

March 16, 2014

Ronie Strout with the Worcester Posters at the Washington County Historical and Genealogical Society.

On Thursday school was canceled due to a storm and our Eastern Star meeting was canceled as well. Milbridge Alcyone Chapter #71 will hold their stated meeting this coming Thursday evening in Milbridge.

On Friday evening I and three other ladies ventured out on a cold night to the Jonesport Eastern Star meeting.

Saturday afternoon the Washington County Historical and Genealogical Society met in Machias with twelve present, Valdine Atwood, Betsy Fitzgerald, Sherry Thaxter, Celeste Sherman, Bill Plaskon, Carole and John Sprague, John and Bonnie Van Dyke, Lisa Hanscon, Cathy Fonda and myself . Before the meeting started I discussed the Worcester family and how I happened to do the two posters for the Worcester family reunion. I mostly told how I came down from Moses Worcester the first white child to be born at Pleasant River. A couple of folks there mentioned that they also have Worcester in their own families and needed to do some checking on it.

Get well wishes go out to Debbie Kelley and Buddy Mills, I hope they will be on the mend soon.

Condolences go out to the families of Betty Hammond and Kenny Robinson of Harrington in their time of need.

March 23, 2014

I have been working on genealogy this week in my spare time as well as attending Eastern Star meetings. Thursday evening Alcyone #71 of Milbridge had their stated meeting to make up for the canceled one the week before due to the storm. I also attended the installation of Machias as well as Ellsworth’s on Saturday the 22.

On Saturday March 29, Alcyone Chapter will hold their installation at 7:30 pm; the public is welcome to attend. This is an open installation; I will be installed as Worthy Matron for the ensuring year. This will be a big night for me.

Get well wishes go out to Paul Favolise of Columbia, hoping he will be on the mend soon; as well to Molly Woodsum of Addison/Winterport and that she will be back to her old self soon. I do miss chatting with her almost every day. We got word that Uncle Maynard Tucker of Mass. and formerly of Cherryfield was in the hospital hoping to hear that is is doing better.

I stopped by a couple of times for a visit with Huddy Peterson in Harrington; she also has been getting over this mess that is going around. At our house we all came down with whatever you may call it, cold, flu etc. but are on the mend.

Huddy called and told me that she was able to get out and go to Dysart’s for her birthday dinner.

Grace Peterson of Columbia enjoyed having her sons Jack, George and Charles all visiting at the same time this weekend.

Condolences go out to the family of Tim Lyons of Addison on his unexpected passing.

There were many friends and family out to the funerals of Ken Robinson and Betty Hammond this past week. They will be missed by everyone in their town of Harrington.

Prayers to the family of Lucy Harper who passed away this week after a short illness, she will be dearly missed.

The trees are being tapped in the area to make maple syrup. The weather has not been great for the sap to run; hopefully in the next few weeks the weather will change for the good.

The Town of Addison will be having a special town meeting to vote on a selectman to replace the one that resigned in a few weeks.

March 30, 2014

Pleasant River Historical Society met at Jeannette Perry’s on Monday evening the 24 with seven present; we were finalizing the upcoming meetings. On Fri, April 11^th Donna Kausen will present “The History of the Bears' Den” at the Addison Town Hall at 7pm. (Business meeting at 6:30) and then on Fri. May 9^th Bob Hammond will present “Shipbuilding on the Pleasant River” at the Columbia Falls Town Hall at 7pm. (Business meeting at 6:30pm.) This is open to the public. If you would like to become a member we would love to have your help in preserving the history of the Pleasant River Area.

Another snow day canceled my genealogy class, seems it likes to snow on Wednesdays this year. Hopefully this coming week we will have decent weather.

I have had several calls and emails on look ups on families in the area that I was able to give answers too.

I really enjoyed the 50 degree weather that we had on Saturday it did feel like spring for one day. The roads are not improving at all; here on the Ridge we have several bad frost heaves that makes you slowdown in your vehicles. The Kennedy Highway in Milbridge is very bad; you could almost lose control of your vehicle if you did not know where the bad spots are. A lot of folks are traveling over the Kansas Road to get to Milbridge.

Saturday evening Order of the Eastern Star, Alcyone Chapter #71 held their installation at the Masonic Lodge in Milbridge, Me. Installed for the insuring year were: Worthy Matron Ronie Strout, Associate Matron Charmin Davis, Associate Patron Richard Davis, Conductress Eleanor West, Associate Conductress N. Joanne Smith, Ruth Jolene Farnsworth, Esther Sharon Young, Martha Clara Driscoll, Electa Nona Cirone, Warder Priscilla Kennedy, Sentinel William Van Horn. Members that will be installed at a later date will be Worthy Patron Charles Phinney, Secretary Rebecca Atwater, Treasurer Sylvia Joy, Chaplain Madelyn Phinney, Marshal Elizabeth Monroe, and Adah Allegra Willey.

The Installing Suite for the evening was: Past Grand Matron Jeri Holt, Past Grand Patron Dwight C. Whitney Sr., Grand Chaplain Barbara Redburn, Grand Marshal Margaret L. Dyer, Grand Organist Richard Farnsworth III, Star Point Ceremony Lillian Lounder, and Soloist Debbie Kelley.

Thirty three turned out to this open installation; those from my family and friends that attended were Michelle McLaughlin, Molly and Zebadiah Strout, Carroll Strout, Jonathan and Daniele Plummer, Sonya Grant and Lisbeth Batchelder. The evening turned out to be enjoyable.

Mark your calendar Addison is having a special town meeting on Tuesday April 15 to elect a new first selectman. I have heard there are several that are going to run for this office.

April 5, 2014

Eastern Star Chapter Alcyone #71, Milbridge, Maine will hold a stated meeting Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend.

Pleasant River Historical Society will hold their first meeting for the season on Friday April 11 at the Addison Town Hall at 7 p.m. (Business meeting will be at 6:30). The speaker for the evening will be Donna Kausen of Addison on the “The History of the Bears’ Den”. All Are Welcome hope to see you there.

A couple of upcoming events to be aware of: on April 15 at 6 p.m. Addison will be having a town meeting to elect a selectperson to fill the vacancy left by Brad Hamel’s resignation. Also, on April 19 from 5-7 p.m. at the Addison Town Hall the Fire Department is sponsoring a public supper.

I now hear the birds singing first thing in the mornings, so I know that spring has arrived. I have heard the Canadian geese fly over and have seen some on the marshes here in town.

Driving over the roads I find the frost heaves are getting smaller but there are still some really bad ones where I drive with my bus. Our end of town are getting a lot of trees cut down and trimmed up alongside of the road so now the bus does not hit them as I drive along the route. Some places I have actually had to drive on the wrong side to get by them. It won’t be long before new growth will pop up and fill in the bare spots to make it look better.

Condolences go out to the family of Lewis Dorr of Milbridge; Lewis was a 1968 graduate of Narraguagus High School and one of my classmates. His family and friends will miss him.

Friday evening I traveled to Ellsworth with Priscilla Kennedy and Eleanor West to attend the Eastern Star meeting at Irene Chapter #97. On a rainy Saturday I traveled with Jolene Farnsworth and Lillian Lounder to Springvale for the Installation of Officers at Ruth Chapter #14.

Get well wishes go out to Grace Peterson, George Peterson and Paul Favolise all on the Farnsworth Road in Columbia. Hopefully Grace will be home from the hospital when this comes out.

Happy birthday wishes goes out to Barbara Farren of Addison on April 8.

I have come across an adoptive family ancestor chart for my genealogy class for anyone that may have been adopted on how to fill out their genealogy tree. I get these notices from the Family Tree Magazine that I subscribe too and file it away for future information.

April 13, 2014

Photo Donna Kausen speaker at the Pleasant River Historical Society

My family and I were saddened to learn of Maynard Erwin Tucker's death this morning April 13, 2014. Carroll’s family lost the last uncle on his mother's side the Tuckers formerly of Cherryfield, Maine & Baldwinville, Mass.. Maynard Erwin Tucker son of Susie & Frank Tucker passed away at 4 a.m. at the age of 92 years old. He leaves one son Wesley Tucker of Baldwinville, Mass. Condolences can be sent to him at 43 Beech Street, Baldwinville, Ma 01436-1462.

Get well wishes go out to Harris Tucker of Gouldsboro; hopefully he will be home from the hospital by the time this comes out in the paper.

Get well wishes also go out to Roberta Hammond of Columbia Falls.

Prayers go out to Oscar Hall of Columbia; keep Helen in your prayers at this time of need.

Folks in the area are hearing peepers a sure sign that spring has really arrived.

Forty three folks turned out to the Pleasant River Historical Meeting on Friday evening April 11. Donna Kausen was the guest speaker, giving a talk on the History of the Bears’ Den in Addison. The next meeting will be on Friday, May 9 with Bob Hammond speaking on Shipbuilding on the Pleasant River at the Columbia Falls Community building in the gym.

A neat idea I came across today, for a family reunion, wedding or any kind of a gathering take a drawing of a tree and have everyone there put their thumb print on a tree branch and under it write their name. This will be a keepsake forever and also a good genealogy resource. Plus if you use different color ink it would be very pretty.

April 20, 2014

Photo Bus evacuation drills at local schools.

This week the Professional Driving Team of SAD #37 spent time at the local elementary schools teaching students Bus Safety and Emergency Evacuation Drills. Students learned how to board, ride, and exit the bus safely to and from school and on field trips. They also learned how to evacuate in the event of crash or fire. Thanks to all staff members at each school for their help in encouraging the students to be quiet and respectful. All students did a wonderful job and a big thank you to them as well.

On Monday the 14^th I drove the baseball and softball team to Blue Hill for their game with George Stevens. The road going in to the field was very muddy to drive on. Several vehicles were stuck and had to be pulled out after the game was over.

Tuesday evening the 15^th, more than 125 Addison residents voted in Mike Murphy to fill the selectman vacancy that recently opened up for a two year term. The articles on the adgenda that evening all passed and the meeting was adjourned within less than an hour.

Wednesday evening was the eighth genealogy class at the high school, we will make up the other two weeks after vacation. Hopefully we will not have other cancelations because of a snow storm.

Folks in the area are getting their burn piles burnt before the warmer weather gets here and dries everything out. Here on the Ridge we have had two evenings of burning the brush piles with friends of the Strouts and the Pauls. A social gathering for all involved. We probably could have a few more if we get the time to clean up more of the trees that got their branches broken by the ice storm. This is a never ending project in the spring.

The annual fish fry in Columbia Falls is now over for another year, many folks turned out to it, we did not go this year to it as we had other plans that evening.

This week is school vacation for all of the little ones in the area. I heard a few teachers are heading out of town for their spring trip. I myself will be heading for Boston to visit my grandson and his family in the middle of the week and hoping that the weather will be warmer there.

This year we decided to do an Easter Brunch with our family instead of a full coarse meal. Around our table were: Michelle, David, Tiffany, Zachary, Konner, Zebadiah and Molly. In the afternoon we enjoyed lunch with Matthew, Karmen and Doris Joy on Beal’s Island and a ride through Mason Bay and then home. It was great visiting with Doris during our ride and lunch. Doris is 99 years old and doing quite well for her age.

Mark your calendar as the next public presentation of the Jonesport Historical Society will be held this Thursday, April 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Sawyer Building at 21 Sawyer Square.

Sanford Kelley, the owner of Rockdale Farms, has been a prominent member of both the Wild Blueberry Commission and the Wild Blueberry Association of North America.

Sanford will discuss the history, harvesting and health benefits of wild blueberries, and will supplement his talk with slides and video clips. The public are welcome.

Birthday wishes go out to my daughter Diadem Washburn on April 30.

April 27, 2014

During school vacation I spent a few days in Boston visiting with my grandson Asa Washburn and his mom & dad. On Friday, his father Jesse and I took Asa to the public library for a program for his age and then to Ronan Park before returning home. Asa loves to go to the park to hunt for babies so he told me and on this day while we were there another small child came with her Nana to play too.

On Thursday Diadem and I went into Cambridge for lunch and then to the Arboretum to see the magnolia trees that were all in blossom. My magnolia bush has not started to bloom yet but hopefully in the next week it will.

On Saturday I ate breakfast in Boston, lunch in Portland and supper in Machias before I ended up at home finally unpacking and settling back into my regular routine.

Sunday, the Strout family gathered at Michelle and David McLaughlin for a cookout. Those that were there were Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout, Zebadiah and Molly Strout, and Carroll and I.

Get well to Kevin Rice of Harrington and Terry Grant of Addison; hopefully they both will be up and walking better soon.

Condolences go out to the families of Oscar Hall, Judy Dorr Emerson, Gary Dugay, Andrea Emerson Burke and Evon Galen Kennedy on their recent deaths.

May 2, 2010

Get well wishes to Carroll Strout, Kenny Kane, Kevin Rice and all the other folks from the Columbia and Addison area that has been in and out of the hospital this past week. Hopefully with warmer weather everyone will be on the mend and soon home.

It was really nice to have Nurse Becky Reynolds a relative to come in and speak to us and see my husband. Carroll has a really great team in helping him to become well.

I spent Sunday visiting with Carroll at Eastern Maine Hospital and then stopped by for a visit with a friend on my way home. It was a lovely day to be out and about.

Diadem Washburn my daughter celebrated her birthday with friends at her home in
Boston on Saturday.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Charlie Rathburn of Columbia Falls who turns 21 on May 10.

Congratulations to Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington who came in 2nd place in the season opener @ Speedway 95 Saturday night.

Pleasant River Historical Society will hold a meeting on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Falls Community Building with Bobby Hammond speaking on ship building in the area. The public are all welcome.

There will be an Eastern Star stated meeting, Alcyone Chapter #71 of Milbridge on Thursday evening at the lodge in Milbridge at 7:30 p.m. All members are welcome.

May 11, 2014

On Mother’s Day all of my children, Michelle, Matthew, Zachary, Zebadiah and Diadem were all here at home. My daughter in law Molly planned the menu, cooked and hosted the brunch. She has become quite the cook while she has been here. Others that were here were my two grandsons Konner and Asa, granddaughter Jasmine with her friend Matt, David McLaughlin, Tiffany Strout and Karmen Young. Carroll and I really enjoyed having them here on such a beautiful spring day.

Our daughter Diadem and son Asa Washburn are spending a few days with us this coming week. Asa will be learning on how to become a country boy in down east Maine.

Get well wishes go out to Grace Peterson of Columbia, Sherry Paul of Addison and Hillman Foss of Harrington and Carroll Strout is now out and about after his stay in the hospital.

The EDGE program had the 7^th graders of Harrington this week for a leadership program in Cherryfield. They had three nice days to be outside while there.

I finally got my first mess of dandelions for a meal this week. I had heard several other folks in the area had gotten some earlier in the week. Another first for us was an ice-cream at the newly opened Pleasant River Drive In in Columbia Falls.

Twenty five Eastern Star members turned out to the meeting on Thursday evening. We welcomed Madelyn and Charlie Phinney of Milbridge back with us. Special guest for the evening were: Theo J. Heald, District Deputy Grand Matron of District 2, Mr. & Mrs Brent H. Jones, Past Grand Patron, and Dale E. Hanington, Grand Sentinel and wife Jean E. Hanington, Grand Esther of the Order of Eastern Star.

Mary Thompson reported that the Friday night Pleasant River Historical Society program in Columbia Falls had thirty eight out to the meeting. The meeting was on Ship Building in the Pleasant River area with Robert Hammond as guest speaker. Folks from Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington, Jonesport and Milbridge came to this. I was unable to attend this evening.

Mark your calendar The Farm Bureau is sponsoring a Lyme Disease Awareness program. for Thursday May 22^nd at the Sullivan Rec. Center on Rte 1 in Sullivan at 6 p.m.

A specialist physician and nurse practitioner from Lincoln brings a PowerPoint; displays; lots of pictures and information, followed by refreshments.

May 16, 2014

This past week our daughter Diadem and grandson Asa Washburn spent the week with us. My grandson Asa enjoyed being outdoors where he could run and play in his ‘home’ that was passed down to him by a cousin. My daughter said she called this ‘Free Range Child Rearing’ living in the country where he could get outside and play. We really missed seeing him leave but got to visit him at his other grandparents on Sunday afternoon in N. Penobscot for a small birthday party for him. Asa turns two years old on May 20^th; doesn’t seem possible that he is two.

Finally got my first mess of smelts this spring delivered to me by my son Matthew on Sunday; we fried them up for supper and they were delicious.

The former Seafood Shack in Columbia is up and running for the season and is renamed the Navigator Family Restaurant.

The next public presentation of the Jonesport Historical Society will be held this Thursday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Sawyer Building at 21 Sawyer Square.

“Seabird Restoration and Research” will be presented by Sara Williams from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Refuge. Through habitat protection and active management, Sarah is working to bring healthy populations of nesting seabirds to Maine’s coastal islands. The public is welcome.

Don’t forget The Farm Bureau is sponsoring a Lyme Disease Awareness program. for Thursday May 22^nd at the Sullivan Rec. Center on Rte 1 in Sullivan at 6 p.m.

Get well wishes go out to Kevin Rice, I spoke to him this week and he thinks he will be at rehab for a few more weeks. Also get well wishes go out to Sherry Paul of Addison, hoping that she will be up and about soon.

Congratulations to Jenny and Nicholas Stahl on their recent wedding over the weekend.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my grandson Asa Washburn of Boston on May 20.

May 25, 2014

The Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star held their “Heronines of Faith and Courage” Grand Chapter Session on May 19-21 at the Augusta Civic Center with over 350 Eastern Star members in attendance. I was able to attend the activities that were held at the Civic Center as a new Worthy Matron of Alcyone #71.

Our Milbridge Chapter, Alcyone #71, received a Certificate of Achievement and trophy for the Worthy Grand Matron’s Special Project for ESTARL at the “Heronines of Faith and Courage” Grand Chapter Session, Augusta, Maine on May 20.

I received word that Basel that owns the Columbia Market in Columbia fell down 23 steps at his place on Saturday. He is sore but is doing okay. Get well wishes go out to him.

Skye Cirone was injured while attending a birthday party in Addison on Saturday; she broke her leg in two spots and came through surgery well. Prayers go out to her and her family.

Kevin Rice of Harrington will be coming home on Monday the 26 from rehab. He has improved so much since his operation and now will be able to get out and about.

Narraguagus High School had a Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, with many local veterans there. The school district had all five through eighth grades bused to the program.

Recognition was given to Lucille Willey and John Sawyer for their years teaching at the school.

Congratulations go out to Alex Berry of Harrington on coming in first and Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington on coming in third place at Speedway 95 on Saturday.

I called on Dixie Cirone on Saturday while I was out and about in the afternoon.

Huddy Peterson’s computer is in the shop being fixed and she wanted folks to know that she had a nice visit from Paul and Diane Farren on Sunday and hopes to be able to write her news next week.

June 1, 2014

This week I have been working on Civil War information on the following folks: Sidney W. Tucker, Harrison Gray Otis Smith, Algernon A. Worcester, Stephen Phipps, Joseph Worcester, Moses Worcester 3^rd, Fonze Green Hill Leighton, Warren Gilbert Leighton and Wentworth Alfonzo Leighton. They are for four months that I have gotten done for the 2015 Calendar for the Pleasant River Historical Society.

Hopefully I will get at least four more months done this coming week, what with the research on each one, it does take some time to do.

Amongst all of this busy work, I had the pleasure to drive some folks from Calais, Lubec, Columbia Falls, Harrington and Steuben to Winter Harbor for the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium workshop. Our first stop was a tour of the Jonesboro Quarry on the Station Road where we got information on where the granite used for the sculptures comes from. From there I took them to our very own Sculpture at our mini park in Addison. We then stopped in Harrington at the Harrington Health Center where Harrington will have theirs placed in the fall. At this time we found out that they had received the Grant they had written to help with the sculpture.

We also stopped in Milbridge, Steuben, Prospect Harbor and Winter Harbor at their sculptures before going to the workshop at the Hammond Hall in Winter Harbor.

Jesse Salisbury introduced the Symposium artists that will be doing the sculptures along with a slide show.

Kate Petrie gave us a geologist discussion of the area followed by a discussion with the whole group on Stewardship.

All schools are invited to visit the Fisher Field site where the sculptures are being created and completed before their removal to their permanent sites. The Symposium will be from August 3 to September 14, 2014 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Contact person is Jane Weil 546-2269 and Cathy Lewis 522-6488.

Prayers go out to the following folks: Sherrill Redimarker, Erica Thompson and her newborn infant, and Gail Sprague an Eastern Star member of Machias.

Birthday wishes go out to my granddaughter Jasmine St. Pierre on June 2 and to Donald Hicks. Sandra Plummer Stevens on June 5, and Holly Davis on the 10.

Huddy Peterson sent word to me that her computer is still in the shop being repaired and will be unable to send in any news this week.

June 8, 2014

On Thursday the 5^th Darlene Stubbs and I drove Harrington’s K-2 grades to Frazer Point for a field trip. There we met with Kate Petrie of the Schoodic Education and Research Center. The group was broken up in two groups where they were able to check out the tidal pools. The students were able to fine lots of mud flat creatures, star fish, crabs, clams etc. A lot of questions were asked by the students.

The weather was misted most of the morning and just before lunch it began to rain hard. We then bused them all to a pavilion at the campus to eat lunch out of the rain before they walked to one of the campus buildings for a presentation by Kate Petrie on what they had seen earlier in the tidal pools.

We departed from the Schoodic campus and traveled to Tracey’s Seafood in Sullivan for everyone to have an ice-cream before returning to school.

On Saturday the 7^th I attended the Order of Eastern Star School of Instruction at Irene Chapter in Ellsworth along with Jolene and her son Richard Farnsworth of Columbia Falls. Others from our chapter in Milbridge were Eleanor West and Priscilla Kennedy from Steuben.

In the afternoon I attended Matthew Welsh graduation party in Harrington at his parents’ home. He had friends and family that came from Connecticut to attend his graduation and his party. A fun time was had by all of his cousins.

Sunday was a great day to be out working in the yard, I got a lot done and planted my magnolia tree that I got at Bush’s gardens in Columbia. Hopefully next year I will have some pretty flowers early in the spring. I thought the frost killed one of my rhododendron bushes but the flowers are blooming and the leaves are all brown. I do see some green leaves growing back so I know that it is still alive. I almost cut it down but was told to wait and see. I am glad that I did wait and see.

Congrats to Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington on coming in first place at Speedway 95 and first place in the Late Model Race.

I heard that Harrington High School Alumni had a great turnout Saturday evening in Columbia Falls. I was unable to attend this year.

Condolences go out to the family of Russell Worcester of Columbia Falls on his passing.

Don’t forget this coming Friday the 13^th Pleasant River Historical Society will meet at 7 pm at the Addison Town Hall for their monthly meeting.

Our son Zebadiah, his wife Molly and grand dog Silva has returned to Minnesota this week. They have been with us since the middle of February and we do miss them especially the grand dog Silva. They both have been busy as bees doing some renovations to the house for us. We appreciate all that they have done for us.

June 15, 2014

The big news in town this week was the manhunt that took place on Tuesday the 10, and I was out of town driving the bus to Augusta with students from Harrington. Missed the action but did hear about it when I was at the Addison Town Hall counting ballots for the election that night. Anyway, I heard the man was caught and I suppose he went off to jail again.

There were 190 residents that came out to vote on Tuesday, and only 180 that voted for the school budget.

Juanita Stubbs of Addison took a bad fall this week and ended up in the hospital in Bangor and I wish her a speedy recovery.

Condolences go out to the family of Russell Worcester of Columbia Falls on his passing.

Thursday evening at the Eastern Star meeting of Alcyone #71 we had thirty members attend. Our meeting started with the Rainbow girls from Ellsworth doing their presentation of folding the flag and then presenting it to Charlie Phinney our Worthy Patron of Milbridge. They did a lovely job and it is always wonderful to have them come to our Chapter.

On Friday evening the Pleasant River Historical Society had twenty five folks turn out for the presentation of John McMurray, artist emeritus with an illustrated presentation of art in several forms. An interesting film was shown called Rivers & Tides, Working with Time by Andy Goldsworthy.

Our next Historical meeting will be Friday July 11 with Bill Waterhouse who will present “Making Sea Salt for Home Use” at the Addison Town Hall starting at 7 pm. A business meeting will be at 6:30 pm.

Carroll and I spent the day Saturday doing some errands in Ellsworth and Bangor, I was glad to get back home as I really do not like going shopping unless it is necessary. We enjoyed lunch at the Olive Garden on this day as some folks say something different for a change.

On Father’s Day, after ‘father’ mowed the lawn and got some chores done around the house I took him to Beal’s Island to Bay View Takeout for a late lunch. It is a great place to go if you’re in the area.

I have worked every day and evening on the upcoming 2015 calendar for the Pleasant River Historical Society this past week. I had to check out some gravestones in several cemeteries to use in the calendar. It was easy to find Civil War veterans and others veteran as they have a flag placed by their graves. Of course my camera would not let me finish taking photos after the first two sections that I walked; but I will be back again hopefully soon to find some more.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my granddaughter Brittany St. Pierre on June 19.

June 22, 2014

On the 18^th the students in grades K-5 enjoyed a picnic at Roque Bluff for their end of year field trip. The weather was great and the students had an enjoyable day.

The employees of SAD 37 had an end of the year barbeque at Narraguagus High School.

I myself am glad the school year is over; I have already read one book for summer and hope to do some more reading in my spare time.

On Saturday the 28^th fifty-seven Milbridge High School alumni’s came to their reunion. The Eastern Star ladies of Alcyone #71 catered the meal again this year.

We welcome Steve and Jan Morrison back to Milbridge for the season. It is always nice to drop by for a visit with them and catch up with all the news.

Condolences go out to the family of Ty Batson of Addison.

Condolences also go out to the family of Grace Peterson, the oldest resident of Columbia who passed away on Sunday the 22 with her family by her side. She will be deeply missed by her family and the residents of Columbia.

Get well wishes to Huddy Peterson of Harington who should be home from the hospital when this comes out.

Get well wishes go out to Mike Beal and Juanita Stubbs of Addison and Patrick Ramsdell of Columbia.

The Pleasant River Historical Society Civil War 2015 Collectible Calendar is ready to go to the printers soon. It should be ready for Addison Days in July.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Konner Strout on the 27 and Stephen Caywood Plummer on June 29.

Belated wedding anniversary wishes go out this month to David and Michelle McLaughlin who celebrated their eight wedding anniversary on June 10^th.

Best wishes go out to the following that are celebrating their wedding anniversaries this coming week: Zachary and Tiffany Strout will celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary on June 24, Huddy and Charlie Peterson will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary on June 25 and to Zebadiah and Molly Strout on their second wedding anniversary on June 29^th.

June 29, 2014

Photo: Profession Bus Drivers of SAD #37

Kevin Rice, Mike Peterson, Ronie Strout (trophies), Fred Prince, Clara Freeman, Darlene Stubbs, Wayne Grant, Dawn McManus, Patricia Thaxter, Lori Mathews and Transportation Director Dawn Coffin

Three bus drivers of SAD #37 received trophies at the Skills Competition at the Regional Safety Conference held at Narragauagus High School on Wednesday June 25^th. Kevin Rice received1st place and Ronie Strout 2^nd place driving conventional bus and Mike Peterson received 2^nd place driving transit bus. After the competition four Basics Workshops were held in the gym on Bus Evacuations, Positive Communications, Mandatory Reporting and Student Management for all drivers.

About seventy five folks attended the Friends of the Church on the Hill public supper Friday evening. We had not attended one of these suppers before and found that we missed out on the others as the meal was excellent with the different casseroles along with the beans and the many pies that were there, no one went away hungry. On top of this a Chinese auction was held and I came away with two nice camp chairs.

On Saturday we spent the day at Schoodic Lake in Columbia at our son’s camp to celebrate our grandson Konner’s 7th birthday. A swim in the lake and a barbeque made it a very nice party.

Special folks that attended were Konner’s Aunt Kimberly and cousins Jasmine and Brittany St. Pierre along with Brittany’s friend Chris.

In the evening we enjoyed socializing with Steve and Jan Morrison, Peter Sawyer and June and Harry Rolfe of Milbridge with a lovely meal. On our way home we got to see the Cherryfield fireworks which gave our day a great ending.

Breaking news from Caleb Paul formerly of Addison, has informed me that the Fifth Annual Down East Country Fest will be held on July 12 at the Harrington VFW Hall in Harrington, Maine. Doors will open at 6:30 with music going 7-11 pm, BYOB -21 and older with ID.

This year’s performers will be featuring Nashville Star Rachel Lipsky, Boston’s Miller’s English, and local favorites: Milbridge’s Ty Openshaw and Down East The Stillwater Band. More information can be found on this website: www.downeastcountryfest.com

Mark your calendars for the upcoming activities in the area: Addison Days will be on July 19 with a parade at 11 a.m. with fireworks at dusk. This will all take place in our town of Addison in the vicinity of the Town Hall on Water Street.

July 4, 2014

On June 28, 2014 Konner Strout of Harrington celebrated his 7^th birthday anniversary with a gathering at Schoodic Lake with family and on Sunday the 29 he celebrated with his school mates at his home in Harrington. Instead of presents for himself he asked his school mates to bring items for the Cherryfield Ark Animal Shelter where he goes with his mother a couple of times a week to play with the kittens there.

On Sunday the 28 I called on Huddy Peterson of Harrington for a visit and while I was there Sally Cooper and her daughter Christine and husband stopped by for a visit too. Huddy was pleased to have us all drop in.

The Pleasant River Historical Society will hold their next meeting on Friday July 11 at the Addison Town Hall with Bill Waterhouse guest speaker on Making Sea Salt for home use at 7 pm. Business meeting will be at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments are served after the meeting.

To all DAR members of the Hannah Weston Chapter, Machias, Maine Daughters of the American Revolution will gather for their annual picnic meeting to be held at the Gates House, home of the Machiasport Historical Society on Rt. 92 in Machiasport, Maine at 12 noon, Saturday, July 12th those attending are asked to bring a sandwich. Dessert and beverage will be provided.

The program for the afternoon will be a discussion on the part that the Hannah Weston Chapter has played in the National DAR project “Celebrate America”. In addition Valdine Atwood will explain the proper use of the DAR Insignia.

Don’t forget the Fifth Annual Down East Country Fest that will be held on July 12 at the Harrington VFW Hall in Harrington, Maine with music from 7 – 11 pm.

The Addison School Alumni dinner and meeting will be held on July 12 at D.W. Merritt School in Addison with the social hour at 4:30 and dinner at 5:30 pm.

Get well wishes go out to Marvin Pineo and Mariner Bunker and hopefully they are both feeling better when this comes out.

Congratulations go out to Dawn Grant Stubbs of Addison on her new grandson Oliver Lee Riley Sawyer born on July 3 to Justina Stubbs and Chip Sawyer.

July 12, 2914

We spent the 4^th at Strout’s Look Out camp at Schoodic Lake, Columbia, Me. along with Michelle and David McLaughlin. Zachary gave me a special ride around the lake in his boat so I could see all the other camps.

I really enjoyed my swim in the lake with my grandson Konner. After a barbeque lunch and another swim we were ready to return home. For a rainy day that did not start till around 6 pm it was a great 4^th.

A lot of folks all over Maine were without power due to Hurricane Arthur. We were without power about 8 hours whereas quite a few in Addison and surrounding towns were out for a lot longer period of time. A lot of trees were uprooted in the area. We only had some branches break off. Thank goodness no one got hurt during the storm.

I traveled to Boston on the 6^th to spend a few weeks visiting the Washburn family waiting for the new addition to arrive to the family.

On July 12, 2014 Diadem & Jesse Washburn, son Asa and Nana Ronie Strout welcomed Mabel Adelaide Washburn into the Washburn family at 8:06 a.m. weighing in at 7 pounds and 3 ounces and nineteen inches long in Boston, Ma. Mother and baby are doing fine.

Don’t forget the Genealogical Fair on Saturday July 19 from 9 to 3 p.m. at the Elm Street School Route 191, East Machias, Maine. Spend the day researching your Washington County families. There will be displays & information by local Historical Societies.

Bring your lunch and spend the day. Coffee & Donuts will be for sale, free & open to the public.

July 20^th2014res of people I had only read about. I actually saw the signature of George Washington, John Quincy Adam who had excellent penmanship , Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others I can't think of. I could not take photos so that wasn't a way to remember and no pencil to write everything down either. Three floors to remember . Lots of Virgin Mary and the baby pictures, Italian chairs, mahogany furniture, tables, chairs, Tip top tables with inlaid. Leather drapes, lace curtains, scenes of Christ and his crucifixion. Letters written from so long ago, could not read them but saw them, Urns for ashes, water fountains , well anyway you get the gist of it, I saw lots of things.

I am still in Boston helping out with my grandson Asa Washburn while his parents are enjoying their new baby Mabel. Asa and I go almost every day to Tobin Park which is nearby from where we are at the moment. He gets to play with other children his age and has met another boy Henry that comes to play there. Asa also loves to go swimming in the pool at the apartment almost every day and so do I.

On Friday the 18^th I walked to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and spent the afternoon wandering the rooms, corridors, and the Terrace Garden immersed in art.

This museum is home to contemporary and historical exhibitions, I read that it has classical and jazz concerts, lectures and performances, an Artist – in-Residence program going on all the time. Some of the things that I saw were: the Roman Sarcophagus in the court yard, the Flemish, Queen Tomyris Tapestry in the tapestry room, Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, Peter Paul Rubens, Portrait of the Earl of Arundel, Leather wall coverings, Italian arm chairs, Workshop of Velazquez, portrait of Philip IV of Spain, French window from Soissons Cathedral, John Singer Sargent, Portrait of Isabella Gardner.

I saw historical lace and wall tapestries and a collection of letters written by George Washington, John Quincy Adam, Nathaniel Hawthorn and other famous people. In one of the corridor was an accordion door that folded in and out of the wall that held paintings that was unique as it used less space.

There were so many items from the different eras and centuries from all over the world that Isabella Gardner had collected that it is hard to list everything that I saw and read about.

This was an educational experience for me on my afternoon outing in the city and I did not get lost finding my way to and from there.

I see that the Milbridge Days will be coming up on the 26^th, so mark your calendar to attend this, I may be back to attend this if all goes as planned.

Condolences go out to Oscar Look Jr. family of Addison and Iona Burgess Burke family of Milbridge on their passing.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Geri Moore of Columbia, Dawn McManus and Darlene Stubbs of Addison.

July 26, 2014

On Sunday morning July 20, 2016 I ventured to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with my grandson Asa and his father Jesse. The first thing we saw was the collection of quilts that were on display this summer. These quilts were breathtaking and all made in the 1800’s. I recognized many of the patterns that were on display. While I was wandering through the rest of the floor Jesse entertained Asa with other displays till I was done. Two hours of trying to take it all in is really not enough time and that was just one floor. So many rooms filled with exhibits from around the world, with lots of variety. This is a great museum with a great collection of art

work including stuff form American History, European, Africa, Asian, Egyptian, Greek, Himalayan/Chinese, Japanese, and many more.

One of the special exhibitions was the Magna Carta in the Art of the Americas Wing. I saw one of only four surviving copies of the original Magna Carta document written in 1215. I saw the two manuscript copies of the Declaration of Independence originally penned by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and a marble bust of each of these founding fathers. I saw the Sons of Liberty Bowl (1768) by Paul Revere, which is engraved with the words “Magna Carta” and “Bill of Rights”. The exhibition included portraits, marble busts, and historical documents that I would never ever seen if I had not taken the time to go while I was here in Boston visiting my daughter and family. Plus the added bonus was that it was within eight minutes to walk from where they were staying. The price was well worth paying to see this and I would recommend it to everyone.

I did not get back to the Museum until Thursday July 23 to finish seeing the rest of the museum collections on the second floor and the one of Jamie Wyeth’s collection on the first floor while Jesse and Asa headed for the park to spend some quality time together while waiting for me. On this day I had figured out the map quite well and followed a floor plan so I could basically see everything there in another couple of hours and in an orderly manner and finish up what I did not see the first day. I am sure I could go back and revisit this many more times and see more of the collections in more detail. Maybe next time I am in Boston I can make another trip to the museum to see any new exhibits that could be on loan.

If you go onto the website ‘mfa Boston’ website you can see some of the things that I saw at the museum and read all about their collections.

I hear that Stanley Mitchell of Addison is under the weather and I hope he is doing better now and will be home from the hospital soon and prayers go out for Junior Grant of Columbia Falls. Also get well wishes go out to Ronald Gray of Addison.

Happy Birthday wishes goes out to David McLaughlin of Harrington on August 1^st; if you see him at the garage wish him well.

August 3, 2014

Photo: William Tabott with a Tabbut Rake.

Jon Kelley signing his novel ‘Of Sean and Cloud’

Michelle McLaughlin of Harrington traveled to Boston on July 24 for a visit with her sister Diadem Washburn and family. She spent a couple of days visiting with her new niece Mabel Adelaide Washburn and her nephew Asa.

On Friday afternoon Michelle, Jesse and Asa and I visited the Franklin Zoo during the afternoon. Asa had been there before so he was happy to show us what he knew about all of the animals. We had a couple of hours having fun with Asa at the zoo.

On Friday and Saturday morning Asa Washburn showed his aunt the Tobin Park where he loves to go and play whenever he gets the chance. We also visited The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help “The Mission Church” that was right by the park on our way back to the apartment.

Alas my time being with the family while waiting for the new grandbaby and ending after three weeks came to an end; I returned home with Michelle on Sunday July 27 from our visit with the Washburn family. I have already heard that my grandson misses his ‘Nana’ and ‘Aunty’.

My garden seems to be doing great with all of the hard work that Carroll has put in it while I was gone. I had some fresh vegetables out of it on my first night home.

On Thursday July 31, Paulette Veit and I traveled to Cape Split here in Addison and visited with William Wallace Tabbot and his family that were here visiting in the area for the week. They traveled from Spartanburg, South Carolina to do some research of the Tabbutt families in the area.

On Friday August 1, Richard and Cheryl Paul and I went to Cherryfield to hear clam digger Jon Keller of Addison, Maine discuss his book “Of Sea and Cloud” at the Cherryfield Academy. Jon recently had his book published; a novel of Downeast Maine. .

The 2015 Pleasant River Historical Civil War Collectible Calendar has arrived and now on sale for $10.00 apiece. I myself have some at my home to sell. You should be able to find them at the Town Office this coming week and from Mary Thompson and Jeannette Perry.

There will be a Pleasant River Historical Society Meeting on Friday August 8 at the Cape Split Chapel with Reed M. Holmes as the guest speaker talking about the Forerunners, the story of 150 Americans from Jonesport, Maine to Jaffa in 1866 on the 'Nellie Chaplin'. The program will start at 7 p.m. all are welcome.

August 10, 2014

This week my garden decided to come on, so I have been tending to my vegetables, harvesting and canning them. We had to put up a fence that so far has kept the huge herd of deer that is on the Ridge Rd. from getting in. Before my husband got the fence up the deer got some of our vegetables. They also cleaned out my hosta plants that I had planted along the tree line and around my magnolia bush. Something needs to be done to cut this herd down that is growing too large.

On Tuesday I traveled to Ellsworth with my sister-in-law Bunnie Plummer for her appointment, we also did some other errands while there.

On Friday evening Pleasant River Historical Society had about thirty folks out to hear Jean and Reed Holmes talk about the Jaffa colony of 1866 in Israel and showed us photos of what it looks like now. They travel yearly from their home in Israel to Jonesport and have researched and written about this trip on “The Nellie Chapin” and of the people that went.

The next Pleasant River Historical meeting will be on Friday September 12, with John Bunker of FEDCO, a noted pomologist, and he will try to identify old apple trees on the Ridge Road. Everyone will meet at the home of Richard Paul by 3 pm.

I heard from one of my Facebook friends Ellen Tripp from Donahue, Iowa. She was the granddaughter of Clarence Day and has been coming to the Roque Bluffs area for many years. I had hopes that I would catch up with her while she was here with her family but they have been doing a lot of sightseeing so maybe the next time they are in the area I will get to meet them.

Pam and John Sawyer’s daughter and family are here visiting with the family in Columbia Falls. Pam was seen out walking her twin grandsons the other day.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Marie Ramsdell of Columbia on August 15.

August 17, 2014

Photos: Candidates at the Washington County Republicans meeting, running for office in November are: Will Tuell, Matthew Foster, Joyce Maker, Barry Curtis, Beth Turner, Richard Paul and Dave Burns.

Commissioner Mary Mayhew, Department of Health and Human Resources

This week has been a busy week for me. On Tuesday I had a third cousin Patricia (Woodbury) Zelley of Massachusetts stop by my home for a visit to discuss how to find the information she needed to join the Mayflower Society as her line is the same as mine and goes back through Diadema Smith and Moses Worcester. My great grandmother Genetta was a sister to her great grandmother Alegnaid which makes us third cousin.

My dad, Orrin Worcester told me at the time I was corresponding with her that he knew her mother and grandparents and that Patricia and her mother Ethel Cummings Woodbury came and visited my parents when she was a small girl. Patricia told me she remembers visiting my parents and she believes that was the last time she was here in Washington County. We had connected with each other through the genealogy message board on line and through email about fifteen years ago before my dad passed. She is in hopes to return in the fall for a few days to do some more research on the Cummings, Norton and Worcester families.

On Wednesday evening I traveled to Jonesboro with friends for the Sunrise County Tea Party meeting and had the pleasure to meet with our governor Paul LePage at the Union Church community building which was a treat for me.

On Thursday evening twenty five Eastern Star members came together for their monthly stated meeting and yearly official visitation with the Grand Conductress Julieanne B. Irving. After the meeting we enjoyed refreshments by members Clara Driscoll and Jolene Farnsworth.

The Washington County Republicans met at Jacksonville Grange in East Machias on Friday evening with about thirty folks attending the chicken barbecue supper and listening to the guest speaker Mary Mayhew, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Resources.

Candidates running for office in November that were there were: Will Tuell, Matthew Foster, Joyce Maker, Barry Curtis, Richard Paul and Dave Burns.

I seem to be learning a lot this week in politics attending two meeting within days. I guess this week was not at all boring for me.

Another busy day on Saturday going to the Machias Blueberry Festival with my daughter Michelle McLaughlin and checking out all the activities going on and found that a lot of quilts were being ticketed off for a cause. I of course took a chance on all of them hoping that I might be a winner. Michelle and I both did a little Christmas shopping while there.

Condolences go out to the following families: Beverly Anderson and Hilman Foss of Harrington and Harold Bagley of Columbia Falls.

August 24, 2014

I finally had the chance to get out to a few yard sales on Saturday and found some wonderful buys. My granddaughter will be getting some cute outfits in the mail this coming week and I expect to see some darling pictures of her in them.

The Paul’s homestead is looking great with the paint job finally done on their home. I have been watching the painters do their excellent work while tending to the ladies ie. the hens for the Paul’s while they have been to a family reunion over the weekend.

The deer are still on the Ridge Rd. eating my pumpkin plants & hostas what is left of them. I have tried everything short of shooting them to get rid of these pests. They may be cute but cute does not put vegetables on my table. We did have a porcupine in the garden getting our tomatoes but I took care of him.

On Thursday the 21^st I drove Bunnie Plummer to Bangor for an appointment. We had a lovely day eating out and doing errands.

Condolences go out to the family of Wilbur “Junior” Grant of Columbia Falls; we will miss seeing him out and about in the neighborhood.

Get well wishes go to Helene Hammond of Harrington; hopefully she will be home soon and on the mend.

The blueberry season will be soon wrapping up in the area. Does not seem possible that August is about gone and school will soon be starting.

The blackberries are out and I was able to get a few quarts for the freezer to put with the blueberries that I picked over the weekend.

August 31, 2014

It does not seem possible that summer vacation is over and school will be starting on September 4^th for SAD #37. The last thing that seals the deal is of the Blue Hill Fair, and I with friends Kevin and Maryann Rice enjoyed our time there on Saturday. I had not been for a few years so it was a treat for me. I ran into quite a few folks from this area there. We first went to see the sheep dog trials, then onto the barns to see all of the animals. I love to try samples of goat cheese that is there for everyone to try.

On our way to and from the fair were lots of yard sales begging us to stop and buy their wares and we did find a few items that we could not live without. All in all it was a great day out and about with friends.

On Thursday evening the Jonesport Historical Society had a full house to hear Nancy Willey speak on the Baseline on Epping Plains in Columbia. Dick Paul and I traveled together to hear Nancy this evening. I have heard her several times and also went on several of her trips over the barrens when she was taking school children to learn about it.

Some interesting facts that Nancy spoke about: In 1853 surveyors were sent to Eastern Maine to find a suitable location for the Northern most baseline. They could not find any place on the rock bound coast and had to go inland about six miles where there was flat land on Epping Plains in Columbia, Maine.

There was a chain of 6 triangles measured with extreme accuracy located from Alabama to Maine the chain would serve as the framework to link other harbor surveys. The Baseline in Columbia one of the 6 would be used to map eastern United States.

Work was started in May 1857 with local farmers and lumbermen of the area working to clear and cut and grade a 12 foot wide road along this line. It was completed on August 7, 1857. This baseline is the only remaining one left in the U.S. The others have been eroded away because they were constructed close to the shoreline.

This Global Positioning System relies on signals from a network of sixteen satellites orbiting the earth outside of our atmosphere, at very high altitudes.

This geodetic survey was not like property surveys, which would evolve the boundaries of a piece of land, because this would determine the absolute position of certain points on earth.

A number of years ago several surveyors in the area had a brilliant idea of using the Global Positioning System to measure the Epping Plains Baseline again, to see if it was perfectly straight from when it was done in 1857. They found that it was only off within a centimeter.

We are fortunate to have Nancy Willey still giving talks on the importance of this historical Baseline and how it has survived over all of the others.

Congratulations to Andrew McLaughlin on coming in 1^st place at the races on Saturday the 30^th.

September 7, 2014

An Apple walk led by John Bunker of FEDCO, a pomologist specializing in historic apple trees will be this Friday September 12 from 3-6 p.m on Addison Ridge in Addison.

Mr. Bunker will identify examples of early apples growing wild and being cultivated on the Ridge, an early 19^th century commercial apple center. Everyone will meet at 3 p.m. Friday on Richard Paul’s lawn on Addison Ridge. All trees are within a half mile radius. This apple walk identification is sponsored by the Pleasant River Historical Society. All are welcome.

Condolences go out to the family of Jenene J Schneider of Inverness, Florida, formerly of Harrington who unexpectedly died on Sept. 2, 2014. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends in the area.

Lisa Elichaa of Auburn, Maine and Blake Tilton of New Jersey were in town this weekend for the funeral of Jr. Grant of Columbia Falls.

Wednesday September 3, the Bus Drivers of SAD 37 held their team building workshop at the EDGE building in Cherryfield where several drivers did the Flying Squirrel. A beautiful day flying amongst the trees while trusting our fellow drivers not to let go of the rope.

On Saturday Paulette Veit and I attended the Cherryfield first lobster dinner at the Cherryfield Public Library. I had the pleasure to sit next to some folks from New York that has been coming to the local area for many years. They try to make as many of the public suppers in the area while they are visiting.

Al and Patty Howland has been playing and singing in Gouldsboro every weekend and this coming weekend will be their last one for the season.

Happy belated birthday wishes go out to Judy Sprague of Texas, formerly of Milbridge on Sept 1^st and to Wyatt Worcester on the 7^th.

Birthday wishes go out to my nephews Eric Worcester of Arizona and Jonathan Plummer of East Machias on September 11. I also want to remember my dad on Sept. 15, he has been gone 10 years and he would have been 102 this year.

Wedding anniversary wishes go out to Ronald and Tracy Ramsay, Tim and Mandy Kane of Addison on September 8 and Marjorie and Everett Ramsdell of Harrington on the 9^th and Joanne and Randy Gray of Brewer on the 10^th.

September 14, 2014

On Thursday over 150 students in the district traveled to the Schoodic Symposium and to Frazer Point for a field trip. While we were there we saw four of the sculptures that had been completed and waiting to be moved to their destination. The Harrington one was delivered on Friday morning at the walking path by the Harrington Health Center.

The high school has started their canoeing and kayaking classes with the Phys Ed class now at Stillwater in Cherryfield that I take them too. Some of these students have never done this before. Usually the first time the students are standing around not knowing what to do, by the time they finish a few weeks later, they will know how to handle a canoe and a kayak.

John Bunker of FEDCO was in the area to identify old apple trees and their fruit and explained how to prune the old ones to bring them back to the producing age. The apple walk brought in about sixty folks from all over the state where we met at the ‘Paul’s resident on Addison Ridge and checked out trees on the property across the road and on the Drisko homestead off the Old Addison Road. This was sponsored by the Pleasant River Historical Society. Even I was glad to get information on how to take care of my little apple tree that I am growing in my back yard.

On Saturday I attended the Maine Genealogical Society’s Annual Family History Conference at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer for the day. The featured speaker was Thomas Jones, PhD, CG, CGL. Mr. Jones teaches in Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate program, online and in the classroom. I was able to get in on three of his classes and one with Nancy Lecompte. She has worked as Research and Education for Ne-Do-Ba and is authority on the Native American history of this region; she spoke on Genetic Genealogy.

Two others that also spoke were Desiree Butterfield-Nagy, reference Archivist for the Special Collections Department at the U.M. Fogler Library in Orono and Michael L. Strauss an Accredited Genealogist spoke on the Genealogical Research in the United States Life-Saving Service.

While attending the conference I came across folks that I had helped on line with their family tree for the first time. It was nice to see Celeste Sherman of Machiasport and Theresa Nichols there for the first time. I also met up with Pam Beveridge there during the meeting who I have met at other functions in genealogy.

Guest at our house on Sunday evening were Judy Sprague of Texas and Peter Sawyer of Milbridge. Good food and great conversation was had by all.

Judy has been very busy visiting friends and family while she is visiting in the area. On Thursday evening she and Peter Sawyer attended the Order of the Eastern Star at the Alcyone Chapter #71 of Milbridge Thursday evening with me.

Don’t forget that the Adult Education Enrichment Classes begin this week. We are still looking for folks that want to know how to do their genealogy. Beginners welcome as well as folks that just want to come out and fine more information on how to find stuff on the internet. Hope to see you there, bring what you know with you and we will go from there on Wednesday nights.

September 21, 2014

Mark your calendar for the next public presentation of the Jonesport Historical Society will be held this Thursday, September 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Sawyer Building at 21 Sawyer Square.

There will be two guest speakers. First, Judge Lyman Holmes will talk about the great 1875 Machias fire and the damaged that it caused. Next, Becky McKenna will talk about the history of the Machias Jail, including stories of some historic crimes and criminals. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

I try and go to most of these presentations as they are very interesting. Hope to see you there.

Here is another interesting thing to mark on your calendar. The Burnham Tavern Museum in Machias will open its doors free of charge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27th as a part of the Smithsonian Magazine Ninth Annual Museum Day Live! If you have not been to see this before now, why not go this weekend.

Condolences go out to the family of Darrell Holbrook of Harrington. He will greatly be missed. His family and friends will greatly miss him.

Get well wishes go out to Kenneth Nichols of Columbia, he is in Eastern Maine General Hospital, Bangor.

It is not too late to sign up for the genealogy class, give Narraguagus High School a call as we are lacking a couple of folks to have a class. You might just find a surprise relative in your research.

On Saturday September 20^th Carroll and I along with Michelle McLaughlin traveled to Unity to the Common Ground Fair. There we met up with Jesse, Diadem, Asa and Mabel Washburn for a nice visit along with some picture taking of the children. Diadem and Jesse volunteer there every year.

After returning from the fair we met up with Steve and Jan Morrison along with Peter Sawyer and Judy Sprague for an evening of socialization in Milbridge.

I see that I missed sending birthday wishes to my nephew’s son Finley Worcester on Sept 17. I know he had a great birthday.

If you see Carroll Strout and Sherry Polley of Addison on September 29 wish them a happy birthday. Birthday wishes to our niece Laura Lee Sprague of Texas on the same day.

Sent also:

Birth Announcement of Mabel Adelaide Washburn

Maternal Grandparents Carroll and Ronie Strout of Addison and Paternal grandparents Dorothy Caldwell and Arthur Washburn of Penobscot welcome Mabel Adelaide Washburn into the family of Diadem and Jesse Washburn and brother Asa of Boston, MA. Mabel arrived at home on July 12, 2014 at 8:06 am weighing 7 lbs 3 oz and 20 inches long. In attendance were Nana Strout, Jesse, Asa, along with midwives Audra Karp and Tara Kenney.

Sept.28, 2014

Condolences go out to the families of two of our Columbia residents this past week, Kenneth Nichols and Michael Mann; they will be greatly missed in town. Columbia Falls also loss one of their residents, Sarah Fletcher. Condolences also go out to the family of Merton Garnett of Jonesport.

Get well wishes go out to Ronald Gray of Indian River, Addison who is not feeling too well, let us keep him on the prayer list.

Birthday wishes go to Garrett Ramsdell who will be celebrating his birthday on Oct. 5^th.

In our family this month we have some wedding anniversaries being celebrated: on Oct 2 Carroll & Ronie Strout of Addison, on Oct 7 Steve and Ruberta Plummer of Cherryfield and on Oct 9, Diadem and Jesse Washburn of Boston.

Judy Sprague of Texas will be returning to her home this coming week after spending time in Milbridge for a few weeks. She has been out and about seeing the sights of Maine and visiting with folks. We have told her that she really needs to spend a few more weeks in order to catch up with everyone.

The high school students in Phys Ed. got to go hiking on top of Katheryn Hill this past week instead of canoeing. Hopefully this coming week the weather will let them finish up their canoeing classes.

On Friday afternoon the girl soccer team of NHS played in Eastport that I drove for, they lost but at least the weather was great to be out in.

On Sunday I drove the students and their teacher from Narraguagus that are in the Skipper Program to Stonington where they will spend a night on an island for their activities. They will return on Monday afternoon. It was a lovely drive to be out and about and viewing the foliage that is turning colors even if it was in a bus. Later in the day my husband and I took a drive up on route 9 and down to Machias for a pizza at Pat’s Pizza with a stop for an ice cream at Pleasant River Drive In in Columbia Falls. A fun day was had by all.

The weather has been great to be outside doing yard work and working on our wood pile for the winter.

Don’t forget the festivities in Harrington and Cherryfield next weekend. A lot going on in both towns.

October 5, 2014

Photo: Huddy and Charlie Peterson Grand Marshals of OctoberFest, Harrington.

We have been busy putting in our fire wood this past weekend; I have been trying to get caught up on doing some canning. I have gotten the beets taken care of with pickling some and putting the rest to use as a vegetable for the winter. Made some piccalilli out of my green tomatoes and also put up regular stew tomatoes now I have the carrots left to can. Hopefully this coming week will bring some good weather so I can get into the garden and dig my dahlia bulbs up to put down for the winter to plant next year.

Molly and Dick Woodsum of Addison will have returned to Winterport by the time this comes out this week. We are really going to miss them here in Addison, but the telephone keeps us in touch. Does not seem possible that their time here is over, but will wait for them next spring to return.

A large crowd of friends and family turned out to the funeral of Kenny Nichols of Columbia on Saturday afternoon.

The town of Harrington on Saturday had a very nice October Fest parade; lots of folks came out to see it. Many activities were held at Bigelow Park for the children. The Grand Marshals were Huddy and Charlie Peterson. Huddy told me that she really enjoyed being out and seeing lots of folks after the parade at Bigelow Park.

Carroll and I attended the Cherryfield Snowmobile Club’s barbeque dinner at noon. The delicious meal consisted of barbeque chicken, corn on the cob, bake potato and blueberry pie.

While we were in Cherryfield I got to visit the craft fair and also a couple of antique shops there before we headed for Milbridge to visit with friends Tom and Glen Kilbourne from Delaware that were here this week.

Saturday evening I had a lady contact me from Florida on facebook, she and I had worked together many years ago in Machias. I had wondered where she ended up after she left the area. It is nice to connect with her again and get caught up on her life.

Birthday wishes go out to Randy Gray of Brewer on Oct. 11.

Molly and Dick Woodsum of Addison/Winterport will be celebrating their wedding anniversary on Oct 11.

October 12, 2014

Pleasant River Historical Society members gathered at Scovils Millside Dining Restaurant in Harrington on Friday evening to end the season of meetings. Those that attended were Carroll & Ronie Strout, Arleta & Lee Grant, Mary & Tim Thompson, Sherri & Dick Paul, Cathy Fonda and Jeannette Perry.

Mark your calendar for the Holiday Craft Fair at the Columbia Falls Municipal Gym, Saturday November 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is sponsored by Alcyone Chapter #71 Order of the Eastern Star. For more information or rent a table, contact Jolene Farnsworth at 483-4178.

This weekend has been great to get out and work outside. We are all trying to get our outside work done before it gets too cold.

Harriet Perry headed for Ashland on Sunday for her moose hunt with others from Addison tagging along to help her. Hopefully she will be able to fill her permit this week. Many others will be in the ‘county’ this week hoping to get their permits filled too.

Condolences go out to the families of Mike Strout of Milbridge and Douglas Smith of Cherryfield on their recent passing.

On Saturday evening the guests of Steve and Jan Morrison treated them to a pot luck dinner of Marafax beans, biscuits, chop seuy and cole slaw was brought in to go with their ham to finish up the season before they return to their home in Raleigh, North Carolina This past week they enjoyed the company of Tom & Glen Kilbourne of Wilmington, Delaware. Before they left the Kilbourne’s stopped by our house on Tuesday for a short visit. It is always nice to hear from them and to get to see them while they were in the area.

Oct. 19, 2014

Photo: Dawn Bragg with her moose.

Philip Worcester moose horns

Dick Paul, Max Merrill, & Robert Alley

The Order of the Eastern Star Alcyone Chapter #71, Milbridge, Maine had a great evening on October 9 with twenty four members in attendance. Past Grand Patrons that were there with their wives were Ralph H. Trafton and Ronald “Pete” Forrest. PGP Ronald “Pete” Forrest presented Grace Gerrish a 65 year pin and certificate. Grace said she had been Worthy Matron eight times, and also served in the chairs as Esther, Ruth, Chaplin, Marshal, Warder and Sentinel and District Deputy during these years. She has been a mentor to me throughout my year as Worthy Matron.

Jolene & Rick Farnsworth were honored for their service to this order during the evening, with a poem OES Team Mates written by Barbara Redburn of Ellsworth Irene Chapter #97. This was a lovely surprise for them.

On Monday Carroll and I took a day trip and we went to Bucksport so I could go up in the observatory. I was thrilled that it was a good day to see the distance and foliage that high up. We then ventured to Castine for a look about, then traveled to Penobscot, Brooksville, Deer Isle, Blue Hill, Surry, Ellsworth and then back home. We did get to have an ice cream at Jordan’s for the last time this season. I was able to get some nice photos of all of these places.

On Tuesday evening October 14 I traveled to Machias to attend the OES Machias Chapter # 83 that also had a great meeting.

On Sunday the 19^th, Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout enjoyed a New England boil dinner at ‘Papa Strout’s’ house. A great way to end the weekend of getting vegetables on the shelves in the cellar and wood in for the winter.

Congratulations to some moose hunters, Cameron Worcester, Dawn Bragg, Harriett Perry and of course my brother Philip Worcester.

You have heard the song Grandma got Run over by a Reindeer, but we now could have a song written about Grandpa getting Run over by a Moose. Philip Worcester of Columbia Falls has quite a tale to tell, about his hunting trip this past week up in the ‘county’. His bull moose that he had a permit to shoot just did not want to give up his life before he demanded Philip to bow down to him. Philip said the only thing he remembers is that the Moose charged him after being shot and that the next thing he heard his son Owen ask him if he was okay. The moose had laid, sat on him and pawed him with his hoofs, even tore his shirt up while my brother was knocked out cold before wandering off in the woods. The moose finally met his maker with a couple more shots in the woods.

Philip was quite lame and bruised somewhat even on the day I saw him. He was some lucky to come out alive on this moose hunt and not be hurt more than what he was. He can now enjoy the meat and be glad that he is here to tell the story to his grandson Michael and other folks and probably elaborating more on the story of the hunt.

Another hunter, Dawn Bragg of Columbia Falls, had an awesome hunt this past week with her dad Patrick Ward and her husband Joe Bragg. She got her bull moose on October 13 the first day of the hunt at 6:30 a.m. on TWP 18, her moose weighed in at 670 pounds. Way to go Dawn.

Congratulations also go out to Harriet Perry of Addison on getting her 534 pound cow moose up in the ‘county’ on Friday. Hopefully her story of her hunt was better than Philip’s.

Sixteen folks came out on Friday evening at the Addison Town Hall to hear the debate between the Republican Dick Paul of Addison and Democrat Robert Alley of Beals who are both running for State Representative in District 138. Max Merrill was the moderator for the evening. We listened to their comments on creating jobs, improving education and reform welfare if they are elected. This was a first for me to attend and it was an eye opener for me on what they both believe in. Just remember it is only two weeks before we vote on Nov. 4^th.

October 26, 2014

The family of Steve and Marie Strout of Harrington and their two children lost their home to a fire on Saturday morning. A fund raiser is being organized for them by his cousin Sarah Strout of Harrington..

On Tuesday while I was waiting for the hiking students to come down from the mountain I finally connected with my first cousin Gary on my phone. Gary’s sister Glenis had sent me his telephone number so I could get in touch with him. We almost got caught up on the family news in the short time I was able to talk with him. Now that we have reconnected it will be easy to stay caught up.

Thursday evening the Narraguagus High School volleyball team traveled to Woodland for their game. It was a horrible night in driving home in a heavy downpour all the way. I know I was some glad to get home that night

On Friday Carroll and I both were in Bangor for several appointments. We ran into Jack Gray and his son at the Olive Garden.

This week I also have been in contact with Roland Grant of Billings, MT, who is researching the Tucker line of Cherryfield area. He has a lot of information going back to England.

We got a lot of Fall work done around the homestead this weekend with the good weather.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 1st a craft fair will be held at the Methodist Faith Church on Route 1.

Craft fairs will be going on every weekend in November, so check the papers and make your plans to check them out.

Hunting season has become, so wear something orange when you are out and about your yard and in the woods. Several youths in the area bagged their deer on Saturday.

Sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday someone busted up our mailbox. Of course there is no way in finding out who did it.

Buster the Bus will make his appearance in the local schools this week for Bus Safety Week.

November 2, 2014

Photo Buster the Bus

Students at the Cranberry Bog in Harrington with Bob Hammond.

On Monday the 27 the bus drivers presented the newest addition to the Bus Safety Evacuation week, Buster the Bus to DW Merritt School in Addison. Then on Thursday we all went to Harrington for their presentation.

The students of Milbridge traveled to Lynch Farm in Harrington to learn about growing cranberries. Bob Hammond spoke with the students and showed them a wooden hand rake and his raking machine. He raked enough for the students to take a box back to school along with some information booklets. Each student was able to pick a cup for themselves.

November has started off with craft fairs in the surrounding area. Sherri Paul and I checked out three of them this weekend. Next weekend there will be more to go to, we just have to find out where they are.

Saturday was the first day of hunting season; I have not heard if anyone got their deer, I know no one in my family had any luck.

The storm that is hitting us on this Sunday Nov. 2 is dropping some snow along with the wind and rain, we won’t know how much or how bad it will be till it passes us by.

I picked up the newest genealogy book Ancestors and Descendants of Solomon Peabody and Lydia (Alley) Peabody by Velton Peabody on Saturday at one of the Craft Fairs in Jonesport. He even signed it for me. I found a photo of my great-great grandfather Zebediah Alley in the book that he had gotten from me. This photo now will be available to others in that family that might not have known what he looked like. I also have a photo of him at an older age that I was given by Robert Wass of Addison a few years back.

A benefit spaghetti supper will be held on November 8 at the Harrington Elementary School from 5-7 for Steve & Marie Strout family who lost their home to a fire recently.

If you are out and about on Nov. 5 and see Philip Worcester of Columbia Falls wish him a happy birthday and if you go by his house give him a little toot to let him know he is thought of on his special day.

Have a great week.

November 9, 2014

Photo: Alfred Moore, Kenneth Thompson and Orlando King honored at the Veterans Program at Narraguagus High School on Friday November 7.

Five hundred fifty seven Addison residents turned out to vote in the election. It was a late night or early morning for me, I got to bed about 2:30 on Wednesday morning. Congratulations to all that won.

On Sunday that storm was a bad one to travel in, but I had to take my husband Carroll to the hospital in Ellsworth. It took me two hours to drive the roads with no plows out tending to the roads. I was some glad to get there and then of course I could not drive home as the roads were closed, so I spent the night at the hospital with my husband. I made it home on Monday in time to do the afternoon bus run.

On Tuesday I decided it was time to put the studded tires on my car for the upcoming winter. I will be better prepared.

Congratulations to Hunter Dempsey of Columbia for shooting his 12 point, 190 pound buck on Friday afternoon on the barrens.

Geri Moore told me that on Sunday the 9^th, her Emerson family of Columbia Falls gathered at the Columbia Falls gym for a pre- Thanksgiving dinner.

Get well wishes go out to Joe Tibbetts of Columbia, Frances Worcester of Columbia Falls, Tracey Peterson and Kenny Fizpatrick of Harrington and Carroll Strout of Addison.

On Friday the students of Milbridge, Harrington and Addison attended the Veterans Memorial program at Narraguagus High School. This year Orlando King of Stueben, Kenneth Thompson of Addison and Alfred Moore were honored.

Friday evening I traveled to Ellsworth with members of Alcyone Chapter to attend the Eastern Star meeting at Irene Chapter. Fifty three members attended the meeting to honor Sister Lillian Lounder, a great program, a wonderful ESTARL supper and the Rainbow girls had an excellent program for us before the meeting.

I was in Ellsworth visiting my husband on Saturday afternoon, but did make it back in time to attend the public supper at the Narraguagus Snowmobile Club in Cherryfield. There was a good turnout for their first supper for the winter. There next one will be in January, they do not have any in December with all that is going on leading up to the Christmas Holidays.

Don’t forget the Eastern Star Holiday Craft Fair at the gym in Columbia Falls on Saturday November 15. It is that time of year again. Have a great week.

November 16, 2014

Photo: Dawnette Robbins, Joseph Tibbetts, Kitty Tibbetts, Bernard Ward & Patrick Ward

In front 90 year old Donald Tibbetts oldest resident of Columbia holding his youngest granddaughter Callie Frank .

On November 7, Mary Ann Nichols Columbia Town Administrator presented Donald Tibbetts the oldest resident of Columbia the Boston Cane at his home on Turkey Hill, Saco Road, Columbia, Maine with his family by his side. Those that attended this presentation were his wife Barbara and his daughters Dawnette Robbins and husband Charlie, Kitty Tibbetts and her daughter Callie Frank, sons Joseph Tibbetts and wife Sharon, Bernard Ward and wife Brenda, Patrick Ward and wife Cheryl.

November 16, 2014.

Congratulations go out to Jonathan and Danielle Plummer of East Machias on the birth of their baby girl, Adreana Elaine Plummer born on November 10, 2014 at 1:51 p.m. weighing in at 5 pounds 5 ounces and 19 inches long. The first visitors were Grandmother Ruberta Plummer and Aunt Sarah-Ann Hammond both of Harrington. Little Adreana is coming along fine and we hope she will soon be able to come home.

Get well wishes go out to the following folks: Carroll Strout of Addison who is now home from the hospital and will be house bound for a while, Donald Grant of Addison who is in the hospital, we hope that he will be home soon and Joseph Tibbetts of Columbia who is improving from his bout with pneumonia recently.

On Saturday the craft fair that was held at the Columbia Falls Municipal gym was well attended, with lots of folks out shopping for Christmas.

On Thursday evening November 13, Order of the Eastern Star Alcyone #71, Milbridge, Me. had twenty five that attended the stated meeting. We had members from Alcyone, Irene, Deering, Machias, Fireside, Rumery Chapters and one from a Vermont chapter. Our next monthly meeting will be on Dec. 11, with a Sing a Long and cookie exchange.

In the recent Weirs and Woods newsletter of the Washington County Historical & Genealogical Society is an article written by me on the Union Church of Columbia that has resulted in an genealogy inquiry this week from Pat McCabe of Whiting on asking me if I had any more information of Rev. Joshua Young Jr. a Baptist minister that was in the Columbia/Columbia Falls area as the first resident Baptist minister. Rev. Young served as Baptist minister for the Columbia Union Church from 1794-1797 before leaving the area.

She informed me that she puts together a newsletter for descendants of the Young’s family who were among the first English settlers of the eastern tip of Long Island, New York and is wondering if there is any connection between him and her Long Island Young’s. She states that she has found connections of Young’s from this area and to her family.

Roland Grant of Montana recently called me again on the Tucker lines and his research of them. He thinks the line he has followed is incorrect and that only a DNA test will actually be sure of his findings. The Descendants of William Tucker of Throwleigh, Devon book is now considered to be incorrect. You really need to remember that any genealogy book is considered a reference that might get you started in the right direction of your line but can have lots of mistakes in it, so check your resources and document all information. Just don’t rely on said book as the gospel truth.

Don’t forget that the Harrington Elementary will be hosting a Big Shop A Palooza event on Sunday November 23^rd, starting at 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Nov 23, 2014

Buster the Bus at Harrington Elementary School

On Friday Nov 21 Harrington Elementary had bus evacuations done by the Bus Drivers of SAD #37. Buster the Bus was on hand to talk with the students on bus safety.

There were some nice craft fairs on Saturday, the one in East Machias has grown so much that they had tables in three other rooms besides the gym. Also the craft fair in Cherryfield was great as usual; I found some items that I had to have for Christmas presents for my grandchildren.

On Sunday the Shop-a-Palooza at the Harrington Elementary School had lots of folks out to it. There were lots of great items there to shop for Christmas, some that I had to have.

A few folks have been in and out of the hospital this week. Get well wishes go out to Stanley Mitchell, Donald Grant and Chris Thompson of Addison.

My husband Carroll was out one day for a doctor appointment, he is doing better every day. Hopefully by the New Year he will be up and about again.

Sunday was a great day to get out and get some brush picked without worrying about hunters. I will have to get more brush maybe next weekend to get my Christmas decorations up around the house. It was also a great day to do some yard work to finish up before the cold weather comes back again.

Congratulations to Sonya Grant of Columbia on getting a 7 point, 125 pound buck on Nov. 14. Congratulations also go out to Evans Tyler of Addison on his 7 point buck he go in Detroit, Maine this past week. I have seen lots of deer here on the Ridge Rd, but no bucks.

Nicole Ripley and children of Whitefield, Me was visiting in Harrington over the weekend with her sister Tiffany Strout and attended the Shop-a-Palooza on Sunday.

I heard that John and Lois Farnsworth of Columbia Falls/Addison celebrated their Thanksgiving dinner early on Saturday the 22 with their family.

Tracey Peterson’s daughter Katrina Hatt of Harrington performed with the Robinsons Ballet in the Nutcracker this week. Way to go Katrina.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my son Matthew St. Pierre of Hancock, Me., does not seem possible that he is ‘that old”, where has the time gone?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families!

November 30, 2014

On Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed the company of Tiffany and Konner Strout at our boil dinner that we had and then Konner spent the night with us so his mother could go shopping on Black Friday.

We celebrated our Thanksgiving meal on Sunday November 30, 2014 at our home with Zachary, Tiffany, & Konner Strout, and David & Michelle McLaughlin all from Harrington. As usual the dinner was excellent and now we will have left overs for a few days.

I found this quote this week on my Family Tree genealogy post and want to share it with you, “We are who we are because they were who they were.” Such a simple statement but so true that we are thankful as a friend stated: ‘we miss them all and we’re grateful for their stories of the ones before them“. Let us be thankful for our families and our memories of the ones that have gone on before us.

On Friday I ventured out to the craft fair in Steuben, to check it out, there were lots of nice items for sale and I found a few items that I needed.

The old Mildred and Charlie Walker house on the Cross Rd in Columbia Falls burnt last week. No one was living there and the electricity was shut off so that is a mystery to be solved.

There will be a benefit supper for Kenny Fitzpatrick at the VFW Club on December 6 in Harrington.

Congratulations go out to Raymond Nichols of Columbia/Jonesboro on getting his 5 point buck that weighed 145 pounds on November 24, 2014.

Get well wishes go out to Kenny Fitzpatrick of Harrington and prayers for Donnie Grant of Addison.

Birthday wishes go out to Andrea Hartford on Dec. 1 and George Peterson of Columbia on Dec. 2. We have from Addison birthday wishes go out to Peggy Warden Dec 6 and Jeannette Perry on Dec 7 and Muriel Grant on Dec 8. Matthew Hurlbert II of Harrington will also be celebrating his birthday on Dec. 8.

December 7, 2014

This last week I have been busy working on getting packages ready to send out and also some of my Christmas cards as well. I always try to get my Christmas card out to my pen pal in Japan early as it does take a while to travel that distance. I enjoy getting a unique card from him every year. I have saved all of his cards that I have received for over 50 years in a note book. We use to write letters regular until we both got families and time just happen to go on with our lives, so now it is just at Christmas time that we hear from each other.

When I get Christmas cards I use them to decorate two door ways with them. I guess I am old fashion as I love to get them in the mail than to get them on Facebook. I know I also send greeting on Facebook, but to family, friends and pen pals I do so enjoy reading what they have been up to in their families. Yes that means writing a letter to each and every one and yes it does take time to write something to each and every one.

I just finished up the fall genealogy class for the adult education at the high school and hopefully there will be another one in the spring.

Get well wishes go out to Fred Crowley and Patricia Thaxter of Columbia Falls, Kenny Fitzpatrick of Harrington, Carroll Strout, Ronnie Gray and prayers for Donnie Grant all of Addison and Bunny Plummer of Cherryfield.

On Sunday our friends Dick and Alice Trott of Brewer came for a nice visit with us in the afternoon and then later Steve and Bunnie Plummer stopped by for a visit. It seems good to have visitors on a Sunday afternoon.

Wreaths Across America started their trip to D.C. on Sunday, I missed seeing it as I had other things that had to be taken care of.

Belated birthday wishes go out to Alfred Moore of Columbia Falls on December 5.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Muriel Grant on the 8^th, Gina Wright on the 10^th, Zebadiah Strout on the 11, Alex Worcester on 14th, June Rolfe on 15th and Kevin Ramsdell and Chase Kane on the 16^th.

If you know of any upcoming events for Columbia please share it with me I will be glad to write it up.

December 10, 2014

Columbia Falls News

UNION HALL RESTORATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Union Hall restoration Committee is happy to announce that we held three very successful fund- raisers this year. We held a June Yard Sale which netted the town $653.00 and an August Yard Sale which netted the town $501.00. Thank you to all the folks in town that donated items for these benefits. We also held an Open House in October combined with a “Christmas in October” event netting us $600.00.

Also this year with the excellent and professional effort put forth by our Grant Writer Tracey Gamache along with our Treasurer Nancy Herr we have been fortunate to have received three Grants. We received $10,000.00 from the Davis Family Fund Grant to be applied to the Water and Sewer hook-up, a $15,000.00 Belvedere Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Grant to be applied to the purchase of new tables and chairs, handicap ramp finishing and refinishing the hardwood floor. We also received $5,000.00 from the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust Grant to be applied to the purchase and installation of new stage curtains.

This year we have accomplished the completion of the interior work of the building. We now have a new Kitchen, Bathroom and Coat/storage room.

On October 18^th 2014 the Committee held a National Register of Historic Places Plaque unveiling and an award ceremony thanking Richard Grant with a Certificate of Appreciation for his efforts in getting the Union Hall listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Richard Grant has served on the Union Hall Restoration Committee since 2001.

Thank you to Wreaths Across America and Worcester Wreath for donating the two beautiful Christmas wreaths that adorn the front doors of the Union Hall.

The next Union Hall Restoration Committee meeting will be Thursday, January 8^th; 6 PM at the Home of Tony and Robin Santiago, all are invited. We are always looking for volunteers to help out with our effort.

Tony Santiago, Union Hall Restoration Committee Chairman.

December 14, 2014

Order of the Eastern Star

Order of the Eastern Star, Alcyone #71of Milbridge did not have a quorum for a meeting but we did recognize Sylvia Joy with her 25 year pin and Miriam Gail Backman with a 50 year pin, both of Winter Harbor before having our cookie swap. Six table centerpieces made by myself were raffled off during the exchange. Great conversation and delicious cookies were had by all. We will be recessed for the months of January and February.

Keys Wanted & Received

I put out a call out on Facebook for house keys or any kind of keys, and the response was overwhelming as I received keys from J. Hanson of Orland, Me, Alice & Dick Trott of Brewer, Me., Sonya Grant of Columbia, Me., Nancy Hayward of North Reading, Ma. and a nice bunch from the Machias Hardware store in Machias, Me. Two other drivers stepped up to do the project for their children on their buses and I was able to supply enough keys and then some for all of us. We appreciate all that took the time to send me keys.

Speedy recovery for Morrill Worcester who took sick while away on Wreaths Across America and a safe trip home.

Illness & Condolences in the area

There is a lot of illness in the area so that I am told with the elders; I wish them all a speedy recovery. This would be an especially good time to give them a visit or call to pick up their spirits.

Condolences go out to the family of Calvin Snider who unexpectedly passed away this week.

Abbie Museum

On Friday December 5 I took the Gifted and Talented students of Narraguagus High School to the Abby Museum in Bar Harbor for a video presentation by George the tour guide and then a tour of the museum. They are open in the winter months, if you decide to go give them a call to make sure they are open, it is well worth a trip to see the displays.

DAR Christmas Tea

The Hannah Weston Chapter, of the Daughters of the American Revolution attended a Christmas Tea at the Chandler River Lodge in Jonesboro with twenty two present. We held a meeting before the tea and Betzy Fitszgerald President of the Washington County Historical & Genealogical Society was our guest speaker with a talk on the updates to the County Court House.

Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner

The Addison Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary again this year held their annual senior citizen banquet Saturday evening December 13^th. Around 100 citizens were able to get out to it. Cecil Rockwell the oldest man present at 86 lives on the West Side Rd in Addison and Eva Denny the oldest lady present at 84 lives in South Addison. Eight gift certificates were drawn off during the evening as well as the centerpieces that were on the table.

Epping Volunteer Fire Department Santa Visit

The newly formed Epping Volunteer Fire District (formerly the Columbia and Columbia Falls Volunteer Fire Departments) had a glorious turn-out for “Santa’s Visit” at the fire house in Columbia on December 13^th. There were many, many happy faces on the children who got to tell Santa their wish list for Christmas. There didn’t seem to be anyone on the “naughty list” and Santa gave each child a Christmas stocking and a brand new smoke alarm!!

Our sincerest gratitude to the wonderful community businesses and individuals for your continued support and donations: Addison Fire Department, Delia’s Branch Grocery, 4 Corners Shop ‘n Save, Elmer’s Country Store, Fitness Central, Hammond Oil, Lynch Hill Farms, Mark Wright Construction & Disposal, Scovils Millside Dining, Timken Pike Tire, The Navigator Restaurant, Thomas Bouchard, Gene Stahovec, Lee Ann Coulter, Nancy Smith, Rose Wingo, and Sonya & Clifford Grant. (Please remember to #shop local, and #eat local to support our hometown businesses.)

A big thank you to the members of the Epping Volunteer Fire District and Auxiliary, their spouses, children, family members, neighbors and friends who volunteered and worked hard to make “Santa’s Visit” a memorable one. Last but not least our - “Goody Bakers”. Our tables were overflowing with the touch of love and caring only your homemade, delicious goodies have.

The Epping Volunteer Fire District has a very dedicated membership who spend a tremendous amount of time training and developing their skills to efficiently and effectively mitigate the emergency situations we respond to. We take great pride in being able to offer fire service to our community.

We are looking forward to next year; if you have any suggestions that would improve serving you better please feel free to contact us at the department. We love being an active partner in our community effort to make our area a wonderful place to visit and live.

Upcoming Events

The Columbia selectman's meetings are the first and third Monday's of the month.

December 21, 2014

The professional driving team met at the Navigator Restaurant on December 18 for a Christmas Party, those that attended were: Marianne & Kevin Rice, Al and Mary Moore, Dave & Lori Ann Mathews, Carroll and Ronie Strout, Tracey & Mike Peterson, Darlene Stubbs, Pat Thaxter, Vicki Bailey, Clara Ann Freeman, Sherri Thaxter, Fred Crowley and Nancy Prince, unable to attend were Wayne Grant and Fred Prince.

Fred and Nancy Prince, Fred Crowley all of Columbia Falls needs get well wishes, as well as Skye Cirone, Ronald Gray and Carroll Strout of Addison.

Friday evening Carroll and I attended the Masonic Christmas Party at the Masonic Hall in Milbridge. Santa Claus arrived to give gifts out to all the children that were there. The Lodge put on a great meal.

This week Dick Grant brought me a framed charcoal painting of his grandparents Gilbert Grant and Clara Hartford to see if I could make a copy of them for him and me for genealogy. I put them on Facebook and several folks contacted me that these folks were in their family as well and were glad to see them. I have also been able to make a clearer copy of his great grandparents Clarissa Grant and Jethro Harford of Columbia Falls.

If anyone has any pictures of your ancestors in your house I would be glad to come and take a photo of them and make a copy for genealogy purposes.

December 28, 2014

School is on Christmas break now till January 4^th, so all of the students that had these horrible colds before break will surely be well when we return.

Monday December 22 I drove the Narraguagus High School Knights to Jonesport for the ball game. They beat Jonesport in both games.

Get well wishes still go out to Fred Crowley and Fred Prince of Columbia Falls, and my husband Carroll Strout, Donnie Grant, Ronald Gray and Charlene Gray of Addison as well as prayers and get well wishes to Kim Beal formerly of Addison.

On Christmas Eve David and Michelle McLaughlin and Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve meal of fish chowder, Caesar salad, rolls and dessert at our home.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Columbia News