Buxton hunters bag ‘n tag
Several Buxton hunters tagged their deer at Sawyer’s Store in Little Falls.
Billy Brannon bagged two deer, one with a bow and another with a firearm. Kelly Finocchietti of Buxton, who is an attendant at the tagging station, said other successful Buxton hunters included Calvin Brannon, Tyler Brannon, Harold Elliot, Ryan Charles, Adam Mains, Tracy Williams, Michael Proulx, Tim Boucher, Shawn Franck, Jeff Cox, Daniel Johnson and Mark Kenney.
Johnathan celebrates
Look who just turned 4. Jessica Merrill said her son, Johnathan Merrill, turned 4 on Friday, Dec. 9.
Johnathan shares the same birth date with entertainer Donny Osmond (1957) and actors Kirk Douglas (1916) and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (1909) in addition to the British poet John Milton, who was born in 1608 in London, England.
Buxton toy box
The Buxton Toy Box is in its 10th year collecting gifts for children of needy families in Buxton.
Mia Dodge, who started the project in 1995, said the program provides clothes, boots and toys for about 125 children in 60 Buxton families each year. Those families qualifying to receive the gifts apply at town hall but the project doesn’t cost taxpayers anything.
All gifts are donated. “You can’t imagine how generous people are,” Dodge said, who chairs the Toy Box committee.
Those wishing to donate can pick a card from a Christmas tree at town hall or at churches, schools and businesses around town. Each card contains a gift idea. Gifts, which must be unwrapped, may be dropped off at any of the locations with toy boxes.
The program also accepts cash donations, checks and gift certificates. A group of volunteer elves help with shopping, wrapping and a myriad of other duties. Besides the elves, Dodge is assisted in the project by Toy Box committee members Lorraine Estes and Joan Kavouksorian.
Dodge said many of the kids don’t have much during the year. At Christmas time, “we can fill a gap,” Dodge said.
She first began the program by writing a check to sponsor a local family in need at Christmas. She founded the Toy Box program when she saw the need. “We reach out to every family,” she said.
In 1995, the first year of the Toy Box, 55 children received gifts and the number doubled the next year. Dodge said many families, who have benefited from the program, haven’t forgotten when they received help. They have returned in later years as volunteers or to make contributions.
The program is for Buxton children up to 18, residency and need must be proven. Applications will be accepted between 1:30 and 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, and 9 and 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, at town hall.
For more information about applications, call Jane Wendelken at 929-4087. To volunteer or information about giving, call Dodge at 642-2270.
Masons honor Newell
The Buxton Masonic Lodge A.F. and A.M. 115 presented a plaque to Edward Newell on Dec. 5 for organizing the recent bottle drive to help the needy meet rising home heating costs.
The drive, “Keep the Heat On,” raised more than $3,600 through Dec. 7.
Mark Cadrette, worshipful master of the lodge, presented the plaque to Newell.
BEHS trial team
The Bonny Eagle High School mock trial team had a winning season this year.
Defeating three schools, Bonny Eagle made it to round 4, the semifinal round, which was held in Portland Federal District Courthouse. In the first round, Bonny Eagle defeated Sanford High School and then topped Portland in the second round before they defeated Falmouth in the third round.
The semifinal was a hard fought match against Hampden Academy, which ended in a tie forcing the judges to use the tiebreaker point system. Hampden won with a four-point 93 to 89 victory.
The Hampden team is the defending two-time state champions. They ranked 19th in the nation in last year’s nationals and will go up against Cape Elizabeth for the state title.
Outstanding performances during the semifinal round for the Scots were turned in by Anthony Fortunato, David Carl, Alana Feeney, Bobby Dedovic, Chelsea Northrop, Griffin Sherry, and Sean McCarthy. Other members who kept the match close were Joe Mendes, Crystal Stack, Danielle Thomas, and Artemas Foster.
Victories over Sanford, Portland and Falmouth high schools were a result of work contributed by Kim Simonsen, Ali Boutiet, Kate Williams, Sam Niman, Josh Hale, Josh Douin, and Andre Gadbois.
The attorney coach was Jim Haddow and the teacher advisor was David Ezhaya.
(Story and photo contributed by Kathy Campbell.)
Buxton Toy Box program provides clothes, boots and toys for children in Buxton
Bonny Eagle mock trial team.
Johnathan Merrill, wearing his party hat, turns 4.
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