Toy Box gifts for kids
The annual Toy Box drive to collect gifts for needy children in Buxton is under way.
Donors can deposit gifts in boxes located at schools, churches and stores besides town hall. Gifts, which include toys, clothes and necessities, must be new and unwrapped. Mia Dodge of the Toy Box Committee said the program is in its 12th year.
Dodge said “elves” pick up the gifts from the boxes and take them to town hall. Parents pick up the gifts there. She said Buxton police deliver gifts to those without transportation. Volunteers wrap gifts and pack boxes.
She expects the program to benefit 130 Buxton children up to age 18 from 60 families.
For more information or to volunteer, call town hall at 929-5191.
Honoring those serving; sending packages
Jeannette Fernstrom is gathering names to recognize Buxton men and women or those with Buxton family connections who are serving in the military and to send packages to them.
Fernstrom, whose daughter Allison Fernstrom is in Iraq, has several names with more on the way. Those she has already found are Edward Turgeon, Terrance (TJ) Sanborn, Todd Treadwell, Jeffrey Linscott, James Marier and James LeBlanc. All have served in the Middle East.
Those wishing to place family members on the list should contact Fernstrom at 929-8620 or email jfernstrom@securespeed.us
Middle-schoolers sharing holiday spirit
At Bonny Eagle Middle School, it has become part of the holiday season for eighth-grade students in Ethel Atkinson’s class to participate in Project Cheer.
The students collected bags from local stores including Plummers, Your Country Store, Lowe’s and Jongerden’s. The bags are decorated by sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students and are returned to the stores to give out to customers for the holidays.
In addition to stories, information about holidays around the world and artwork. Students also attach a special message to each bag: “Think before you drink and drive.”
The bags can be used for gift giving. One of the students, Sara Vickery, put this lyric on her holiday bag:
Snow on the ground
Antlers on reindeer
Nutmeg on the food
Toys under the tree
An ornament on the Christmas tree
Cookies for Santa
Laughing all day
Apple pie after dinner
Unwrapping presents on Christmas morning
Singing Christmas Carols
Merry Christmas
LaBranche police grad
Christine LaBranche of Buxton Police Department graduated Friday from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in a ceremony at Thomas College in Waterville. LaBranche was one of 59 graduates who heard speakers Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe and 2nd District U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.
The graduates completed 18 weeks of study and training and come from the state, county and municipal ranks.
Pythian sisters vote, celebrate
The Pythian Sisters, Narragansett Temple 111, observed Christmas with a party and held its annual election on Dec. 12.
Carol Moore was elected most excellent chief. Others chosen were Ellen Emery, excellent senior; Linda Clark, junior; Jeanan Mayo, manager; Corrina Linscott, guard; Natalie Marshall, protector; Donna Ricker, secretary; and Joann Groder, treasurer.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 9.
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