Gilead

Even though it was really hot on Saturday, it was nice to have sunshine for Friends and Family Day. Mary Tyler and Sandra Laughy stopped by last Monday and we discussed the events of Friends and Family Day and made some notes for next year. We watched a pair of cedar waxwings trying to get some pieces of string out of a bush to use for their nest.

My brother, Steve McLain, is taking a few days of vacation before the end of the school year. He also saw a turtle crossing the road on his way home from work one day last week.

Lise McLain took her father, Gerard Dupont, for some tests at the hospital last week. They received word that the results were favorable.

At the Memorial Day yard sale at the Town Hall, someone bought a rocking chair and was going to come back to pick it up. It is still here, so please call 836-2987.

Gilead Historical Society

The GHS worked very hard to sponsor Friends and Family Day again this year. There were a little over 100 people who attended. This is just a little below average for the last couple of years.

The work crew assembled Friday to set up the Town Hall and Schoolhouse for Saturday. There were Hugh and Lin Chapman, Mary Tyler, Sandra Laughy, Aline Dupont, Norm Buttrick, Bob and Judy Bishop, Steve McLain and Tim and Michele.

The Gilead Fire Department was at the Fire Station selling hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks. Judy Tyler set up her booth and with the help of her daughter, Amber, did face painting.

Bobo T. Clown was on hand for the children’s parade and performed his magic show afterward. The winners of the parade were Sidney Chapman (First Place), Tanner McLean (Second Place) and Jakob Hooper (Third Place). Judges for the parade were Aline Dupont and Tammy MacDormand.

Perry and Happy Chapman spent the day watching over the food table in the hall. They also sold some of the squares for the Memory Quilt. There are still squares that can be bought by contacting either Lin Chapman (836-2987) or Alicia McLean (836-2153).

Lise McLain creates her own jewelry. She donated four of her homemade necklaces for the GHS to raffle off. The winners were Aline Dupont, Deb Walther, Bethany Corriveau and Lin Chapman.

Norm Buttrick worked very hard to make the schoolhouse presentable for the day. He had some help from Hugh Chapman, Tim Chapman and Michele Landry. They set the room up to give anyone an idea of what it looked like when it was a school, with the teacher’s desk down front and a few student desks lined up by the windows. We are still looking for school-related items and stories of attending the school .

At 11 a.m., a group of people attended the dedication of the plaque in memory of Millie McLain. The McLain family donated the property to the GHS and that made it possible for the good things that are happening on the McLain lot on the corner. First the Gilead Village Schoolhouse arrived last August and before long, the old 1851 railroad station will be returning to Gilead. The railroad station is already on the Historic Register. Howard Reiche delivered the plaque that was on the building to the GHS for safe keeping. It will be placed back on the building when it arrives in Gilead.

State Representative Jarrod Crockett gave a great speech before the plaque was unveiled by Millie’s son and daughter, Steve McLain and Linsley “McLain” Chapman. Jarrod spoke a little on Millie’s life in Gilead and how much she cared about the town. Jarrod was pleased to be a part of this event since he has family connections to Gilead. Many thanks to Jarrod for his help and offer to call on him anytime in the future.

Dean Bennett was the featured speaker of the day. He did a Power Point presentation on his newest book, “Nature and Renewal, Wild River Valley & Beyond.” The group of people who attended enjoyed the presentation and had a chance to speak with him and get an autographed copy of the book. Many thanks to Mr. Bennett, who is a member of the GHS, for taking his time to come to Gilead to speak. The GHS still has copies if anyone would like to purchase one.

The Gilead Recreation Committee was there to oversee the games for the children. Alicia McLean did a great job running the games and keeping them busy. Alicia also sold raffle tickets to raise money for the Rec. Committee and they did quite well. The tickets were sold during the day and the winners were drawn at the end of the day. There were three baskets that were the prizes. The winners were: Snack Basket, Judy Tyler; Popcorn Basket, Linda Taylor; Kid’s Toys Basket, Sidney Chapman.

This event is held each year to give the citizens of Gilead, and their friends and family from all over, the chance to get together and spend some time catching up on what they have been doing over the past year or so. The GHS would like to thank everyone who made the day a success by helping out or by attending the event. We appreciate your support.

Got any news? Call 836-2987 or e-mail chapmal@hotmail.com.