Sunday, June 23, 2013

SUMMER 2013


Readfield History Walkers enjoyed a tour of Maranacook Lodge both inside and out in June 2013. Pictured here are Linda Butman-Kinney, a former resident of Readfield, Scott Davis, our host and current owner of Maranacook Lodge and Evelyn Adell Potter, Readfield Historian. Part of Maranacook Lodge, which is being beautifully restored by Scott and his wife Holly, can be seen in this picture as can a section of Maranacook Lake. Many stories and photographs were shared on this day and the walkers enjoyed eating lunch on the beautiful piazza.
This property is located in both Readfield and Winthrop.
There are no excursions scheduled for July and August but one can be arranged if there is enough interest. To learn more about previous gatherings read on. Outings are also posted on the Readfield Historical Society facebook page when they have been confirmed. To express interest in potential history walks this summer or FMI email crossings4u@gmail.com. 

Friday, June 21, 2013

Readfield "Little Schools Reunion" ~ Friday June 21, 2013


Ralph Black was our class marshal. Using maiden names - 
directly behind Ralph is Jane Bailey. To her left is Donna
McCormick. Behind them are Evelyn Adell (in the black
shirt) and Barbara Clark to her right.
On this beautiful first day of summer dozens of Readfield "little school’s alumni" came together for their first ever reunion. Many were seeing each other for the first time since before 1955 when they attended one or more of the four little schools that used to exist in town. That was the year when Readfield Elementary School opened its doors and grades K-8 were finally united under one roof. Starting at 10am reunion attendees met at Gile Hall (the old Readfield Corner School) for some time to get reacquainted. Some alumni and guests also visited Readfield Historical Society, which is housed in the old Readfield Depot School. At noontime it was off to the old Readfield Grange Hall where the "Golden Guys and Gals" organization had prepared a delicious dinner. There they also viewed school pictures and memorabilia that were on display. To cap off the day the alumni entered into a reenactment of an 8th grade graduation like the ones that were prior to 1955. Alumni entered the Readfield Union Meeting House in a processional, told stories about their school days and were presented with diplomas by reunion organizers Evelyn Adell Potter and Liz Piper King. Available is a 14 page "photograph album" of pictures taken on the day of the reunion. To receive yours by email contact Dale Potter Clark at crossings4u@gmail.com.  

 
About 30 of the 45 alumni who attended the reunion stayed for the graduation re-enactment. Pictured here are left to right (maiden names on females): Dale Potter, Janie Bailey, Jackie Cadaret, Carolyn Gay, Ruth Pinkham, Evelyn Adell, Caroline Fogg, Connie Elvin, Maynard Gorden, George Allen, Donna McCormick, Melanie Lanctot, Charlie Elvin, Peggy Pinkham, Diana Fickett, Stephen Cowperthwaite, Liz Piper, Barbara Clark, Judy Fickett, Nancy Russell, Phyllis Nason, Caroline Dunn, Nancy Harriman, Ralph Black, Gloria Bryant and Brenda Boutlier.
Evelyn Adell Potter and Liz Piper King
Thanks to Evelyn and Liz for their idea, follow-through and hard work to make this  event so successful! A grand day to say the least and one that we will never forget!

To read the Kennebec Journal newspaper article written by Susan McMillan click here.