Buxton remembers Wales

The town’s annual report this year was recently dedicated by selectmen to the late Erwin Wales, a town benefactor.

“He would be very proud of this award and I am, too,” said Pat Wales, Wales’ widow, in a dedication ceremony at town hall.

Wales, who moved to Buxton in 1984, died in December. Wales and his wife began the Narragansett Number 1 Foundation in 2001 after becoming Powerball winners. The foundation has benefited the town, needy children and charities in surrounding communities, including schools, libraries and food pantries. Wales and his wife were awarded the American Red Cross Heroes Award for community service in 2002.

An army veteran of who served in Korea, Wales made Buxton’s Korean War monument possible.

Students aid ‘Safe Passage’

Six Bonny Eagle High School students recently returned from a trip to Guatemala, helping kids through the organization Safe Passage.

Safe Passage was started by Maine native Hanley Denning to give kids food, shelter and education. The Bonny Eagle students who traveled to Guatemala included Sarah Carter, Stephanie Boutin, Joe Bailey, Katie Way, Zach Litif and Tyler Shortsleeve.

Denning died in January, but the students found her mission has not faded. More than 600 kids are now taking advantage of the program. The students said the Guatemalan children appreciate everything that is given to them. The students also saw the Guatemala City garbage dump where the kids’ parents live and pick through the garbage for food.

The experience has made them want to educate others about the poverty that exists worldwide. Senior Katie Way said, “Looking out over the dump may have been the most moving thing in my life, to think that people actually work in a place so terrible is hard to image.”

Mark the calendar

Buxton Community Day and the Dorcas Society Fair will be on Saturday, July 21, at Tory Hill, intersection of routes 202 and 112.

Highlights include a parade, children’s games and food vendors. Salmon Falls Library will sponsor a pie contest.

Those who want to sponsor an event or booth at Weymouth Park should call Chris Barstow, director of the Buxton Recreation Department, at 929-8381.

For the Dorcas Society fair on the lawn at the Tory Hill Church, crafters should call Jan at 727-5613 or Kathy at 929-6052.

Kids present a musical

Students at Frank Jewett/Hanson School recently presented a spring musical, “The Town Without a Name.”

Performers were from the four fourth-grade classes of Diane Caswell, Rick Hawkes, Diana Jordan and Sheila O’Coin, with the direction of music teacher Peg McAdam.

The story was about a family of trolls who wanted to move to the country and found a town inhabited peacefully by elves, gnomes and leprechauns. They had to consult “The Wise Ones” about a name and eventually realized that a name is less important than the quality of life.

Cutline (Wales dedication) Cutline (Guatemala) – Bonny Eagle High School students gather around a table in a restaurant at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. The students are, clockwise, Sarah Carter, Stephanie Boutin, Joe Bailey, Katie Way, Zach Litif and Tyler Shortsleeve. Photo by Bonny Eagle High School Spanish teacher Dan Bennett.