Dover-Foxcroft’s 95th birthday celebration will recognize community’s nonagenarians
DOVER-FOXCROFT — This year’s Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Aug. 5 will mark 95 years since the communities of Dover and Foxcroft joined together to become one town. To recognize the 95th anniversary weekend theme, residents who have reached their 90th birthday are invited to watch the Homecoming parade from a special viewing area in front of Central Hall.
“I heard it was the 95th anniversary and I went to the Homecoming Committee and said ‘wouldn’t it be nice if we honored people in their 90s,’’ said Jane Conroy, who is organizing the effort to honor the nonagenarians. Conroy, who also is a selectperson, said the Homecoming Committee liked the concept.
She said the committee is always open to ideas from members of the public, “so I appreciated that.”
“I then contacted Chris Maas of Central Hall and Mary Annis of the historical society,” Conroy said. “I thought it would be neat for them to watch the parade from in front of Central Hall.”
For much of its history the late 19th century building on East Main Street hosted performances, basketball games, town meetings and more. In the last near decade efforts have been made to not only preserve Central Hall but renovate the structure and soon an event center will open on the second floor and the first floor will be the site of a gathering place for senior citizens and an adult day service center.
Conroy said she got a list of over 40 names of residents aged 90 and up. Conroy said from there invitations and letters were mailed to invite the most senior citizens of Dover-Foxcroft to view the 10 a.m. procession from the lawn of Central Hall. For the comfort of the honorees, a seating area will also be on site for a family member of each nonagenarian.
“There may be more,” Conroy said about additional residents she and others may be unaware of. “It’s our intent to include all that are in their 90s to come and celebrate and watch the parade.”
“I was just shocked at the number of people in their 90s,” Conroy said, saying the invitation is extended to all regardless of how long they may have lived in town.
“We contacted FA (Foxcroft Academy) and FA is providing boutineers for them” she said. Conroy said Will’s Shop ‘n Save will be donating light refreshments for the parade viewing area on Aug. 5.
“It is open to all, and is just a snapshot of how important our seniors are and how appreciative we are of what they’ve done,” Conroy said.
She said the 2017 Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming parade Grand Marshal will be Martha Rollins. Rollins, who turned 98 last month thus making her several years old than the union of Dover and Foxcroft, was presented with the town’s Boston Post Cane a week after her birthday signifying her as the eldest resident of the community.
RSVPs for the 90-plus viewing area are requested to be made by Aug. 1. For more information or to let Conroy know of others to be invited to the parade viewing area, please contact her at 564-3265 or jconroy@maine.edu.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
RESERVED SEATING FOR THOSE 90 AND OVER — Residents of Dover-Foxcroft who have reached their 90th birthday are invited to view the mid-morning Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming parade on Saturday, Aug. 5 from the lawn of Central Hall on East Main Street. This year’s celebration marks the 95th anniversary of the communities Dover and Foxcroft joining together and citizens of similar ages will be honored in recognition of their longevity and contributions to the town.