NORWAY – Retired educators from the Oxford County Educators Association have awarded four seniors with $500 each to their college of choice, upon entering their second year of studies.

The seniors are: Megan Hamann of Buckfield; Chelsea A. Simcook of South Paris; Heidi Howell of Parsonfield; and Meghan Dunham of Lovell. Congratulatory letters have been forwarded to each recipient.

The retirees met on June 15, at St. Catherine’s of Sienna Church, with 40 members present for the last business meeting under out-going President Rodney Abbott’s leadership. Several important reports were given from the Scholarship, Nominating and Necrology Committees.

Newly elected officers for the OCEA-R’s 2007-08 are: President-Elect John Kimball, First Vice-President Rosita Gagne, Second Vice-President Nancy Levitt, Recording Secretary Sylvia Kessell, Corresponding Secretary Marilyn Leighton, Treasurer Duane Levitt, Auditor John Kimball, Parliamentarian Rodney Abbott. Terms being in Sept.

Blanche Sanborn led the Necrology (Memorial) Service with help from other members and several appropriate poems. The poems included “We Remember Them,” and “Ode to the Teacher.”

Educators who passed away in 2006-07 and who were former employees in schools in Oxford County were: Pauline Wiedan, wife of Lindley. They had five children while living and teaching in Livermore, Madison and Bethel.

Louise E. Lord taught in Waterford, Bryant Pond, and Bethel.

June Sawicki, wife of Stanley Sawicki, and beloved music teacher in SAD 17 schools, and choir director and soloist at St. Catherine’s Church.

Violet Swain taught in Winslow and East Andover and R.I.

Katherine Poland taught for 47 years in SAD 17, and Rumford.

Pearl Peaco taught for 40 years in schools in Otisfield, Casco, Oxford and South Paris.

Persis Post taught 40 years in school in N.Y., Vt. and Bethel. She was active in the Bethel Historical Society and the Republican committees.

Ellery Huff, spouse of Louise Huff, taught industrial arts at Edward Little High School, Mechanic Falls and Oxford Hills High School.

Maxine Moore was the registered school nurse in Fryeburg.

Members also helped the Scholarship Fund by playing Bingo.