Just a quick wrap up of the school year at Phillips and a look ahead at upcoming summer events…

First and foremost, a shout out to eighth grader Alana Mahar. At the Final Awards Assembly for the middle level students, Alana was awarded the Secretary of State’s 8th Grade Citizenship Award.

Alana established an exemplary record over the past four years of middle school, including faithful school attendance, an excellent academic record, participation in student government and school activities, and service to community in and out of the school setting, including being a hardworking volunteer during Phillips Old Home Days, an enthusiastic fund-raiser for her 8th grade class trip, and a member of the girls’ soccer team.

Having served as a Senator in years past, Alana easily stepped up to lead her constituents as their Student Council President when they elected her to that office last fall. In this role, she has opened school assemblies, em-ceed the Christmas Talent Show and the 2015 Mister America Contest, and guided her Council members in the planning of several other activities, such as Soccer Spirit Week and the annual Halloween Dance and Costume Party.

Alana was also Captain of MAPS Brigade, the Student Council’s Relay for Life Team, and a faithful member of Team Taylor in support of her friend and classmate, Taylor Lane.

As Principal Jeff Pillsbury read the certificate accompanying the award, he said, “Without a doubt, this young lady is well-deserving of this prestigious award.”

Other top award recipients were 8th graders Benjamin Butterfield and Taylor Lane who were awarded The President’s Award for Educational Excellence. This recognition is for students who completed the previous school year with a grade point average between 90 and 100 and who demonstrate high motivation, initiative, integrity, intellectual depth, leadership qualities and/or exceptional judgment.

Butterfield also received a Scholar/Athlete Award for maintaining high honors throughout the year while participating in three sports: soccer, basketball, and baseball.

Carrie-Ann Morgan, also an 8th grader, was presented the President’s Award for Educational Achievement. This award recognizes students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects.

The Scholar/Athlete Award was also presented to 7th grader, Jacob Butterfield.

Hunter Warren, 6th grader, was honored with the Tough Mountain Fitness Challenge Summit Award, which he earned by scoring in the 85th percentile or above, based on age appropriate benchmarks, on the five physical challenges upon which the middle level students were tested off and on throughout the year.

Special congratulations was given to all members of the 8th grade class who will be moving on to high school in the fall. The class presented its “spoof” in commemoration of their days at Phillips Elementary School.

Earlier in the month, Flag Day was celebrated by the 5th graders at Phillips Elementary School with the annual visit of Diana McCall, who spoke to them about the history of our American Flag. Prior to Mrs. McCall’s visit, students had submitted original drawings of our flag. Prizes were awarded by Mrs. McCall to the top four artists: Haley Bate, Isabella Cain, Jaiden Bachelder, and Brooklyn Fitzpatrick. Each of these students received miniature flags. Every student in the class received goodie bags and patriotically decorated cupcakes.

One of the main messages Mrs. McCall hopes to instill with her visits is a proud respect of the American flag. She always reinforces her “stand/hand” rule: when the flag passes in parade or presentation, always stand and put your hand over your heart.

Mrs. McCall has been making presentations for Veteran’s Day and Flag Day since 1992.

Now, get your calendars ready. Here is a partial list of events to plan for this summer.

At the Phillips Area Community Center (PACC) on Depot Street: Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m., Maranacook Band Concert; Friday, July 24, 1-6 p.m., Red Cross Blood Drive co-sponsored with American Legion Post #64 – contact Dick or Pam Matthews to pre-register; Sunday, July 26, 2-4 p.m., State Street Traditional Jazz Band Concert, which includes a contest for best decorated “parasol”; Saturday, August 1, Flea Market and Craft Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 2, Dallahan (from Scotland) Concert, 7-9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 22, Dance with “To Be Determined”, popular local band, 7 p.m.

Contact Dick or Pam Matthews, Larry Pinkham, Winona Davenport, Bruce Godin, or me for more information about any of the PACC events. There will also be posters around town.

On Sunday, July 19, from 1-3 p.m., the Phillips Historical Society will showcase its large antique quilt collection. The wide variety of quilts, ranging from the very fancy and intricate to the plain and functional, have been viewed, authenticated, dated, and described by Laureen LaBar, the Chief Curator of History and Fine Arts from the Maine State Museum in Augusta. The quilts, which also include several that were woven at the former Phillips Woolen Mill, will be displayed throughout the house and barn of the Historical Society, located on the corner of Pleasant and Sawyer Streets in downtown Phillips.

The Captain Joel Whitney house, aka the Vose house, is the home of the Historical Society. It was built by Jesse Ladd in the 1830s. In addition to the featured exhibit of antique quilts, visitors may also enjoy the Railroad Room in the barn, where the focus is on the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, and the sizeable collection of Portland Glass displayed in the parlor of the house proper. Other displays throughout the house reflect period furnishings and many other artifacts.

The Phillips Historical Society is open June through October from 1-3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month.

Questions may be referred to Curator Jane Stinchfield at (207) 860-8545.

Last, but by no means least, the 58th Annual Phillips Old Home Days will be celebrated from Aug. 16-23. This year’s theme is “Disney Comes to Phillips”. Fliers with a complete list of events should be found in local businesses areas soon or contact a member of the Phillips Chamber of Commerce.

Happy summer to one and all!