DIXFIELD – The Dixfield-Dirigo Alumni Association held the annual alumni banquet on June 21 at the T.W. Kelly Middle School with 136 members and guests at the social hour and potluck buffet.

A short video message was made by Frances Carlton, who was unable to attend due to a recent illness.

Jon Holmes introduced the guest speaker, his long-time friend and former teacher and coach, Ken Perrone. Perrone praised his former baseball and football players from 1961, his only year here. His “Dixies” baseball team went undefeated that year (12-0).

He included highlights of his career, which were his career at John Bapts High School, and his induction to the Massachusetts Sports Hall of Fame. He said that was an emotional time for him, knowing that Jon Holmes and Danny Rand attended the event.

Also in attendance was another teacher, Mrs. Nat Weston from Pemaquid, accompanied by her daughter, Sherrill Crow (’60), and her husband from New Hampshire.

Four class years were honored, 1943 (60 years) with five members, 1948 (55 years) with 10 classmates, 1953 (50 years) with seven members and 1963 (40 years) with 18 members.

There were several members traveling many miles to attend this year. They included, Pam Dietrich (’63) came the furthest away from California; Mike Welch (’63) and his wife from Nebraska; Orvis Dodge (’46) and his wife from Mississippi; Randy Comeau (’63) from Colorado; Alan Hardy (’63) and Haroldine Robbins Martin (’47) from Virginia; Erlon Gill (’48) from New Hampshire; Don Austin (’48) and his wife from South Carolina; Faye Smith Oates (’52) and family from Illinois; Pauline Haines Walker (’52) and Pam Newell Rivers (’67) from Vermont; Betty Merrill Crosco (’63) from Maryland; Bonnie Blaisdell Cappucci (’70) and her husband from Connecticut; and Cassie Biden Dawley (’60) from Massachusetts.

The oldest and youngest members present this year were Loraine Welch Smith (’27) and Tracey Arsenault Hutchinson (’83).

Scholarships were awarded to the following seniors: Jeremy Wilbur who plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology; Kylie Elliott attending Mid-State College; Jennifer Sayer attending the Thompson School of Applied Sciences; Billie Putnam attending University of Maine at Farmington; Keith Giroux attending University of Maine at Orono; and alternate, Jason Smith attending Northern Maine Technical College.

David Young drew the 50/50 ticket and was won by Keith Morrison, who in turn donated the money back to the alumni. Morrison also gave a large donation toward a scholarship.

Among those putting this event together were Homer Newell and Buddy Swan setting up the tables, Margie Harlow and Maxine Moore decorating tables along with Ora Newell and Joyce Wocester. Maxine and Alice Rumley volunteered to help Joyce Austin, Betty Swan and Eileen and Joyce Wocester who travel from Kennebunk each year to be part of the banquet. Hazel Kennedy helped at the sign-in table.