THE U-TURN: Town fills gym for surprise birthday party for Billy Hutchins

Billy Hutchins hugs his granddaughter, Maggie, at his surprise 70th birthday party at the Penobscot Community School on Dec. 13. Photo by John Boit.

PENOBSCOT—Billy Hutchins, Penobscot’s long-time road commissioner who owns his own heavy equipment business, turned 70 on Dec. 12 without much fanfare. So he didn’t think much of it when, the following day on Dec. 13, his grandson, Blake Dow, asked him to go to Bangor with him to look at a truck he was considering buying.

Just one thing: his grandson said: First, they had to drop off some supplies at the Penobscot Community School for an event.

But when Hutchins entered the school’s gym, he found more than 80 people gathered at a surprise birthday party for him

“I thought I was going to buy a truck!” Hutchins said as he entered the gym with the assembled crowd singing “Happy Birthday.”

True to form, Hutchins, who is known for his gift of gab and bottomless reservoir of humorous stories, was a few minutes late to his own party: He was in his office at his Penobscot garage chewing the fat with someone.

When he finally made it to the surprise event in his honor, one guest quipped: “If Bill’s going to talk to all these people, he will be here until tomorrow morning.”

The event drew people from Penobscot and neighboring towns, with red snapper hot dogs and cupcakes served to well-wishers.

“Once it hit me, I was just in awe,” Hutchins said. “I thought, “Wow, I have enough friends to get together in one spot to celebrate? I was just amazed. It was pretty touching. It still is. It’s the best Christmas present or birthday present I could ever have, right there.”More photos from the party, including a video of the moment Hutchins entered the school’s gym, are below.

Sherm Hutchins of Penobscot congratulates Billy Hutchins on his birthday. Photo by John Boit.

Hot dogs, including the Maine-favorite red snapper style, were served at the party, which included Hutchins’ grandchildren Zoe Dow and Robin Hutchins. Photo by John Boit.

Hutchins with Jim Henry, a long-time teacher in Penobscot who at one time also ran the town’s general store. Photo by John Boit.

Hutchins surrounded by family at his surprise party. Photo by John Boit.

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