Kiwanis Club
The Easton Kiwanis Club met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, with nine members and five guests, Lt. Governor Deirdre McMahon, Nadean Hitchcock, Donna Lisnik, A.J. Cloukey, all from the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, and guest speaker, Superintendent Frank Keenan of the Easton School Department.
Members present were: Mike Allen, Mike Cyr, Bernard Hussey, Barbara Blackstone, Harold Clark, Keith Richardson, Esther Richardson, Clair and Eldora Carter. After a delicious ham supper the president, Mike Allen, called the meeting to order with the Pledge to the Flag and prayer by Harold Clark.
Allen reported that the food pantry had served 30 families which included 45 children. The Easton Kiwanis Club has ordered gift cards for Thanksgiving baskets from Mike’s Family Store for 20 families. He reminded the group that their Christmas Party would be held on Dec. 16 with a potluck and Yankee Swap of gifts. They were invited to bring a spouse or guest.
The meeting was turned over to Harold Clark who introduced Frank Keenan, the guest speaker. Keenan updated the group on where the Easton schools stood in the school consolidation. As of now, Easton would be joined with Mars Hill, Bridgewater and Washburn, if this arrangement was accepted. If any one of these towns votes “no,” then all will have state aid cut. Sharing costs is a big issue, especially in Easton, as Easton pays their teachers, bus drivers and maintenance workers higher wages than the other schools. They would have to bring their wages up to Easton’s and then Easton would have to pay about 42 percent of the combined cost. Easton is the second highest paying department in the county except for Madawaska.
Easton also still has some debt with the roofing of the elementary school and the addition of the library and rooms to the high school. This would also be added to the combined total. He said that if the vote was to consolidate that he thought that there would be no closing of schools for at least five years.
On Dec. 10 there will be a public hearing at the elementary school beginning at 7 p.m. Every interested person should be there because on Jan. 20 the town will vote on whether to go with consolidation or not.
Keenan also discussed how the group of schools could get together and cooperate on savings, such as the sharing of one superintendent; the use of part-time teachers that the schools have, such as art, Spanish or French teachers that would make one or two of them full-time teachers but teaching in the four schools; and the purchasing of school materials and things like this that would save the district money.
Keenan also passed out a 19-page pamphlet on the potential educational advantages, bargaining agreements, existing school funds and obligations, timetables, cost sharing, election of initial board of directors and other pertinent information. The pamphlet may be available at the superintendent’s office at the elementary school if someone was interested.
This is a very important vote and each citizen should be aware of what it will do or won’t do for the town of Easton, so please attend the public hearing on Dec. 10. The meeting was adjourned after the guest speaker.
Veterans honored
The Easton Elementary School put on its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 13 for Easton senior citizens and veterans.
Following the dinner, the school held a Veteran’s Day assembly to honor Easton veterans. There was a very interesting slide show with the pictures of the veterans, then and now, and also any connection that there was between them and any school children. The assembly was opened with the presentation of the flag by three Future Farmers of America members and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Easton Jr./ Sr. High School Band played “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by the elementary student body singing “Grateful To Be An American.”
Superintendent Frank Keenan welcomed everyone and read the Presidential Proclamation. He was ready to introduce Easton’s only Gold Star Mother, Freda Dionne, but she was unable to be there. A corsage and thanks were delivered to her later. He introduced the veterans, who sat in the front of the gathering, by their service: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Navy. There was someone there from each branch.
An e-mail letter was read by Larry Sullivan, from 1st. Lt. Matthew Osgood, who is flying a cargo plane and is serving in Southwest Asia. A flag-folding demonstration was carried out by members of the Easton FFA and narrated by Paul Dudley. The song “Our Heroes Will Live On” was then sung by the student body, followed by the reading “Define an American Veteran” by Student Council member Brad Trask and then the “Veteran’s Day Narration” was done with each Student Council member reading a part.
Keenan made some closing remarks, the colors were retired by the FFA members and the student body sang “Thank A Vet” while some of the students – Connor Burtt, Nick Clark, Kylee Carter and Ashley Hersey – presented tokens of appreciation to the veterans.
It was a very stimulating and well produced program. At the end, the school children and some of the adults there passed before the veterans, shaking their hands and thanking them. Twenty-two veterans were present, including: Robert Clark, Joy Ferris, Troy Finnemore, Torr Harmer, Sheldon Hull, Bernard Hussey, James Ireland, Stewart Cumming, Cyndi Kimball, Jeff Kimball, Merle Lamoreau, Jr., Paul Mullen, Roland Michaud, Lance Taylor, John Trask, Pete White, Dennis Anderson, Fred Barnes, Clair Carter, Vaughn Carter, Harold Clark and John Cronkite.
United Methodist Women
The Easton United Methodist Women met at the apartment of Marjorie Corey in Windemere Apartments on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with six in attendance: Marjorie Corey, Eldora Carter, Marie Hewitt, Glenice Craig, Freda Dionne and Dottie Beaton. Dottie opened the meeting with devotions and prayer for the people on their prayer lists. The UMW Purpose was read and the word for the month was “light.” After the reading of the last meeting, which was in August, the treasurer reported that the group had taken in $75 at Easton’s Field Days events.
The quilt report was given and President Eldora Carter reported that she had given one large quilt from the group to a couple who lost their home to fire. Threasurer Marie Hewitt reported that she had also given the same couple a donation of money. The president told the group that she had taken a large quilt, some clothes and shoes to Mary and Martha’s Mission in Presque Isle. Even though the Easton UMW will not be holding their sale this fall, there are still baby quilts, some full-sized quilts and cutlery still for sale at Freda Dionne’s home. A thank-you was read from the Jarvis Holmes family and the group reported 22 visitations and four cards sent.
It was decided not to order any more cutlery and get rid of that which they have on hand. A sum of money was voted to be given to the Easton Key Club for Operation Holiday Cheer for military families. It was also voted to donate money to the Easton Kiwanis Club for a Thanksgiving basket and a Christmas basket. The next meeting will be on Dec. 17 at Freda Dionne’s home.
Hospitalized
Winston “Satch” Howlett has returned home from The Aroostook Medical Center after suffering a fall on his way home to Easton Center. He had just left his car at a garage and decided to walk home when he suffered a weak spell and fell, rolling into the ditch. He was bruised up when picked up by a passing motorist and taken to his apartment. He was taken from there by ambulance to the hospital where he remained for a few days for observation.
Sympathy
Word has been received of the death of a former Easton resident, 69-year-old Allan L. Bolster, of Hermon, on Monday, Nov. 17. Allan was the son of Ralph and Gladys Bolster. He was a truck driver for Dysart’s for more than 20 years and a member of the local pipe fitters union. He liked to build airplanes and travel the country in his motor home. He is survived by: his companion of 18 years, Jo; his sons, Kenneth, of Exeter, N.H., and Rodney of Knoxville, Tenn.; daughters, Margo, of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Michelle, of N.H. He also leaves a brother, Larry Bolster, of Columbus, Ohio, a sister, Sheila Cass, of Lamoine, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by one son, Allen Bolster, Jr. A funeral service was held at the Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, in Bangor, on Nov. 22, with Pastor Will Cass, of Calvary Chapel Down East, officiating. Burial was in Kenduskeag Village Cemetery, Kenduskeag. Those wishing to remember Allan may make donations in his name to: CancerCare of Maine, in care of Healthcare Charities, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931.
Our sympathy go out to Carol and Darren West and their children, Lauren, Kristen and Ryan, of Easton, on the death of her father and their grandfather, 64-year-old Stephen Day, of Presque Isle, who passed away on Nov. 19, at a Brewer health care facility. He was a long-time dialysis patient in both Presque Isle and Bangor, suffering with diabetes. He was a graduate of Presque Isle High School and worked for the railroad heater service and Potato Service for many years. He also drove for Star City Taxi for 15 years until his health failed. He loved outdoor activities, truck pulls and four-wheeling. He will also be sadly missed by his son, Stephen Day Jr., of Pittsfield, N.H., and grandchildren, Crystal and Brandon. He is also survived by: sisters Bertha Weaver and Viola Weaver and their husbands, of Presque Isle, and Edna and husband of Bangor; three brothers, Tom of Fayetteville, N.C., Ralph of Chester, and Dale of Presque Isle, and their wives. He also leaves two sisters-in law, Lila Day, of Presque Isle, and Judy Day, of Easton. He was predeceased by two brothers, Preston, in 1998, and Jim Jr., in 2006. Funeral services were held on Saturday at Grant Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Williams officiating. Interment was in the Johnson Cemetery, in Presque Isle.
Easton Rec calendar
Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Playgroup from 9:30-11 a.m. at the hall for those 2 years old through kindergarten. No senior exercise class today! Dinner and a Movie – The bus will leave the hall at 11:10 a.m. bound for Pizza Hut and the movie theatre. The cost is $11; this includes a pizza buffet, drink, admission to the movies, popcorn and soda. Participants have two children’s movies to choose from. The bus will return to the hall around 3:15 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 1 – Senior nutrition class at 11 a.m. in the recreation room at the manor. The cost is $2 towards the cost of food. First karate class with Instructor Loren Gordon. The cost is $40 for four weeks of lessons; participants must be pre-registered.
Tuesday , Dec. 2 – Christmas gift making after school until 4:30 p.m. at the hall. Participants must be pre-registered and attend on the date assigned.
Wednesday, Dec. 3 – Junior activities at the hall from 9:30-11 a.m. Senior exercise at 1 p.m. at the manor recreation room. Final gymnastics class after-school until 4 p.m. at the hall.
Eldora Carter is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached at 488-5961.
Photo courtesy of Eldora Carter
THREE MEMBERS of the Easton Future Farmers of America fold the flag while Paul Dudley in the background narrated the folding. FFA members include: Tony Brown, Mercedes Embleton and Caleb Bomar.
Photo courtesy of Eldora Carter
LARRY SULLIVAN reads an e-mail letter from 1st. Lt. Matthew Osgood, speaking to the Easton veterans with praise. Osgood serves in the Air Force in Southwest Asia. Behind the flag is veteran Torr Harmer, Harold Clark, James Ireland, Paul Mullen, Sheldon Hull, Fred Barnes, Robert Clark, Bernard Hussey and John Trask. Also present were: Pete White, Cyndi Kimball, Jeff Kimball, Roland Michaud, Lance Taylor, John Cronkite, Troy Fennimore, Vaughn Carter, Clair Carter, Stewart Cumming, Merle Lamoreau, Jr., Steve Shaw and Dennis Anderson.
Photo courtesy of Eldora Carter
STUDENTS OF THE EASTON Elementary School stand as they sing "Thank a Vet" at the Veteran's Day assembly held on Nov. 13 at the elementary school gym.
Photo courtesy of Eldora Carter
COACH TRAVIS CARTER receives a gift from the team, (Nick Clark presenting) during the team's end-of-season pizza party.
Photo courtesy of Eldora Carter
ATHLETES from the Easton Recreation Department's 5th- and 6th-grade team gather around Coach Travis Carter during a team pizza party.
