Kiwanis Club
The Easton Kiwanis Club held their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, with nine members and four guests from the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club present. They were, from Easton: Ann Osgood, Bernard Hussey, Esther and Keith Richardson, Clair and Eldora Carter, Harold Clark, Mike Cyr and President Mike Allen.
Those from Presque Isle were: Cyndi Flannigan, John Graves, Connie Sandstrom, and Jim Nesbitt. After a supper of chili and biscuits with pie for dessert, Mike Allen opened the meeting with a prayer led by Keith Richardson and the salute to the flag. He then asked for Happy and Sad Dollars, with several donating. John Graves gave both a Sad and Happy Dollar – a Sad Dollar for the young boy who was hurt in a snowmobile accident and a Happy Dollar that he came through the accident with only a concussion.
Secretary Harold Clark read a thank-you letter from the Friends Helping Friends Food Pantry thanking the Kiwanis for all their help with that organization. He reported that they had served 36 families each of the two Sundays they were open. Harold then took the group down to the food cupboard for a look at what they had to offer.
Graves then told the group that the Presque Isle Key Club would like to invite the Easton Key Club for an inter-club meeting. He was told to contact Paula Giles. There was discussion about the Key Clubs traveling to Convention and it was suggested that all the local clubs might get together and go in one bus.
The guest speaker, Lois Ladner, was unable to be there so the meeting ended early.
School vote
The vote on school consolidation held on Jan. 20 at the Town Office was: no – 249 and yes – 7.
United Methodist Women
The Easton United Methodist Women met at the home of Marie Hewitt on Wednesday, Jan. 21, with Marie, Eldora Carter, Freda Dionne, Glenice Craig, Dottie Beaton and Hilda Langley present. Duncan Beaton joined them for pie and ice cream after the meeting. The meeting was opened by devotions given by President Eldora, with prayer for those on the prayer list. The UMW Purpose was read and the word for the month was “Hope.”
After the secretary’s and treasurer’s reports had been read and accepted, Quilt Chairman Freda Dionne reported that she had sold one baby quilt and that their special member, Lillian Flewelling, had made and given her two more and that she also had five more baby ones at the house. There is also one large quilt for sale. One large quilt was given to a fire victim in town.
Under Community Service, the president reported that a sum of money along with the quilt had been given to a local fire victim and that one Thanksgiving basket and one Christmas basket had been purchased for the Kiwanis Club to deliver. A sum of money was also given to the members of the Easton Key Club. The group had made 15 visitations and sent three cards.
Under new business, Freda reported selling two paring knives and that she still has some cutlery but is not ordering any more. There was also a motion to retain the same officers for another year and this was seconded and passed. Those officers are: Eldora Carter, president; Marjorie Corey, secretary; and Marie Hewitt, treasurer.
There was a reminder that there would be a special benefit supper for Bernard Hussey, to be held on Friday, Jan. 30, and on the food that they should help supply.
There was also some discussion on how this UMW could increase their finances, but no decision was made. The meeting closed with pie and ice cream served by the hostess.
Happy Days Senior Citizens
Easton’s Happy Days Senior Citizens’ Club held their second of the month meeting on Thursday, January 22, with 12 present. After a potluck dinner, President Marie Hewitt opened the meeting with the flag salute and the the song, “God Bless America,” without the piano. Treasurer Lindy Fowler called the roll with these members answering: Marie Hewitt, Eldora Carter, Edith Fuller, Ida Doak, Rena Richardson, Vera Cullins, Joanne Johnson, Arlene Ladner, Regina Thomas, Liana DeMerchant and Ezalee Smith. Secretary Eldora read the minutes of the last meeting in October, as there were no meetings in November and December. The minutes were accepted as read. The treasurer reported that all bills had been paid and gave the sum from the checkbook.
The President read a letter from the Easton Jr./Sr. High School seniors concerning Project Graduation. It was voted to make a donation to the Project Graduation, the same as in years past. The president reminded those there that dues were due for all those who were under 80 years old. The dues are $1.
The nominating committee brought in the new list of officers for 2009 and they were accepted. They are: President Marie Hewitt, Vice President Nina Trask, Secretary Eldora Carter, Assistant Ezalee Smith, Treasurer Ida Doak and Assistant Joanne Johnson.
Marie told the group that at the second meeting in February – that would be Thursday, Feb. 26 – that the guest speaker would be Mona Lynch from the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and that she would bring Carol Fitzherbert who would speak to the group on money management. The next meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 12, and they should bring or do something pertaining to Valentine’s Day.
Joanne read a comical poem to the group about “Winter in Maine,” and Marie read a funny piece about an 80-year-old woman and her many marriages. At the close of the meeting, Eldora Carter and Ida Doak, as members of the Easton American Legion Auxiliary, presented a new flag to Marie which will replace the old one in the West Ridge Manor rec room. The meeting was closed and most stayed to play games.
Geography bee winner
Eighth grader Tyler Gadaire won Easton School Department’s Geography Bee and moves one step closer to a $25,000 college scholarship. On Jan. 9, Tyler won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee at which students answered oral questions on geography.
This was the first round in the 21st annual National Geographic Bee which is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participate in this academic competition.
The school winners, including Tyler, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state bee on April 3. The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the National Geographic Bee National Championship on May 19 and 20.
The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the Society. The winner will also travel with one parent or guardian, all expenses paid, to the Galapagos Islands with “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek and the “Jeopardy” Clue Crew, to experience geography firsthand through up-close encounters with the wildlife and landscape of Galapagos. The National Geographic Society is the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization. We say, “Great going, Tyler, we hope for the best outcome.” For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.
Sympathy
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Marguerite Foster who passed away Sunday evening, Jan. 18, at a Bangor nursing facility. Marguerite turned 101 on Nov. 30 and was the eldest daughter of William and Ruth Howard. She was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School and the Aroostook Normal School in Presque Isle. Marguerite taught in Pine Tree School, a little one-room school in Easton, for several years. She was married to Roy Foster in 1931 and was a gifted self-taught artist. Many homes in Easton have her paintings on their wall as well as across the state and beyond. She depicted many homes and scenes around Easton, especially the “Chip Dodge Print,” a painting of Chip Dodge’s service station. Marguerite worked at the Presque Isle public library and was the Fort Fairfield public librarian for 10 years. She moved to Rockland 30 years ago where she attended the Aldersgate Methodist Church and worked at the Rockland public library there. She always considered Easton home and, while living here, attended the Easton Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Roy, and two sons, William and Philip Foster. She is survived by: one son, Stephen Foster, of Ellsworth; two daughters, Molly Malcolm, of Owls Head, and Joan Turner and husband, Dan, of Easton, and their families. She also leaves one sister, Doris Dow, formerly of Presque Isle and now residing in Bangor. Mrs. Foster’s funeral services were held on Jan. 23, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home in Fort Fairfield and burial will take place in the spring at the Riverside Cemetery in Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the Aldersgate Methodist Church, 156 Lakeview Drive, Rockland, ME 04841
Word has been received of the death of Wendell “Pop” Morse in Melbourne, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 17. Wendell, who we all knew as “Pop,” was born in Easton, the son of Albert and Pansy Morse. He and his wife, Marion, moved to Brevard County, Fla., in 1993 and were members of First Baptist Church of Melbourne. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Pop was a retired electrician. He is survived by: his wife in Melbourne; a son, Amos and his wife, Joan Morse; and a daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Frank Mentzer; and grandchildren, Emma Morse, Bradley and Matthew Mentzer. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Brownlie-Maxwell Chapel in Melbourne. Donations in his memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Melbourne, Building Fund. Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home, Melbourne, Fla., is serving the family.
Rec Center schedule
Wednesday, Jan. 28 – Junior activities program for children ages two through school age at the hall from 9:30-11 a.m. Seniors’ exercise class, “Move More” starting at 1 p.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Little Bears cheerleading practice from 2:45 to 4 p.m. at the Hall.
Thursday, Jan. 29 – Seniors’ group at the Science Center starting at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided. After-school movie will be showing at the hall from 2:45-4:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 – Junior activities program for children ages two through school age at the hall from 9:30-11 a.m. Grade 5 and 6 girls’ and boys’ basketball teams vs. Fort Fairfield at 4 and 5 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31 – Little Bears grades 1 and 2 basketball practice from 9-10 a.m. at the elementary school gym. Little Bears grades 3 and 4 basketball practice from 10-11:15 a.m. Grade 5 and 6 grade boys will practice from 11:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Grade 5 and 6 girls practice from 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 2 – Senior Nutrition Class staring at 11 a.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Cross-country skiing after school until 4:30 p.m. at 490 Ladner Road.
Tuesday, Feb. 3 – Little Bears 3 and 4 game at Bridgewater at 3:30 p.m. Transportation will depart directly after school.
Eldora Carter is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached at 488-5961.
