EASTON NEWS
by Debbie Smith
The Easton Board of Selectmen are hosting an open house to welcome our new town manager, Jim Gardner. The open house will be held at the Easton Town Office on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Whether you know Jim from days gone by or are meeting him for the first time we hope you will stop by and say hello.
Light our soccer field
Pepsi is giving away millions each month to fund refreshing ideas to change the world. The top 10 ideas with the most votes will receive grants. We need lights for our soccer field. Please text 73774 and write the message 105774. There is no extra charge for this and it only takes a few seconds. Our town would greatly appreciate every vote. You can vote on the computer as well. Go to pepsirefresheverything.com. Vote, vote, vote! We need lights to be able to play soccer at night so more parents can come to the games. Thank you in advance. You can vote on the computer and text from every phone in your house. The time for voting is limited, so do it soon.
Town Office closed
On Monday, Jan. 17, the Town Office will be closed in recognition of Martin Luther King Day. Operation with return to normal business hours on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Follow the drinking gourd
The Francis Malcolm Science Center invites you to visit the planetarium on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. when we recall the African American saga of the historical pre-Civil War rescue via the Underground Railroad. Come experience local history as you too “walk” hundreds of adventurous miles guided by a song and the stars of the familiar Big Dipper. To honor this escape to freedom on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday holiday, please call 488-5451 and make your reservations today.
Fifth Sunday Night service
The Easton Wesleyan Church will be hosting a Fifth Sunday Night service at 6 p.m. The service brings all the local churches together for one service. The service entitled “Ring in the New Year” will feature the Grant Memorial Methodist Church Bell Choir as well as local talent from area churches. It’s sure to be fun for everyone and all are welcome to attend. There will be light refreshments served afterwards. Hope to see you there.
Home from hospital
Joanne Johnson has returned home from the hospital after spending several days at TAMC and then being transferred to Bangor hospital by ambulance. She suffered a heart attack and they found a blood clot on her heart as well as irregular heartbeats. Peggy Culberson and a friend, Justin Brown, brought her back home. She is now recovering at her apartment at the manor. Glad you are home, Joanne.
Birthdays
On Jan. 13, Doug Blackstone, Kim Richardson and Joel Hall all have a birthday.
On Jan. 14, Heidi Wakefield will be celebrating her birthday.
Tristen Woodworth and Alta Rattray have a birthday on Jan. 15. Happy birthday, Tristen, from your old babysitter.
On Jan. 16, Debbie Dionne, Amber Richardson, Sarah Alexander and Lauren Roix will all be another year older.
Mike Hewitt and Bailee Getchell have a birthday on Jan. 17.
On Jan. 18, James Lloyd and Nina Trask will be celebrating their birthdays. Happy birthday, Aunt Nina.
Blessings to you all on your special day.
Kiwanis news
The Easton Kiwanis Club held their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Jan. 4, with nine members present.
Loris Allen, the committee chairman of the Christmas Baskets program, was absent due to illness but sent thank-yous to all those members who helped with this project, especially Vaughn Martin, Jessica Blackstone, Irene DaFonte, Esther Richardson and Barb Blackstone.
President Mike Allen reported that turkeys for the project were donated by McCain Foods and the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, who had extras. He said that tote boxes would be purchased to store remaining toys. There was a discussion on how to change the way the baskets are given out for next year. It was suggested that applications should be made and sent to the Kiwanis Club by those who had the need. A letter may be forthcoming to those who were recipients this year.
The Easton Food Pantry is joining the “Match and Drive” project. There is a drive to build up a fund of $800 which, when sent to the Good Shepard Food Bank, will be matched by them and returned to the Easton Food Cupboard as credit for food products. Anyone wanting to donate to this worthwhile cause can mail donations to: P.O. Box 262, Easton, ME 04740. It was reported by Bernard Hussey that cookies, crackers and cereal are badly needed by the Easton Food Cupboard.
Other fundraising projects were brought up, especially the calendar sale, which is the second largest fundraiser next to the Presque Isle fair for this Club. There were different suggestions on how the project might be done in a better way. The meeting was closed on that note.
Those enjoying the delicious chicken pie and salad with dessert were: Mike Allen; Esther Richardson; Harold Clark; Barbara Blackstone; Jessica Blackstone; Mike Cyr, who provided the supper; Bernard Hussey; Eldora and Clair Carter.
Zumba Gold
Kick off the New Year with physical fitness. Zumba Gold is a lower impact, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired dance fitness party™ that keeps you in the groove of life. Zumba Gold will be held at the Odd Fellows Hall starting Jan. 4 from 3:15-4:15 p.m. and will wrap up Feb. 11. Classes to be held twice a week on Tuesday and Friday. At this time the class is scheduled to run for a six-week session.
Class participation maximum is 10 people. Due to space limitations those who pay first will be enrolled.
Cost for the six-week (two classes a week totaling 12 classes) session to be $45. Drop-ins welcome if room allows — $5 drop in rate. Registration starts immediately — fee is payable to Easton Town Office.
Sneakin’ in Science Program
We have had some great science camps over the past few summers with Sara McQuarie and her team. Now she is revamping her program to make it an after-school activity. Topics will include: “What do you know about water?” “What happens when I….?” “Ever wonder what creates waves?” and “These plants do what?” The cost is $40 and the group will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 12, through Wednesday, Feb. 2. The cost is $40. The maximum participating number is 12 children and the minimum is six. Please register with the Easton Recreation Department immediately!
Rec calendar
Wednesday, Jan. 12 — Junior activities for ages 2 and up at the hall from 9:30-11 a.m. Seniors’ exercise at 1 p.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Sneakin’ in Science Program after school until 4:15 p.m. at the hall. Pre-registration required.
Thursday, Jan. 13 — Open for grades 1 and up at the elementary school until 4:15 p.m. Little Bears cheerleading practice from 3-4 p.m. at the elementary school.
Friday, Jan. 14 — Junior activities 9:30-11 a.m. at the hall. Open to ages two and up. Seniors’ Healthy Lifestyles class begins at 12 p.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Lunch will be provided free of charge starting at 11:15 a.m. Zumba Gold from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the hall. Pre-registration recommended.
Monday, Jan. 17 — No recreation programs and the Town Office will be closed.
Tuesday, Jan. 18 — Cross country skiing at the Ferris’s after school until 4:15 p.m. Zumba Gold from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the hall. Pre-registration recommended.
Debbie Smith is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by e-mail at debbie-smith04_69@hotmail.com or call 488-5530.
