The moose is on the loose
EASTON NEWS
by Debbie Smith
Last weekend C.J. and Jodi King and their family, owners of The Maple Moose in Easton, had an open house. It was really interesting to see how they tap the trees and boil down the sap to make maple syrup. It’s not as easy as you may think.
Corn fritters and maple syrup were served and they were delicious. Tours were given with a walk through the woods to see how they tap the trees with lines. You could also buy maple candy, maple syrup and cookbooks. But the most exciting thing for the children, especially, was making taffy in the snow. Yum.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
EXPLORER —
Little Ally Lamoreau stops to pose for the camera on a tour through the woods to see how they tap trees at The Maple Moose Farm in Easton.
The Maple Moose is on the loose in Easton, Maine. The Maple Moose is owned and operated by C.J. and Jodi King and their family. The dream came to pass one day in the spring of 2007 when C.J. decided he wanted to try his hand at making maple syrup. He grabbed a couple of buckets and spiles and away he went snowshoeing through the woods to find some maple trees to tap.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
SUGAR SHACK —
C.J. King, right, explains to the guests how the sap is boiled down to make maple syrup.
When he first started making his own syrup it consisted of an old wood stove, metal sheeting and a few miscellaneous pots and pans. Before long the whole family got involved in making the syrup. C.J.’s wife, Jodi, and sons, Joe and Jacob King, all began helping with the project. Next thing you know the business was expanding, including lots more trees to tap and a brand new Leader Evaporator.
Forgetting to mention that with all this there has a be a cart to haul the maple syrup from the woods and equipment to haul the cart. Joe gathered the sap with the equipment and Jake did the taste testing. Now the whole family is involved and very busy in the sugarhouse operation.
Three years after starting their business the Maple Moose is now licensed by the Maine Dept. of Agriculture to produce and sell pure maple syrup. They now have a new Leader Evaporator vacuum system and lots more trees.
The Maple Moose is a growing business with lots of hard work and many hours put into it. The business is located on 28 Bowers Road, Easton. You can stop by their building and taste for yourself their maple syrup. Believe me, it is good. Each day’s run of sap is boiled down separately then graded and taste-tested before they offer it to customers. They have three grades of syrup, light, medium and dark. Come and see which one you prefer. Visit their website at www.themaplemoose.com.
OVER HOME
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
Helen King and Geraldine Flewelling,
members of the Easton Happy Days Club, sit down to enjoy a great buffet lunch at Sugar Moon Maple Syrup Farm, across the border in Carleton County, New Brunswick.
Field Day Committee needs crafters
Once again Easton Field Day will be held on Saturday, July 9th. They are looking for crafters to participate. The set up time will be 7 a.m. on the 9th and the fair will start at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This year they have expanded space. The crafters will have a choice to be in the High School gymnasium or outside the school.
If you are interested and have any questions please call Marilyn Brown at 488-2565.
ONE-ACT PLAY
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
Performing a scene from the one-act play,
“Thirteen Ways to Screw Up a College Interview”
are, from left,
Abigail Poole, Melissa Parlin and Ariana Babineau.
Birthdays/anniversaries
On April 6th Kittery Wakefield will have a birthday. On April 7th Justin Guerrette, Cynthia Young, Lisa Cyr and Renee Ellis all have a birthday. April 8th is a celebration day for Kelsey Frank, Sonya Watson, Roxanne Perry and Cade Everett, who all have birthdays. Also Randy and Paula Bacon have an anniversary on April 8th. On April 9th Joanne Richardson, Ruby Anne Ehrmann and Abram Saucier will all turn another year older. Lisa and Dana Cyr also have an anniversary on April 9th. Shawn Corey has a birthday on April 10th. Happy birthday to Trey Brewer, Jodi King, Robbie Waugh, Joan McAdam, Stephen P. Fitzherbert, Kevin Nichols, Brooke Lunney and Barry Richardson on April 11th. On April 12th Kim Woodworth and Catie Lovely have a birthday. Also John and Cathy Bradley have an anniversary on April 12th.
Blessings to you all on your special day.
READY TO PLAY
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
Easton Junior/Senior High School band members,
from left,
Cody Halvorson, Dominic Fredette, Connor Burtt and Blake Bradley
get ready to perform at Easton Arts Night.
Community Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt
It’s become an annual tradition to usher in spring with a community breakfast followed by an Easter egg hunt for children in sixth grade and under. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 9. Breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. in the elementary school cafeteria with the egg hunt to follow (inside or outside depending on the weather). There are 2,000 eggs ready to go — bring a basket or bag to collect your goodies. Two Easter baskets will be raffled. The breakfast (pancakes, bacon, hash browns, juice and coffee) is open to the entire community; a donation will be taken to help cover the cost of food and supplies. Please contact the Rec Department via e-mail (eastonrec@myfairpoint.net) or Facebook (Easton Recreation) so we know how many to plan for. There will also be some special guests on hand to meet and greet the children; don’t forget your camera!
THE EASTON CHEERLEADERS
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
The Easton cheerleaders are pictured having fun with Moochie the Clown.
From left are: Meagan Frank, Kennedy Young, Brittany Tompkins, Ali White, Moochie the Clown, Brittanee Blodgett, Katie Tompkins and Lauren West.
Rec calendar
Wednesday, April 6 — Junior Activities for ages 2 and up at the Hall from 9:30-11.
Senior exercise class at 1 p.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Swimming lessons; the bus departs directly after school and will return by 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 — Seniors’ game day at the Manor starting at 11 AM; please bring a bag lunch.
Grades 5 and 6 girls’ basketball party from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Allen’s on Ledge Hill. Please contact Hillary for what to bring.
Zumba class from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. in the elementary school gym.
Friday, April 8 — Junior Activities for ages 2 and up at the Hall from 9:30-11. Seniors’ Movie Day at 11:15 a.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Please bring $2 towards the cost of lunch.
Saturday, April 9 — Easter egg hunt and breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. in the elementary school cafeteria, with the egg hunt to follow (inside or outside, depending on the weather). Zumba Gold starting at 3:15 at the Hall. Easter egg hunt & breakfast will be served at 9:30 in the elementary school cafeteria with the egg hunt to follow (inside or outside depending on the weather).
Monday, April 11 — Senior Nutrition Class starting at 11 a.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Zumbatomic class from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. in the elementary school gym. Open to grades K-8. Zumba class from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. in the elementary school cafeteria. Please pre-register at the Town Office.
Tuesday, April 12 — Zumba Gold starting at 3:15 p.m. at the hall.
Ringworld
On Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. Atlantic), the Francis Malcolm Planetarium presents “Ringworld,” a detailed Star Theatre adventure to the ‘Lord of the Rings,’ planet Saturn.
Penetrating deep space, NASA/ESA and Cassini/Huygens spacecraft will amaze you, examining the giant planet’s active atmosphere and sensational satellite system. For inquiries and reservations, call 488-5451.
The Francis Malcolm Science Center is located at 776 Houlton Road in Easton.
Debbie Smith is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by e-mail at debbie-smith04_69@hotmail.com or call 488-5530.
