EASTON NEWS
by Hillary Hallett
On Monday, April 6, Mr. Darren West and Mrs. Ellen Trask accompanied students from Easton High School to visit Casco Bay High School for the second part of a cultural exchange. Students and staff members were able to participate in CBHS’s standards-based classes and experience the culture of an urban school.
The students and staff from both schools went on a tour of the Portland waterfront with an important visit to the Gulf of Maine Research Center. There students learned how scientists work with fishermen to keep fishing in the water off the coast of Maine sustainable. Students also visited the Portland Museum of Art where they were able to view beautiful masterpieces by artists such as Claude Monet, Picasso, and Maine artists N.C. and Andrew Wyeth.
Later in the day, students were fortunate to have a personal meeting with the mayor of Portland, Michael Brennan, to discuss topics like immigration and changes in revenue sharing. Next the group did a walking tour of Portland, visiting the Wadsworth Longfellow House and the First Parish Church, the oldest church in Portland. This church, built in 1825, gave safe haven to slaves in the Underground Railroad. Finally, back at the waterfront, students visited the Fire Boat, a rescue boat that provides emergency service to all of the islands off the coast of Portland.
First annual Bear Brunch
On Monday, June 1, Easton seniors are invited to a Bear Brunch put on by Easton Elementary School’s 2nd graders. The students will read “And Here’s to You!” by David Elliot and “I Can Be Anything” by Jerry Spinelli. Senior citizens will receive favors for attending and brunch (fruit, muffins, coffee and juice) will be served free of charge. The children have been working very hard on manners and teamwork; please make plans let them share their progress with you!
Senior/adult outing
On Wednesday, April 29, there will be a field trip to Canada for breakfast for lunch at Sugar Moon Cookhouse and maple taffy. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, beans, juice and coffee. Participants are responsible for their own meal. Passport or birth certificate and photo ID required! Bus departs at 10:15 a.m. from the Manor.
Local election results
Easton’s elections were held Monday, April 6, at the Town Office. Selectmen incumbents Michael Corey and Paul Dudley retained their seats on the board. Sandy Flewelling and David Hopkins were elected to fill the seats available on the Easton School Board. The Town Meeting was held in Easton Elementary School’s cafeteria that evening, at which all items in the municipal budget were approved as presented.
Happy Days Club
The Happy Days Senior Citizens’ Club met on April 9 in the recreation room at the Manor, with 11 members present to enjoy a potluck lunch. The next meeting will be a potluck lunch at the Manor at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. The guest speaker will be Jim Gardner, Easton town manager. All seniors are welcome to join and bring a friend.
Easton Alumni Association
The annual Alumni Banquet will be held Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m. in the Easton Elementary School cafeteria honoring the classes of 1965 and 1990 on their 50th and 25th anniversaries, and welcoming the Class of 2015. The menu will consist of teriyaki chicken or BBQ chicken, mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Alumni are encouraged to bring a salad or dessert.
School reunion
The 2015 All-School Reunion is scheduled for Friday, July 10. There will be a social time at Easton High School from 2-4 p.m. Come and enjoy time exploring the building and visiting with old friends from near and far. Refreshments will be served.
The All-School Reunion Dinner will take place at Easton Elementary School at 6 p.m., with great food, friends and entertainment. There will also be many door prizes with local flair! The group is looking forward to the catered dinner by Kathy King Perry and Mary Ellen Williamson Trainer. Their reputation for delicious entrees and delectable desserts ensures that your evening meal will be very enjoyable.
Entertainment will be provided by local alumni and they are sure you will have a funfilled evening of reminiscing! Easton students are currently working on a variety of presentations as they research the town’s history.
Flewellings to be honored
It is with great pleasure the group announces they will be featuring the Flewelling family as a special thank you from the community for their continued support of the school system and the town of Easton. Perhaps you were in school with Gaylen and Joan (Clark), Jerry and Suzie (Hoyt), Carolyn and Dennis Dodge. Their civic dedication to the town through many generations and in many diverse areas, show the multitude of ways they have touched the lives of so many of Easton’s families. Each of us has our own stories and ties to the Flewellings through the years. Maybe you grew up with their children and spent time hanging out at their homes.
Long before there was a recreation department, there was “Flewelling’s Basement”. Perhaps it is their grandchildren that you are most associated with. Many of you have worked in the potato house, on the harvester, or picking rocks and/or potatoes for the Flewellings. So many life lessons come from the farm!
Countless numbers of our town’s children have been involved with Pioneer Girls, Vacation Bible School or Sunday School with these folks. It may be that you are associated with previous generations as we can trace the Flewelling name back to the original settlers with Samual Flewelling owning a lot on the east side of town, just as Easton was becoming organized. Many family names from Easton’s rich history are intertwined in that family tree!
Gather your thoughts and memories as we celebrate this special branch from local history of this little town.
Preparing for pageant
This year’s pageant will be held on Saturday, April 25, in the high school gym. Mark your calendars for a great show, entitled “Easton’s High School Musical”. Tickets can be purchased from any contestant or at the door, cost is $5. This year’s contestants include: Ashton Embelton, Julianah Willette and Chloe Lento, as Little Miss contestants; Alysabeth Lamoreau and MacKenzie Kinney will vie for the Pre-Teen crown; and Madison Shaw and Brittney Willetee are your Miss Easton contestants.
School registration
The Easton School Department is now accepting registration for children entering kindergarten or Pre-K in the fall of 2015. All children residing within the Easton school district who are 5 years old on or before Oct. 16 are eligible for enrollment in the kindergarten class. All children residing within the Easton school district who are 4 years old on or before Oct. 15 are eligible for the Pre-K class. Call the Easton Elementary School at 488-7700 as soon as possible to register your child for either of the above classes. The classroom teacher will notify parents/guardians when an informational meeting for parents is scheduled. The following documents are required by the state: proof of immunizations, birth certificate (hospital copies are not acceptable), and proof of residency (rental agreement, utility bill, etc). These documents must be presented prior to the child beginning school. A parent meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at the elementary school.
Sesquicentennial activities continue
Throughout the entire year the Sesquicentennial Committee will be offering a different event each month. On Saturday, May 2, there will be a talent show and pie social at 6:30 p.m. at the high school. This event is being organized by Easton High School’s National Honor Society and donations will be accepted.
The committee is currently selling the following items to commemorate Easton’s year-long 150th celebration: 20-ounce glasses with Bears’ and Sesquicentennial logos for $8, glass coffee mugs with Bears’ and Sesquicentennial logo; royal blue T-shirt with sesquicentennial logo for $8.00; royal blue hoodie sweatshirts with Sesquicentennial or Bears’ logo for $25; and two-tone caps or standard caps with Easton Bears’ or Sesquicentennial logo for a price of $10. Orders can be placed by emailing info@eastonme.com or calling the Town Office at 488-6652. To see samples, visit eastonme.com.
Easton PTO update
Due to popular demand, the Easton PTO will continue the Scholastic Book Fair the week after April vacation! Books for readers of all ages are available. Scholastic dollars earned will be used to purchase books for the libraries. The book fair will be available April 27-30 during the lunch hour or by appointment. Call the Elementary School Office for more information or to set up an appointment at 488-7700.
Also, the PTO is still collecting BoxTops for Education — keep calm and keep clipping!
Kiwanis meetings
The Kiwanis Club of Easton meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall; everyone is welcome to attend. Dinner provided for a small fee. Please plan to join them.
Rec updates
Weight Watchers’ classes to be offered in Easton. Classes will take places on Monday evenings starting April 27 at 5:30 at the elementary school. FMI, please contact Hillary.
Swimming lessons will be offered for ages 4 and up on Thursdays from April 30 through May 28 at Gentile Hall; departing directly after school and returning at 4:30 p.m. The cost for it is $25; make checks payable to the “Town of Easton”.
Co-ed softball registrations
For the last several years Easton Rec has offered an adult co-ed softball league. We currently need to know who plans on entering a team for the upcoming season. There are a limited number of spaces for teams, first come, first serve. Any questions, call Hillary or write to recreation@eastonme.com.
Rec calendar
Wednesday, April 22 — Swimming at Limestone Rec for $2. Participants must be able to swim to attend. Be sure to send your child with a swimsuit and towel. The bus departs at 12:30 p.m. and will return by 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 23 — A morning of jumping, climbing and lots of fun at the Caribou Rec, pizza buffet and a movie at the Caribou Theatres. The bus will depart at 9:20 a.m. and return by 3:15 p.m. The cost is $13 for this entire day, including lunch at Pizza Hut.
Friday, April 24 — Dodge ball tournament at the Presque Isle Rec Department. This will be a fun morning of competitions. This event is open to grades 3 thru 8 only! Please wear an Easton shirt in order to set up teams.
Monday, April 27 — Senior Nutrition Class in the recreation room at the Manor starting at 11 a.m. The cost is $3. The group will be making sweet n’ sour chicken.
After-School Cooking at the Hall from 3-4:15 p.m. for grades 1 and up. We’ll be making pumpkin cookies.
Weight Watchers’ class starts at 5:30 p.m. in the elementary school library.
Cardio Mash-up 5:30 p.m. exercise class at the elementary school gym.
Tuesday, April 28 — “Come and Play” after school at the Hall from 3-4:15 p.m. for grades kindergarten and up.
Wednesday, April 29 — Junior Activities from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hall.
Adult trip to the Sugar Moon Cookhouse in Divide, NB. Bus trip will consist of breakfast for lunch at Sugar Moon Cookhouse and maple taffy! Participants are responsible for their own meal. Passport or birth certificate and photo id required! Bus departs at 10:15 a.m. from the Manor.
Hillary Hallett is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by sending an e-mail to: hillary_jt@myfairpoint.net or call 551-7737.
