EASTON NEWS
by Hillary Hallett
Maine FFA Association (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) is the leadership organization representing students enrolled in secondary and middle school agriculture and natural resources classes ranging from agri-science to ecology, forestry and horticulture.
Student-run, with over 500 members in Maine and over 600,000 at the national level, FFA prepares its new officers in the spring and summer for the many presentations, events and competitions they will conduct for the membership in the coming year.
Maine’s 16 FFA chapters are located as far south as Sanford and as far north as Caribou. The first leadership training for state FFA officers is known as “Blast Off!” and is provided by the National FFA Organization through a highly-trained facilitator. This year, three student state FFA officers and three student chapter FFA officers attended the training May 29-31 at the USDA Service Center in Presque Isle under the guidance of national trainer Rick Henningfeld of Wisconsin and Maine FFA state advisor Doug Robertson.
Student officer participants gained skills in time management, service leadership, modeling expectations, developing focused goals, analyzing their strengths, teamwork and examining talking points related to agriculture. The training included group discussion, hands-on activities and student presentations. Students were surprised to learn of the potential long-term impact they could exert upon fellow students and on the FFA organization and are excited about the year to come.
For more information on Maine’s agriculture and natural resources education, please contact Robertson at doug.robertson@maine.gov or 624-6744.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
BOB JACKSON, otherwise known as Yehaa Bob from Disney World, joined in the Easton Field Days celebration. From left are Jackson, Lynda Foren-Turner, field days committee member; Hillary Hallett, Easton’s recreation director and field days co-chair; Cheryl Clark, Easton town clerk; Barb Blackstone field days co-chair; and Town Manager Jim Gardner.
Happy Days reminder
The Happy Days Senior Citizens Club will meet on Thursday, July 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the recreation room at the Manor for a potluck lunch. Seniors, please join us and bring a friend.
Elementary school library hours
The Easton Elementary Library will be open for patrons/community members to check out and check in books from 7:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30.
High school library hours
Did you know that the Easton High School library is a public library and anyone from town can get a library card with proof of residency. The below hours are subject to change: July 23, 24, 30 and 31 and Aug. 4, 7, 13 and 14 from 8 a.m.-noon.
Volunteers needed at food pantry
The Friends Helping Friends Food Pantry is looking for a couple of volunteers who would be willing to deliver food boxes to needy families in Easton every other month. Each month two vehicles are needed for about an hour on the third Sunday afternoon from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Each vehicle delivers food to two or three families. If able to volunteer, call Vaughn Martin at 488-6608 or email vaughnmartin@myfairpoint.net.
Sesquicentennial items for sale
The committee is currently selling the following items to commemorate Easton’s year-long 150th celebration, including 20-ounce glasses with Bears and Sesquicentennial logos for $8, glass coffee mugs with Bears and Sesquicentennial logos, royal blue T-shirts with sesquicentennial logos for $8, royal blue hoodie sweatshirts with sesquicentennial logos for $25 and two-tone caps or standard caps with Easton Bears logos or Sesquicentennial logos for $10.
Orders can be placed by emailing info@eastonme.com or calling the town office at 488-6652. To see samples please visit eastonme.com.
Easton PTO Update
The Easton Elementary School PTO will continue collecting Box Tops for Education throughout the summer. Please drop off at Easton Elementary School office during regular business hours.
Kiwanis meetings
Kiwanis Club of Easton meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall and every is welcome to attend. Dinner is provided for a small fee.
Upcoming recreation department activities
Archery camp will be offered on July 27, 28 and 30 from 1-2:30 (for grades 3-5) and 2:30-4 (for grades 6-8) in the elementary school gym. Pre-registration required. The cost is $30 and equipment is provided. A science clinic will be offered on Aug. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Hall. The cost is $20 and pre-registration is required. Themes will be rocket science and Mad Scientist.
Golf instruction will happen on Aug. 3 and 4 from noon-2:30 p.m. at Mars Hill Country Club. The cost is $10 and equipment is provided.
Cooking camp will take place on Aug. 10, 11, 13 and 14 from 9:30-noon at the Hall. The cost is $10. The camp is offered in conjunction with the Maine Cooperative Extension. You had no idea pizza could be this exciting! We’ll be making pesto pizza, taco pizza, breakfast pizza, dessert pizza and many more. On Friday of that week we’ll be serving the senior citizens and grandparents.
Karate lessons will be offered at the Hall on Aug. 10, 11 and 13. The cost is $15 and pre-registration is required. Sensei Brett Varnum will teach the art of To-Shin, which is based on ancient warrior disciplines handed down by nine historical Japanese family lineages. At the same time, his is a modern approach to handling confrontations.
Rec calendar
Wednesday, July 22 — Field trip to Hartt Island departing at 8 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. The cost is $20 (U.S. currency). Children should have swim suit, towel and sunscreen. A picnic will be provided. This was our favorite trip of last summer and we can’t wait to visit this “Florida like” water park again. This trip is open to grades 1 and up and participants must be able to swim. Check out the website harttisland.ca.
Thursday, July 23 — Day camp at the Hall. Today’s theme will be “Christmas” and the camp is free and held from 9 a.m.-noon. Breakfast and lunch is provided. Please bring items for goodie bags.
Swimming trip from 12:40-3:15 p.m. There is no charge.
Minor League baseball team is at Washburn for a 5:30 p.m. game
Friday, July 24 — Swim lessons are from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Must be pre-registered.
Playgroup at the Hall from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Sunday, July 26 — Co-ed softball games, 4 p.m., McCain vs. BDI, 5 p.m., BHP
Transport vs. Sargents and 6 p.m., County Super Spuds vs. Heidi’s Hope.
Monday, July 27 — Day camp trip to the fair from 9 a.m.-noon. Breakfast and lunch is provided.
Senior Salads Program at the Manor starting at 11 a.m. The cost is $3.
Archery camp from 1-2:30 and 2:30-4 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Swimming trip from 12:40-3:15 p.m. There is no charge.
Tuesday, July 28 — Day camp from 9 a.m.-noon at the Hall. Today’s theme will be sleepover. Please bring a white T-shirt to tye-dye. Breakfast and lunch is provided and there is no charge to participate.
Archery camp from 1-2:30 and 2:30-4 p.m.
Co-ed softball games, 5:30 p.m., West Ridge Farm vs. BHP Transport; and 6:30 p.m., BDI vs. Village People.
Wednesday, July 29 — Field Trip to Paradise Mountain from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The cost is $5 for children and $7 for adults (U.S. currency). Children should have a swim suit, towel, water shoes and sunscreen. A picnic lunch will be provided and concessions are available. Floatation devices and water toys are encouraged. Open to grades 1 and up. Must be able to swim to attend.
Tee ball at 6 p.m. on back softball field.
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.
