Agri-Women share farming story with MES children
MAPLETON NEWS
Maine Agri-Women members Judy Kenney, Mary Anne Buck and farmer Dory Smith have been busy recently at Mapleton Elementary School reading the latest Maine Agriculture in the Classroom book, “Potatoes for ME.”
Kenney and Agri-Women members Nancy Wright, Val Flewelling and Dixie Delong worked with Jeannie Tapley from the Maine Potato Board to write the book and choose the pictures that tell the story of potato farming in Maine, mostly in Aroostook County.
Classes from pre-kindergarten to grade 5 had the book read to them. Copies of “Potatoes for ME” were then presented to each classroom teacher, along with supplemental resources for follow-up lessons on Maine potato farming.
The book is being read in over 90 classrooms in Aroostook County by Maine Agri-Women members and throughout Maine elementary schools in conjunction with Agriculture Month.
Wright and Kenney recently accompanied and sponsored author Lyn Olsen Brown, who visited Mapleton Elementary, and they presented the book “Alice, Frankenstein and Saturday Night Beans” to both Mrs. Wright’s and Mrs. Fox’s fourth-grade classes.
Brown, who is from Houlton, brought along artifacts from her potato picking days to show to the students and read a chapter about hand picking. She talked to the students about the writing process and aspects of making each story real for the readers.
Machias Savings Bank bought books for each fourth-grade teacher in 24 schools throughout Aroostook County, including Mapleton, Easton, Washburn, Mars Hill, Houlton, Hodgdon, Fort Fairfield, New Sweden and Woodland.
For more information about Brown and her book or presentation, contact her at lynnolsenbrown@yahoo.com.
Ridge Runners News
On Saturday, April 9, the Chapman Ridge Runners club will hold a pizza night for members only, which will include election of officers and a discussion of breakfast fundraisers this summer.
Please RSVP to Sue at 764-1236.
Family Celebration
Lena Kenney, formerly of Castle Hill, celebrated Easter and her 96th birthday at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Maylen and Judy Kenney, in Castle Hill, on March 26.
Also attending were her daughter, Karel Kenney and grandson Scott, grandchildren Mark Kenney, Stacey Peterson and husband, Leif, and great-grandchildren, Emily and Joshua, and daughter, Janet Hopkins and husband, David, and guest, Ginny Packard.
The celebration continued on Sunday with the family celebrating Easter at the Mapleton Methodist church. Joining were son, Russell, and wife, Kay, and Janet’s children David and girlfriend, Tiffany, and daughters, Holly and Krista, along with the above-mentioned family.
Lena received many cards and phone calls from family and friends.
Birthdays
Happy birthday wishes this week to Taylor Stephenson, Reno Boucher, Sr., Simeon MacFarline, Lucas Richards, Zack Powers, Cole Paterson, Elizabeth Collins, Katelyn Buck, Kelly McHatten, Levi Cole, Nate Tine, Hannah Argraves, Kim Woodworth, Bruce Buck and Faye Martin.
Anniversaries
Happy anniversary wishes this week to Eric and Linda Rodd on April 8.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 760-9115 or at jbuzza@ainop.com.
