Easton tree, lighting ceremony to honor late Richard Kneeland

Richard "Dick" Kneeland, front left, who passed away Thursday, was an integral part of his community serving on the Easton Sesquicentennial Committee with a dedicated group of volunteers including his wife Jeanie (seated next to him) and his daughter, Barb Blackstone (back left). (Courtesy of Hillary Hallett)

EASTON, Maine — The town of Easton is gearing up for its annual Christmas tree lighting celebration with a new blue spruce tree to honor the late Easton statesman Richard Kneeland.  

The town is hosting a tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Easton Little School Community Park, where a recently-planted blue spruce tree and new bench will commemoratecommemorate Kneeland, a farmer, Easton selectboard member and Maine state senator who died in April at the age of 82.

“Dick was very special to the town of Easton,” said town manager Jim Gardner. “He always had an idea for how situations could be solved and he would proceed to let you know.”

Kneeland ran Kneeland Farms in Easton for 45 years and served in various capacities with agriculture organizations including Maine Potato Growers and the Maine Farm Bureau. A member of the Easton select board for 20 years, Kneeland also served in the Maine House of Representatives and later the state Senate.