EASTON NEWS
by Hillary Hallett
It is not often that you hear of a young man taking his vacation time to return to his home in Aroostook County to work the potato harvest but that is just what Matthew Osgood, a C-17 pilot in the U.S. Air Force did — going back to his “roots,” so to speak.
Matt is currently working out of Ontario, Canada, training the Canadian Air Force pilots tactics and flying on the C-17s that they have purchased. This is his second year of coming home to participate in the harvest but this year he worked for Cavendish Farms where there was an additional military connection, as Farm Director Scott Smith was a pilot in the Navy before he became a farmer. Matt’s father, Tom, described him, “like a kid in a candy store again playing with trucks, tractors and equipment.”
FFA Trip
Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 a.m., seven FFA members along with their advisor departed Easton on a three-day educational excursion to various sites around northern and eastern Maine. Members attending were John Anderson, Jason Gurley, Keagan Kinney, Zack Lamoreau, Ethan Luciano, Carter Mazerolle, Wilder Mitchell and Advisor Kevin Marquis.
The group’s first stop was Maine Heritage wood products in Millinocket. This business is reclaiming wood from the former holding pond for Great Northern Paper. Much of this wood, estimated to be as much as 100,000 cords, has been under water for over 100 years. The company reclaims this wood, dries and removes surface contamination from the logs then processes the wood into very high end products. Much of this wood was old-growth forest and the color and grain patterns are amazing.
The second stop was Pelletier Manufacturing. This business custom-designs and fabricates log trailers for the forest products industry. The group was shown the computer-aided design programs, as well as the special equipment used for designing the trailers and other products the company builds for the forest products industry. The students were told about the dire need for talented fabricators and were introduced to the companies 21-year-old welder; he explained his educational background and what skills they would need to do this type of work.
The tour’s next stop was Lincoln Paper and Tissue. The group was given a tour of the paper mill and shown how a few of the processes have remained the same as 50 years ago and how many of the machines are very high-tech. Once again the students were told of the dire need for skilled workers in this industry. The youth were encouraged to look into the many different fields of expertise needed to make a business like this work successfully.
After spending the night in Ellsworth, the group started the day off with a visit to Bernie Hussey who is currently making his home in Ellsworth. Their first tour Friday was with Wyman’s in Cherryfield. The students toured Wyman’s berry processing and freezer facility, then moved to the blueberry fields and cranberry bogs. Here an explanation was given of the difficulties encountered raising wild blueberries and the unique characteristics of the fruit. Cranberries are a relatively new product for Wyman’s and the group was quite fascinated by the way the berries are grown and harvested.
While traveling to Beals Island for their next tour, the group couldn’t resist the opportunity to have their photo taken by the Jonesport-Beals high school sign — but didn’t linger long; perhaps there are still some folks who are not happy with the outcome of the basketball game last February!
Down East Institute was the next stop. This is a research facility that currently specializes in shellfish. The group saw muscles that were no larger than a grain of sand, clams the size of a grain of rice and lobster less than half an inch long. The group toured the algae production area where all the food for the shellfish is grown.
Friday afternoon was a real treat. The group met the two youngest commercially-licensed lobstermen in Maine. These young men were featured in a Sept. 8 Bangor Daily story. Jordan Drouin, 17, and Cole Warner, 16, are stepbrothers who own their own 32-foot lobster boat and are licensed to fish 800 traps. The first question these young men asked the group:“Would you like a ride on our lobster boat?” Not one declined. They were treated to a tour of the bay and also got to pull lobster traps. The Easton students were quite impressed that these young men own this $64,000 lobster boat and run their own business while still attending Washington Academy High School. Friday was homecoming for Washington Academy so the group was invited to attend the homecoming parade. They finished off the evening with a visit to the University of Maine at Machias’ pool and gym facility.
Saturday the group visited the Coast Guard station in Eastport and was treated to a tour of the facility as well as their rescue boats. The group then traveled to Calais for lunch and journeyed home.
This tour was funded by a grant from Maine Ag in the Classroom. The funds for these grants come from the sale of agricultural license plates.
Happy Days recap
The Easton Senior’s Happy Day Club met on Thursday, Oct. 10, for a potluck dinner with 17 members and one guest present. Their guest speaker was Dustin White of the Easton Fire Department. He spoke how to keep safe from fires; be sure to have smoke alarms up-to-date and to change the batteries twice a year. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed at the height of a chair back. If you live in a two-story house, always have a rope ladder ready to make an escape. Call 9-1-1 for any emergency. The group was also briefed on the danger of fires and he answered many questions from the members.
President, Nina Trask opened the meeting with a salute to the flag and the singing of “My Country ‘tis of Thee” with Lenna DeMerchant at the piano. The roll call was read by Ida Doak with the following members present: Nina Trask, Ezalee Smith, Ida Doak, Phyllis Nadeau, Elizabeth Martin, Pat Coffin, Jeann Ames, Arlene Ladner, Betty Brown, Marie Hewitt, Annette Copeland, Gloria Richardson, Leanna Demerchant, Sally Strout, John Trask, Hollis Hull and Barbara Boneville.
Their next meeting will be a spaghetti dinner on Oct. 24 in the Recreation Room at the Manor. Easton seniors are invited to attend and bring a friend. They hope to see you at their meetings. This will be the final meeting for 2013 due to the holiday period. Planning to restart meeting in January 2014.
Sesquicentennial
The Easton Sesquicentennial Planning Committee needs your help. The committee would love to have stories, photographs and history of the town for a publication they are in the process of compiling. All materials can be turned in to the Town Office starting immediately. The committee is also looking for activities suggestions and volunteers. If you are interested in being involved please e-mail info@eastonme.com.
Rec calendar
Wednesday, Oct. 23 — Junior Activities program 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hall.
Thursday, Oct. 24 — Happy Days Club meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Recreation Room at the Manor.
Children’s first Bokwa class with Theresa Bonner from 3-4:15 p.m. The cost is $2. Bokwa® does not require you to count steps, like a traditional eight-count followed by most dance fitness programs. Everyone can do Bokwa® — 4-year-old kids to 75-year-old men and women, people with two left feet who cannot dance, world-champion Latin and ballroom dancers — all having a terrific experience in the same class!
Friday, Oct. 25 — Junior Activities from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hall.
The Adult Group will be heading to Kim Finnemore’s home on the Bower’s Road for a festive lunch. For those of you haven’t been to this event before you are sure to be amazed and a little “frightened” by her decor. If you have attended in the past, she always has something new and scary! Please plan to meet at 42 Bowers Rd. at 11:30 a.m. for refreshments and fun! Everyone welcome. I believe some guests from other communities may be joining us. The cost is $3.
Monday, Oct. 28 — Adult nutrition class at the Manor starting at 11 a.m. The cost is $3. Everyone welcome to attend!
Kids cooking class after school at the Hall until 4:15 p.m. This month’s theme is “eww foods.” Open to grades one and up! Free.
Tuesday, Oct. 29 — Halloween Movie after school at the Hall until 4:15 p.m. Open to grades one and up!
Wednesday, Oct. 30 — Junior Activities from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hall.
Halloween craft after school at the Hall until 4:15 p.m. Open to grades one and up!
Trunk-or-Treat
Easton Wesleyan Church will be hosting their annual Trunk-or-Treat program on Thursday, Oct. 31, at the church. The program runs from 6-7:30 p.m. Children up to grade 6 can play carnival games, put their friends in the jailhouse, have snacks, watch a black light puppet show, win prizes including a portable DVD player, and collect candy from the trunks of cars in the parking lot. Games are provided upstairs for young children. If you wish to use your vehicle to pass out candy or would like to volunteer to run a game, call Pastor Vaughn at 227-3589 or e-mail at vaughnmartin@myfairpoint.net.
Hillary Hallett is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by sending an e-mail to: recreation@eastonme.com or call 551-7737.
