On Wednesday, Oct. 5, 13 FFA members, along with chaperones Heidi Thompson and Craig Lamoreau, bus driver Bernie McAdam and advisor Kevin Marquis, departed Easton for a fall educational excursion. The group’s first stop was the University of Maine Witter Research Farm in Orono and Dr. David Marcinkowski, a dairy specialist, discussed dairy cattle nutrition, genomics and advances per cow production volumes.
The group’s next stop was Stonyvale Farm in Exeter. During this visit, the group learned about new practices in the dairy industry. The group toured the new state of the art calf barn, and other cutting edge technology in this facility. This site is also home to one of the state’s largest anaerobic digesters where they learned that the waste from two cows can power a home (this site has 1,100 cows).
Then they travelled to Flood Farms in Clinton and the group got to see a 100-stall rotary milking parlor.
The following morning, the group toured Casella Organics in Unity. This site blends various waste products to make organic soil supplements. They then journeyed to Rockland where they toured Rock City Roasters and learned some new vocabulary words and got to sample gourmet food.
After lunch and a short walking tour downtown, the group toured Fisher, where plows and sanders are manufactured. The Owl’s Head Transportation Museum was next on the agenda, followed by a dinner at Applebee’s. For the evening’s entertainment, the group meet with The Lady in the Red Cloak for a haunted historic walking tour around Rockland.
Friday morning started by touring Dragon Cement in Thomaston, which is the largest pavement manufacturer on the Eastern seaboard. The group was amazed by the advanced technology.
The group then travelled to IDEXX laboratories in Westbrook. The ride was very scenic and they enjoyed fantastic views of Bath Iron Works. IDEXX manufactures pharmaceutical animal tests for people all over the world. The trip concluded with a shopping spree in Freeport. It was a great experience for all who participated.
Harvest party planned
It is that time of year again for the Parent Teacher Organization’s annual Harvest Party. It will be held on Oct. 29 from 2:30-4 p.m. at Easton Elementary School. Admission is a non-perishable food item for the local food bank, and is open to all kids through grade 6.
The PTO is looking for volunteers to set up on Oct. 28 from 1-6 p.m. and again on Saturday to help run games from 2-4 p.m. Even if you are only able to help for an hour or so, they would love to have you. Please contact Peggy Arnett by email ( arnett_peggy@yahoo.com) or phone (488-6904) so the group will have an idea of how many volunteers they have.
Room parents will be contacting all of the classes to request donations for the party. The list is as follows: Pre-K and kindergarten are responsible for sweets, grade 1 responsible for fruit (washed, cut up and ready to be served), grade 2, veggies (washed, cut up and ready to be served); grades 3-4, sandwiches; grade 5, cheese and crackers; and grade 6, chips and pretzels.
As always, the PTO would love cakes and cupcakes for the cake walk. There will be a prize for the most creative, attractive and themed presentation of snacks. Snacks should be brought to the school Friday afternoon, Oct. 28, or at least an hour before the party on Oct. 29.
This year they are partnering with the Easton Wesleyan Church, as they will be holding their annual Trunk or Treat immediately following the harvest party. Trunk or Treat will be held at 4 p.m. at the Easton Wesleyan Church and a presentation by the Supreme Court Jesters will be held at 5 p.m.
Pastor Tony and his congregation encourage and invite anyone in the community who is interested to bring their decorated car to church by 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, to get ready for the event. Those bringing a vehicle are responsible for their own decorations and candy. A prize will be given for the best decorated car. For more information, contact Pastor Tony at 551-0777.
Upcoming community library hours
The library will be open to the community for patrons to utilize library services, including book loans, use of periodicals and reference materials, Internet and computer access. Patrons may bring their own devices to access the Internet and will be asked to follow existing library rules/guidelines.
The Junior Senior High School Library will be open from 3:-5:30 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The Easton High School Library will be open from 9:30-noon on Saturday, Oct. 22, with story time from 10-10:30 a.m.
Community calendar update
The Easton Kiwanis Club is unable to put together the Easton Community Birthday Calendar this year. A group is being sought to take over the project. The calendar has been a good fundraiser, but requires a significant amount of work. If another organization would like to be responsible for the calendar, Kiwanians are willing to help them get started. For more information, contact Keith or Esther at 488-6101.
Sesquicentennial memorabilia
As a year of celebrating Easton’s year-long 150th birthday has concluded there are still a few items available at discount prices, including books on the history of Easton, titled “A Community Carved from the Wilderness 1865-2015, 20-oz. glasses with Sesquicentennial logos, glass coffee mugs with Bears and Sesquicentennial logos, royal blue T-shirts with sesquicentennial logos and blue sweatshirts with Sesquicentennial logos.
Items can be picked up at Easton Town Office or call the 488-6652 to check availability. To see samples visit eastonme.com or stop by the town office.
Junior Exhibition planned
The Class of 2018 will be holding its Junior Exhibition on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Easton Junior-Senior High School. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, $2 for senior citizens and $12 for a family of four or more.
Craft fair being planned
The annual craft fair will be held Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Easton Elementary School gyms. Spots are still available. The fee is $20 and payment must be received by Oct. 31. For more information, please call Melissa at 227-4093 or email at crazycountygirl96@gmail.com.
Hillary Hallett is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by sending an e-mail to hillary_jt@myfairpoint.net or calling 551-7737.
