Organizations
The town of Easton and Easton Jr./Sr. High School were amazed, mystified, elated and some other great adjectives, over hearing the news that an anonymous Easton High School alumnus had donated one million dollars to the town to be used as scholarships for those Easton young people graduating from high school. The money was placed in the Hayden Family Trust in memory of a former principal, Keith Thompson, who passed away several years ago, and eighth grade teacher Verna Fuller, who also has gone from us; only the interest will be used each year. Easton High School has graduated some exceptional young people: doctors, engineers, veterinarians, teachers, even a State Supreme Court Judge and many young people with the drive to go to the top. It’s a small school with a lot going for it and now one of the alumnus has remembered it in the most astounding way.
The Easton Future Farmers of America have finalized their Christmas lighting contest with these winners and prizes: third place and $10 went to Harold and Lisa Haney, on Ladner Road; second place and $15 went to Larry and Linda Pelkey on Route 1A, above the Easton Center; and first place went to Winston and Joanne Scanlin, who live across from the Easton High School and have a beautiful display every year. The Scanlins were awarded $25.
The local National Geographic Bee was held at the Easton Jr./Sr. High School on Jan. 3, with nine contestants from grades 6, 7,and 8. Contestants were, 6th grade: Kennedy Young, Carla Halvorson and Jered Hafford; 7th grade: Garrett Gray, Thomas Poitraw, Jessica Bennett and Holden Turner, who was an alternate for Jessica as she could not participate on Jan. 3; and from grade 8: Chris Flewelling, Zach Clark and Sydney Trask. Winning third place was Holden Turner; second place went to Kennedy Young; and firs place went to Sydney Trask. Sydney must pass a written examination to determine if she can compete in the state competition. All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship, at the national competition on May 22 and 23 in Washington, D.C.
The Easton Happy Days Senior Citizens Club met on Thursday with 16 members present. After the potluck dinner the meeting was opened by the salute to the flag and singing “My Country Tis of Thee.” The “Happy Birthday” song was rendered for Vera Cullins and Ailene Embleton with Dottie Beaton at the piano. After the reading of the last meetings by Secretary Dottie Beaton, and the treasurer’s report given by President Marie Hewitt, in the absence of Lindy Fowler, the president told the group that the first aid box had been found and Dottie showed the group just what it contained in case of emergency. The box and a blanket will be kept on a shelf in the closet opposite the ladies’ restroom.
There was a discussion about calling 9-1-1 in case of an emergency and it was stated that the first responder team from the Easton Fire Department does not come out on that call any more.
It was voted to give the usual amount of $10 to the Easton United Methodist Church in memory of a former member, Helen Todd, and the same amount in memory of a former member and club president, Lillian Keirstead. This will go to The Foundation at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Frank Allen has been asked to get their names added to the plaque for past members.
A birthday card was signed to be sent to Geraldine Corey at the Presque Isle Health Care Facility to congratulate her on her 94th birthday which falls on Feb. 5.
It was voted to send $25 to Project Graduation at Easton Jr./Sr. High School.
Arlene Ladner, Vera Cullins and Joanne Johnson volunteered to be the nominating committee for the 2007 year.
The next meeting will be held on Jan. 25 and the club needs the attendance of some more men.
Those attending were: Marie Hewitt, Dottie Beaton, Arlene Ladner, Ailene Embleton, Rena Richardson, Frank and Lucy Allen from Presque Isle, Clair and Eldora Carter, Edith Fuller, Glenice Craig, Avis Humes, Nina Trask, Joanne Johnson, Vera Cullins and Ezlee Smith.
Hospitalized
Dena Turner Susee of Presque Isle is a patient at the Eastern Maine Medical Center suffering with heart problems. Her son, Hugh Turner, drove down this week to be with her and find out if she will have to undergo surgery or not.
Sympathy
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Parker Allen, 87, who passed away Dec. 24, 2006 at the Maine Veteran’s Home, in Caribou, after a brief illness. Parker was a former, well-liked and respected mail carrier for the Easton area and a local potato and beef cattle farmer for many years on the Egypt Road. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corp. during World War II and a member of the Lion’s Club in both Easton and Weslaco, Texas, and a member of the Maine Rural Letter Carrier’s Association. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Irene (Coffey) Allen; one son, Andrew and his wife, Gloria, of Presque Isle; one daughter, Susan “Sue” Madore and her husband, Scott, also of Presque Isle. He also leaves a sister, Loraine Luce of Portland; two brothers, Merrill “Bud” Allen, of Jersey Shore, Penn.; and Elwin Allen of Presque Isle; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His committal service was held on Jan. 8 at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.
Our sympathy also goes out to Heidi and Jason Thompson and their girls, Abigail and Emily, on the sudden and unexpected death of her 51-year-old father, Calvin Drost O’Clair, of Washburn. Calvin passed away at his home after a fun few hours outside with his daughter and his granddaughters on New Year’s Day. He was a member of the U.S. Army and a member of Ray Goding Post 88 American Legion and the Hayward Frazier Post 2599 VFW. Besides Heidi and her family, he leaves a loving wife, Jacqlyn (Ireland) O’Clair of Washburn, and a son, Calvin O’Clair II of Gillette, Wyoming. He also leaves sisters: Nancy Legassie, of Ashland; Debbie Corey, of Washburn; Penny Scott, of Washburn; Bernice Pelletier and Judy Drost, also of Washburn; and brothers: Donald Drost, of Carson Siding; Jack Drost, of Sullivan; Sonny Drost and John Drost, both of Washburn; and their families. Calvin was brought up by his grandparents, John and Virginia Drost. Calvin loved the outdoors and the woods, where they had been that fateful day. He also loved working with his hands building and restoring things and passed away in his workshop doing just that. Graveside services will be held later in the spring at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou with the Rev. Bruce Blakney officiating. Gifts in his memory may be sent in support of his family to 33 Everett Road, Washburn, ME 04786.
