Youth get flying tips
The Easton school department was very appreciative of the visit they had by Joel Jones and his hot air balloon.
Jones, of Seale, Ala., had planned to land his hot air balloon in Easton’s soccer field, but since the hot air balloons are non-dirigible (unable to be steered), the landing did not occur quite as planned. Instead, Mr. Jones and his crew transported his balloon, “Windspirit,” to the school by vehicle. After they arrived and all the students had gathered around, the crew inflated the balloon which was tethered to his vehicle.
Jones took the time to answer all the questions that were asked of him. He was asked how much a balloon like his would cost to buy it now. His reply was over $40,000. He said he purchased his balloon in 1991.
The cooler the temperature, the better the balloon flies. When asked if he had ever crashed the nautical device, Jones said every landing is a crash. You never know how it will land.
Jones is a retired farmer turned real estate agent. He was here for the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival in Presque Isle this past weekend. This is his third year attending the event.
It was very nice of him to bring his balloon by and answer questions. Everyone was amazed.
Anniversary party
On Aug. 27, Ezalee Smith hosted a little get-together for Fern and Sheldon Hull on their anniversary. They first went out to eat at Pizza Hut and then went back to Ezalee’s house for cake and ice cream. Those present were Nina and John Trask, Hollis Hull and Barb Bonville, Ezalee Smith, Fern, Sheldon and Maureen Hull. Vance and Debbie Smith dropped in for a minute to wish them a happy anniversary.
Easton Cub Scouts hold Fall Roundup
Easton Cub Scout Pack 187 is holding their annual Fall Roundup on Sept. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Easton Wesleyan Church. All boys from grades 1-5 are invited to attend. Any older boys interested in Boy Scouts are encouraged to attend. A fun time is planned for all participants. Parents and families also are welcome to join the fun. Questions can be directed to Mary Anne or Shayne Anderson at 488-6834.
Birthday party
Glennis Craig held a small birthday party for Avis Hume. Avis just turned 93 years old. Birthday cake and ice cream was served. Avis enjoyed her cards and the fellowship. Those present were Vera and Gerald Shaw, Bob and Barb Boulier, Kevin, Nancy and Paige Nichols.
Visits
Glennis Craig was surprised by a visit from her grandson, John Nichols, and his new bride, Tonya. She hadn’t seen her grandson in 16 years. He came with his dad, Wayne, and Debbie Nichols from Cross Lake. It was a happy reunion.
Food pantry
Anyone wishing to donate any of their fruits or vegetables from their gardens to the Easton food pantry are encouraged to do so. You may contact Vaughn Martin at 488-6608 to make arrangements. Thank you very much.
Benefit supper
There will be a benefit supper for Sandra Boxwell on Saturday, Sept 12, at the Odd Fellow’s Hall. This will be from 4-7 p.m. All are encouraged to attend.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Today you can wish Mark and Julie Sotomayer a happy anniversary. Also a happy birthday goes to Jacob Bacon, Tyler Tardy, Nathan Demerchant, Dawson Lamoreay and Abby Thompson.
On Sept. 3, wish Ethel Knox, John Blodgett, Lynn Boucher, Ana MArie Winger and Joe Saucier a very happy birthday. Lynn And Tony Boucher and Bernard and Joan McAdam will celebrate their anniversary.
On Sept. 4, John Greenier, Beth O’Connell, Markie Beaton and Josephine Cenedella will turn another year older.
Sept. 5 is Lori Silvia, Deedra Cronkite and Martin Puckett’s birthday. Happy birthday to you all.
Celebrating their anniversary on Sept. 6 are Lisa and Harold Haney. Birthdays for that same day are Mona Adams, Thaddeus Dudley, Jacki Shaw and Keegan Dumond.
On Sept. 7, Labor Day, birthdays include Dana Cyr, Natalie Salavarria, Rene Steele, Elsie Kearney, Randy Bacon and Joe Lockhart. Have a great day, all of you.
On Sept. 8, there will be birthday parties for Hannah Chalou, Daniel Salavarria and Madison Leach. Cheryl and John Fogarty celebrate their anniversary that day as well.
Running of the Brides 2009
Let me give you a little information about this event before I begin the real story. Running of the Brides was held in Boston, Friday, Aug. 21. This is a 12-hour event put on by Filene’s Basement. There are about 3,000 designer wedding gowns originally priced up to $10,000. On this day, they are sold at bargain prices. The idea is to form a team, run in when the doors open, grab as many dresses as you can, let the bride-to-be pick through and trade for other gowns that may be more to her liking. In the end, hopefully the bride will find the wedding gown of her dreams at an amazing price.
Now begins the real story. Team Shelby consisted of: Shelby Wilcox, he bride-to-be; Mary Wilcox, mother of the bride; Rene Steele, maid of honor; Chrissy Merrill, bridesmaid; and Heidi O’Clair Thompson, friend of the family. They lined up at 3:30 a.m. and were about the 20th team in line. At 6 a.m. they let everyone into the building.
Once inside the building, the real fun began. There was clapping, whistle blowing, hooting and hollering just to get everyone in the mood. There were camera crews interviewing and lots of people taking pictures. Team Shelby had their picture taken by the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. Rene also did a few lines for a local country radio station. Team Shelby was quite an attention-getter in their attire, including coordinated orange and gray T-shirts with a picture of the engaged couple on back. They also had Shelby’s dress size, color of her dress she wanted and the style she was interested in on the shirts.
Heidi made matching headpieces for all the girls to wear. They were headbands decorated with peacock feathers, orange daisy-like flowers and one big orange rose on the side. The idea with the headbands was to make us taller and easier to spot.
Before the doors opened at 8 a.m., the line started to tighten up. The crowd got a little more rowdy and anxious to get in. The countdown began — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — and the door opened. Team Shelby was all in within 15 seconds of the door being opened.
The fun began with the team separating to grab their gowns, as many as they could, as quickly as they could. Things were happening so quickly all around, it made their adrenaline hit at an all-time high (this was kind of like bungy jumping). Shelby, Rene and Chrissy all ran in and grabbed as many gowns as they could handle and brought them to their meeting space. Heidi was able to get eight gowns, Mary got one. She was laughing so hard once she got through the doors that she had tears streaming down her face. When the team all got back together, they got about 50 gowns. Not bad, since lots of girls had no gowns.
Now comes the time to sort through the mound of gowns. If they were not the right style of gown, the wrong size, or the wrong color, they went into the trade pile. Ladies would come over to us with a gown to trade and if they had something Team Shelby wanted, the trade was made. Shelby’s job was to look at all the gowns and, if she approved, she would try them on. If she disapproved, they went to Rene or Heidi to make a trade for another gown.
Next came hours of Shelby trying on gowns — a very hard job to do amongst all the other ladies around. There was lots of pressure to find the right gown. When the first bride-to-be found her gown and went to the register, there were bells and whistles going off, creating more pressure to find Shelby’s. All around ladies were finding their gowns. Their team would hoot, holler, clap and or whistle.
Team Shelby worked great together to help Shelby find her gown so they could hoot and holler for her. At 11 a.m., the team decided they were defeated. Shelby knew what she wanted for a gown and was not finding it. The team was exhausted, (having only slept an hour and a half) thirsty and hungry. They decided to throw in their headpieces and walk away from the ever growing mound of gowns. Within 60 seconds, the pile of gowns was gone. They did manage to get Shelby to try on two more gowns before they got out the door. Still no luck. They may have left empty-handed, but they had such fun and enjoyed the adventure. It was something they all would do again. Many laughs were shared and they have many stories to tell.
Shelby was able to find her perfect gown later that weekend in a more relaxed setting where she could see herself in the mirrors and enjoy the experience of trying on dresses with friends and family there to help her decide. So the trip was a huge success after all.
Shelby Wilcox is the daughter of Tim and Mary Wilcox, of Easton. She is marrying Mike Martin, son of Jim and Wanda Martin, formerly of Easton. An August 2010 wedding is planned.
Rec Department
The Easton Recreation Department will be offering a “Little Kickers” soccer program for children in kindergarten from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Sept. 2, 9 and 14. If you are interested in having your child participate, please e-mail eastonrec@myfairpoint.net.
The Easton Recreation Department has distributed fall program booklets through the schools. If you have not received one, please pick up a copy at the Easton Town Office. Program offerings for the fall session include grades 1 and 2 soccer, grades 3 and 4 soccer, grades 5 and 6 soccer, after-school programs, senior citizen activities, cooking camp, archery camp, swim lessons, gymnastic classes, harvest field trips/activities and yoga.
Rec calendar
Wednesday, Sept. 2 — Junior activities 9:30-11 a.m. at the hall, open to children Early Childhood Program age and younger. “Little Kickers” soccer program for children in kindergarten will meet at the elementary school from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Please contact Hillary for more info. Senior exercise class in the recreation room at the manor starting at 1 p.m. After-school program — patriotic crafts at the hall from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. Open to grades 1-8.
Thursday, Sept. 3 — Senior group field trip to the Wildlife Animal Refuge and Weapon Storage at the former Loring Air Force Base. Lunch will be at the Rendezvous, participants are responsible for their own lunch. The bus will depart from the manor parking lot at 9 a.m. Grades 3 and 4 soccer practice after school until 4:15 p.m. on the field behind the playground.
Friday, Sept. 4 — Junior activities 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the hall.
Monday, Sept. 7 — No recreation activities — Labor Day.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 — The 1st- and 2nd-grade soccer team will have practice at the elementary school from 2:45 to 4 p.m. Grades 3 and 4 soccer will play in Fort Fairfield at 4:30 p.m. Carpool will leave from the hall at 4 p.m.
Debbie Smith is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by e-mail at debbiesmith04_69@hotmail.com or call 488-5530.
