Francis Malcolm Science Center
honors local handyman
EASTON NEWS
by Debbie Smith
On Friday, Jan. 28, Glenn Viola was presented a plaque by Vaughn Martin of the Francis Malcolm Science Center. Glenn dedicated a lot of his time and labor to finish the upstairs classroom for the children.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
Glenn Viola was presented a plaque for his hard work at the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton. Pictured here with him are left to right, Tricia Langner, Larry Berz, Glenn Viola, Debra Viola and Vaughn Martin.
The home-schooled group’s “matter” class will be using the room the most. Many long hours went into this project and it is much appreciated.
Glenn was honored that day with flowers, a gift certificate, plaque, lifetime membership to the Science Center for him and his family and a card of thanks.
The Science Center was founded by Francis Malcolm who never lived to see it opened. Every year between 5,000-6,000 children visit the center. They come from Aroostook County as well as New Brunswick. This is a beautiful facility and if you haven’t been in, please visit it soon.
Thank you again to Glenn and his wife, Debra, for all the long hours put into this project.
Happy Days Club
The Happy Days Club in Easton will be holding their next meeting at the manor on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 11:30 a.m. The meal will be a Chinese dinner from Chopsticks. All Easton senior citizens and guests are welcome to come and enjoy the meal and socialize and play games. Hope to see you there.
Birthdays/anniversaries
On Feb. 9, Laura Hommel, Matthew Blodgett, Amy Wilson, Eric Hafford and Mary Kennedy all have a birthday. Also on that day Amanda and Craig Lamoreau have an anniversary.
On Feb. 10, Gwen O’Mara, Walter Lockhart, Meaghan Ellis, Peggy Flewelling and Tracy Hathaway will be celebrating their birthdays.
Marcel Chalou’s birthday is on Feb. 11.
On Feb. 12, Jacob Guerette, Nicholas Ambrose, Tabitha Lunney and Joseph King will be another year older.
Feb. 13 is the birthday day for Joni Yoder, Daniel Yoder, Irahn Bate, Anne Clark and Jennifer Myers.
On Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, Lydia Yoder and Riley Mazzerole will be a year older. Also on that day Sandi and Brent Flewelling and Roger and Lorraine Wilcox have an anniversary to celebrate.
Valorie Flewelling, James Fancher and MaryAnn McNamara will be having birthday parties on Feb. 15.
Blessings to you all on your special day.
Top spellers
Connor Burtt, an 8th grader at Easton Jr./Sr. High School, was runner up in Easton’s spelling bee and will be competing in Ashland on Wednesday, Feb. 9.
Kylee Carter,
an 8th grader at Easton Jr./Sr. High School, won the spelling bee contest for Easton.
She will be competing against other schools Feb. 9 in Ashland.
Rec calendar
Photo courtesy Easton Rec Dept.
SCIENCE DAY — The Easton Recreation Department recently participated in a Sneakin’ In Science after-school program. Seen here showing off their water tubes are, in front, from left: Mitchell Flewelling and Kody Carter. Second row: Carson Flewelling, Collin Sotomayor, Kyle Flewelling, Cecelia Ferris, Lydia Ferris, Paige Flewelling and Taylor Devoe.
Wednesday, Feb. 9 — Junior activities for ages 2 and up at the hall from 9:30-11 a.m. Seniors’ exercise at 1 p.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Grade 5 and 6 girls’ basketball practice from 2:45 to 4 p.m. in the elementary school gym. Valentine’s Day crafts after school at the hall until 4:15 p.m. Sneakin’ in Science program after school until 4:15 p.m. at the hall; pre-registration required. Grades 5 and 6 boys’ basketball game at home vs. Limestone. The game begins at 6 p.m. in the elementary school gym.
Thursday, Feb. 10 — Trip to Big Rock. The cost is $13; this price is good for children and adults. Includes lift ticket and ski rentals. We will depart directly after school from the elementary school and return to the hall by 8 p.m. Children will need a bag lunch or money for supper. There is no age limit but children must have an adult with them if they cannot ski. Make-up class for Sneakin’ in Science at the hall until 4:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 11 — Junior activities 9:30-11 a.m. at the hall; open to ages 2 and up. Seniors’ Healthy Lifestyles class begins at noon in the recreation room at the manor. Lunch will be provided free of charge starting at 11:15 a.m. Zumba Gold from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the hall; pre-registration recommended.
Saturday, Feb. 12 — Boys’ Round Robin in Fort Fairfield; times TBA. Little Bears’ grades 1 and 2 practice from 9-10 a.m. in the elementary school gym. Little Bears’ grades 3 and 4 practice from 10-11:15 a.m. at EES.
Monday, Feb. 14 — Senior Nutrition Class starting at 11 a.m. in the recreation room at the manor. Cross country skiing at Ferris’s until 4:15 p.m. After-school program, “Power Up,” with Chris Finemore from the Cooperative Extension. Children must have a note for their classroom teacher and should be picked up at the hall at 4:15 a.m. Grade 5 and 6 boys at Limestone starting at 5:30 p.m.; carpool from the hall at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 15 — Senior Game Day at the manor starting at 11:15 a.m. Please bring a bag lunch. Grades 5 and 6 girls and boys vs. Ashland at home at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Zumba Gold from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the hall; pre-registration recommended. Little Bears’ grades 3 and 4 scrimmage at 5:30 p.m.
Happy Days seniors meet
Senior citizens gathered at the Easton manor to enjoy a meal together recently and welcomed new Town Manager Jim Gardner. Pictured from left are: Arlene Ladner, Lindsey Fowler and Rogena Thomas. At right are Annette Copeland and Marie Hewitt.
On Jan. 13, the Easton Happy Days Senior Citizens Club started the business of the New Year after having no meetings during November and December.
The usual potluck dinner was enjoyed, followed by President Nina Trask introducing the speaker for the day, Kyla LaGassie. Kyla is the leader of the Easton Girl Scouts, a Brownie Troop of girls, which includes ages six to nine years old.
She explained that the troop would like to start an “Adopt a Granny” program and wondered if the ladies of the Happy Days Club would be interested in participating. This would entail visiting a meeting once in a while to show the girls some of the arts and crafts that the ladies know how to do, such as: knitting, crocheting, painting, sewing, other crafts, and even reading some short stories to the group.
The Brownies meet twice a month at the Easton Wesleyan Church.
The Girl Scouts, like the Boy Scouts, are a Christian-based organization. She is hoping that some of the ladies of the club might participate once in a while. Her phone number is 488-6689.
After Kyla left, the president opened the meeting with the salute to the flag and the singing of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” with Elizabeth Martin at the piano. The minutes of the last meeting in Oct. were read by Secretary Eldora Carter and accepted. Treasurer Ida Doak called the roll with these ladies present: Nina Trask, Eldora Carter, Ida Doak, Marie Hewitt, Elizabeth Martin, Arlene Ladner, Lindy Fowler, Helen King, Rogina Thomas, Ezalee Smith and a new member, Annette Copeland. Ida also gave the treasurer’s report, telling that she had purchased several items for the kitchen of the West Ridge Manor recreation room.
A “Gimmie” letter was read from the Ronald McDonald House, but it was decided that the money given to the club by the town was strictly for the club and any donations made would be in memory of the passing of a club member. It was time for a Nomination Committee and Marie, Helen and Arlene volunteered to take the positions.
It is also time for dues. It was decided that all members, not just the ones under 80 years, would pay the $1 dues.
On Jan. 27, the Happy Days Senior Citizens Club met at the West Ridge Manor with 15 members and two guests. After the potluck dinner, which included a delicious banana bread donated to the group by one of our Amish ladies, Lydia Yoder, the guest speaker, new town manager Jim Gardner, introduced himself to the group.
He was happy to say that he has a close tie with Easton, as he is the oldest grandson of Kenneth and Bea Hayden, of Easton, and his mother is Myrna Hayden Gardner.
Gardner had been town manager in Washburn and lastly in Ashland. He explained that he was not a spender and that he was also a grant writer and traveled quite a lot on behalf of town business and for the 19 years he worked for the federal government.
He also spent 18 years in the military as a code officer. He still lives in Ashland for now but is looking forward to making his home in Easton.
He spoke of the attempt of the school district to get lights installed on the soccer field and that if they didn’t get enough signatures, perhaps there might be a way to get a grant for that project. He also said that the shoulders of some of the roads should be fixed so that it would be easier and safer to pass the Amish buggies who now travel our roads.
Gardner also explained about the $6 million building that the government is going to build at the border crossing in River de Chute. He eased the minds of some who had heard that prisoners were going to be housed there. He explained that there would be a cell, but only for those who crossed illegally until they could be returned or turned over to the law. The club members were very pleased with their new town manager.
After Mr. Gardner left, President Trask opened the meeting with the salute to the flag and the singing of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” with Rogena Thomas at the piano. Ida Doak called the roll with these members present: Ida, Nina, Eldora Carter, Marie Hewitt, Rogena Thomas, Clair Carter, John Trask, Keith Richardson, Rena Richardson, Ezalee Smith, Lois Ladner, Arlene Ladner, Lindy Fowler, Annette Copeland, and a new member, Loris Allen. Guests were Town Manager Jim Gardner and Debbie Smith. The secretary’s and treasurer’s report were accepted as read.
The Nominating Committee brought forth the list of officers for the coming year and they were: Nina Trask, president; Elizabeth Martin, vice president; Eldora Carter, secretary; Ezalee Smith, assistant secretary; Ida Doak, treasurer; Joanne Johnson, assistant treasurer; Lois Ladner, program chairman; Ida Doak and Rogina Thomas, co-chaplains. Get-well cards were signed for Glenice Craig and Ailene Embleton. They also talked about maybe doing something with the Brownies. It was voted that the dinner at the next meeting on Thursday, Feb. 10, would be catered.
Kiwanis meeting
The Easton Kiwanis Club met on Tuesday, Feb. 1, with 14 members: Mike and Loris Allen and their grandson, Karsen Winger, Keith and Esther Richardson, Clair and Eldora Carter, Bernard Hussey, Jeremy Corey, Harold Clark, Mike Cyr, Herbert DeMerchant, Barbara Blackstone, Vaughn Martin and Ann Osgood. Bernard was wished a very happy 91st birthday.
Loris Allen brought a delicious chicken soup with cornbread and Eldora Carter brought molasses cake with cool whip. The meeting was opened after supper by President Mike Allen with the salute to the flag and prayer by Vaughn Martin. Karsen Winger collected the Sad and Happy Dollars for the treasurer.
The group was reminded that dues were due to be paid at this time.
The president told the group that they had been asked to cater meals for the Pine and Spurs Riding Club on the third Sundays in June, July and August, one of their fund-raising projects. There was more discussion on fundraising and a lot on the sale of the calendars.
It was decided that the calendars would be on sale at the Easton Field Days for those who wanted them at that time.
Harold Clark said that he had fairly good results by calling on the phone. Keith Richardson, who walks a lot, also said he could do some of the sales and delivering.
The Fund-Raising Committee is now made up of Mike Allen, Mike Cyr and Jeremy Corey.
It was also decided that if they set up at Field Days, they would also have information to explain just what the Kiwanis did with the proceeds from their fundraising. Herb DeMerchant volunteered to work with the president on this project.
Vaughn Martin gave the group an update on the Easton Food Cupboard, which he said is full at this time with some very good pieces of meat from Catholic Charities.
Debbie Smith is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by e-mail at debbie-smith04_69@hotmail.com or call 488-5530.
