Cooperative Extension annual meeting, supper and extravaganza Saturday

    GUILFORD — Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension executive committee and staff recently announced an annual supper and meeting extravaganza in collaboration with Penquis and Valley Grange. The meeting is being hosted by the Valley Grange on Saturday, Sept. 7 and will, according to Executive Committee President Walter Boomsma, have “something for everyone.”

    “We’ve actually revived and enhanced a former tradition,” Boomsma noted. “Years back it was common to conduct some sort of meal and meeting as an opportunity to report our accomplishments to the citizens of the county. Building on that idea and collaborating with other organizations has provided us with the opportunity to have a mini-festival that’s fun and functional.”
    Volunteers led by Sheree Brown of Penquis are planning a sit-down dinner with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Piscataquis Santa Program. “From the date of this event there are only 109 shopping days until Christmas,” Brown noted with an elf-like twinkle in her eye. “It’s a great opportunity for folks to have a good meal and help Santa with some early shopping.”
    Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. with family friendly pricing children under 3 eating free.
    While dinner is being served there will be a number of demonstrations and exhibits outside. Kids and adults can make a bee hummer and see a real live bee hive in operation. In addition to information about gardening and farming visitors can learn about the many programs and resources Extension has to offer including 4H-Youth, senior companionship, school gardening and Agrabilitt — a workplace safety and accommodation program for farmers.
    At 7 p.m., Extension will conduct its annual meeting and highlights report, “Are You Young Enough to Dance?” John Rebar, state executive director of UMaine Extension will speak on the topic “Piscataquis County and Beyond,” describing national and state trends and opportunities “from farm to fork” and how they will impact Piscataquis County Citizens.
    The event will be capped by a feature presentation by popular Dr. Lois Stack, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist. Dr. Stack will discuss “How to Use Native Plants in the Home Landscape.”
    The public is invited to all events which — with the exception of the dinner donation — are free. Additional information can be found at http://umaine.edu/piscataquis/news-events/ or by calling the UMaine Cooperative Extension office in Dover-Foxcroft at 564-3301.