Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association news
MONSON — Twelve members of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association and two guests met July 23 at the Lakeshore Pub in Monson for the monthly meeting.
Gilbert Reynolds’ daughter Jean attended with her dad before she returns to her teaching responsibilities next month. The secretary’s report and the treasurer’s reports were accepted. There was no formal legislative report but we are reminded to be aware of all candidates’ positions and to vote.
Second guest Bruce Grant gave a very enlightening talk on the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. While people in our area know about the trail, few realize what it takes to maintain and adequately fund the trail system from Georgia to Maine. There are 32 maintenance clubs which work with the trail crews to refresh the paint on the boundaries and ensure that the monuments and witness trees are visible. Grant shared that an important task of the trail crew is to build and/or repair rock stairways.
GUEST SPEAKER — MATC member and trail crew volunteer Bruce Grant spoke to the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association on July 23. He is shown flanked on his left by his wife Nancy and his sister Julie Knowlton. Members Priscilla Higgins and Rachel Ouellette-Page are enjoying the information.
Approximately 3,000 hikers will start hiking the AT, with about 2,000 completing. Of the 280 miles of trail in Maine, the 100 Mile Wilderness is both challenging and exhilarating for hikers. MATC club members donate more than 25,000 volunteer hours annually.
Quilt raffle tickets were sold in Dover-Foxcroft and Monson already. Look for members to be selling tickets at the Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming (Aug. 3), the Maine Red Hot Dog Festival in Dexter on Aug. 10, and the International Seaplane Fly-In in Greenville on Sept. 7.
There were only 13 members interested in buying polo shirts so the project has been put on hold for now. Millworks Apparel has been wonderful in finding polo shirts in a nice blue should the PRREA decide to proceed.
Priscilla Higgins is the contact person for the community dinner on Aug. 19. She circulated a sign-up sheet and asked that those not in attendance contact her directly. The week before’s group prepared 130 meals and all were handed out with nary a spare.
The scholarship committee will meet next month to get the name of a graduate or new teacher to receive the annual award. The program committee will also meet next month to get a head start on planning locations and programs for 2025.
On a motion by Nancy G. and a second by Dawn MacPherson-Allen it was unanimously voted to give the local BackPack Angels group a donation of $250 for this year’s project.
Do you know of a retired educator that would like to join our group? Please invite them to a meeting.
The next meeting is at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. The program is “Chair Yoga” so dress comfortably. It’s a “Bring Your Own Lunch” meeting.