Thirteen is a lucky number. Following an extended period of hot weather, cool breezes wafted through the Samuel Staples pavilion making conditions ideal for the nine local farms to create special events and to share their wares. There were animals to see, products to sample and special discounts for those who came to the pavilion to pick up tour maps. And many did.
Participating farms and businesses this year included Sherwood Farm, Sport Hill Farm, Greiser’s Coffee and Market, Shaggy Coos Farm, Palmieri Farm, Gilbertie’s Organic Farm, Silverman’s Farm, J & L Orchids and Golden Pond Farm. Also on the tour were the Bradley-Hubbell barn and the Adams School House hosted by the Easton Historical Society.
Easton Garden Club’s Abby LePage taught gardeners-to-be a few tricks to planting sunflowers. 
No one was reluctant to get dirty hands re-potting sunflowers. 
Easton Garden Club member Alka Sood teaches garden basics to a future gardner. 
Corn Hole games were hosted by ECC’s Joel Silkoff. 
Phot ops on the Haller’s antique tractor were a big hit. 
Food Rescue was a new addition to the farm tour this year. 
SSES students produced new “Welcome to Easton” signs which will be installed soon. 
Photo ops on the Haller family’s antique tractor were a big hit. 
Photo ops on the Haller family’s antique tractor were a big hit. 
Garden Club members Alka Sood, Abby LePage and Carla Fairfield arrived with sunflower plants from Sal Gilbertie.
But before visitors left for the farms, there were activities at the pavilion. Games for children were led by the Easton Community Center’s facilities director, Joel Silkoff, and photo ops on the Haller family’s antique tractor drew lots of children into the driver’s seat. This year, as always, CFE hosts were joined by members of the Easton Garden Club who offered gardening tips and gifted re-potted sunflower plants donated by Sal Gilbertie, whose organic herb farm was one of the hits of the tour. Master Gardener Carol Hamilton and Master Composters Paula Wolf and Alph Winter were also on hand at the pavilion to provide lessons and advice.
New to the tour this year were the just-completed “Welcome to Easton” signs created by Samuel Staples and Helen Keller students, which will soon be installed at the gateways to the town. For the first time this year, Diane Geisert hosted a Food Rescue table for home gardeners who wish to share their bounty with Easton seniors.
To encourage effective recycling in Easton, CFE invited Cathy Alfandre and Joan Winter to address considerable confusion about what to recycle. Errors cost damage to equipment and substantial fines.
The day also brought luck to seven free raffle prize winners this year:
- Dan Ebert won two tickets to music and dinner at Greiser’s Coffee & Market donated by Adrienne Burke
- Connie Trenske won eggs and a jar of honey donated by Palmieri Farm
- Cathy Alfandre won a hand-blown vase donated by artist Jason Curtis
- Paula Wolf won a Christmas tree donated by Mike Sabia of Sabia’s Tree farm
- Susan March won a selection of sweet treats donated by Irv Silverman of Silverman’s Farm
- Ryan Carnevale won a gift certificate for gas donated by the Old Bluebird Garage
- Adrian Chrzan won a gift certificate to Sport Hill Farm donated by Patti Popp
Easton Police Officers Anthony Telesco and Luis Rodriguez arranged help from the Easton Police Explorers cadets who were on hand for the heavy lifting. Their efforts were needed and very much appreciated.
By all accounts the day’s events celebrated the town’s most valued asset: Easton’s farms and farmers.
All photos by Sophie Camizzi
