Reporters notebook: Buy a brick to build a park

LEWISTON — The Friends of Pettingill Park project are asking for $25 donations in exchange for a brick from the Pettingill School demolition.

Each memorial brick has an engraved brass plate identifying the school and the years it was open. The Friends of Pettingill Park are raising money to build a new neighborhood park at the site.

For more information, contact organizers through their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPettingill; or email Bill Moroldo at bill@billstuff.com.

Members of The Friends of Pettingill Steering Committee include state Rep. Peggy Rotundo, state Sen. Margaret Craven, Judy Andrucki, Carolyn Court, Zach Lenhert, Nick Knowlton and Judy Cartmel.

— Bonnie Washuk

L.L. Bean worker with a fitting name

LEWISTON — While touring L.L. Bean’s Lewiston plant where workers make boot bottoms, I interviewed an employee in the cutting room, where materials for boot liners, dog beds and outdoor furniture are trimmed to size. The worker has a nifty name, considering where he works.

“What’s your name?”

“Chris.”

“Last name?”

“Bean.”

There was a pause as I gave him a stare which said, “Seriously?”

“Bean,” he repeated, then laughed. “I’m not one of the real ones,” he said, meaning he’s not related to the L.L. Bean family.

But Chris Bean’s name comes with fun perks when the Lewiston man shops at the Freeport flagship store. “When I show them my employee ID, they check me out real quick and are extra nice,” he said with a smile.

— Bonnie Washuk

Auburn agriculture class going to Augusta

Edward Little chemistry teacher Kim Finnerty and her agricultural class have been invited to meet with state lawmakers and Gov. Paul LePage as part of Agriculture Day at the State House on March 12.

The class was also invited, along with many others, to participate in an exhibit for a Climate Solutions Expo on the same day at the Augusta Civic Center.

“My students will be sharing what they have been doing with the Garden Buddies project. They have been working on their presentation that will include pictures of their work,” Finnerty said Friday.

“My students are excited for the opportunity to talk about what they have been doing in class and share what they have learned,” she said. “I am so very proud of them.”

Through a grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Finnerty is teaching hands-on science through agriculture. Their classroom is often the outdoors, the Auburn Land Lab or the new greenhouse at the high school.

— Bonnie Washuk