Fall in full swing at Apple Pumpkin Fest

By Barry Matulaitis,
Editor

LIVERMORE FALLS – There were some new displays as well as some traditional sights at the Apple Pumpkin Festival this year.
Saturday's festival had been rescheduled due to rainy weather on its original date two weeks ago. However, this time around the sun shined and the crowds poured in to witness one of the region's largest events.
The Spruce Mountain Area Robotics Team had two displays. One of them showcased the Rookie All-Star Award the team earned during their first season of competition last year, and their subsequent trip to the First Robotics World Festival as a result of winning the award. At another tent, the team sold apple fritters to raise funds for their upcoming build and competition season.
The team let patrons operate their robot from last season for $1. They also had a hydrofoil that people could ride. The hydrofoil was simply a chair with a plywood base, with the plywood being surrounded by a tightly attached plastic bag. Using a leafblower aimed through the holes in the bottom and assisted by team members and mentors, attendees could glide across a plywood runway.
“We saw this at a fair and refined the design,” said coach Dan Lemieux, the technology education teacher at the school.
He said it was nice to have the robot there to demonstrate to people what the team has done.
Four-legged guests had just as much fun as those on two legs. Beth Parker, owner of Canine Castle Academy Training and Consulting Services in Livermore Falls, had set up an obstacle course to show the agility of the dogs she had trained. The dogs that were present came from Czar's Shelties, Shetland sheepdogs owned by Suzanne Czarnecki of Jay.
“We do all sorts of things, such as free dancing,” said Parker. “We brought more inexperienced dogs with us today so we can show people how they learn. We like to do fun things, too. Obedience training doesn't have to be boring.”