The museums received much needed attention to ready them for opening from many DRHS students during their annual community action work day on May 22. The Key Club assisted with clean up efforts inside the Grist Mill and outside on the grounds, including planting flowers under the guidance of Curator Richard Whitney and Jackie McKenney. A second group under the guidance of John Walsh removed some trees from the riverbank to prepare for the construction of a footbridge across the stream that is a project of Boy Scout Kyle Wilson. A third group under the guidance of society president Carl Steller and school librarian Judith Hummel assisted with ongoing clean up work at the new Abbott Museum.

The society has completed the cultural heritage research grant it was awarded by the University of Maine System in collaboration with the Maine Humanities Council. The grant project was a study of the history of the French-Canadian settlers of Dexter. As part of the project the society has presented a copy of a 45 minute video of interviews with some Dexter residents to both the Abbott Memorial Library and the DRHS library, as well as a list of French-Canadian genealogies available for study at the society.

"In Our Shoes", a documentary about Dexter Shoe workers, has been donated to the society by four students at Colby College. They made the film as part of a course entitled "American Dreams". The society was pleased to be able to provide assistance with their project.

The next meeting of the Dexter Historical Society will be held on Wednesday, June 19 at 7:00 PM at the Town Council Chambers. All interested persons are encouraged to attend. For information call 924-5721 or email at dexhist@panax.com.