The roofers are here. The Grist Mill Museum roof, on all its many different levels, is being replaced. The old metal roof was becoming rusty and leaking in a few places. The new metal roof should keep the building and its displays well protected for many years to come. The work is being done by RTD Roofing of Madison, ME.

A portion of the slate roof of the newly acquired Abbott Mill office building has received some necessary repairs, with the work done by T. C. Roofing of Levant, ME.Society members have also continued to work inside on cleaning and removing unwanted materials.

Curator Richard Whitney spoke recently at a Kiwanis meeting explaining the society's plans for the new building, to be known as the Abbott Museum. The society had a display at the SPCCC Expo in Guilford that featured photos of the Amos Abbott Company from around 1898 as well as a floor plan and description of the new facility. This display is now available for viewing at the Abbott Memorial Library.

A new display has been mounted in the window of the Dexter Print Shop. It offers photos, information and artifacts concerning the canning industry in Dexter. The Moses Brothers opened a cannery in a building on McClellan St. in 1883 and F.H. Hayes built a cannery on Water St. in 1900. For over fifty years the canneries offered employment and gave farmers a cash crop. Sweet corn and string beans were the major crops utilized.

A recent research question led to the discovery that a Dexter native, Frederick F. Proctor, became a vaudeville star and later owner and builder of many lovely theaters including one in Schenectady, NY that is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The next meeting of the society will be on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers. All are welcome to attend. For information call 924-5721 or email at our new address: dexhist@panax.com