VAN BUREN — More than 200 people turned out to laud the contributions of the local farming community at the Greater Van Buren Area Farmers Appreciation Gala on Saturday.

Philip Parent, master of ceremonies, peppered the night with quotations. He read a fax from President Clinton, who was in Portland Saturday, sending greetings to the Van Buren farming community.

The high school gymnasium was decorated with farm-related props including potato barrels, baskets, milk bottles, canning jars, a push cart and a bale of hay. The backdrop was a mural of the Robert LaPierre farm painted by Marlene Ouellette.

The gala opened with the national anthem performed by Francoise Cyr, accompanied by pianist Sarah Mae Stewart. Eagle Scouts from Van Buren carried Maine, United States, Grande Riviere and Boy Scout Troop 186 flags.

Other entertainers were Elaine Ouellette and her Stomping Stompers, four local couples who performed square dances. Gerald LaPierre offered “A Farmer’s Potpourri,” including songs in French and English and tunes on the harmonica.

Ida Roy sang French songs a cappella. Among them was a “complainte,” a song traditionally sung to commemorate tragic events. Roy has collected, recorded and transcribed more than 5,000 French songs and has written some of her own.

Attired in traditional costume and wooden sabots, Don Cyr danced jigs and played the spoons. He stayed in character for a round of folk tales. He was followed by Francoise Cyr, who sang inspirational selections in “Songs for the Soul.”

In “A Wonderful World,” Van Buren scoutmaster Donald Marcotte told the story of Louis Dubay, a Hamlin native and beekeeper who accepted a plaque from supporters of local youths.

Dubay became intrigued by honeybees after his family moved to Houlton. A project on the insects earned him a Boy Scout merit badge. Dubay has traveled to beekeepers conventions on most continents. Locally, Dubay entrusted a 45-acre tract on Lake Road to the Van Buren Boy Scouts with the intent that it be used to promote peacefulness in nature, world friendship, and increased awareness of the importance of careful land management.

“Even though the bee is small, it can do an awful lot for you in agriculture,” said Maine Agriculture Commissioner Bernard Shaw. He said the addition of hives increased the state’s blueberry production from 38 million pounds 10 years ago, to a record 83 million pounds last season.

Shaw said the night’s events marked the first time he had seen a community recognize the contributions of its farmers. He discussed the impacts of technology on production and noted that if the nation’s farmers had the technological and marketing support they needed, “we could balance the national budget.”

Parent began the part of the gala set aside for awards and door prizes, assisted by Shaw, Van Buren Town Manager Jayne Farrin and Town Councilor Charles Plourde. Farrin and Plourde were among the town officials who served as greeters and auditors.

The LaPointe family of Van Buren won the distinction of having both the Most Seasoned Farmer and the Youngest Farmer. At 85, Joseph LaPointe was the oldest farmer in attendance. David LaPointe, 20, had the fewest seasons under his belt.

Shaw picked St. David potato grower Gerard Ouellette as winner of the door prize, a $200 U.S. Savings Bond.

Scott Ayotte, a Hamlin grower, won the consolation prize, a puzzle of the “Little Farmers” poster. His wife, Doreen, won the door prize in the farmer’s wife category, a limited-edition signed print of a 1935 John Deere Model B farm tractor.

Parent recognized the contributions of the local Farmers Home Administration staff. Van Buren has been home to an FmHA office for four decades, Parent said. He awarded plaques to County Supervisor Dennis Beaulieu, who soon will assume the presidency of the national organization for county FmHA supervisors; office assistant Sheila Caldwell; and construction analyst Kenneth Cyr.