Plans take shape for ‘Cassidy’s Kitchen’ at a farm in Albion

In today’s Kennebec Journal newspaper, staff writer Peter McGuire wrote an uplifting story about a summer farm camp in Albion and its plan to honor Cassidy Charette.

Cassidy, 17, died in a hayride crash last fall. She was riding on a wagon that went out of control and flipped at Harvest Hill Farms in the town of Mechanic Falls. Cassidy was an honor student, a gifted athlete and beloved friend. Berman & Simmons represents her family.

Cassidy attended camp at Hart-to-Hart camp for six summers, and was known as a caring, helpful teenager who was always smiling and laughing. In collaboration with Cassidy’s parents, the owners of the farm, Linda and Doug Hartkopf, plan to build a new kitchen and community center in memory of Cassidy. They are raising money for the project through a Gofundme page.

Here’s an excerpt from today’s article. Click here to read the full story.

ALBION — For six summers, Cassidy Charette joined other boys and girls for a day camp held at a small dairy farm nestled among hills and fields in south Albion.

The farm, owned by the Hartkopf family, is focused on organic, sustainable agriculture. The day camp celebrates that spirit by connecting kids to the land, animals and plants that are part of the farming cycle. For many kids, the most exciting part is making a connection with a single farm animal that they adopt for the week they’re at camp.

It was one of Cassidy’s favorite places, and an experience she looked forward to all year, said Monica Charette, of Oakland, her mother.

“It fostered a love and respect for animals and for the hardworking people, like the Hartkopfs, who make agriculture their life’s work,” Monica Charette said.

Cassidy loved taking care of the animals and would return to visit through the summer after her week of camp was finished. Her last year at camp was 2012.

Cassidy Jean