Day Mountain Regional Middle School 8th graders, seen in picture, serve breakfast to a supportive crowd at the annual Hunter’s Breakfast fundraiser on Nov. 2. Funds raised will help cover costs for the class’s June rafting trip, T-shirts, and prom expenses in Strong. Submitted photo.

STRONG — Day Mountain Regional Middle School [DMRMS] held its third annual Hunter’s Breakfast on Nov. 2, continuing a longstanding tradition that began years ago at Phillips Elementary School. When the district restructured its schools three years ago, the breakfast tradition transitioned to DMRMS.

“This is the third year that the Hunter’s Breakfast is happening at DMRMS,” said Erica Bracy, the eighth-grade adviser and social studies teacher. “Three years ago, we had a reconfiguration of our district, and our three elementary schools that had pre-kindergarten to eighth grade changed. We now have two primary schools that are Pre-K to fourth grade and one middle school for fifth to eighth grades. However, Phillips Elementary did a Hunter’s Breakfast for many, many years when they had eighth grade.”

Youth hunters in Maine celebrate the annual tradition of hunters’ breakfasts, gathering early in the morning to enjoy hearty meals and connect with the local hunting community. These breakfasts, held in community spaces and sportsmen’s clubhouses, foster a spirit of camaraderie and mentorship, offering a chance for seasoned hunters to share stories and advice with the next generation.

“This is one of our bigger events, the townspeople are wonderful about coming out to support the eighth grade,” Bracy said, noting the importance of community involvement for this event.

With tickets priced at $8 for adults, $5 for children and free admission for those under five, the breakfast drew strong attendance, helping students raise essential funds. Approximately 10 eighth graders arrived as early as 4 a.m. to volunteer as waitstaff, while the entire 34-member class contributed by creating posters, gathering food donations, and preparing breakfast items.

“Because the Phillips school had always done a Hunter’s Breakfast, it made sense to keep that tradition and continue on doing this as an eighth-grade fundraiser,” Bracy explained.

The class has also organized a series of fundraising activities to meet their $8,000 goal, which will help cover the costs for their trip, class T-shirts and the eighth-grade prom. The next event will be a craft fair Nov. 16, where 40 tables have already been reserved. Students will sell hotdogs, chips, and baked goods and host a raffle with items donated by local businesses. Other planned fundraisers include a Fedco seed sale, basketball season concessions, a possible family holiday dance, bottle drives, and a Valentine’s Day flower sale.

“Community members can come out and support any of our fundraising activities. Donations are always welcome,” Bracy said.

Bracy said support from local businesses has been instrumental in lowering costs. Last year, contributions from The Local Bull, Valley Brook Variety in Avon, and the Phillips Shop and Save [formerly Edmunds] helped significantly reduce expenses, and students expressed their gratitude with thank-you cards.

“Since the reconfiguration, the communities have really come out to show support for the class,” Bracy noted.

For those interested in contributing to upcoming events, Bracy can be reached at ebracy@msad58.org.