From left, Rep. Mark Bryant-D, Sen. Bill Diamond-D and far right, Rep. Patrick Corey-R, Windham’s legislative delegation, present a sentiment to Florence Hawkes, former operator of Hawkes Family Farm Stand in Windham on Friday, Aug. 27.

Florence Hawkes, former operator of Hawkes Family Farm Stand in Windham, was honored Friday, Aug. 27, with a special commemoration.

The town’s legislative delegation, Rep. Mark Bryant-D, Sen. Bill Diamond-D and Rep. Patrick Corey-R, presented Hawkes with an official sentiment to mark the Route 302 farm stand’s closing.

The stand closed last year after having sold fresh produce to the community since 1932.

Three generations of Hawkes have managed farmland off of Windham Center Road and sold their produce at the Roosevelt Trail farm stand. They were known for picking their fruit and vegetables in the morning and selling the produce that same day.

Hawkes’ son, Bob Hawkes, who tended the farm since his father died in 2004, went full-time with his job in Florida and was unable to return to Maine during the summer months to farm.

Hawkes said one of their best sellers was corn, which they sold in multiple varieties.

The land and the farm stand have stayed as-is this summer to “remind people we’re gone,” Hawkes said. The family currently has no plans to sell the land or the stand.

Hawkes and her family were holding their annual summer celebration when the legislators presented their sentiment. When the farm was operating, the party was held yearly to thank those who helped on the farm, said Hawkes.

Hawkes said in early spring the family began telling residents, many of them devoted customers, that they would no longer be operating the stand.

– Tess Wrobleski