MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
The Mapleton Lions Club is entering its 57th year of community service and support. This coming Saturday, May 3, the 52nd annual Mapleton Lions charity auction and dinner will be held at the Lions’ Hall.
Dinner will be served from 4:30-6 p.m. and the menu will include baked ham with big and small baked beans, potato salad and a variety of dessert treats. Hot dogs will be available for children.
Immediately following the dinner, at 6:30 p.m., the Mapleton Lions Club will auction several hundred items and services donated by businesses in Presque Isle, Mapleton, Ashland and Portage. There will be gift certificates for groceries, car services and dining out. There will also be bags of fresh bread, potato chips, 50-pound bags of potatoes, an eye exam and glasses from Dr. Richard Graves and a variety of tools. This year a special item being offered is a hot air balloon flight for two during the annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in August. Everyone is invited to come, place a bid and go home with a deal for the year. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit Lions Club charities.
What are Lions Club charities? These are all local organizations and individuals helped through the funds raised by the Mapleton Lions Club. The Club makes available to the community the Lions Hall for special events that help children and youth such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Mapleton Summer Recreation Program, and the various Mapleton pageants.
The Club also helps individuals and families with serious health and emergency needs. Over the years, benefits for cancer and fire victims raised several thousands of dollars for families because the Club could provide the hall free of charge for the special event. However, the Club must maintain and heat the hall throughout the year and it does this through rentals for family and group events and through the annual Lion auction fundraising. The Lions also contribute to the Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp and will host their super supper later this year. Project Graduation is supported along with providing up to three college scholarships each year.
The Mapleton Lions Club is the host sponsor for the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Mapleton Daze and the Maple Meadow Farm Festival. Your support of the Mapleton Lions Club Auction and the Mapleton Lions Club chicken barbecue at Mapleton Daze makes all of the Club’s charitable work possible. You are encouraged to come have a good time this Saturday evening. Have a tasty supper before the auction and then stay and get a deal that will benefit Lions Club charities.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Abby Estey, Jessica Boucher, Trent Stephenson, Madelynn Putnam, Paige Doyen, Mimi Lewandowski, Shelby Robinson, Howard Brown, Alcide Carney and Christi Hunter Doyen.
Anniversary
Happy anniversary this week to Jon and Lynn Frederick on May 4.
Church luncheon
The Mapleton United Methodist Church will be hosting its monthly luncheon this Friday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy a great meal! Donations accepted.
Scholastic book fair
The Mapleton Parent Organization at Mapleton Elementary School will be hosting its annual spring book fair starting this Friday, May 2 and continuing through Friday, May 9. This is the popular “buy one, get one free” sale! What a great way to add to your child’s library while helping out the efforts of the MPO!
Class of 1949 reunion
A reunion is being planned for Mapleton High School’s Class of 1949. Anyone who was ever a member of the class from elementary school up through high school is invited to attend. The reunion will be held Friday, June 28 at noon at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. To RSVP, please contact Esther Bull Hewett at 762-3731 or Connie Moran McCrum at 570-7456.
Mapleton Daze
It’s not too early to be thinking about summer and the upcoming Mapleton Daze! Committee organizers are looking for entries for this year’s parade! If you would like to put an entry in the parade, please email Deana Easler at easler.dee45@gmail.com or call her at 227-6128.
Groups needed
The Mapleton Daze Committee is looking for volunteer groups that would be willing to provide free activities for children during the June festival. The activities for children will be moved to the soccer field at the Mapleton Community Pool. If any group is interested in organizing games or other outdoor activities, please contact Nola Farley at 551-5665 or email nola.farley@gmail.com.
Bands wanted
The Mapleton Daze Committee is looking for local bands that would like to participate in the annual parade for a “Battle of the Bands” contest. Participants will play and/or sing and be judged on their performance. Prizes will be awarded. Please contact Deana Easler at easler.dee45@gmail.com or at 227-6128 for more information and to register.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115, or by email at jbuzza@ainop.com.
