MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
A celebration was held at the Mapleton United Methodist Church May 2 to honor Mapleton’s oldest resident, Pearl Williams. According to Williams, she has lived in Mapleton her entire life, with the exception of four years, from 1958-62, when she lived in Presque Isle.
Williams was born in 1921, and her father, Harry Hudson, was the very first cane holder for Mapleton in 1980. The cane that Town Manager Jon Frederick presented to Williams was the very same cane that was presented to her father 34 years ago.
Also in attendance was Williams’ older sister, Gertie Oakes. If Oakes still resided in Mapleton, she would have been named the oldest citizen at 97.
During the presentation, Frederick spoke briefly about the history of the Boston Post Cane and that the tradition started in 1909. The tradition did not include women until 1930. As per tradition, the cane belongs to the town and the recipients in Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill are presented with a plaque in their honor. Their names are also included on a plaque that is on display at the Town Office.
Williams lives with her daughter, Linda Kurilec, and her other daughter, Penny Esposito, lives in New York. Williams also had a son, Danny Belyea, who predeceased her.
Over 50 family and friends gathered for the cane presentation, which was followed by a chicken and biscuit dinner put on by the United Methodist Women. Williams’ niece, Sherry Thibodeau, provided some musical entertainment after the meal.
The current oldest citizen in Castle Hill is Elwyn Richardson, who received his honor in 2013. Arline Knight, the oldest citizen in Chapman, received her honor in 2011.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Melissa Buck, Sylvia Bridgam, Asher Carter, Matthew Doyen, Natalie Putnam, Bonnie Johnson, Kristi Stoutamyer, Billy Doyen, Hilary Jo Bard and Luca Tenney.
Anniversaries
Happy anniversary this week to Dennis and Myra Hoffses on the 16th, Sam and Mitzi Rogers on the 19th, and Dan and Jenn Edgecomb, Brent and Melissa Dyer and Bob and Lorie Hoffses on the 20th.
Castle Hill student delivers speech at commencement
Justin D. Lewin, of Castle Hill, delivered a student speech at the 2014 Commencement at the University of Maine at Orono Saturday, May 10.
Lewin majored in biology and has begun graduate work toward a master of science in teaching. His numerous academic honors include an Armed Forces Communication & Electronics Association STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship and Maine PSP Summer Undergraduate Research Assistant Fellowship, both in 2012, and a UMaine Center for Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the spring of 2013.
This spring, with a grant from the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, Lewin interned at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor. His work in a reproductive biology lab there focused on better understanding spermatogenesis that may lead to potential targets for infertility treatment and/or male contraception. On campus, Lewin’s research in the School of Biology and Ecology included collaborating with Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Michelle Smith, analyzing the effectiveness of clickers (personal response systems) in middle school science education classes.
He also was a teaching partner at Leonard Middle School and a tutor at Stillwater Montessori School, both located in Old Town. Lewin has been active in UMaine’s Peer Tutor Program and served as president of the Community Governing Board and as a UMaine resident assistant. He was an active community volunteer.
Lewin expects to complete his master’s degree in 2016. He is the son of Rachel (Argraves) Ellis and Hebert Lewin. He is the grandson of Ron Argraves Sr. of Castle Hill, and is a 2010 graduate of Presque Isle High School.
College graduate
Keenan Eaton, of Mapleton, graduated May 3 from Maine Maritime Academy with a bachelor of science degree in engineering operations. He will return in the fall for a fifth year for a bachelor of science degree in marine systems engineering.
Eaton has spent over 180 days sailing aboard two different vessels during his enrollment at the academy. Most recently he sailed aboard the T/S State of Maine as the cadet third engineer. This summer he will be completing his co-op requirements in the Midwest. He will be serving as an intern as a member of the power engineer division at Kiewit Power Co. in Kansas City. While there, he will learn the process of large-scale power generation station procurement, construction and commissioning.
On campus, he is a member of the regiment of midshipmen at the Academy and is actively involved in many extracurricular activities. He is the president of the school’s mentoring club and president of the student athletic advisory committee. He is also the captain of the NCAA Division III golf team and spends time tutoring students and assisting teachers when he can.
Eaton is the son of Mike and Torry Eaton of Mapleton. He graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2010.
National Guard promotion
Brig. Gen. James D. Campbell, the adjutant general for Maine, would like to announce that Spc. Logan Craig, of Mapleton, has been promoted to the rank of Detachment 1 in the 3rd Battalion of the 172nd Infantry Regiment.
Craig is a 2013 graduate of Presque Isle High School and is currently a student at the University of Maine at Orono in the physics bachelor of science degree program. He is now on his way to mountain warfare training at Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho, Vt. for two weeks.
He is the son of Larry and Eva Craig of Mapleton.
Birth announcement
Landon Patrick Gagnon, newborn son of RJ and Kari Gagnon of Lewiston, was born April 29 at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. He is the grandson of Don and Laural Grant of Lisbon and Bob and Bonnie Gagnon of Mapleton.
Fund-raising events
Each Tuesday in May has been designated “Betty Tuesday” at The Pizza House in Mapleton from 4-8 p.m. A percentage of all sales will benefit cancer survivor and West Chapman resident Betty Ireland. Home delivery of meals will be available in the Mapleton area on Tuesdays. To place an order, call the restaurant at 764-3600.
On Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, the Mapleton Diner will contribute a percentage of its sales to Betty. For more information or to place a takeout order, call the Diner at 764-0056.
Contributions may also be made to the Mapleton Baptist Church “Betty Benefit.” Donations can be mailed to the church at P.O. Box 174, Mapleton, Maine 04757.
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.
