MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 marked the end of its sixth year with a family barbecue and awards ceremony June 20 at the gazebo picnic area on Main Street. After the meal, the group was welcomed by co-leader Nancy Winslow who introduced the troop members in attendance.
All were invited to salute the American flag, followed by each Scout reading a brief definition of each word or phrase in the Pledge in an “Explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance” ceremony. The Scouts and leaders then recited the Girl Scout Promise.
Each of the girls present that were bridging to Cadettes shared their personal thoughts and stories of the past two years as Juniors. Prior to the bridging ceremony, the girls sang a medley of their favorite songs including the “Girl Scout Smile Song” and “Make New Friends.”
All family and friends were invited to join the girls at the bridge for the formal ceremony. Current Cadette, Katelyn Amero, read a bridging poem, saying, in part, “Then over the bridge and on to Cadettes, with memories and pleasures we’ll never forget.”
Winslow presented each bridging Junior with a silver key, while co-leader Laurie Amero read, in part, “this silver key symbolizes that you are seeking to unlock the door to Girl Scout Cadettes as you begin your work on the Silver Leadership and Silver Award. Wear it as a symbol that you are in pursuit of the gold at the end of the Rainbow of the Girl Scout World.” After each received their silver key, the girls agreed to accept the challenges and responsibilities of being a Cadette Girl Scout. All then read a line in the “Challenge of Cadette Girl Scouting” before symbolically crossing to Cadettes. The girls were greeted on the other side of the bridge by the Ameros, while Katelyn welcomed them with the Girl Scout Handshake.
After the Juniors bridged to Cadettes, Winslow, mother and Troop 677 leader, bridged her oldest daughter, Stephanie, from Senior Girl Scouts to Ambassador Girl Scouts.
Following the bridging ceremony, co-leader Jennifer Buzza presented the girls with their new Cadette uniform vest and corresponding uniform pieces, their Guide to Cadette Girl Scouting handbook, a Bridge to Cadettes certificate and a new troop shirt.
The girls also received awards for various events and activities the troop took part in since April. Included in those awards were patches for roller skating and the Mother’s Day luncheon. As a troop, the Juniors earned the Simple Meals and Flowers badges and the Junior Safety Award pin. The ceremony concluded with a troop song.
Troop members include Delaney Alward, Katelyn Amero, Bethany Baker, Madelyn Buzza, Alexis Getchell, Sydney Robichaud and Amanda Winslow. The troop is led by Jennifer Buzza, Nancy Winslow and Laurie Amero.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Tyus Ambrose, Allen Brown, Danna Beaulieu, John Dougherty, Ashley Christie, Priscilla Gallagher, Olivia Keep, Matt Carney, Julie-Ane Brown, Ben LeBlanc II, Madelyn Wing and Jack Edward Buck.
Anniversaries
Happy anniversary this week to Mike and Betty Ireland on the 27th, Chris and Lynne Tenney on the 28th, Darren and Michelle Collins on the 29th, Mark and Lynn Christie on the 30th, and Michael and Tina Warner and Gordie and Rachel Boulier July 1.
Bike rodeo
The Bike Coalition of Maine and the Bike, Board and Ski Shop in Presque Isle will be sponsoring a bike rodeo in the Mapleton Elementary School yard tonight from 6-8 p.m. Children will receive instruction in bike safety, technique, on/off-road riding and the proper way to wear a helmet. Children are encouraged to bring their own bicycles to practice their skills on a rider course. The Coalition will be giving away 35 helmets during the event.
Chicken barbecue
The Mapleton Lions Club invites everyone to come out this Friday evening during the annual Mapleton Daze to its widely popular chicken barbecue. The menu includes a half barbecue chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, roll and choice of Coca-Cola soft drink. The club thanks Coca-Cola for its ongoing support of the Mapleton Lions Club projects at Mapleton Daze, Maple Meadow Farm Festival, the Mapleton recreation department family picnic and other special events hosted by the club. There will be plenty of tasty chicken along with plenty of sweet treats provided by the Methodist Ladies and the Mapleton Baptist youth.
Following the dinner, there will be live music leading up to the annual Mapleton Daze fireworks show at dusk. Each year, close to 1,000 friends and neighbors stop by for dinner or snack, and as result, the Mapleton Lions Club chicken barbecue has become the single largest gathering for family, neighbors and friends for food, fun and friendship.
Costume parade
The Mapleton Parent Organization is sponsoring a costume parade that will be held at the Mapleton Elementary School Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m. in conjunction with the annual Mapleton Daze activities. Children are encouraged to come dressed up like their favorite book character. There will be four age groups: Preschool, Pre-K/Kindergarten, Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-5. Prizes will be awarded in each category for best costume with a grand prize being raffled off.
Mapleton Daze parade
The annual Mapleton Daze parade will line up on the Dudley Road this Saturday at 9 a.m., with step off at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. The Bike Parade will start at the Pool Road and lead the Mapleton Daze parade through town. Participants need to be at the end of the Pool Road by 9:30 a.m. Awards will be given in four categories: under 2, ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. For more parade information, contact Deana Easler at 227-6128.
Whoopie pie contest
In an effort to introduce new events to the annual Mapleton Daze festivities, the Haystack Historical Society and The Pizza House will be hosting a Whoopie Pie Contest. The contest will be held at the Historical Society Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m.-noon. It is open to all ages and all baking abilities. Entries need to be brought to the museum between the hours listed above. Judging will take place by the members of the Historical Society promptly at noon. Prizes awarded have been donated by Anne Braley of The Pizza House.
Dodgeball tournament
The UMPI Disc Sports Club will be hosting a dodgeball tournament this Saturday at 5 p.m. at the pool field area during the Mapleton Daze festivities. Up to 16 teams with six to 10 players per team are welcome. Players must be over 16 years old and the entry fee is $10 per person. To register, contact A.J. Edgecomb at 484-8119.
Meal fundraisers
The Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C.A.N.C.E.R.) will be hosting a baked bean supper Saturday, June 28 during the Mapleton Daze weekend. The meal will be served at the Lions Hall from 5-6:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door.
The Mapleton Fire Department will be hosting a fund-raiser pancake breakfast Sunday, June 29 during the Mapleton Daze weekend at the fire station on the Pulcifur Road next to the Town Office.
Maynard attends UMaine NEW Leadership Institute
Melanie Maynard of Mapleton was in Orono May 30-June 4 for Maine NEW Leadership, a six-day, nonpartisan public leadership education program provided at no cost to college women from a wide range of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial and educational backgrounds and academic majors. Sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine, the program helps participants learn skills and develop networks that empower them to become civic and public leaders.
Twenty-seven emerging Maine leaders representing 17 different higher education institutions were selected through a competitive application process for this intensive, high-level training. Participants came from many of the University of Maine and Maine Community College campuses, Bowdoin College, Colby College, Bates College, Thomas College, Husson University, St. Joseph College and Hunter College.
Highlights of the week included touring the State House and meeting legislators, advocates and lobbyists; visiting the Margaret Chase Smith Library and learning about the leadership skills Sen. Smith embodied; networking with women leaders in business, education and politics; researching and analyzing legislation being considered by the state and holding mock press conferences and legislative hearings; learning how to work with people of opposing views and diverse backgrounds; hearing from a panel of NEW Leadership alumnae, which reflects the staying power of the program and highlights the fact that NEW Leadership alums are staying connected in Maine and stepping into leadership roles.
The NEW Leadership program originated at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey. In 2009, the University of Maine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center launched NEW Leadership in Maine, and 161 students have graduated from the program in its first six years. It is the only leadership program directed at college women across Maine. There are currently 27 colleges and universities in the national NEW Leadership network.
Maynard stated of the experience, “It was the most educational and inspiring conference I have attended; I highly recommend for all Maine college women to apply.”
Maynard is majoring in social work at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and expects to graduate in 2015.
Degree awarded
Sarah Beaulieu, of Mapleton, was among a record number of graduates (3,478) that were presented with diplomas at UMass Lowell’s 2014 Commencement exercises Saturday, May 17 at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. Beaulieu received an associate’s degree in information technology from the College of Sciences.
Sunday VBS
Mark your calendars! The Mapleton United Baptist Church will be hosting a Vacation Bible School on Sundays at the church from 10 a.m.-noon starting Sunday, July 6. Sessions will run for eight weeks. Watch this column for more details.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115 or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
