On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Mapleton Lions Hall was the scene of the first-ever running of the Girl Scouts Sapphire Grand Prix model car races.
Girl Scouts from Ashland, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Easton, Mars Hill and Bridgewater came to Mapleton for their first Sapphire Grand Prix. They named the racing event after their local Girl Scout area, which is named Sapphire.
GRAND PRIX WINNERS — Winners of the first Girl Scout Sapphire Grand Prix, held at the Mapleton Lions Hall Feb. 4, are, from left: first place, Marleigh Spoto of Troop 1151, Ashland; second place, Diane Botting of Troop 806, Presque Isle; third place, Abigail Leblanc-Eggert of Troop 726, Presque Isle; and fourth place, JoLea Robinson of Troop 187, Mapleton. (Photo courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Local troop leaders said they were happy with the number of girls participating. There were 35 girls and three adults racing their cars in the event, which they described as an excellent turnout for the first-ever grand prix.
Marleigh Spoto of Troop 1151 from Ashland won first place. Diane Botting from troop 806 in Presque Isle came next, in second place, followed by Abigail Leblanc-Eggert of Presque Isle, Troop 726, in third place and JoLea Robinson, Mapleton Troop 187, in fourth place.
A special-feature adult race between Nancy and Willie Winslow, who raced their cars against each other, turned out to be a highlight of the day.
The Sapphire Grand Prix is one of many different learning and personal development activities that young girls find in Scouting.
These leaders want readers to know they are always looking for new members and volunteers. Anyone interested in learning more about Girl Scouts can join them through their website: www.girlscoutsofmaine.org.
The Sapphire Area Girl Scouts thanked the Mapleton Lions Club for making the Lions Hall available to them for their afternoon of racing.
First Friday luncheon
The Mapleton United Methodist Church will hold its regular First Friday Luncheon on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend.
These luncheons are excellent times to meet and talk with friends and neighbors. There is no charge for the lunch but donations are accepted.
Senior citizens
The Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Senior Citizens enjoyed a trip to Presque Isle with lunch at Bonanza on March 6.
Girl Scouts Kaydence Howes, left, and Marleigh Spoto of Troop 1151 Ashland compete an early racing heat during the inaugural Sapphire Grand Prix, held in Mapleton in February. Spoto went on to capture first place in the event. (Photo courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The coming April 3 meeting will return to the Mapleton Methodist Church. Also, the second meeting of the month will return to its potluck format at the church. Those attending should bring something for the potluck and a place setting.
Garbage collection ends
The Pay-As-You-Throw garbage program ends in two days on March 31. Beginning Saturday, April 1, all residents in the three towns must have a private trash and garbage removal service provide curbside pickup to replace the PAYT service.
Information has been posted on the towns’ website.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
