Sue Skidgell, Mapleton’s election registrar, reported the turnout of voters on March 3 was substantially higher than normal. She and the poll workers were very busy all day with many new voters registering for the first time in the town. She had also been in touch with several of her peers across the state, who reported the turnout was so great that they had run out pre-printed ballots and were copying additional ballots to accommodate the number of voters at their polls.
Skidgell was not sure what brought out so many voters, given only two questions: one for the choice of presidential candidate and the second the referendum on the repeal of mandatory vaccinations against various communicable diseases. Both seemed to have considerable voter interest that caused the high turnout.
Three young Mapleton friends came in to register as new voters that day and to cast their first votes as young adults. Rebecca Rider and Libby Moreau, seniors at Presque Isle High School and teammates on the Presque Isle Wildcat varsity girls basketball team, came after softball practice to the poll. With them was Laura Garrison, who graduated from the high school last year. All three were excited to exercise their right to cast their first votes in the Maine 2020 primary.
Last Tuesday’s primary election brought out many new and unregistered voters in Mapleton, with increased voter participation. Among the new voters registered were these three friends, from left, Laura Garrison, Rebecca Rider and Libby Moreau, who recently turned 18 and were excited to cast their first votes as adults. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
New auction format
Looking to take a flight in a hot air balloon, need an oil change, need some new ratchet wrenches, or want a subscription to The Star-Herald? Visit the 58th annual Mapleton Lions Club Auction starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the Mapleton Lions Hall.
Lions Club members are now completing their solicitation of nearly 400 items, gift certificates and services that will be auctioned in support of the club’s charitable activities.
This year the Lions will run their auction online, as well as host the auction at the hall. Member Matt Gregg will chair the auction again this year and will assist the club’s effort to expand its annual auction online. Lion Ron Leonard will lead the auctioneering at the hall with assistance from Gregg.
Club president Richard Fowler said the auction is the group’s single largest fundraising event and accounts for approximately 70 percent of the club’s annual income.
Any member will be willing to accept donations for the support of the Lions Club projects.
The traditional public ham and bean dinner will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. by the Lions prior to the auction. Everyone is encouraged to either go online or come out to support the Mapleton Lions Club in their annual fundraising evening. More information will be made available when the online bidding goes live.
March senior luncheons
The next luncheon for the Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Senior Citizens group is scheduled for this coming Monday, March 16. Caroline Ballerstein reminds everyone over age 55 who lives in Central Aroostook is invited to attend and join the group.
Please keep in mind the luncheon is potluck.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 207-764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
