At the time of writing this column, the first three days of Mapleton Daze were terrifically successful. With large crowds turning out for the Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman Fire Department open house, the Dialed Action Sports BMX & MTB Stunt Show, the Baptist Park open house, the Big Bingo Game and the cribbage tournament, the Mapleton Daze Committee was very pleased with the start of the week.
The opening event of Mapleton Daze was the Mapleton Castle Hill Chapman Fire Department open house. Both young and old visitors enjoyed seeing and touching the fleet of fire engines and tanker trucks. Here on the right young Josiah Bouchard and on the left Eleanor Ward, who is 96, both enjoyed their time in the cab of the Mapleton Fire Department Engine #2.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The fire department open house was led by Fire Chief Adam Rider with the turnout of the department to show the fleet and the equipment they use. Folks of all ages came to see the engines up close and even ride in Engine 2. The Mapleton Daze Committee hosted a hot dog roast to help raise funds for the department and thanks everyone who came out to support the department.
Last Wednesday evening at Mapleton Daze, the Dialed Sports BMX & MTB Stunt Show was presented. Shown here is BMX Rider Matt Ray from Lowell, Massachusetts jumping his bike over five volunteer spectators to the amazement of the crowd. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
On Wednesday evening, one of the largest crowds ever turned out the bike stunt show. The crowd covered most of the Mapleton Elementary School parking lot. Three BMX bicycle riders did tricks while a fourth rider used a motorcycle ramp to show his stunts. Several spectators volunteered to be part of the show and riders jumped over them. At the end of the show, raffles were held for two BMX bicycles. The winners were Landon Cyr and Coleman Chasse.
Baptist Park in Mapleton held an open house as part of Mapleton Daze. A big hit at the Park is northern Maine’s largest Slip and Slide shown here. Baptist Park’s new summer camping season open this past Sunday.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The first annual Baptist Park open house experienced a large attendance of kids and parents who explored the campground and many of the activities found there. Kids rode bicycles, parents and kids played basketball, others played chess on the giant chess board, while still more played corn hole. Unfortunately the pool was down, but Joe Bicknell, Baptist Park counselor, with the help of other park staff, rolled out a 150-foot slip-and-slide. All the big and little kids enjoyed the soapy slide down the big hill in the middle of the campground. A hot roast with ice cream was held in the dining hall. Play and fun resumed.
Back at the Mapleton Elementary School, bingo was underway. The game outgrew the Mapleton Lions Hall, and was moved this year to the school cafeteria. The crowd filled the room to near standing-room-only capacity. There were many prize winners as there were more than a hundred donated prizes. A new local food truck vendor, Roadside Fries, was present.
Area card sharks were out for the Mapleton Daze cribbage tournament, which began as a way to remember local cribbage player Woodie Waddell. Here the players are making sure to record their scores accurately. The tournament winners this year were: Carolyn Watson, 1st place; Bonnie Ross, 2nd place and Van Haines, 3rd place.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Meanwhile in the school’s resource area, the cribbage tournament was being held for several local card sharks. There was a small entrance fee for each which was used to create cash prizes for the cribbage players. After playing several games against various players, the scores were totaled and the winters determined. The tournament winners were: Carolyn Watson, 1st place; Bonnie Ross, 2nd place, Van Haines, 3rd place. A special winner of a handmade cribbage board with the Mapleton Daze logo on it was won by Russell Hoffses through a raffle for the tournament players.
Next week this column will cover the last three big days of the Mapleton Daze.
Annual Squapan Outing Club bean hole bean supper
For those who are wanting traditional bean hole baked beans and barbeque, the place to be on Saturday, July 1 is the Squapan Outing Club landing pavilions at Scopan Lake.
Starting at 4 p.m. and ending at 6, the club will serve bean-hole beans, barbecue chicken, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, roll, homemade dessert and drink. The charge will be $12 for adults, $7 for children (5-12) and no charge for children under 4.
All funds raised will be used to support club projects. Additionally, Squapan Outing Club merchandise will be on sale during the supper featuring the new design.
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.
