Washburn Elementary School first- and second-grade students willingly help Crown of Maine Balloon Festival pilots Mark Fritze and Randy Lee squeeze the air out of the Fritze’s balloon “Freedom Flyer” in order to pack it away after their demonstration of hot air ballooning. (Photo courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, hosted by the Mapleton Lions Club and the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, has wrapped up for another year.
Even though some flights were cancelled due to high winds, the club thanks everyone for visiting and participating in the festival at the Presque Isle Fairgrounds and other sites. The Lions are the primary host sponsor and partner with the Chamber of Commerce to make this a successful annual event for Aroostook County.
Organizers are looking forward to the 2018 COMBF.
Additionally, the Mapleton Lions thank all who made purchases at the their food booth, as this is their final fundraiser for year. The Club is grateful to all who attended the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club pancake breakfast during the festival. Both clubs enjoy supporting the COMBF with delicious food through their fundraising efforts.
Photo contest
The Lions remind all amateur photographers who snapped balloon festival photos to enter the photo contest. The deadline is Sept. 22. There are two age divisions: 18 and under and 18 and older. The rules of the contest are online at the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest Website (http://www.crownofmaineballoonfest.org/balloon-photography/amateur-photography-contest/) or at the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
There are cash prizes as well as the publication of the winning photographs in next year’s Crown of Maine Balloon Fest 2019 calendar.
School open house
Principal Dan Duprey invites Mapleton Elementary School students and their parents to the open house tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend with their children to see the school before the fall session begins.
This open house is for grades 1-5 only. Pre-K and kindergarten classes held Cookie and Juice Day last week.
First Friday Luncheon
The First Friday Community Luncheon will be held at the Mapleton United Methodist Church on Sept. 1. Fall is coming quickly, so the menu will be the annual cookout. There will be hamburgers from the grill along with fixings and other picnic favorites.
The meal will be served at 11:30 a.m. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted.
Labor Day retreat
Baptist Park will host a Labor Day retreat, the last camping session of 2017, specifically for middle and high school campers.
The retreat starts Friday evening, Sept. 1, and ends Sunday morning, Sept. 3. The high-energy, fast paced weekend will feature Chaplain James Weatherbee leading devotional periods. Additionally there will be plenty of time for swimming at the pool, running the low ropes course, archery, zip lining, sports and tournaments, campfires and much more.
For information, contact Baptist Park at (207) 764-1832.
Gospel Singing
The West Chapman Advent Christian Church will host on Saturday, Sept. 9, an afternoon and evening of gospel music that will include singing and instrumental Christian music.
Music fellowship will start at 3:30 p.m. with a break at 5 p.m. for a potluck supper. Music will resume following the meal and continue until 8:30 p.m.
If you sing or play an instrument you are encouraged to join in. Bring your potluck dish and your singing voice. Don’t be shy. For more information, contact the church.
Soccer registration
The Mapleton after-school soccer program is tentatively scheduled to start Aug. 29 with assessments for the Pre-K and Kindergarten kids, with assessments for grades 1-3 Aug. 30 and for grades 4-6 Aug. 31. All players should attend assessments with their age group.
A schedule for specific game times will be made following assessment week. Each child will be put on a team, and will follow the schedule for that team. For more information, go to the Mapleton Recreation webpage at: www.mapleton.me/index.php/town-services/recreation.
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.
