The Mapleton United Methodist Church held its annual Planet Head Day fundraiser for Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C-A-N-C-E-R) after its Sunday worship service on March 17. Two volunteers agreed to have their heads close-shaved and painted as a planet to raise funds to support cancer patients and families.
Members were treated to a light lunch following the worship service, during which the Planet Head ceremony took place. Pastor John Defelice took the lead by shaving his head prior to the event. He was joined by Saul Nunez, one of the younger members of the congregation. Saul’s brother Frank Nunez took great pleasure in giving Saul his close-cut haircut. At the same time, the other Nunez son, Cristian, began painting Pastor Defelice’s head as the planet Mars at the request of the congregation members present. Frank, assisted by their mother Heidi, painted Saul’s head as the blue planet.
All in the family plus a pastor was the theme for a Planet Head Day celebration on Sunday, March 17, after Mapleton United Methodist Church’s Sunday worship service. To the delight of the congregation, Pastor John Defelice, left, and Saul Nunez had their heads painted as planets by Saul’s brothers Cristian, back row left, and Frank, with coaching by their mother Heidi Nunez (not pictured). (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
They raised close to $200. The Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Seniors added $50 each for Defelice’s and Nunez’s willingness to star in Planet Head Day. The total will be added to the over $5,000. raised at the 13th annual Planet Head Day held the day before at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. All funds donated to or raised for C-A-N-C-E-R remain in this area.
C-A-N-C-E-R’s services include: Pharmacy programs that supply personal care products not available through other services; Bread of Life visitation on the third Tuesday of each month, when cancer patients are treated to home delivery of bread, all home-cooked and donated by local volunteers; tote bags filled with items selected specifically with the patient in mind; a message board from which patients and family caregivers can post messages, read messages and reply to others; chat rooms that provide real-time conversations just for C-A-N-C-E-R; and a Calendar of Events that lists C-A-N-C-E-R’s events, times and locations.
For more information, contact C-A-N-C-E-R at (207) 764-6826 or email info@C-A-N-C-E-R.com. Friendly greetings will come from the person answering or responding the call or email. Also the responder will give their time to share and care with you.
Maine Agri-Women recognize student
On Tuesday, March 19, Maine AgriWomen Judy Kenney and Maryanne Buck, on behalf of Wreaths Across America, recognized Christopher Nelson for his participation in the wreath-placing ceremony last December.
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- Maryanne Buck, left, and Judy Kenney from Maine Agri-Women presented Presque Isle Middle School student Christopher Nelson with a certificate of appreciation, sweatshirt and ball cap from Wreaths Across America, thanking him for playing “Taps” on his trumpet at the wreath-laying ceremony in December at Mapleton Southside Cemetery in remembrance of the veterans buried there. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Kenny and Buck attended a jazz concert for the Presque Isle Middle School student body, and at the beginning of the concert before all the students, they thanked Nelson for his support of the Wreaths Across America ceremony.
Nelson is a trumpeter who played “Taps” at the ceremony. He was dressed in a black suit to show his respect for the veterans buried in Mapleton Southside Cemetery. When he finished, many folks went over to thank him for playing. He said he was honored to be asked and that this was the best day of his life.
In recognition of his volunteerism and respectfulness during the ceremony, Wreaths Across America sent him a Certificate of Appreciation and a logo sweatshirt and ball cap. Kenney and Buck, co-chairs of the event, expressed their delight in being able to come make these presentations to Nelson and thank him for his support.
First Friday lunch
April showers will bring May flowers. The monthly First Friday Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 1, at the Mapleton Methodist Church. This is April Fools’ Day, so be prepared for surprises from the First Friday chefs.
Who knows what the chefs will prepare for lunch, but everyone will be thankful to get out of their houses into the warmer weather to join everyone at the church for lunch. The real joy is sharing a meal with longtime friends as well as making new friends, sharing family updates, and telling stories about all the snow we had this winter.
Remember there is no charge for the lunch, but donations will be accepted.
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.
