MAPLETON, Maine — The Mapleton summer recreation programs have only two left in the 2019 summer season. The annual recreation cookout will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Mapleton Elementary School. The championship game will be played earlier in the afternoon. The Mapleton Lions Club will be grilling hot dogs and providing the drinks for picnic attendees.
Parents and supporters attending the picnic are to bring side dishes, salads or desserts for the potluck picnic. Awards, recognitions and other awards will be presented after the picnic supper. Kids and their families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Daze thanks volunteers
Now that the dust has settled from Mapleton Daze, Lynnelle Foster, Mapleton Daze Chair, took the time to personally thank everyone for all they did to make Mapleton Daze a success this year.
“This was our 30th annual Mapleton Daze. Our neighbors and friends helped us do things in every possible way to achieve a successful year doing everything from setup, takedown sponsoring or manning the many events of Mapleton Daze week,” the committee said.
“People took on assigned volunteer jobs as well as filled gaps in volunteer coverage that were not their jobs but they did it anyway! That is exactly what our committee loves about our small community and exactly why we spearhead this event each year. This community volunteerism truly reflects what it means to be part of a small town that makes Mapleton Daze look like a well-oiled team machine.”
Mapleton Daze success was the result of active volunteers who came out to work, rain or shine. Here, volunteers from the five churches prepare and serve free breakfast sandwiches in the pouring rain. They served nearly the same number of individuals as they did last year. (Courtesy Terry Sandusky)
The committee received many compliments and expressions of appreciation. Foster said, “It’s always nice to see that our efforts are appreciated. It does not go unnoticed that we have so much help and participation from our community members.”
She added, “We are thankful for regular sponsors, volunteers and all our guests who attended. The new events sponsored by the five churches and the new talent show added freshness and fun to Mapleton Daze.”
Mapleton Daze is a weather-dependent event. This year there were some rough weather moments that included rain on Friday evening, which delayed the fireworks show, and on Saturday morning, which reduced participation in the Breakfast on Top of Haystack Mountain and the five-church free breakfast.
Fortunately, the rain stopped right as the parade stepped off Saturday morning. The remainder of the weekend turned warm and sunny. Even in the rain, these events went forward because of the volunteers’ commitment to seeing the events were run as planned.
The committee has begun planning for the 31st Mapleton Daze in 2020 and look forward to seeing everyone back in Mapleton next June.
Camp ends 88th season
Mapleton Baptist Park will end its 88th camping season this week. The first camp week was for the youngest overnight campers, ages 6-8. For most of these youngsters, this is their first time to stay overnight away from home and family. These young campers learn independence as well as the value of teamwork.
Older campers in the following weeks learned teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Additionally, evening chapel services, daily devotional sessions, talent shows and lots of camping activities are routine events.
In an effort to meet future camper desires and interests for other types of learning that can be done in a camp environment, Baptist Park added three special camping weeks.
One week called Flight Camp introduced campers to the basic of flight, navigation and aircraft construction. Actual flight experience was provided to each camper.
This week the park is providing a unique blend of traditional camping with educational programs in “Theater and Digital Arts.” Campers could choose to learn about the theater and acting or could learn about video production. Theater campers will prepare a show that is performed for a nursing home, parents and other campers. Digital Arts campers are learning how to operate video cameras and editing software in order to create a video program for the camp closing.
This year Baptist Park undertook significant renovations to dorms and its indoor heated pool. These repairs and upgrades were made in in preparation for the 89th camping season in 2020.
Camp supporters are looking forward to many more years of camp operations and expect many youth to and enjoy the unique opportunities Baptist Park offers.
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.
