On Tuesday evening, June 22, Mapleton Daze began with a solemn remembrance ceremony for those who were lost to the COVID-19 virus.
Participating in the ceremony were Lynnelle Foster, Mapleton Daze chairwoman; Jay Reynolds, MD; Rev. Nathan Gardiner; Maddie Buzza, 2021 Presque Isle High School graduate; Sandra Fournier, town manager; Chunzeng Wang, PhD, of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and Kelly O’Mara, WAGM news director/anchor.
Rev. Gardiner opened and closed the ceremony in prayer. Buzza played the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the opening of ceremony. Reynolds recalled the challenges COVID-19 has brought to Maine and Aroostook County in particular. O’Mara sang “Amazing Grace” prior to a 48-balloon release in memory of the Aroostook County persons who lost their lives to the virus.
The Mapleton Daze Dialed Action BMX Bike Show was an exciting and entertaining show, especially as one of the professional riders did an aerial somersault over a group of volunteers from the audience.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
BMX bike show
Last Wednesday evening, the Dialed Action Sports BMX Show was attended by several hundred kids and their parents. This travelling show was brought from New Jersey. Riders on BMX bicycles and using large ramps performed many special aerial tricks, including jumps over the audience.
After the show two BMX bikes were given away. The lucky winners were Matthew Lavaway and Evelynn Wardwell, who left with a bike and a big smile each.
Downstairs at the Mapleton Lions Hall the Woodie Waddell Annual Cribbage Tournament was held. Troy Stephenson was the winner, while his dad, Roger, came in third. Troy credited his dad for teaching him all he knows about cribbage.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Games in the hall
Thursday evening at Mapleton Daze featured two floors of game players at the Lions Hall – Bingo on the main floor and the Woodie Waddell Annual Cribbage Tournament downstairs. More than 100 Bingo players filled the hall to maximum capacity . Free hot dogs and Fox Chips were available to the players. More than 50 donated prizes were given away to the game’s winners.
Downstairs a neighborly rivalry was brewing over cribbage boards and cards. The Waddell Cribbage Tournament is conducted annually in memory of Woodie Waddell, a Mapleton Lions Club member, who spent many hours playing cribbage with club members and neighbors. This year’s tournament winner was Troy Stephenson.
Lynelle Foster (left), Mapleton Daze chairwoman, certifies a winning Bingo card at the Mapleton Daze game night. A full house of players made the event a success.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Lynnelle Foster, Mapleton Daze chairwoman, was grateful for the turnout of players, and all appreciated the many nonperishable foods for the community pantry given by the players.
Troop’s final ceremony
Monday, June 7, was a bittersweet day for Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 after 13 years.
The remaining three Scouts, Bethany Baker, Madelyn Buzza and Amanda Winslow, along with their three co-leaders, Jennifer Buzza, Nancy Winslow and Laurie Amero, celebrated their last awards ceremony at the pavilion near the community pool, bridging the final girls to adults.
Family and friends gathered to view troop scrapbooks and reminisced about the fun events and activities they shared. Jennifer Buzza welcomed everyone to the final of approximately 30 awards ceremonies the troop has held over the years. All were invited to join in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scouts recited the Girl Scout Promise.
Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 held their final ceremony as a troop on June 7. Pictured with the handmade personalized bridge they crossed as they formally bridged to adults are, from left, co-leader Laurie Amero, co-leader Nancy Winslow, Amanda Winslow, Katelyn Amero, Bethany Baker, Madelyn Buzza and co-leader Jennifer Buzza. The troop was together for 13 years serving the tri-community area.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Nancy and Laurie joined Jennifer to present each of the girls with their awards earned since last June. Although the pandemic had greatly limited participation, the three were able to stay active in some capacity. They all took part in the fall product sale as well as the annual cookie sale that was a bit later this year. A couple of the girls went Christmas shopping for area foster children as well as for items to support their Class of 2021’s Project Graduation fundraiser auction, attended an SAD 1 school board meeting and the annual John Edgecomb Memorial Garden cleanup.
All received their second-year Ambassador Membership star pin and a Class of 2021 Graduate patch.
Individually, Madelyn earned the Ambassador Dinner Party badge and Ambassador Community Service Bar, which requires at least 20 hours of community service to one organization. Amanda earned the Ambassador Good Credit badge and the Ambassador Cookie Year 2 pin.
The girls’ mothers were recognized with Family Star certificates for their support and contributions to the troop, which were presented by their daughters, while the girls each received a silver star patch.
It was announced that each of the girls, including 2020 graduate, Katelyn Amero, are now all lifetime members of Girl Scouting. They received a membership card and pin and the Class of 2021 members each received a green and white tassel with Girl Scout charm.
Each Scout received a framed collage of photos from their last 13 years as a Girl Scout, along with a graduation card and scholarship from the troop to use towards their higher education expenses. The troop is working on one final community service project together that will be completed and announced later this summer.
Madelyn was also recognized for her continued work on her Gold Award project and that she will be celebrating with an awards ceremony later this summer.
The girls each shared special memories from their time in the troop and what has meant the most to them as they look back over the past 13 years. The leaders also shared thoughts and remembered all former members: Taylor, Brooke, Paige, Jenna, Delaney, Alexus, Rebecca, Sydney and Alexis.
The three Scouts completed the Bridge to Adults requirements, including writing and mailing letters to Senior level Girl Scouts in Aroostook County, sharing some of their favorite memories of being an Ambassador Scout. They also had to interview an adult Girl Scout and ask a couple of questions about the Girl Scout legacy and what has been their highlight of volunteering. The girls submitted their completed application to the Girl Scouts of Maine Council and received a Bridge to Adults certificate and pin for their uniform.
Katelyn Amero read the Bridge to Adults ceremony and each of the three girls crossed the wooden bridge designed and painted by Laurie Amero. The girls were met on the other side of the bridge by their co-leaders and Katelyn, being greeted as official Adult Girl Scouts.
The ceremony concluded with the girls and leaders taking part in one last Friendship Circle.
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.
