MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
Maine author Lynn Plourde spent some time at Mapleton Elementary School April 30 doing performances of her books, then working in small groups with students in grades 1 through 4.
Plourde has written dozens of children’s books including “Dino Pets,” “Snow Day,” “A Mountain of Mittens” and “You’re Wearing THAT To School?” Plourde grew up in Skowhegan, but now resides in Winthrop.
In conjunction with her visit to local elementary schools, she was the guest author and keynote speaker at the Aroostook Right to Read Young Authors Institute that was held May 2 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
For more information about Plourde, visit her website at www.lynnplourde.com.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Arthur Langille, Tucker Lamoreau, Michael McPherson, Adam Stoutamyer, Glendon Braley, LuAnne Michaud and Bob Hilt.
Anniversary
Happy anniversary this week to Willie and Carole Soucy on the 9th.
Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 celebrated its sixth annual Court of Awards Ceremony Thursday, April 17. Troop members and their families gathered at the Mapleton United Baptist Church for the formal awards ceremony.
The ceremony opened with each of the girls being introduced by co-leader Jennifer Buzza, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, Girl Scout Promise and the song, “Make New Friends.”
Co-leader Nancy Winslow created a Power Point presentation featuring photos of the troop’s events and activities since its last ceremony in November. Each of the girls spoke about the events, describing what took place and their personal experiences.
The activities the girls took part in during the past five months included cooking with Mapleton Diner owner Darcy McBay, going to the Maine Jump, participating in the 2014 annual cookie sale and cookie rally, making flatbread pizzas, ice skating at The Forum, making mini scrapbooks, working with photography students from the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technology Center to earn their digital photography badge, attending Girl Scout Sunday, making SWAPS for the Scout Show with Mrs. Getchell, selling cookies at the cookie booth, having a booth at the annual Scout Show at the Aroostook Centre Mall (where they earned their Native American Lore patch), roller skating at the Melody Roller Rink in Caribou and the cookie “share” delivery to Meals on Wheels in Presque Isle.
The girls each took part in the reading of a “B-A-D-G-E-S” poem before their leaders presented them with the awards they had earned to date. In addition to the troop awards, the leaders recognized the four top cookie sellers this year. In all, the troop sold a total of 2,604 boxes of cookies during this year’s sale. Ninety-seven boxes were purchased by customers to donate to the Meals on Wheels project. Being honored were Katelyn Amero, 313 boxes; Amanda Winslow, 420 boxes; Bethany Baker, 450 boxes; and Madelyn Buzza, 665 boxes. All four girls have earned a free week at Girl Scout camp for meeting the 10-step requirements issued by the Girl Scouts of Maine Council.
One of the troop’s traditions is to honor the mothers that go above and beyond, donating extra time to benefit the troop and its activities. The Girl Scouts of Maine Council has created a special patch program to specifically honor volunteers for serving as leaders, assisting with planning troop activities, providing transportation for outings, helping at meetings, and counting money from troop fundraisers. This year the troop honored all seven mothers: Wendy Maple, Laurie Amero, Laura Baker, Jennifer Buzza, Tammy Getchell, Jennifer Robichaud and Nancy Winslow. The mothers each received a certificate of appreciation and the girls each received a patch for their uniform vest.
To conclude the ceremony, the girls sang “Cecil the Caterpillar” and all were invited to stay and enjoy cake afterward. Troop members include Cadette Katelyn Amero and Juniors Delaney Alward, Bethany Baker, Madelyn Buzza, Alexis Getchell, Sydney Robichaud and Amanda Winslow. The troop is led by Jennifer Buzza, Nancy Winslow and Laurie Amero.
Fund-raising events
Each Tuesday in May has been designated “Betty Tuesday” at The Pizza House in Mapleton from 4-8 p.m. A percentage of all sales will benefit cancer survivor and West Chapman resident Betty Ireland. Home delivery of meals will be available in the Mapleton area on Tuesdays. To place an order, call the restaurant at 764-3600.
On Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, the Mapleton Diner will contribute a percentage of its sales to Betty. For more information or to place a takeout order, call the Diner at 764-0056.
Contributions may also be made to the Mapleton Baptist Church “Betty Benefit.” Donations can be mailed to the church at P.O. Box 174, Mapleton, Maine 04757.
Book fair
Don’t forget that the Mapleton Parent Organization is hosting its annual spring “Buy One, Get One Free” book fair this week! The fair will run daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m.
Class of 1949 reunion
A reunion is being planned for Mapleton High School’s Class of 1949. Anyone who was ever a member of the class from elementary school up through high school is invited to attend. The reunion will be held Friday, June 28 at noon at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. To RSVP, please contact Esther Bull Hewett at 762-3731 or Connie Moran McCrum at 570-7456.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115, or by email at jbuzza@ainop.com.
