Mapleton News
by Jennifer Buzza
On Jan. 9, Mapleton resident Madeline Wilcox was the guest of honor at her own surprise party! The party was given by her family as she celebrated her 88th birthday.
Over 100 family members and friends gathered at the Mapleton Lion’s Hall to enjoy a potluck lunch, birthday cake, and memories of Madeline’s life.
Each of Madeline’s seven children were in attendance: Joan (Wilcox) Stevens of Presque Isle, Richard Wilcox of Mapleton, Avis (Wilcox) Desjardins of Easton, Juanita Kelleher of Mentor, Ohio, Peter Wilcox of Mapleton, Alan Wilcox of Chapman, and Dolores Hatch of Oxford.
Many of Madeline’s family members, including her 81-year-old sister, Mary Carter of Vernon, Vt., were unable to attend.
Some of Madeline’s children took turns telling stories they recalled from their childhood. Daughter Juanita spoke of a time that her mother asked her father to make the morning coffee. He was reluctant, saying that it was her job as the wife to make coffee. Madeline was very quick to inform her husband that it clearly stated in the Bible that “He-brews.”
Son Peter outlined his mother’s daily routines, which included taking care of the animals on their farm, making butter, preparing meals and doing laundry for 11 family members, taking time to read the Bible as a family, and then starting the entire routine all over again at the beginning of the week. Peter wanted to tell a specific story that involved his father, but after checking with his mother first, she did not give him permission to share it!
Daughter Joan told of her mother filling in as a truck driver on their farm when her father was short-handed one day. It was potato harvest time and she was nine months pregnant and went into labor while driving! Joan referred to her mother as “super mom.”
Son Richard spoke, wishing his mother a “happy birthday” and daughter Dolores thanked her siblings for taking care of their mother when she and sister Juanita were unable to because of the physical distance between them.
Madeline thanked everyone for attending, saying that the party was “a big surprise!” When she left earlier that morning, she thought she was on her way to the Pizza House for lunch with the Waddell family! Granddaughter Rebecca Hatch created a slide show of family pictures set to music and following the show, Donald Saucier, Paul Clayton and Jim Henderson took to the stage for some musical entertainment. Merle Wilcox provided the “train calling.”
Madeline has seven children, 24 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Happy Birthday, Madeline!
Photo courtesy of Jennifer BuzzaMAPLETON RESIDENT Madeline Wilcox sits and listens as over 100 family members and friends sing “Happy Birthday” at her 88th surprise birthday party.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Buzza
MADELINE WILCOX of Mapleton was the guest of honor at her 88th surprise birthday party given by her family. All seven of her children were in attendance. Pictured with their mother are, front row, from left: Joan (Wilcox) Stevens, Madeline Wilcox and Avis (Wilcox) Desjardins. Back row: Richard Wilcox, Dolores (Wilcox) Hatch, Alan Wilcox, Peter Wilcox and Juanita (Wilcox) Kelleher.
Birthday wishes this week go out to Melissa Dyer, Erwin Elliott, Lorie Hoffses, Bruce McEachern, Morgan House, Bob Lewandowski, Anne Braley, Anna White and Carrlyn Doyen Buck.
There are no anniversaries this week.
The Mapleton Parent Organization has scheduled the next few meetings with the hopes of encouraging new members to attend. Please mark your calendars for the following dates: Feb. 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5. All meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday evenings and begin at 6:30 p.m. Childcare is available, so don’t let that be a reason to miss out planning fun activities for the students and faculty of our Elementary School!
Upcoming events and activities include collecting items for the C.A.N.C.E.R. bags, a fitness night, poetry workshops and staff appreciation week. Please consider attending a meeting to share your ideas or lend a hand!
On Jan. 10, the United Baptist Church of Mapleton held an evening service to kick off its new youth program. Twenty-one young people and their parents gathered for an evening of music, food, fun and devotions led by the church’s new Youth Leader, Isaac Ashby.
The youth group will meet twice a month for devotions and fellowship. In the future, the group plans to go skating Jan. 23 and snow tubing in February. It you have any questions, please contact Isaac Ashby at 554-8737 or the Rev. Dr. Ken Phelps at 764-6034.
The United Methodist Church will be hosting its weekly luncheon Friday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
THE UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH OF MAPLETON held an evening service Jan. 10 to kick off its new youth program. Twenty-one young people and their parents gathered for an evening of music, food, fun and devotions, led by the church’s new Youth Leader, Isaac Ashby. Attending the youth night were, front row, from left: Austin Pictou, Joshua Baldwin, Bethany Baker and Cassidy Clair. Second row: Quinn Thibault, Alexis Bell, Daisy Hatcher, Jessica Baldwin, Jesse Hatcher, Aaron Swanson and Shane Baker. Back row: Harley Curtis, MacKenzie Whitaker, Natanya Pictou, Bobbie Murchison, Isaac Ashby (leader), Wesley Thibault, and Grace Braley.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115 or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
