MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 began working on their Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn, last fall. In addition to completing a Girl Scout Journey, which is a lengthy workbook surrounding a particular theme featuring a story and corresponding activities, the girls had to complete a community service project.They purchased and donated supplies to the Halfway Home Pet Rescue in Caribou.
According to the GSUSA website, “A journey is aimed at giving girls the benefits of the Girl Scout ‘Keys to Leadership: Discover, Connect, Take Action.’” Troop 1133 voted to complete the “Agent of Change” journey, ultimately learning and focusing on “The Power of One,” “The Power of Team” and “The Power of Community.”
In order to earn the Bronze Award, the girls also had to select a Bronze Award project, discuss, plan and finish the project to log as close to 20 hours as possible. After discussing options, the troop decided to create a memorial flower garden at the Mapleton Community Pool in memory of Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill’s former town manager, John Edgecomb.
During the planning process, the girls met with the town’s treasurer and former colleague of John’s, Tammy Getchell, to discuss the location of the garden and special requests from the Edgecomb family. They learned about soil versus dirt, proper planting techniques and annuals versus perennials with Entomologist Aaron Buzza. Then they toured the site of the garden and mapped out the garden’s location and approximately how many plants would be needed. They then toured Myrtle Tree Farm in Presque Isle and met with owner Donna Keegan to select and purchase their perennials for the garden.
Early this summer, the girls, along with several parents and grandparents, spent nearly three hours planting the flowers and special bush in the memorial garden. Since then, a plaque was ordered and purchased by the faculty and staff at Mapleton Elementary, and town employees attached it to the boulder in the garden.
Lyn Edgecomb, John’s wife, sent the Troop a thank-you note this summer and wrote, “You have done an excellent job selecting stone, perennials and a simple style in a place frequented by children … all things that he loved. A long time ago he worked very hard to set concrete pavers around the pool, and then later, as manager, he was always interested in keeping the pool area safe and a fun place to be. He would be very pleased with your project.”
The girls will receive their Bronze Awards at a special outdoor ceremony at the garden site Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. Family, friends and former colleagues of both John and Lyn are invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Jennifer Buzza at 760-9115.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Sara Gilson, Kevin Carter, Jennifer Smith, Arjuna Elliott, Pete Pendexter, Dan Edgecomb, Gedeon Martin, Troy Stephenson, Carter Vigue, Angela Bernier, Wayne Ireland, T.J. Winslow, Jeff Winslow, Scott Hoffses, Kevin Kinney, Brad Boyles, Michael Hamilton, Andrea Melton, Mike Beaulier, Ewan Brewer, Mitchell Longley and David Raymond.
Anniversaries
Anniversary wishes this week go out to Bob and Nancy Vigue on the 25th, and Collen and Karen Putnam on the 26th.
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.
