by Jennifer Buzza
The Chapman Ridge Runners have started the process to build a new clubhouse. A fund-raising fiddlehead supper will be held Saturday, May 15 at the Mapleton United Methodist Church. There will be two seatings – one at 4:30 p.m., the second at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. The supper will feature Maine fiddleheads, roast pork loin, potatoes, apple and cranberry sauce, and dessert. There will also be a “fiddlehead tidbit” table where several fiddlehead recipes may be taste tested. Club members will be waiting tables and serving, dressed in “old-fashioned” style clothing. Seating is limited, so please purchase your tickets early by calling Audrey Christie, chairperson, at 764-1769 or Sue Maynard at 764-1236.
Birthday wishes this week go out to Troy Fraliex, Naomi McEachern, Melissa Doyen Buck, Sylvia Bridgham, Ryan Pendexter, Stephen Kenney, Asher Carter, Matthew Doyen, Alta Bagley and Vicki Michaud.
Happy Anniversary wishes to Jake and Lucinda Edgecomb on the 12th, Gerry and Jean Jackson on the 14th, and Rhett and Tracy Fox on the 17th.
The United Methodist Women in Mapleton, under the direction of Marie Bagley, hosted their annual ladies banquet May 7 to celebrate Mother’s Day. Over 50 local women of all generations attended and enjoyed the potluck dinner following the blessing by Pastor Dot Matson. Before the evening’s entertainment, each family was asked to introduce themselves and their guests present. At least 10 multi-generational families were in attendance, with the oldest being 94-year-old Phoebe McPherson, and the youngest being Bella Saucier, almost two.
Three girls that were contestants in the recent Little Miss Mapleton pageant were invited to the event to perform their individual talent routines. Attending were 2010 Little Miss Mapleton Elizabeth Collins, who played “The Entertainer” on the piano, and her mother, Michelle Collins; Paige McHatten, who performed a dance routine to “Swing with Me,” and her mother, Kelly McHatten; and Taylor Ellis, who danced to “Hoe down Throwdown,” and her mother, Renee Ellis. Each of the girls were presented with a “thank you” gift from the UMW and those winning door prizes were given the potted marigold plants that served as centerpieces.
This was a wonderful evening and a terrific way to celebrate our local women of all ages
Two local musicians – Junior McLellan of Presque Isle, and Dale Hudson of Easton – were honored May 2 at Dusty’s Jamboree at the Lions Hall in Mapleton. McLellan was presented a plaque for being the most improved player, while Hudson was presented a plaque as Aroostook County’s sixth Grand Master of Country Music. Both awards were presented by Dusty Brown of Mapleton.
Army Sgt. Thomas L. Steeves has returned to Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska after being deployed to Afghanistan for one year. The soldier is one of 3,500 members of the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Richardson. Airborne combat team members included soldiers assigned to one of six battalions and regiments of the 25th Infantry Division.
The airborne brigade served in three eastern provinces of Afghanistan, which included the Paktya, Paktika and Khost. Some of the challenges the brigade soldiers faced included poverty, unemployment, security, and management of natural resources and government institutions. Soldiers improved roads, provided vocational training in construction and civics, improved and re-opened 29 schools, remodeled six medical clinics and improved three district courthouses.
Steeves, a squad leader, is normally assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He has served in the military for more than five years.
He is the son of Dave and Bonnie Steeves of Mapleton.
His wife, Kelsey, is the daughter of Tim and Lauri Faulkner of Clinton.
The sergeant graduated in 2003 from Presque Isle High School, and received a degree in 2005 from Unity College.
The Castle Hill Grange Hall Preservation Society held its April meeting on the 27th. The Society would like to take this opportunity to thank the following businesses and individuals for assisting with the candy bars sale: the Mapleton Town Office, Clukey’s Auto Supply in Presque Isle, Chandler Farms, Deanna McHatten and Anita Beaulieu. The Society would also like to thank all those who purchased candy bars in support of the group.
Several projects are planned for the summer. Heat has been installed in the bathrooms and now the hallway and door leading to the bathrooms must be finished. Curtains will also be hung in the main hall.
The Society is currently holding a bakeless bake sale. Donations of baked goods are now being accepted and can be given to any member.
The hall is now available to rent through Nov. 1 for a fee of $100.
The Mapleton Lions Club will host the annual Memorial Day Parade starting at 2 p.m. Following the parade, the Mapleton Lions Club, with the assistance of local veterans organizations, will honor all who served in our nation’s Armed Forces. A special remembrance ceremony will take place for those who sacrificed all to preserve this nation’s freedom near the flagpole in front of Mapleton Elementary School. All veterans are welcome to attend this special recognition. Organizations, businesses and individuals who wish to participate in the parade should contact Lion Steve Hanning at 764-5170 to reserve a spot in the afternoon parade.
The Mapleton Daze Committee is planning its parade that will be held Saturday, June 26 at 9:30 a.m. Anyone interested in having an entry in the parade is asked to call Jolene Blake at 764-0980 to reserve a spot in the lineup.
The United Methodist Church will be hosting its weekly luncheon Friday, May 14 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
The Mapleton United Methodist Church will host its weekly family night at the church Friday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy a free night of family entertainment!
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.
