Mapleton Boy Scout completes Eagle project
MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
After considering multiple options for his Boy Scout Eagle project, Brett Starr of Mapleton finally made a decision. Together with Aroostook State Park Ranger Scott Thompson, they formulated a plan to build an Adirondack shelter at the Park off the trail leading toward North Peak.
According to his Scout Leader and father, Peter Starr, “The structure would serve as both a wilderness camping shelter, as well as an emergency shelter for hikers caught in inclement weather.”
Photo courtesy of Peter Starr
STARTING A SHELTER at the Aroostook State Park from the ground up are members and volunteers from Mapleton Boy Scout Troop 170. The project was spearheaded by Scout Brett Starr for his Eagle Award Project. Pictured helping with the building are, from left: Brett Starr, Alden Swanson, Mike Amero, Park Ranger Scott Thompson, Codie Henderson, RJ Gross, Brandon LeBlanc, Lewis Amero and James Churchill. The shelter was built off the trail leading to North Peak overlooking Echo Lake. The shelter was completed this summer and is now available for public use.
In order to receive support from Katahdin Area Council, Brett was required to fill out the necessary application for submission. The Council approved his project early last summer and some clearing was done at the Park during a Scout Order of the Arrow induction weekend last August. Boy Scouts and leaders of the North Star District joined forces during the weekend that is commonly set aside for service projects.
Battling the wet weather of this summer, Brett and his fellow Scouts were able to utilize the dry days to work on and complete the project. Katahdin Cedar Log Homes generously donated two utility packs of logs, which were strategically loaded on a trailer and hauled up the maintenance trail at the Park. Brett estimated that it took four trips to get the entire load of logs up to the site where the shelter would be built. The logs were already notched, which, according to Brett, made the process go much faster. The logs did still have to be cut to length with power saws, which in turn, required the use of a generator. Even with the use of the saws, Brett recalls the logs being very difficult to cut through. “I wouldn’t want to cut those with a handsaw … it would take forever!”
Photo courtesy of Peter Starr
TAKING A BREAK at the site of a newly built Adirondack shelter off the North Peak at the Aroostook State Park are, from left: RJ Gross, James Churchill, Joel Shay, Brett Starr and Leader Peter Starr. All are Boy Scouts from Troop 170 in Mapleton. The Troop worked together with the help of Park Ranger Scott Thompson to build a shelter for Brett Starr’s Eagle Project. The project began in August 2010 and was completed this summer.
The shelter was designed by Alden Swanson, contractor of Chapman, who also volunteered his time to assist with the building. The roofing and flooring for the shelter were milled from trees from the Park and donated by Ranger Thompson. According to Brett, all the materials for the project were donated, eliminating the need for fundraising.
Numerous volunteers helped see this project to completion including Aroostook State Park Ranger Scott Thompson, Park staff member Alan Cleaves, carpenter/designer, Alden Swanson; Brett’s father and Scoutmaster of Troop 170, Peter Starr; his mother, Tammy Starr, Scout parents Chris Maple, Dave Alward, Mike Amero and Shelley Gross and fellow Scouts Codie Henderson, Lewis Amero, Joel Shay, James Churchill, Jacob Adams, Isaac Adams, Steve Goulet (Eagle Scout), RJ Gross, Dustin Alward, Aaron Swanson and Brandon LeBlanc.
Now that his project has been completed, Brett has filed paperwork and submitted it to the Eagle Board of Review. Once this Board approves his project, there will be a formal ceremony to award Brett with his Boy Scout Eagle Award. In the meantime, Brett is a senior at Presque Isle High School and is an active member of the FFA and is currently Chapter vice president. He is the 18-year-old son of Peter and Tammy Starr and is a member of Mapleton Boy Scout Troop 170. Brett has been a Boy Scout for five years.
Photo courtesy of Peter Starr
WITH THE HELP of fellow Scouts and other volunteers, Brett Starr, Boy Scout of Mapleton Troop 170, recently completed a shelter off the North Peak at the Aroostook State Park for his Eagle Scout Project. The shelter was built to serve as a wilderness camping shelter, as well as an emergency shelter for hikers caught in inclement weather.
When asked to share his final thoughts about his project, Brett stated, “When I took on this project last summer I understood that it would take a great amount of effort to accomplish. I was determined to complete it seeing as it would be a great asset for the park and hikers. We struggled along the way dealing with the weather, and trail conditions. I greatly appreciated the help I received from numerous volunteers, and donations. I hope that since this project has been completed, the park will be able to offer the shelter as part of their facilities for visitors.”
Christie honored for service to Pythian Sisters
On Aug. 13, Gertrude Christie was honored for her 76 years of service to the Pythian Sisters.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Buzza
IN AUGUST, Gertrude Christie was honored by the Pythian Sisters for her 76 years of dedicated service. A celebration was held at the Mapleton United Methodist Church.
Looking back on her years of dedication, she joined Mapleleaf Temple 82 in 1935. Gertrude became a past chief and joined Grand Temple of Maine. In 1947, she was elected Grand Guard in Portland. She then continued on to be Grand Chief in 1952-53, again at Portland, the 49th session of Grand Temple. She traveled 10,589 miles, mailed 1,282 pieces of mail, not including Christmas cards. There were 71 Temples in the state of Maine. She attended Supreme Temple in St. Louis in August, and traveled by rail. She was a prominent member of the community and still serves her community and the Mapleton United Methodist Church.
The celebration last month was sponsored by Seaside Temple 59 of Eastport and was attended by past Grand Chiefs and Pythian Sisters from Eastport and Gouldsboro, family, church members and many friends from the community and afar.
The Order of Pythian Sisters, the independent auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias, was organized at Warsaw, Ind. Oct. 22-23, 1888 by a dedicated Knight, Joseph Addison Hill, of Greencastle, Ind. Mr. Hill was a well-educated man. He was a man of ideas and of thought, a student of books and an observer of life who loved his fellow man.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Ethan Turner, Dale Brennamen, Sharon Lafland, Peggy Brown, Dena Winslow, Ian Michaud, Ronald McEachern Jr., Nathan Maurais, Debbie Estey, Dana McQuade, Joshua Horr, Joshua Scifers, Stephanie Winslow, Sarah Brennamen, Penny Nadeau and Meghan Merchant.
Anniversaries
Happy anniversary wishes this week to Tim and Kellie Wood on the 15th, and Pete and Joyce Pendexter and Brian and Wendy Copeland on the 17th.
Popcorn sale
The Mapleton Cub Scouts are currently participating in their annual Trails End Popcorn fundraiser. If anyone is interested in purchasing, please contact Eric Warren at 540-1347, and a Cub Scout will make contact with those wishing to see a catalog.
Looking for Scouts
The Mapleton Boy Scout Pack will be having a Cub Scout Roundup to recruit new members sometime after school starts. No date has been set yet, however, any boys entering first grade who are interested in joining Cub Scouts are encouraged to call Cubmaster Eric Warren at 540-1347. Older boys who wish to join are also welcome to call.
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.
