Protect yourselves from area ‘Scrooges’
MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
With the week shortened to “collect” news for our local columns, I was concerned that I wouldn’t have anything new to contribute to this week’s paper. That could have been the case until I received some disheartening news that I felt I needed to share.
A house that has been vacant for quite some time on my road has finally been showing some activity in recent days. My family was excited and encouraged with the prospect of having new neighbors — either a family with young children that my daughter could play with or a family with infant children that would grow up with my daughter as their sitter (one of her many future career goals).
When we recently discovered that a young couple had just become first-time homebuyers, we were happy for them! Knowing that the house needed some TLC and that the young man would be able to do most of the handy work himself, we shared in their excitement from a few yards down the road. However, their progress and dreams of moving in any time soon came to a screeching halt upon the discovery of a break-in.
I received the devastating news from a coworker that had a connection to the couple. The purpose of his call was to alert us of the crime and to take inventory of our own belongings. However, that wasn’t my first thought. The first sickening feeling I had was, “Not again.” I could personally relate to the range of emotions this young couple was feeling because as first-time homebuyers, my husband and I went through the same awful experience 14 years ago, just a few yards away from the scene of this current crime. If you have ever been a new homeowner, you can recall the feelings of excitement and how anxious you were to move in to your home and make it special. But when evil is lurking, watching your every move as you come and go, and what you bring in and leave behind, you comfortably assume that things will be just as you left them when you return. Well, as you now know, that is not always the case.
I flashed back to 14 years ago and all the feelings of anger, sadness and an overwhelming sense of personal violation. The things that were stolen from our property, similar to our new neighbors’ property, were just that … things. Things that can be replaced over time (with the sentimental exception of my grandfather’s $20 stud-finder that he had left to my husband). But how do you replace the sense of safety? How do you re-enter the building that is supposed to be your new home with a sense that “they” won’t come back? Thankfully, I, personally, had nearly a year to overcome that hurdle. From the time of our break-in, it was another eight months before we moved into our new home. Unfortunately for our new neighbors, I think they will have less time to overcome that fear. With love and support from family, friends, and new neighbors, together we can help them overcome evil with good.
Justice was never served in our case, but my hope is that it will be for the young couple next door. This is the time of year when we are supposed to focus on giving and extending a helping hand to those in need. However, it’s obvious that there are selfish, evil people in our midst like the iconic character “Scrooge” who try to ruin the season for those they encounter. Please protect yourselves and your belongings, not just this time of year, but all year. Criminal eyes are always watching and when you least expect it, you may become their next victim.
The Aroostook Valley Dairy Club
JUST IN TIME 
for the holidays, the Aroostook Valley Dairy Club decorated Christmas cards and made ornaments for the residents of the Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center. In addition, for the last 16 years or more, the Aroostook Valley Dairy 4-H Club has helped other Mapleton families at Christmas time by donating non-perishable food items and a meal with all of the “fixings.” This year the Club collected enough food to donate two meal boxes for two families. While the Club never knows who receives these gifts, members hope these items make a small difference for a happier Christmas for those local families. Club members pictured are, from left, front row: Brody Smith, Clinton Goheen and Amanda Winslow. Back row: Paige O’bar, Sidney Smith, Stephanie Winslow, Aubrey Buck, Ellie Goheen, Justin Buck and Savannah Smith. Absent when the photo was taken was Danielle Cyr. Club leaders are Nancy Winslow, Willie Winslow and Jennifer Smith.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Celeste Johnson, Robert Bagley, Galen Smith, Micah Calhoun, Delani Kennedy, Tim Smith, Kendra Kennedy, Isaac Breton, Camden York, Mark Christie, Ryan Guerrette, Michael Warner, Joshua Buck, Peggy Bushey, Steve Beaulieu and Logan McNulty.
Anniversary
Happy anniversary this week to Lance and Bonnie Johnson on the 31st.
Mapleton Daze needs you
The Mapleton Daze Committee is in full swing getting preparations in order for the 25th annual Mapleton Daze event. The group has lots of big ideas and events in the works, but they cannot do it alone, so new members are being sought to join and help in advertising, activities, fundraising and the parade.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 8 at the Mapleton Lions Hall at 6 p.m. You don’t have to be a resident of Mapleton, Castle Hill or Chapman to attend Mapleton Daze — it is for everyone, young and old. Can’t get out to help? Monetary donations are welcome. Every helping hand and every dollar donated will make this 25th Mapleton Daze a success. Please help us continue this annual tradition. Contact Chantelle Chasse at 551-2290 with any questions. Check us out on Facebook.
50/50 raffle
The Mapleton Daze Committee will be having a 50/50 raffle twice a month to help raise funds for the 25th annual Mapleton Daze festivities. Tickets will be sold for $1 each, six for $5, or 12 for $10. Tickets can be purchased in Mapleton at Tenney’s, the Town Office or Mapleton Lunch. They can be purchased in Presque Isle at Bradley’s Citgo. If you are on Facebook, leave a message and a committee member will get in touch with you to purchase tickets. Drawings will be held on the first and third Mondays of each month, with the first one being held Monday, Dec. 31. For updates, watch the sign in front of the Lion’s Hall, check this column, or visit the committee’s Facebook page. For more information, contact Chantelle Chasse at 551-2290.
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.
