Well-known Mapleton High School alumnus Dan Ladner was recognized Nov. 22 by the SAD 1 Board of Directors, Presque Isle High School and several residents for his lifelong dedication to the performing arts in Presque Isle and throughout Aroostook County.
His students remember him as an “all-in” teacher and adviser who helped them learn more than English over his 20 years in education. He promoted an understanding and appreciation of literature and the performing arts.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
When he helped to found the Shipmates Playhouse at Presque Isle High School, he instituted a vision for both excellent performance and fun, which he maintains to this day with the Caribou Choral Society (which he has directed since 1977) and the Chancel Choir at Grant United Memorial Methodist Church, where he is also the longtime organist.
He helped found Presque Isle Community Players and directed many shows at the Pioneer Playhouse at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. In high school, he became church organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a position he held for 72 years.
Over the years, Ladner received a 1988 Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship from Caribou and Presque Isle, 1997 Presque Isle Citizen of the Year, 2004 Spirit of Caribou and 2004 Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. Twice he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
A plaque in his honor, which will be permanently installed at Presque Isle High School, was unveiled by Principal David Bartlett with Elaine Sipe, former student and longtime friend, reading and presenting the plaque to Ladner.
The inscription reads: “The Board of MSAD #1, the staff of PIHS, and the Presque Isle Community are proud to recognize Dan Ladner for his significant contributions to the performing arts in Aroostook County. Mr. Ladner has dedicated his life to sharing his talent for music and theater as an English teacher, choral and drama director, musician and performer, and we are grateful for his lasting impact on our community.”
Holiday season starts
The Mapleton Lions Club started the holiday season on Nov. 25 by hanging the Main Street holiday lights.
The club added 11 new lights this year to complete the lighting of Main Street from the road to Haystack Mountain to the Grendell Road. Due to some technical connection issues, there are some unlit lights which hopefully will be lit before Christmas.
The Lions spent the morning hanging the lights. The new Christmas lighting came in earlier this summer. All but four of them have been dedicated to families and organizations.
The club has lit Main Street for the last 25 years with used lights purchased from Presque Isle. These were soon replaced with homemade lighted wreaths the club fashioned. Jeff Clark and Elizabeth McHatten approached the club with the idea of replacing the homemade lights with new energy efficient and highly visible commercially produced lights.
They helped implement a community fundraising effort to purchase the lights and created the Tri-Town Holiday Lighting Committee. Clark and McHatten led the original fundraising solicitations to purchase the lights. The Lions Club bought the first six lights.
Families and businesses saw the lights in 2022, and sponsorships began flooding in. By November of that year, money had been raised for all 23 lights. The club hung the first 12 lights in 2022, and then added 11 lights in 2023.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
In spring 2024, the decision was made to light another 10 poles along Main Street. The Lions purchased the new lights, three of which are still available for family memorials or business dedications. The total investment in the lights is approaching $40,000, most of which has been covered through donations and sponsors.
Lion Steve Hanning, holiday lighting chair, and Lion Michael Clark worked with electrician Peter LaJoie on the electric connections. Lions Michael Clark and Bruce Guerrette brought two bucket trucks for installation.
The lights will remain up until Jan. 5. The Mapleton Lions Club hopes everyone enjoys the lights and will have their spirits lifted during these special days.
“The Club is pleased to have the support of many community friends who have contributed to this community project. The new lights are a wonderful upgrade to our holiday lighting,” said club president Rick Fowler.
For more information, contact Hanning at 551-6538 or Lion Dennis Hoffses at 764-1504.
Shopping for kids
The Mapleton Daze Holiday Shopping for Kids is scheduled for Saturday. Dec. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Mapleton Elementary School. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to join the Mapleton Daze “elves.”
Items will range from 50 cents to under $5. Elves will help the little ones shop and there will be a free gift wrapping station.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
