The Mapleton Parent Organization sponsored a Reading Night Tuesday, March 17. Families of the Mapleton Elementary School enjoyed pizza for supper before students and their guests dispersed into groups. Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade students enjoyed a story time with the reading of “Knuffle Bunny Too” by guest reader, Jeanna Carter. Following the story, students had the opportunity to make their own paper Knuffle Bunny with moving parts, frost and decorate bunny shaped cookies, color pictures and complete activity pages based on their story. There was even a special appearance made by a life-size “Knuffle Bunny!”
The second- and third-graders participated in activities based on their chosen book, “Roxie and The Hooligans.” Roxie is new in school and has ears that are larger than normal, so she becomes the target of a group of bullies. Students created hats with large ears to get an idea what it was like being “Roxie,” then they went through various obstacle courses representing some of the obstacles that Roxie endured with her fellow characters. This age group also created an assembly line relay game called the “Boulder Brigade” while blowing on lip-shaped whistles, similar to the warning noise Roxie taught her crew. At the conclusion of their activities, students feasted on “dirt cake” and gummy worms.
The fourth- and fifth-graders were welcomed into a “safari” atmosphere based on their book, “The White Giraffe,” which takes place on a wildlife preserve in South Africa. Students were given a “passport” featuring the evening’s events, including a scavenger hunt. They also made beaded necklaces, created “cave paintings,” had their faces and arms painted, made and sampled their own trail mix, played bongo drums, and viewed an “Africa cam” showing live video of African watering holes and a flock of flamingoes. They had their own elephant races, African animal charades, and had the opportunity to work collaboratively to create an “African” theme song.
The MPO wishes to thank the Aroostook Centre Mall for loaning some of their decorations and supplies for the evening’s event. A big thanks to all the parents, older siblings, faculty and staff that worked together to make the evening a HUGE success!
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Jason House, Danny Michaud, Dan Charette, Tim Graham, Walter Scott, Brent St. Peter, Peter Brown, Sue Wilcox, Chad Carlin, Jesse Parker, Cassandra Buck, Lyn Edgecomb, Benjamin Currier, Lyle Kenney, Scott Amero, Taylor Stephenson, Forest H. Chandler, Reno Boucher Sr., and Simeon MacFarline.
Anniversaries
There are no anniversaries this week.
Junior Miss and Miss Mapleton Pageant
The Junior Miss and Miss Mapleton Pageant will be held Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at the Presque Isle High School auditorium. Tickets are available from any contestant or at the door. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Please see the group photo and pageant article in this week’s paper for more information.
Senior Citizens News
The Mapleton-Castle Hill-Chapman Senior Citizens met at Maple Tree Estates Monday with 25 members present. New officers were installed this month and include: Shirley Coty, president; Chick McPherson, vice president; Anita Morin, secretary; Grenda Stephenson, treasurer; and Leona Allen, assistant treasurer.
The group has decided to start collecting non-perishable food items next week and will donate this to a needy charity.
Three thank you letters were read from the Salvation Army, PI Homeless Shelter, and the Ronald MacDonald House for funds donated by the Club in December.
Bingo was enjoyed by all with President Coty calling the numbers. Club members with winning cards were Madeline Wilcox, Millie Putnam, Maxine Dow, and new member, Terry Winger.
The group meets every Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Maple Tree Estates with a potluck lunch and any seniors are invited to join.
100th Birthday Celebration
Mapleton’s oldest citizen, Forest H. Chandler, who resides at his home, will celebrate his 100th birthday Monday, April 6. To help our newest centenarian commemorate this very special day, his generations of family members hope old acquaintances and friends will honor him with a shower of cards, letters or notes by mailing them to Forest H. Chandler, 1638 State Road, Mapleton, Maine 04757.
Mapleton Parents Organization
The MPO welcomes any parents interested in helping out with various activities during the school year. If you have a desire to contribute in any way, please consider attending our next meeting Wednesday, April 8 at the school. Some of the organization’s upcoming events include the spring book fair and Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations in May. Childcare is provided. Please contact MPO Chair Heidi Graham at 764-7826 with any questions.
Mapleton Alumni Association
The Mapleton Alumni Association will hold its annual board meeting Monday, April 20 at Maple Tree Estates at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include planning for the annual banquet and election of officers. All graduates are encouraged to attend.
Mapleton United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church luncheon will be held Friday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
Mapleton Baptist Church News
Palm Sunday, April 5, will be an exciting day at the Mapleton United Baptist Church. Palms will be given away to everyone at the conclusion of the 10:45 a.m. morning worship service in recognition of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The service will also include believer’s baptism by immersion, communion, a children’s story and sermon with a Palm Sunday theme. A prayer service will take place at 6 p.m.
Mapleton Baptist is located directly across from the Mapleton Elementary School, and the church building is handicapped accessible and a nursery is available for our services.
Miss Pre-Teen and Miss Teen Presque Isle Pageant
Any girls in grades 3, 4 and 5 (Pre-Teen) and girls in grades 9 and 10 (Teen) that are interested in having fun, meeting new friends and showcasing their talent are encouraged to participate in this year’s pageant! This pageant is open to any girls enrolled in a SAD 1 school. For more information, please call 227-5300 or e-mail willettep@sad1.org.
Daisy Girl Scouts Court of Awards Ceremony
Mapleton Daisy Troop 1133 celebrated their first Court of Awards ceremony March 26, surrounded by a Mexican theme. All 10 troop members were present to participate in the formal ceremony. The girls recited their Girl Scout Promise, then each recited a part of the Girl Scout Law before entertaining their families and friends with a new song they learned, called “Girl Scout Cookies.”
Everyone viewed a DVD presentation of the troop’s activities over the past six months arranged by Willie and Nancy Winslow. The music chosen for the DVD was from the Girl Scout Greatest Hits CD titled, “We Change the World.” The girls then each presented their individual research project on Mexico, the theme from their Thinking Day activities in February. All 10 taught those in attendance about different aspects of Mexico: population, weather, cuisine, the flag, language, the Mexican Hat Dance, history of Cortes, monarch butterflies in the fall, traditional Mexican clothing, and the Mexican currency.
After the presentations were made, each Daisy was called to the front to receive her awards. Co-Leaders Jennifer Buzza and Nancy Winslow then honored the seven mothers who have dedicated their time and energy to their daughter’s troop. Those receiving “thanks from the heart” pins and a “Ode to a Girl Scout” Volunteer card were: Laura Trask, Laurie Amero, Rebecca Rider, Ann Stephenson, Tammy Getchell, Laura Baker and Wendy Maple.
The ceremony concluded with the girls singing, “I’m a Daisy Girl Scout” while showing off their colorful sombreros! Everyone was invited to stay and enjoy cake and see the piñatas the girls made, along with other Mexican-inspired decorations and souvenirs. By the end of the ceremony, nearly 100 patches, petals, and pins were awarded! Daisy Troop 1133 members are: Delaney Alward, Katelyn Amero, Bethany Baker, Madelyn Buzza, Alexis Getchell, Rebecca Rider, Taylor Stephenson, Brooke Trask, Paige Trask and Amanda Winslow.
Motorcoach Tour Scheduled
The 2009 Mapleton Baptist Deluxe Motorcoach Tour has been scheduled for Aug. 3-7 and registrations are now being accepted. Featured in this year’s tour are the following: a guided tour of West Point Military Academy, a four-course dinner at the Culinary Institute of America, guided tours of Eleanor Roosevelt’s National Historic Site, Springwood, the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Vanderbilt Mansion and Kykuit, the home to four generations of the Roosevelt family.
On the way home, the tour will stop for an overnight in Boston that includes dinner at Legal Seafood and a performance of “Shear Madness.”
Mapleton Baptist Tours have a full-time escort and a professional driver. Complete bag service from the time you arrive at your departure point is part of your package. Special attention is given to those with physical limitations. The tour also makes frequent rest stops.
Further information and registration forms are available at Goin’ Postal on North Street in Presque Isle, Pastor Ken Phelps (764-6776) or by calling Cyr Northstar Tours at 1-800-244-2335. Seats are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
(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).
