Church starts year with song

7 years ago

Due to severe weather earlier in December, the Mapleton Baptist Church had to postpone the performance of their cantata “He Came to Us.”

The Mapleton Baptist Church Choir performed the Christmas Cantata “He Came to Us” on New Year’s Day. Members of the choir are, from left, front row, Josh Baldwin, Diane Hersey, Laurie Martin, Betty Ireland, Mary Trainer, Debbie Ackerson and Ruth Ladner. Back row, Carolyn Phelps, Aaron Swanson, Alden Swanson, Ray Hare, Dave Thibault, Deanna Hare, Mike Ireland, Jim Ackerson and Ken Phelps.

The church performed the cantata instead on New Year’s Day afternoon. Ruth Ladner, the church’s minister of Music directed the cantata performance.
In the cantata, the narrator was Carolyn Phelps, soloists were Diane Hersey, Mary Trainer, Dave Thibault, Josh Baldwin, Aaron Swanson and Jim Ackerson.
The cantata was well attended and enjoyed by all who were present.

Seniors change schedule

At the December meeting of the Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Senior Citizens, members decided to change from one meeting per month to two meetings per month. Starting this month, the group will hold potluck luncheons with programs and activities on the first and third Mondays of the month. The time for each luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. at the Mapleton United Methodist Church.
The February luncheons will be held on Feb. 6 and 20.
Everyone is invited to attend — and remember, bring something for the potluck and a place setting.

Pay As You Throw

The Presque Isle City Council voted in December to eliminate the Pay As You Throw (PAYT) program, effective April 1, 2017. Curbside trash pickup of the orange and blue bags for the towns will continue until Friday, March 31.
After March 31, each household will be responsible for their own trash removal, either through contracting with a hauler or by hauling their own trash to the landfill.
Information regarding the changes to PAYT will be posted on the towns’ website.

2017 Budget

The annual budget process is under way and the Select Boards’ budget is posted on the towns’ website for public review. Select Board meetings will take place in February to review the budget and town meeting warrants. The meetings are open to the public.
Anyone with questions about the budget may contact Town Manager Jon Frederick at 764-3754. Town meetings to approve the budget will be held in March. The schedule is also on the website.

Indoor Swim Lessons

Swimmers may avoid non-resident swimming fees and get two days of pool time in a nine-week program. The Mapleton Recreation Department will host indoor swim lessons at the University of Maine at Presque Isle once again this spring.
Registrations will be open from Feb. 13 to March 3, with the program beginning on Monday, March 6, and concluding on Sunday, May 21. Registration fees are $55 per child.
Detailed information is available on the towns’ website.

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.