Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 conducted its last formal ceremony and function on Thursday evening, Aug. 19, when members left a lasting gift to the town.
The last four members of the troop and their leaders conducted a dedication ceremony at the Mapleton Recreation facility by the Mapleton Lions swimming pool. After 13 years together, the remaining Scouts — Madelyn Buzza, Katelyn Amero and Amanda Winslow — along with their three co-leaders, Jennifer Buzza, Nancy Winslow and Laurie Amero, brought to a close the celebrated history of the troop with the dedication of a special granite bench to the towns of Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill.
Troop 1133 Girl Scouts, from left, Amanda Winslow, Katelyn Amero and Madelyn Buzza display the granite bench the troop left as its final gift to the tri-town area. With the remaining members either already in or heading to college, the troop has disbanded. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
After the passing of Town Manager John Edgecomb, Troop 1133 developed and dedicated a memorial garden in his honor in 2014. Now, as the Troop looked to the end of their time together, they considered what to do with the last of the troop’s funds. The Scouts together decided to leave a legacy in the form of a granite bench to honor Girl Scouts and Troop 1133. With the blessing of the Town Select Board, they were allowed to install this special granite bench next to the John Egdecomb Memorial Garden, which is located next to the pool.
At the ceremony, Madelyn Buzza played the “Star-Spangled Banner. Co-leader Jennifer Buzza reviewed the history of Troop 1133. Co-leaders Nancy Winslow and Laurie Amero, along with each of the girls, spoke about their memories of the 13 years together.
Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133 completed 13 years of community service with the dedication of a bench located next to the John Edgecomb Memorial Garden, which the troop developed in 2014. With the bench are, in front from left, Scouts Amanda Winslow, Katelyn Amero and Madelyn Buzza. Back row: Shari Cheney, Castle Hill Select Board; troop leaders Nancy Winslow, Laurie Amero and Jennifer Buzza; and Sandra Fournier, Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman town manager.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Following their presentation, Town Manager Sandra Fournier thanked the troop for their gift as well as the long-term importance the troop has been to the community. She and Shari Cheney from the Castle Hill Select Board accepted the bench on behalf of the three towns and expressed the appreciation of the three select boards for the Girl Scouts’ leadership and service.
Balloon Fest
As a major sponsor of the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, the Mapleton Lions Club was pleased to see the return of 10 balloons and their pilots to the balloon fest. Without the pilots and balloons and the hundreds of hours of volunteer time donated by many community folks, the balloon fest could not occur.
One special event put on for the pilots and the Balloon Fest Committee is the annual hot dog roast hosted by Steve and Prudy Dobson at the Aroostook Hospitality Inn. This special event gives time for pilots and family to renew friendships, and also allows them to time to relax from their long drives to Presque Isle.
The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest concluded this past weekend. The pilots enjoyed an afternoon of relaxation at the Aroostook Hospitality Inn during the event. From left are: Luke Van Camp, Tallahassee, Florida; JoeCaputo, Pittson; Paul Martel, Sterling, Massachusetts; Marion Deeny, Tallahassee, Florida; Michael Lavoie, West Ossipee, New Hampshire; Patrick Grogan, Cleveland, North Carolina; Mark Fritze, Tallahassee, Florida; Beth and Joe Hamilton, Hobe Sound, Florida; Wendell Purvis, Tallahassee, Florida; and Randy Lee, Four Oaks, North Carolina. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The Lions help underwrite the balloon fest, which is open to the community at no charge, and are already looking forward to next year’s event.
This year the festival began with its first two flights being cancelled due to high winds. The Lions Club also ran its food booth with their well-known delicious fair food. Club members were busy keeping up with the demand for their fresh hand-cut french fries and hot sweet doughboys.
The Club thanks all who came out to support their various charities.
Online auction
The Mapleton Lions Club opened their annual charity auction online on Aug. 17 with many donated items and services from area businesses and merchants. The auction is being conducted by Matt Gregg Auctions online at www.greggauctions.com.
The online catalog for the Mapleton Lions Club is available at this website and bids are being accepted. All funds raised through the auction will help youth programs and other lions club charities. This second annual online will end on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.
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.
