The Mapleton Lions Club will open the Lions Den Food Booth at the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest starting at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds.
They will serve sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, red hot dogs, fries and doughboys. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy a meal at the balloon fest.
The event is free and open to the public to watch the balloon launches, attend the Craft and Vendor Fair and eat some delicious food and treats in the food court.
The Lions Den will be open to cook and serve patrons from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 22 and 23, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Proceeds will support the club’s many charities, including the Mapleton Recreation summer program, Mapleton Little League, Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp, Presque High School Project Graduation, Quoggy Jo Afterschool Ski Program, Mapleton Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, Main Street holiday lighting, college scholarships, special events for serious medical needs, Aroostook Helping Hands, Aroostook Operation Hunger and the purchase of eyeglasses for those in need.
Skin cancer presentation
Last week a crowed gathered at the State Road Advent Christian Church for the Northern Light Healthy Aging Luncheon that featured Tiffany Fredrickson, MD, general surgeon at A.R. Gould Hospital.
She spoke about the alarming increase in skin cancer in Aroostook County. Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are present year-around. They can even filter through dark cloud coverage to reach your skin, she said.
Frequently people think skin cancer is only a problem in the summertime, but in the winter the sun can intensify as its light reflects off the snow. Frederickson described skin cancer risks including sun exposure, genetics, age, gender, and a weak immune system.
She explained how to spot squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. With the departure of the area’s only dermatologist, Surgical Services in Presque Isle has expanded to include a larger role in diagnosing and treating skin cancer, she said.
Once a potential cancerous spot is identified, they will biopsy the spot to determine what treatment may be needed. The danger of not identifying skin cancer early is that deeper melanomas can spread to the lymph nodes and complicate needed treatment, she said.
Fredrickson reminded everyone to use sun protection, and outlined the use of sunscreen, light clothing, hats and going inside if you think you are starting to burn. One tanning session can increase skin cancer 20-fold, she said, and it is important to do regular self-skin checks at home and report new or changing skin spots right away to your provider.
A meal was provided by Rob Ottaviano of Parkhurst Siding Pub that was enjoyed by everyone.
Pool hours wind down
The Mapleton Community Pool will be open only one more weekend, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24 and 25. All ages are welcome and there is no admission fee.
The Baptist Park Indoor Pool will also be open to the public for this last weekend, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. There is no admission fee. Youth under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Baptist Park for more information.
Mapleton Fall Soccer Information
The Mapleton Recreation Program announced that its fall soccer program registration is open. The soccer program will be expanded this year to include seventh-graders.
More information regarding registration, practice times and game schedules are available online at mapleton.me/town-services/recreation/ and on Facebook at facebook.com/MapletonRecDept.
The recreation program is still looking for help with coaching the soccer program. Any and all help is welcome. Please Contact Jake Graham, recreation program director.
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.
