Maple Sunday Breakfast serves more than 850, raises thousands of dollars for Homecoming

By Fern Morrison
Foxcroft Academy sophomore

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Sunday, March 24, the town of Dover-Foxcroft held its 17th annual Maple Sunday Breakfast. It was a major success, serving more than 850 people and raising thousands of dollars that will go toward 2013’s Homecoming celebration.

    Volunteers were happy to serve the people so they could “start the day like champions,” as said by Atticus Dennis, Key Club volunteer. The grill was lit just after 6 a.m.. With a line at the door forming around 6:30, there was a crowed waiting when the doors opened at 7. The line flowed out the door where hungry and excited attendees waited to be served. The cooks busily grilled, heated, and fried all day and there wasn’t a single lull or slowdown in the procession of people. At 10, the anticipated end time, the crowed hadn’t subdued and the event was slightly extended to feed the remaining hungry citizens. The event served a net 3,300 pieces of bacon, 880 sausages, 600 pieces of French toast and 1,120 pancakes.
    Along with great food, two raffles accompanied the breakfast. The “31-gun raffle” sold 28 tickets. A winner-a-day will be drawn all through October and each winner will receive a gun. The 50-50 raffle sold about 800 tickets and the lucky winner got a prize of $447.50
    Although the event was only a few hours, the planning took a year and all hands on deck. The town selectmen, Kiwanis Club and Homecoming Committee worked on the planning. The fire department readied the facilities and donated the space. Will’s Shop ‘n Save gave more than $400 worth of groceries and sold additional goods at cost. Bob’s Sugar House gave 11 gallons of syrup to the breakfast. Last week the fire station removed their trucks and set up 16 tables and 160 chairs. The Aktion Club, Boy Scouts, Key Club, Builders Club, Kiwanis Club, police department, fire department, Stewart family and many individuals volunteered the day of the event. They served, cooked, cleaned, ushered and set up.
    Volunteers began arriving at 5 a.m. This event was “a partnership of organizations,” according to Brian Woodworth, a board member of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club. Planning for next year’s Maple Sunday Breakfast has already begun.
    The event inspired community-oriented thought. Will Wedge, owner of Will’s Shop ‘n Save, donated around 30 gallons of Maine’s Own Organic Milk to the event. He spent extra money to support local business and pay for organic milk that is produced, bottled, processed and sold in Maine. Maine’s Own Organic Milk is a farmer-run corporation that keeps money local. Will believes building trust among citizens is the best way to do business. “We all have a responsibility to give back to the community,” he said. He is an active Kiwanis member and donor to multiple Key Club, Foxcroft Academy Sports Boosters and Kiwanis events.
    The event was a major success in bringing together all aspects of the community. All ages enjoyed the food, company, and service. Five-year-old Landon Smith exclaimed, “I love the pancakes!” and then his brother Jackson Smith added that he loved the bacon. Volunteers from the middle school and high school helped out at the event from various organizations.
    “It’s so great to see everyone in such harmony and makes me really appreciate living in a close and friendly community,” said a Key Club volunteer. At the end of the breakfast, Gail D’Agostino, a Dover-Foxcroft selectperson said, “I think it was great!” She then added, “It brings a sense of camaraderie and community.”