On May 8, 2021, the Mapleton Lions Club experienced the loss of Dale McHatten, the club’s longest-serving member.
McHatten served as an active member for 62 years of the club’s 64 years of existence. During those years, he worked on hundreds of events and projects such as the construction of the first Mapleton Lions Club Swimming Pool and the renovation of the Community Hall into today’s Mapleton Lions Hall. For his long, active service, the club decided to dedicate the Mapleton Lions Hall to the memory of his service and dedication to the communities.
Meeting kids’ needs and helping folks who couldn’t afford eyeglasses get them were among his service priorities. Many residents remember when the Mapleton Lions organized and developed the Mapleton Little League Program. He and Sylvia, his wife, owned The Shanty, a local food drive-in, and sponsored a team and provided ice cream for each day’s winning team.
Because of his experience in the food business, he worked on many bean dinner fundraisers, chicken barbecues and years of club auctions. He sold many hundreds of raffle tickets over the years.
On Sept. 12, the Mapleton Lions Club posthumously dedicated the Mapleton Lions Hall to Lion Dale McHatten for his 62 years of active service to Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill. At the ceremony are most all of Lion Dale’s family, his wife Sylvia, children Lisa, Steven, Shari and Elizabeth and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with Mapleton Lions Club members.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
All of this fundraising led to the installation of the Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Veterans Monument located at the Mapleton Elementary School. With the establishment of the monument, the club began hosting the annual Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, which McHatten wholeheartedly enjoyed participating in.
Over the years, he served several terms as a director on the board and was the membership chairman for nearly 20 years because he sponsored more new club members than any other member.
As a result of his long history and extensive involvement in the events and operations of the club, he was recognized as a Melvin Jones Fellow. This recognition is the highest award that Lions International and the Mapleton Lions Club can bestow on a club member. It symbolizes the work of cooperative volunteerism of Lions to work for the betterment of the local community and the world.
This 2016 file photo shows Lion Dale McHatten being made a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest honor given by Lions Clubs International and the Mapleton Lions Club, for his humanitarian service in Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill. From left are club treasurer Dennis Hoffses, McHatten, club president Frank Richards and club secretary Terry Sandusky.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
At the time of the recognition the Mapleton Lions Club was entering its 59th year and McHatten was a 57-year club member who had worked on or supported most every project. He did all kinds of tasks including the driving of the club float in the Memorial Day parade. He even went out in the snow to install or take down the club’s Christmas lights for the town. He has cooked more hot dogs and chicken than any other member and yet he was always ready to advocate for the needs of the community.
Former Mapleton town manager and club member Jon Frederick was invited back from New Hampshire to be the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony. Frederick served as Mapleton town manager from 2012-2017 and over those years he and Dale developed a strong friendship.
In his opening remarks, Frederick explained he had the opportunity to see community happenings from a different point of view. Frederick saw small things people needed.
“Dale was a huge part of the community,” he said, when small actions were needed to help people. He saw how Lion Dale put in a large number of hours building the pool, supporting the Little League and renovating the Mapleton Lions Hall.
“Dale was an absolutely true gentleman. He was a great friend and an excellent servant to this community. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of having his name out on the front wall of this building,” Frederick said.
This sign now shows the Mapleton Lions Hall is dedicated to the late Lion Dale McHatten for his 62 years of service.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
He expressed appreciation for the club dedicating the hall to McHatten, because his represents not only his service, but the service many other club members who served alongside him in the efforts to improve life in the three towns.
Girl Scout Gold
The Mapleton Girl Scout Troop will hold a Girl Scout Gold Award ceremony for Maddie Buzza on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. at the Lions Hall.
This is the highest award in Girl Scouting (equivalent to the Boy Scout Eagle Award) and it has been six years since a Girl Scout from Mapleton has earned this award. She will be only the fourth girl in nearly 30 years from Mapleton to have earned it.
Her mother, Jennifer Sawyer Buzza, was one of those four young women to achieve this honor.
Harvest dinner
The West Chapman Advent Christian Church will hold a drive-thru fundraiser supper on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 4:30 p.m. until the food runs out.
This is their annual harvest supper that includes turkey, ham, mashed potato, carrots, squash, homemade rolls, drinks and homemade pies for dessert.
All funds collected will go directly to the church’s urgent need of a new roof.
Craft Fair A Success
The Mapleton Daze Committee annual Fall Craft and Vendor Fair again proved to be one of the most popular events held prior to the holidays. While it was not held last year due to the pandemic, many attendees greatly missed this event.
The Mapleton Daze Committee thanks all who came out and made purchases. Many folks were able to get some of their Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday shopping done.
The proceeds from the sales at the Mapleton Daze Committee booth will be used to cover Mapleton Daze event expenses in June 2022. The committee thanks friends and neighbors for their support of the three towns and their local crafters.
In November, the committee will host their online auction. More information is forthcoming.
Also in December, the “Meet and Greet Santa Claus” event will be held, with more details available as the holidays near.
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.
