The Mapleton Lions Club celebrated its 65th charter anniversary on Oct. 8. At that celebration, three members received awards of recognition.
Matt McCartney was named 2022 Lion of the Year. President Rick Fowler described him as a hardworking member who worked on nearly every project the club carried out during 2022. McCartney brought forward several new ideas for the club and identified new community needs, such as the funding need for the Quoggy Jo Ski Area.
Mapleton Lions Club member Matt McCartney (right) received the 2022 Mapleton Lions Club Lion of the Year Award for active service and support of club projects for the year. Presenting the award is Club President Rick Fowler.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Members gave him a hearty round of applause.
Dennis Hoffses received the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest recognition that Lions Clubs International can give to an individual member.
Hoffses joined the Mapleton Lions Club in 1991. He rose through the ranks quickly and served three terms as president before becoming treasurer. Over his 31 years in the club he has chaired many projects, including the Crown of Maine Food Booth and the Northern Maine Fair Food Booth, but he is best known for being the manager of the Mapleton Lions Hall.
The Mapleton Lions Club was pleased to present to Dennis Hoffses (center) a Melvin Jones Fellowship from the Lions Clubs International for his many years of leadership and support of the club’s community projects. Presenting the award are District Governor Sally Iverson (left) and Mapleton Lions Club President Rick Fowler.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The club wanted to show their appreciate for Hoffses’ tireless work over the years, and recommended the international arm award him the fellowship. In his honor, the club made a significant donation to the Lions Clubs International Foundation to help further humanitarian and emergency relief efforts.
Hoffses was surprised as club secretary Terry Sandusky announced the award. District Governor Sally Iverson presented the award, thanking Hoffses for his hard work and leadership.
A second Melvin Jones Fellowship was presented at the Mapleton Lions Club’s 65th charter anniversary celebration to Ron Leonard, who joined the Club in 1974 and served five times as Club President. Maine Lions District 41 Governor Sally Iverson (left) and club President Rick Fowler make the presentation. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Members had decided to award a second Melvin Jones Fellowship, which went to Ron Leonard, the club’s longest-serving member.
Leonard has been part of the Mapleton Lions for the past 48 years, making him the most experienced member. He has participated in numerous projects, including serving five full or partial terms as club president.
He has worked on the renovation and repair of the Mapleton Lions Hall and co-chaired the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest and the Northern Maine Fair Food Booths. His work goes as far back as the construction of the original Mapleton Lions Community Swimming Pool in the 1970s. Since then he has worked on the Christmas lighting on Main Street, the development of the Veterans Monument at Mapleton Elementary School and hunters’ breakfasts of the club’s early years. For all of this support and leadership, the club recommended him for a Jones Fellowship, making a second significant donation to the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
Iverson made the presentation. Leonard was surprised and briefly thanked the members.
The Lions were happy to recognize the three recipients for their longstanding leadership and selfless commitment to club projects to improve life in Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill.
Haystack Historical Bingo
This Saturday the Haystack Historical Museum will be the site of the Historical Society’s season’s last fundraiser, Bingo Crazy.
The Mapleton Daze Committee will loan the society their Bingo equipment. Games will start at 4 p.m.
People are welcome to come and play free, with prizes to be given away.
The society will offer a a fundraising chop suey dinner at $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12.
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.
