On the June 2nd meeting of the Mapleton Lions Club, the members heard from three of the little league coaches and received a letter from a fourth coach regarding the need to upgrade the former pony league ball diamond at the Mapleton Elementary School. Over the past five or six years, the Mapleton Little League has been experiencing an increase in enrollment in the program. The league has been drawing additional players from as far south as Bridgewater and as far north as Caribou. The primary reasons are the quality of the league and the fact it is the only evening league in the area.
With more than 100 players now registered and the increased in number of teams, Jake Graham, Mapleton Recreation Director explains the second field is needed in order schedule games and practices. Last year, the unused field was received preliminary upgrades to its infield in order to make it useable. Now additional upgrades are needed to bring it up to the same physical standards as the original little league field. Those upgrades include adding dugouts, safety fencing around the field and an electronic scoreboard. Prior to the coaches leaving the meeting, the Mapleton Lions voted to purchase the electronic scoreboard for the field. However after the meeting, club members continued the discussion regarding the upgrades. The outcome of the discussion was vote by club members to fund the purchase of all of the materials needed to make all the needed upgrades brought before the members by the visiting coaches.
Since the field is on school property, MSAD 1 would need to agree to the upgrade additions to the field. Also support of the towns select boards would be needed as the current agree on the fields is the general care and maintenance of the fields would be the responsibility of the towns and their recreation program. Superintendent Ben Greenlaw has given approval for the outlined improvements. Jake Graham and the little league coaches are costing out the purchase of the materials for the improvement. The coaches are lining up volunteer help from the little league parents and business sponsors to implement the upgrades. The upgrades may take this year and next to complete, but there is considerable excitement regarding the improved field.
Mapleton Daze Starts June 23rd
The Town of Mapleton is getting ready for the 36th annual Mapleton Daze. Here is partial schedule of the activities at the 2025 edition of Mapleton Daze.
The week will kick off with an open house at the Mapleton Fire Department on Monday, June 23, from 5 to 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, June 24, the Mapleton Daze Committee will hold a hot dog roast with a hot dog, chips, dessert and water for a $5 donation. A talent show will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Message the committee through Facebook if you want to participate.
On Wednesday, June 25, a BMX bike show will start at 6 p.m. at Mapleton Elementary School.
Game night will be held at Mapleton Elementary School on Thursday, June 26, with bingo in the cafeteria and, at 6 p.m., the annual cribbage tournament will start. If rain on Wednesday evening forces the BMX show to move to Thursday evening, the bingo/cribbage tournament will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Friday night includes: Lions chicken barbecue at 4:30 p.m. at the Lions Hall; annual homemade pie sale by Mapleton Methodist Women; cornhole tournament at 6 p.m. at Mapleton Elementary School; music all evening including The County Folk and Star City Syndicate; and fireworks at 9.
Saturday includes: 7 a.m., breakfast on Haystack; 7:30 a.m., free breakfast sandwiches near the post office; 10 a.m., Haystack Historical Society pie and ice cream at the museum; 10 a.m., children’s bike parade down Main Street; 11 a.m., kids activities at the elementary school; 11 a.m., car show; and 7 p.m., street dance with Highway 207.
Sunday includes: 10 a.m., ride and lunch on the trail with Mapleton ATV Club; and 1-4 p.m., pool party at the community pool.
Stay tuned for more information about Mapleton Daze, please go online and check their page at https://www.facebook.com/MapletonDaze.
Baptist Park Open Registration
Registration for the 92nd year of summer fun and Christian camping experiences at Baptist Park has opened. Baptist Park will be offering many activities this summer for children and youth ages 4-18 as well as families and adults of all ages. The largest part of the Baptist Park program of activities is the day and overnight camping. Day camping will be available for two age groups – the Puddle Jumpers ages 4 – 6 and Growing Up Adventures ages 6 – 8. Week long overnight camping will consist of three age groups – Mountain Climbers ages 9 – 11, Outdoor Adventure ages 13-18 and Maxed Out Adventure ages 11 – 14. For specific details regarding the camping programs, visit Baptistpark.net.
The most unique camp is Baptist Park’s Flight Camp for youth ages 14-18. This camp offers an introduction to aviation with a Christian emphasis. Campers learn about the fundamentals of flight and will take actual flights during the week. They will also be introduced to the wide variety of careers in aviation through guest speakers and field trips.
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.
