Mapleton Daze Committee needs volunteers now

    This plea is nothing new. It has been publicized several times the past couple of years. What IS new is that if more volunteers do not come forward to help with the annual Mapleton Daze festivities, the 21st year of Mapleton Daze will be the last. At the last committee meeting, eight of the 12 dedicated members announced that they were stepping down. These members have devoted numerous years to making our Mapleton Daze weekend hugely successful and the time has come for them to take a well-deserved break.     So, this is it. It’s up to the residents of our hard-working communities to step up to the plate and be a team player! Mapleton Daze WILL NOT HAPPEN next year if only four people make up the “committee.” If five more people (more would be fantastic!) do not commit to become members of the Mapleton Daze Committee, we all will enjoy our LAST Mapleton Daze weekend this June.
    Volunteerism is down nationwide. Don’t let that affect our town, too! If you could set aside one night a month for seven months out of the year to contribute thoughts, ideas, help with three annual fund-raisers, in addition to supervising at least one activity during the weekend in June, please carefully consider contributing. ANY way you can help will ensure that this highly anticipated weekend will continue for another year!
    The next Mapleton Daze Committee meeting will be Wednesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. at the Pizza House. The committee has made this event happen for 21 years. Now it’s our turn to make sure it continues. Are you willing to help?
Birthdays
    Birthday wishes this week go out to Tyler Arndt, Riley Hamel, Luca Tenney, Joyce Johndro, Karen Putnam, Kellie Wood, Troy Finnemore, Jolea Robinson, Keith Schurman, Ellie Calhoun, Sidney Smith, Jessica Scott, Sophia Stephenson, Ralph Merchant, George Dean, Katie Putnam, Shea Brown, Lynne Tenney, Bill Parker and Serrena Lovley.
Anniversaries
    Happy Anniversary this week to Brent and Melissa Dyer, Bob and Laurie Hoffses, and Jenn and Dan Edgecomb – all on May 20th, Ryan and Renee Guerrette on the 22nd, Mike and Torry Eaton on the 25th, and Todd and Ann Stephenson, also on the 25th.
Memorial Day Parade
    The Mapleton Lions Club will host its annual Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony. All events will be held Memorial Day, May 25, with the parade starting at 2 p.m. and the remembrance ceremony starting 15 minutes after the parade ends. The parade will start from Main Street and Dudley Road on the west side of Mapleton and will end at the Mapleton Elementary School. Any group, organization or individual may participate in the parade. Everyone is invited to view the parade and attend the remembrance ceremony that will be held at the monuments recognizing the Mapleton-Chapman-Castle Hill citizen soldiers who sacrificed so much for our freedom and liberty. We invite all military servicemen and women who formerly served or currently serve in our armed forces to attend. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who protect our freedom.
    If you wish to participate in the parade, please contact Steve Hanning, club president, at 764-5170, or write to the Mapleton Lions at mapletonlions@yahoo.com. We look forward to seeing everyone.
Squapan Camp Owners
    The Squapan Fun Fest Committee is gearing up for its fourth annual summer festivities! If you have a camp at Squapan and would like to share ideas with the committee or help organize the upcoming weekend, please contact Jennifer Buzza at 760-9115. The committee plans to meet Sunday, May 24 during the Memorial Day weekend. We welcome any suggestions, so feel free to share them!
    Also, the Squapan Board of Directors has scheduled an upcoming workday. If you would like to help improve the current condition of our landing area, please meet at the landing Sunday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m. The Board will be mowing, repairing one of the deteriorating wharfs, and doing some spring cleaning. Your help will be greatly appreciated!
Mapleton Daze Parade
    Any and all who are interested in participating in the annual Mapleton Daze parade are asked to pre-register by contacting Grenda Stephenson at 764-0452. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. A change from previous years, the Mapleton Daze Committee has decided not to award trophies this year. Thank you for registering prior to the Saturday morning parade!
Picnic Potluck
    The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church is hosting a picnic potluck TODAY, Wednesday, May 20. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Ernie Boykin will be providing the musical entertainment.
Baked Bean Supper
    There will be a benefit baked bean supper at the Mapleton Methodist Church Saturday, May 23 at 5 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
Castle Hill Grange Hall Preservation Society
    Candy bars are still on sale and can be purchased at Clukey’s Auto, Chandler Farms and the Mapleton Town Office.
    The Society has voted to offer a couple’s lifetime membership for $150. If two people from the same family would like to join, this option would save $50, rather than purchasing one lifetime membership for $100.
    The Grange Hall is available for rent May 1-Nov. 1. Please contact any member if you are interested in renting the hall for your event. The Society meets one night a month from February through November and welcomes new members. Please consider helping the Society preserve a piece of local history.
Mapleton United Methodist Church Luncheon
    The United Methodist Church luncheon will be held Friday, May 22 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
    Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115, or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.