Mapleton Boy Scout Troop 170 had the unusual distinction of having two of their members receive the rank of Eagle Scout this spring.
R.J. Gross and Aaron Swanson were recognized in June as the troop’s newest Eagle Scouts. Both are longtime scouts who were fully engaged with ideals and values of Scouting. Each completed numerous merit badges and a final Eagle Scout project that demonstrated their leadership skills in planning and managing a significant project.
Gross, working in conjunction with the Mapleton Lions Club, MSAD 1 and the Town of Mapleton, coordinated efforts to resurface the Little League and Pony League fields located behind the Mapleton Elementary School. This project and the work involved was designed to help area youth in the coming years expand their skills and come to enjoy baseball as a favorite pastime.
Each field needed significant work to improve playability. Gross oversaw and assisted in the installation of new sod in the infield along with the reconstruction of the pitcher’s mound for the Little League field. For the Pony League field, he determined that a new layer of loam and grass seed was needed in the infield. In addition to laying the loam and seeding the infield, he saw to the reconstruction of the pitcher’s mound as well.
The project was completed in August of 2016, his Eagle Scout Board of Review was held in January of 2017, and the Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held May 21.
Many people and organizations donated their time and supplies/materials to help complete the project. Special Thanks go out to the Mapleton Lions Club, Town of Mapleton, SAD 1, DASCO, Inc., MPG, Craig Trombley, John Hoffses, The Presque Isle High School baseball team, Mapleton Diner, and Mapleton Boy Scout Troop 170.
Gross was thankful for all the support he received, especially from his parents, Robert and Shelly Gross, and he additionally thanked his father for his guidance and support as the Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 170. MSAD 1 and the Mapleton Lions Club thanked Gross for improving the fields making them safer for future ballplayers.
Swanson took on the challenge of relocating the downtown Mapleton picnic shelter to the Mapleton Lions Swimming Pool and Recreation Areas. With planning and discussions between Aaron Swanson and the Town of Mapleton, the relocation was a successful project. The new location of the shelter provides families with a convenient place to have a picnic lunch while enjoying the use of the pool and the nearby playground equipment.
Swanson worked with the town’s Public Works Department to do the necessary groundwork and landscaping to fit the building to the area. The town donated the pressure dust needed for flooring. Swanson arranged for the donation of assistance from Ken Allen’s Septic and Plumbing in digging the holes needed for concrete Sonotubes to create a firm foundation for the shelter, while Trombley’s donated the cement to fill the Sonotubes.
The shelter was cut free from its foundation and, with the use of a lift truck donated by Rathbun Lumber, was carefully driven to the new site and attached onto the new concrete Sonotube pilings. Any rot was removed and the roof was replaced. All tables were moved over and placed under the building.
The project was completed in May of 2016, The Eagle Scout Board of Review was held Aug. 12, 2016 with the Eagle Scout Court of Honor held June 27.
Thanks go to businesses listed above as well as the Mapleton Lions Club for the shelter donation, Ayotte Construction and Swanson Law PA. Swanson gave special thanks for the support of his parents, Alden and Kathy Swanson, and expressed his appreciation for the guidance he received from Alden as his Scoutmaster and adviser on the project.
The Town of Mapleton and the Mapleton Lions Club expressed their appreciation to Aaron for taking the initiative to improve the town’s pool and recreation area though this Eagle Scout Project.
Chapman recreation support
For 2017, The Town of Chapman has appropriated limited funds to help residents pay for non-resident recreation program fees in other communities. The town will only pay for the fee if the program is not currently being offered by our Recreation Department. The form can be printed online or residents can come to the office and fill it out. The voucher must be approved through the office first before being turned in for reimbursement to the other communities.
For more information, check the Town of Mapleton website for the request form and instructions.
Recreation schedule
If you are looking for information regarding the schedule of Little and Pony games, as well as other Recreation Department Information, then look at the Mapleton Recreation Department webpage. It contains all of the schedule changes as well as Little League standings. Here is the web address: http://www.mapleton.me/index.php/town-services/recreation.
Terry Sandusky is the correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
