Midway through Tuesday morning on the western side of Fair Park Coliseum, 17-year-old Drake Mathis’ Eagle Scout project reached a crucial stage. After about six months of planning and three months of work on the ground, Mathis watched as a big cement truck pulled in, sent out its chute and poured out concrete. Then he got down to work.
Assistant Scout Master of Troop 5, Ed Flagg, an engineer himself, was on scene to offer advice, explaining to the several young men just before the pour began what to expect of the consistency of the concrete as it fell into the forms. When enough of it came down, Mathis, seen in a white Hope Bobcats t-shirt in our photos, and several others began shaping the wet, grey, gravelly mixture into an extension of the Hope Lions Club Fish Fry installation. It will feature a solid surface for important parts of the preparation process that leads to those delicious, fish/chicken with all the trimmings meals the Lions serve in their fundraisers.
As Mathis explained before the concrete arrived, “With this project, my brother [Hunter] actually built the first concrete slab for the Lions Club. And always knew I wanted to do something with it, extend it, whatever they needed. … So I got the chance to extend the slab in order to have concrete underneath the full size of the pavilion, add extra parts for the thawing of the fish and preparing it. So I'm just really glad I get to get to extend on what my brother did.”
Hunter, soon to graduate from Arkansas Tech with an engineering degree and a job waiting, earned his own Eagle in 2021 by setting up the concrete surface. In fact, a star, which the boys’ grandmother polished this day, commemorates Hunter’s work. A pavilion was added later to offer cover from the sun beating down and protection from rainier weather. The extension, much of which is still under the pavilion will give the Lions more room and surer footing.
It did not take long for Drake Mathis and his helpers, family members and fellow scouts, to smooth out the concrete into the forms. Thanks to his ingenuity and listening to Lions sharing what their needs are, there will be sloping paths for the big deep-fryers to easily be wheeled up and down to the pavilion.
Flagg said the concrete will take about two weeks to cure enough to support human weight and 30 days to be suitable for use by the Lions to prepare their meals. Sales proceeds from these go to support Lions programs including helping patients with visual medical conditions, supporting food relief and many other endeavors.
Drake said he hopes to begin attending ATU himself next year to pursue a degree in Wildlife Biology, a choice that was inspired by his grandfather who also studied that subject. Right now he is finishing up an Associate's Degree at Hope Collegiate Academy.
The next Lions Fish Fry will happen Saturday evening March 7th as part of the Paul W. Klipsch Birthday Bash at the Klipsch Heritage Museum Visitors’ Center. Lions who wish to volunteer are urged to arrive at 3:30 p.m. for setup and meals will be served starting at 5:00 p.m.
