Celebrating a centennial
Under a winter moon, Scouts turn out to honor their program’s 100th year, By Stacy Maldonado Hardyston Scouts from around the area gathered by the light of the moon to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouting on Monday, Feb. 8. A candlelight ceremony and a musical salute were held on the grounds of the Hardyston School on Route 23 in Franklin. Troops from Franklin, Hamburg, Hardyston, Ogdensburg, Sussex and Vernon joined the ceremony on a clear, crisp evening, with temperatures hovering just around 30 degrees. “It’s been 100 years. It’s the centennial of Boy Scouts,” remarked young Scout Tim Mitchell of Troop 283, Vernon. He, along with fellow Scouts Sean Avery, Peter Ianez and Devin Scully, wore their uniforms proudly, while anxiously waiting for the festivities to begin. Devin Scully has been a Scout for the past six years. He joined in first grade. What he likes most, he said, are the camping trips, especially one he took with the group to Sandy Hook. A family endeavor Sean Avery says he likes the whole experience of Scouting and “the knowledge you gain.” His mother Cheryl Avery is the Troop’s secretary and father Al Avery is assistant Scoutmaster. In his view, one of the most valuable aspects of Scouting is that it “teaches leadership and self-reliance...good things the boys can use in life.” Peter Ianez, 15, joined Troop 283 one year ago. “My friend told me about it and all that you can do,” he said and so far Scouting has been all he hoped it would be. He plans to stick with it and eventually become an Eagle Scout. Big turnout On Monday evening hundreds of Scouts from Cubs to Eagles participated in the celebration, along with their families, friends, and neighbors, all bundled in parkas, hats and mittens. Various Sussex county dignitaries and other members of the civic community were also in attendance with white candles in hand. A small contingency of The Franklin Band kicked off the celebration with the national anthem. They also played some melodies throughout the program and looked happy to be a part of such a momentous occasion. Franklin resident Michael Krupa, a member of Troop 83 some 60 years ago, gave a brief thank you to those “boys and men and their accomplishments over the past 100 years” and said he hopes for another successful 100. Karl Grogaard, a member of the Scout’s Sussex District Committee, thanked everyone “who gathered here to recognize the founders who had the vision to create an organization based on values that keep you grounded.” He described the evenings as “an awesome event to show Sussex County we are one complete unit.”
What makes it fun
Members of Cub Scout Pack 89, Ogdensburg, jumped around with delight as they recalled each of their favorite Scouting memories so far.
Peter Egan said he valued being able to help people through fundraisers “like the food drive.”
Christopher Malone enjoys making crafts and doing other fun things, like the Pinewood Derby.
But what Ryan McGuire said he treasures most is “just being with my friends.”