Derby Scouts Selling Super Bowl Subs

 

Macaroni & Meatballs to Beneft Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby

DERBY - A home-style macaroni & meatball dinner benefiting Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby will be served 5:30PM on Saturday, November 12 at St. Mary Church Hall, 212 Elizabeth St, Derby.

The menu, prepared by Marc Garofalo, members of St. Mary Church and Troop 3, includes  macaroni,  meatball,  sausage,  sauce,  bread,  salad,  soda,  coffee and dessert.  $10/adults  and   $8/age 16 & under. Advance reservation required by Nov. 9. Please call 203-929-6616.    Proceeds to benefit scouts attending Housatonic Council’s Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation summer camp.

Guests are encouraged to bring two canned goods that will be collected and donated to St. Vincent de Paul’s food bank as part of the BSA’s Scouting for Food campaign.

 

Derby Scouts Selling Super Bowl Subs

DERBY – Derby Second Congregational Church sponsored Boy Scout Troop 3 and Derby-Shelton Rotary Club sponsored Venture Crew 33 are accepting orders for one-foot and five-foot  double wide party sub sandwiches as part of their annual Super Bowl Sub Sale fundraiser. 

The subs are made to order and home delivered anywhere in the Lower Naugatuck Valley on February 7. All orders must be received by Feb 3.

One foot subs are $7 each and the five foot double-wide party subs are $65. Proceeds from the sale will help the scouts attend Edmund Strang Scout Reservation summer camp and a Caribbean sailing adventure.

For more information visit www.troop3derby.org or to place an order call 203-732-0343.

Troup 3 Derby recognizes Matthew Edwards of Ansonia for achieving Eagle Scout

Troop 3 Derby’s 300th Eagle Scout Matthew Edwards, left
and 200th Eagle Scout John Coppola, at a
Court of Honor held at Derby 2nd Congregational Church

DERBY >>  Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby recently recognized Matthew Edwards for achieving Eagle Scout Rank during a Court of Honor held at the troop’s sponsoring organization, the Derby 2nd Congregational Church. Edwards is Troop 3’s 300th Eagle Scout since the troop was founded in 1914. Troop 3’s first Eagle Scout badge was awarded in 1927 to the late Manuel Pearson, who was followed by the late legendary Scouter and Derby Hall of Fame member Edmund D. Strang.

The requirements for earning Eagle Scout rank are rigorous and require many years of effort and leadership. Nationally, fewer than 4 percent of all Scouts achieve Scouting’s highest honor.

 

Senior Patrol Leader Joseph Szewczyk served as Master of Ceremonies and the Court of Honor program was under the direction of Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. The Eagle Scout Charge was given by keynote speaker John Coppola, Assistant Principal at Ansonia’s Mead School, who became Troop 3’s 200th Eagle Scout in 1997.  Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto and a representative from the City of Ansonia presented proclamations to Matthew. Letters of congratulations were read from Gov. Dannel Malloy, Sen. Chris Murphy and President Barack Obama.

 

Matthew Edwards, 17, is the son of Ronald and Elaine Edwards and brother of Troop 3 Life Scout Jason Edwards, all of Ansonia. He attended Prendergast and Mead Elementary Schools, Ansonia Middle School and recently graduated from Emmett O’Brien Technical High School, where he studied Plumbing and Heating and was on the varsity football and track teams and basketball club.

 

Matthew joined Cub Scout Pack 3, Derby at age 7, and quickly became engaged with scouting. Upon earning the Arrow of Light award in 2008, he joined Troop 3 of Derby’s 2nd Congregational Church.

Edwards has participated in troop activities such as a camporees and summer camp at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen and  he attended the 2010 and 2013 National Scout Jamborees as a member of the Housatonic Council BSA contingent. He also participated in Troop 3 trips to Cape Cod, the national parks of the Pacific Coast and in 2014, he was part of the Troop 3 group to camp across the country for three weeks, visiting Hollywood, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas, The Alamo, New Orleans and Washington D.C.  

Matthew has served Troop 3 as den chief, troop historian and patrol leader. Currently he is a troop guide and also serves as the treasurer for Venture Crew 77 of Ansonia. He earned a total of 42 merit badges.

Matthew led a group of scouts, friends and adults at the Ansonia Nature Center in the planting of 20 white pine trees on Benz Street as a part of the troop’s 100th year anniversary and the nature centers’ Earth Day celebration. The group also cleared, mulched and planted flowers around the main entrance sign leading into the nature center.

He works part-time job at Bobs Stores in Ansonia and is a parishioner of Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia, where he volunteers at their annual Italian Festival. Edwards will be attending Southern Connecticut State University in the fall, majoring in Business Management and minoring in Communications.

 

Troop 3 will resume meeting on Wednesdays beginning in September, 7 p.m. at the Derby 2nd Congregational Church. All boys at least 11 years of age are invited to join in on the troop’s Scouting adventures. For more information, call 203-732-0343.

Macaroni & Meatball Dinner to benefit Boy Scout Troop 3 in Derby

DERBY >> A Macaroni & Meatball Dinner to benefit Troop 3 Derby Boy Scouts of America is set for Saturday, Nov.1 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church Hall, 212 Elizabeth St.

The proceeds will go to the troop's 2015 International Exchange Trip to Derby, England.

The menu includes: home-style macaroni, hand rolled meatballs, imported Italian sausage (from New Haven), mixed mesculin salad, fresh bread, soft drinks, coffee and home made desserts.

   

Reservations are required by calling 203-929-1770 or by emailing Ray Oppel at ray.oppel.cpa@sbcglobal.net.

Tax deductible donations are accepted via checks made payable to BSA Troop 3, P.O. Box 8, Derby, CT 06418.

Derby Boy Scout Troop 3 to present Charles M. Stankye Jr. with '3 for Life' award

1951 Troop 3 Scouts
Charlie Stankye and Bill Elko

DERBY >> If your last name is Stankye and you grew up in Derby, chances are you were involved in Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3. Charles M. Stankye Jr. is the patriarch of the Derby Stankyes and by his example has instilled in his family a lifelong commitment to Scouting. Charlie will be recognized by Boy Scout Troop 3 for more than 70 years in Scouting on Oct 26 at Troop 3’s 100th anniversary celebration at Villa Bianca in Seymour. The troop is sponsored by the Derby 2nd Congregational Church, where it was founded in 1914, and continues to meet there.

Charles Stankye Jr.

Stankye will be receiving the “3 for Life” award, presented every 5 years by the Troop to alumni who have been outstanding in their commitment and support of Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33. Previous recipients include the late Scouting pioneer, Edmund D. Strang, Walter R. Archer Jr., the late Walter Petz, Robert Bednarcik, the late Charles Rotteck Jr., Rev. John Carr, former Ansonia Mayor Bill Menna, the late Christy Testone, the late Anthony Pepe, Superbowl 1 & 2 Green Bay Packer’s Captain Bob Skoronski, the late Frank Skoronski, Dr. Robert Feeney, Shelton Aldermanic President and 100th anniversary dinner chairman John Anglace, Jr. and Rodman Kneen, who has been involved in Scouting for 82 years. Joining Stankye at the dinner as latest “3 for Life” recipients will be Dr. Sherwood Lewis and James Florczak.

Charlie Stankye, Troop 3’s 34th Eagle Scout, started his scouting career in 1942 when he became a Cub Scout in Pack 3 under legendary Cubmaster Edmund D. Strang. Charlie continued on to become a Boy Scout in Troop 3 in 1945. While a scout in Troop 3, Charlie served as a Den Chief and was Patrol Leader of the East Derby Beaver patrol. Charlie continued on to become a member of Explorer Post 33, where he served as Post Scribe and Post Guide. While a member of Troop 3 and Post 33 Charlie performed in the Annual Minstrel Shows as a soloist and endman. In 1950, Charlie attended the National Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, PA, where he worked at the Trading Post. He was also on summer camp staff at Camp Workcoeman, in New Hartford, CT.

1953 meeting celebs Debbie Reynolds,
Mitzi Gaynor and others in Hollywood
during California Jamboree.

In 1953, along with other scouts from Troop 3 and Post 33, Charlie traveled by train to Irvine, CA to attend the National Scout Jamboree. While at the Jamboree, Charlie and the other scouts had the opportunity to meet with Danny Thomas and Debbie Reynolds. The highlight of the trip was when the scouts of Troop 3 made national headlines after a private meeting with Mitzie Gaynor. Several of the Scouts including Charlie, got to have their pictures taken with her.

As an adult, Charlie continued his scouting career. He joined the executive Board of the Housatonic Council and served on the board for 15 years. While on the board Charlie served as Council Treasurer, Vice President and President. During his term as President, the Council renamed and dedicated its camp, Housatonic Scout Reservation in Goshen after long time Scouter, Edmund D. Strang. Charlie was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Housatonic Council. He was also awarded the Bronze Pelican by the Archdiocese Catholic Committee. Charlie is also a recipient of the Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Gold Seal Award.

3 Generations of Eagle Scouts
Charles III, Tyler, Charles IV and Charles Jr.
at Tyler’s 2011 Eagle Scout Court of honor.

Charlie continued his volunteer service to the community outside of Scouting. Charlie has been very active in the fire service not only in Derby; but throughout the State of Connecticut. He has been a member of the Paugassett Hook & Ladder Company #4 of the Derby Fire Department for 60 years. As a member of the Paugassetts; Charlie served as a Lieutenant and Captain. He was the Company Secretary for 20 years. Charlie eventually rose through the ranks of the Derby Fire Department as Asst. Fire Chief and became Chief of the Derby Fire Department where he served for 8 years. In 1975 Charlie became Deputy Fire Marshal and has served in that capacity for the past 35 years. Charlie is a Past president of the Valley Fire Chief’s Association and currently serves as the Association’s Treasurer. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Valley Fire Chief’s Regional Fire Training School and serves as its Treasurer. He is also a member of the building committee of the new regional fire school.

Charlie is a Past President and the current Treasurer of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association. In 2011 Charlie was inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighter’s Association Hall of Fame. In 1999 Charlie was appointed by then Governor John Rowland to the Commission on Fire Prevention & Control; where he still serves.

Charlie serves on the Board of Directors of the Derby Public Library and is a Past President of the Board.

Charlie is retired from the New England Engineering Company and the Hancock Engineering Company. He has been married to Anne Francione for the past 57 years. Anne has also been involved with Cub Scout Pack 3 for more than 45 years. Charlie and Anne have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Charlie’s 3 sons --- Charles, III, Ronald and Richard are all Troop 3 Eagle Scouts. Grandsons Charles IV, Tyler and Timothy Stankye are Troop 3 Eagle Scouts and Zachary Geffert earned Eagle Scout Rank with Troop 1 Oxford. Ryan Stankye, of Washington state, is a fifth grandson very close to completing Eagle Scout rank. Charlie’s brother-in-law Thomas Francione is Troop 3s 51st Eagle Scout.  

“Charlies Stankye was an obvious choice when we were deciding honorees for this year’s “3 for Life” award.”  Stated Richard Williams, Troop 3’s Committee Chairman. “As the patriarch of an 8-Eagle Scout family that has been part of Troop 3 for more than 70 years, his community service alone is a model for us all”, Williams added.

All Troop 3 alumni and friends are invited to the 100th anniversary dinner at noon on Oct. 26, at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Raymond Oppel at 203-929-6616 (daytime) or 203-929-7210 (evenings), or by email, ray.oppel.cpa@sbcglobal.net.

Derby Scouts to host shopping bus trip

DERBY - Troop 3 Boy Scouts will be hosting a "A Pre-Holiday Shopping Bus Trip" Oct. 11 to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, N.Y.

Bus departs Derby train station at 7:45 a.m.
Spend the day shopping in stores such as Ann Taylor, Armani, Banana Republic, Tommy Hillfiger, and many more.
The bus returns to Derby train station for 8 p.m. arrival.

Tickets are $40. Continental breakfast and snack on the way home are included.

For tickets and to reserve a seat call Pamela, 203-513-7129 or Carole, 203-735-7519.

All proceeds will benefit the Boy Scouts of Troop 3, Derby.


This is a press release from Troop 3.

Ansonia teen becomes Troop 3's 291st Eagle Scout

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti congratulates Andrew Devine and presents him with a proclamation at a recent Eagle Scout ceremony. / Contributed photo

DERBY – Eagle Scout rank was recently presented by Second Congregational Church sponsored Boy Scout Troop 3, Derby to Andrew Devine, 17, a lifelong resident of Ansonia, and the son of Jeffrey and Martha Devine.

He is the younger brother of Veronica Devine.  

Andrew started Scouting as a Tiger Cub in Pack 5 Ansonia, where he worked his way through the Cub Scout and Webelos badges, eventually earning the Arrow of Light Award, and then joined Troop 3, Derby.  

He has been a member of Trojan Rabbits and Ghost Riders patrols, and has served in leadership roles as Den Chief, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and currently is a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.  

Andrew has been actively involved in both Troop and Housatonic Council activities including attending summer and winter camping events at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, which he enjoyed so much he is now on summer camp staff as Outdoor Skills Director.  He attended the National Scout Jamboree in 2010 and 2013. 

Andrew also participated in Troop 3 trips, camping along the Pacific Coast in 2011, and sailing at the Florida Keys BSA Sea Base in 2012.  Andrew and his family hosted two Derby, England Scouts in the summer of  2013.

Andrew is a member of  Derby-Shelton Rotary Club sponsored Venture Crew 33 Derby, where he was Crew President, and is a Brotherhood member of Order of the Arrow Paugassett Lodge 553. Andrew has earned a total of 41 merit badges and he is proud to have participated annually in the Scout Gang Show, the past three years as an Endman.  

Andrew is a senior at Ansonia High School, where he was a Life Coach Assistant for three years. He has held the position of Head Editor of the school  paper, and has been a member of the Hiking Club, the Student Government, and is a student member of the Parent Teacher Student Organization.

 

Andrew also enjoys playing acoustic and electric guitars and jamming with his band. He was a member of Shelton Congregational Church.

Andrew built a handicap-accessible paver patio and garden bed at Ansonia High School’s Life Skills Center.  

He led a group of fellow Scouts, friends, family, and students in excavating and constructing the patio and garden bed. He said he is proud that his project has allowed physically disabled students to now participate in the gardening programs at the Life Skills Center. They recently planted their first plants on Earth Day.

After graduating in June and serving on camp staff this summer Andrew will attend the University of Maine at Farmington.  

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti and Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto were both on hand at the ceremony to recognize Andrew on his accomplishments.
He also received congratulatory letters from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and President Barack Obama. 
Andrew is Troop 3’s 291st Scout to achieve Eagle Scout rank since the Troop was founded in 1914.


This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. 

2 Valley Scouts attain Eagle rank

Pictured from left, Troop 3 Eagle Scout Ryan Cafaro of Ansonia, Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti, Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto and Eagle Scout Justin Patten of Derby at a recent Court of Honor held at Derby Second Congregational Church. / Contributed photo

DERBY-  Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby members Justin Patten and Ryan Cafaro were recently recognized for achieving Eagle Scout rank during a Court of Honor held at the troop’s sponsoring organization, Derby Second Congregational Church.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and Life Scout Matthew Moran served as Master of Ceremonies. The program was under the direction of Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster James Frovarp.

Justin Patten, 16, is the son of Joe and Sheryl Patten and older brother of Jessica Patten, all of Derby. For his Eagle Scout Project, Justin chose to lead a group of Scouts to renovate the computer lab at Assumption School in Ansonia and help raise funds for them to purchase an iPad Cart by applying for grants and coordinating a Butter Braid fundraiser.

Justin began his trail to Eagle Scout as a Tiger Cub in Pack 3 in Derby, advancing through the Cub Scout and Webelos ranks to earn the Arrow of Light Award. He joined BSA Troop 3 in Derby and has been a member of the Trojan Rabbits, Ghostriders and Bananas in Pajamas Patrols. Justin has served as a patrol scribe, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, Troop  Historian, Troop Guide and is currently Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Justin has earned a total of 41 merit badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow Paugassett Lodge 553.

Justin has traveled with Troop 3 on trips to Cape Cod, the  Pacific Northwest and participated with the Housatonic Council contingent to attend the 2010 and 2013 National Jamboree.  Justin will represent Troop 3 this summer as an Exchange Scout to Limerick, Ireland. He will also participate in Troop 3’s  three-week Cross Country Camping trek this summer.

Justin is a Junior at Notre Dame High School in West Haven, where he has earned his Varsity Letter in Cross Country and also participates on the Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. Justin has achieved  high honors every trimester and he plans to attend college in pursuit of his lifelong dream of working in the medical field.

In addition to his Scouting and scholastic activities, Justin has played basketball for Derby Youth and GNHPAL leagues and baseball for Derby Little League, Derby Babe Ruth and Ansonia Babe Ruth leagues. Justin is currently a volunteer at Griffin Hospital.

Ryan C. Cafaro, 16, is the son of Troop 3 Committee member Carole Cafaro and Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster Christopher Cafaro of Ansonia.  He is the younger brother of Troop 3 Eagle Scout James B. Blaskewicz, III and older brother of Rebecca and First Class Scout Matthew Cafaro.

Ryan is a junior at Ansonia High School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society, Cooperative International Studies Program, Spanish Club and Spanish National Honor Society. 

Ryan is an active parishioner at Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia, where he has been an altar server. He has also been a Junior Docent with the Derby Historical Society.

Ryan began his Scouting career as a Tiger Cub in Pack 3 Derby. He went on to attain the Arrow of Light Award as a Webelos Scout and then joined Troop 3 Derby.  As a member of Troop 3, Ryan participated in trips to Cape Cod and a camping trip along Pacific Coast Trip in 2011.  Ryan also attended the National Scout Jamboree in 2010 as a member of the Housatonic Council contingent.

Ryan has served Troop 3 as Patrol Scribe, Grubmaster, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Patrol Leader.  He was also a Den Chief for Pack 3.  He currently serves as Troop 3’s Senior Patrol Leader.  He is a member of the Housatonic Council Order of The Arrow Paugassett Lodge #553. Ryan has volunteered at Cub Scout Day Camp as well as attended resident camp at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation.

Ryan’s Eagle Scout Project took place at the Derby Historical Society’s David Humphreys House and Sarah Riggs Humphreys House. He led a group of Scouts to do landscaping,  constructing a portable handicap ramp and installing doors with ventilation for the collection rooms. 

Ryan will be representing Troop 3 as an exchange Scout to Derby, England for three weeks this summer.  He plans to attend college to become a history teacher.

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti and Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto presented gifts and proclamations to the Eagles on behalf of their communities. 

Also giving greetings were Housatonic Council Scout Executive Kevin Bishop and District Director Bill Zinky. Scouts who were part of the ceremony include Joe Szewczyk, Mike Szewczyk, Anthony Bartholomew, Colby McLiverty, Dominic Livoti and Andrew Devine. Additional participants included Eagle Scouts and Scout leaders Charles Stankye III, Daniel Cyrul, William V. McDonnell Jr, James Blaskewicz and Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. 

Also participating were Tim Bailey, Pam Neuendorf, Beverly Martin and Margaret Vernazza, Director, Holy Rosary Church.

Cafaro and Patten are Troop 3 Derby’s 292^nd and 293^rd Eagle Scouts since the troop was founded in 1914.  

Troop 3 meets Wednesdays, 7PM at the Derby 2^nd Congregational Church and invites all boys at least 11 years of age to join in on the troop’s Scouting adventures.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Scouts in Derby ready 90th annual 'Gang Show'

Valley tradition continues

Scout Endmen or joke tellers, performing “MOTHER” as a Mother’s Day tribute during the 2013 Scout Gang Show.  / Contributed photo

DERBY -  Housatonic BSA Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 Scouts are preparing for their 90th Annual Scout Gang Show at 7:30 p.m. May 9 and 10 at the Derby Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

The church is located at the corner of  Fifth and Elizabeth Streets, near the Derby Green.

The show is part old-time minstrel, part variety show and part Gang Show, in the English Scouting tradition.

Longest-running gang show in the world
First performed in 1922, and annually except for two years during World War II, the Derby Scout Gang Show has the distinction of being the longest-running show of its kind in the world. 

The late local Scouting pioneer and Derby Hall of Fame member Edmund D. Strang had several friends involved in English Scout Gang Shows and he would attend the shows when visiting there. He eventually merged the minstrel and Gang Show concepts into an unique version of the Scout Gang Show, and the rest as they say, is history.

Derby’s Scout Gang Show has been written up in Yankee and Scouting Magazines and in 1999, it was also featured on National Public Radio’s “Lost and Found Sounds” program. 
When honoring Strang and the longevity of the show in 1985, President Ronald Reagan referred to the Gang Show as “Connecticut’s finest example of controlled chaos.”

The term Gang Show goes back to 1932 when Ralph Reader was directing a Scout show in London as a way to raise money for the local Scout camp swimming pool.  

According to Reader, “One night during rehearsals word was brought to me that the title of the show had to be decided that evening so that posters could be got ready for the initial announcements to the public. We had just broken for coffee. Then 1 told one of the boys to call the cast back to continue rehearsals. As they all crowded back into the room I said to the youngster, "Are they all back?" 
He looked at me and in a Cockney voice said, "Aye, aye, Skip; the gang's all here." I stood rooted to the spot. "The gang's all here!" "THE GANG'S ALL HERE!' That's it! That was the title we had been looking for. We were a Gang and the Gang was all here. Yes sir, I thought, that's IT.”  

Gang Shows immediately took off all over the United Kingdom, and Australia and some even in the U.S. Although shows are still performed by Scouts throughout the United Kingdom and former British colonies, the Derby Scout Gang Show is the only show of its kind still being performed in the U.S.

Strang was the Gang Show director, Interlocutor and driving force for 70 years.
Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter has been directing the show for 20 years. 
Ritter said, “The annual show allows our Cub Pack, Scout Troop and Venturer Crew to work together towards a common goal, the Scouts gain self confidence performing while learning traditional songs and we raise funds to support our Scouting activities.”

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School Senior Jeremey Lombard will be accompanying the Scout soloists and chorus as the pianist and Troop 3 Scout Matthew Moran will serve as Chorus Director.  
The "endmen" or fun men, who will be telling jokes for the show are: Michael McMahon, Steven Tracz, Dominic Livoti, Billy Kowarik, Andrew Devine, Colby McLiverty, Anthony Bartholomew, Justin Patten and Joseph Szewczyk. 

More than 100 Scouts, leaders and parents will be performing. Rodman Kneen Jr. has been directing the "stooges" who perform one-line run on gags, for more than 60 years. Kneen, whose first performance in the show was as a Cub Scout in 1932, is celebrating a remarkable 82 years in Scouting. 
Stooges in this year’s show include Crew 33 Venture Scouts Joshua Moscato, Caine Jimmo, Adam Sroka, Matthew Edwards, and Ben Grasso. It is the Stooges who will perform an ongoing gag bringing up an ever growing tree sapling throughout the show, searching for its owner, Mrs. Jones.

The theme for the show is "Ain’t We Got Fun" and will feature hit songs from the show through the years. Highlights include the Endmen with a medley of “baby” songs, Cub Scout Jackson Kellogg performing “Dennis the Menace”, Scout Michael Szewczyk singing “Carolina in the Morning” and Venture Scout Michael Shea singing “Minnie the Moocher.”
In addition, the Scouts will be performing traditional Scout Gang Show classics such as “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Hey Good Lookin’” and “When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin’ Along.” Special guests include former Derby Mayor and current Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo and Sarah Beth Widomski.

In addition to Garofalo, Center Stage director Gary Scarpa, former Ansonia Mayor Bill Menna, and Shelton Aldermanic President John Anglace all performed in the show as youths. 

The show's most famous alumnus is TV, stage, and movie actor Brian Dennehy, who performed "Be A Good Scout" on the same Derby Methodist Church stage in the 1948 show.

Pack 3 Webelos Scouts and Boy Scout Billy Smith, left, perform Elvis Presley’s 'Love Me Tender.'/ Contributed photo

Tickets for the show are $8 and are available from any Pack 3, Troop 3 or Crew 33 Scout or by calling 203-732-0343. 

A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. 
Proceeds help send Scouts to summer camp at Ed Strang Scout Reservation, Cub Scout Day camp and the Scouts’ upcoming three-week cross-country camping trek.

This is a press release from Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Scouts to hold tag sale in Derby

     DERBY - Troop 3 Boy Scouts of America will hold a Giant Tag Sale to raise funds for its upcoming Cross Country Adventure Trip. 

      The sale will be held 8 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26 at the Second Congregational Church, 136 Elizabeth St.

       There will be an Early Bird Sale, admission $2, from 6-8 p.m. April 25.

      Troop 3, which plans a big trip nearly every year, was founded in 1914. Membership includes boys from Derby, Shelton, Seymour, Oxford, and Ansonia.

This is a press release from Troop 3.

Boy Scouts to plant trees in Derby, Shelton

Annual Good Friday Good Turn project
With a goal of planting 100 trees in the Lower Naugatuck Valley this year in honor of their 100^th anniversary, Valley Boy Scouts of Derby-based Troop 3 will be busy Friday planting 20 trees each in Derby and Shelton. 

The Good Friday Good Turn community service project in an annual event the troop has performed for more than 25 years.  

The four to six-foot tall trees were purchased through the generosity of Troop 3 alumni and the Derby Second Congregational Church, the sponsoring organization of the troop since 1914.

Troop 3 is one of 40 Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Venture Crews and Explorer Posts of the Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America.

In Shelton, a variety of trees will be planted along Howe Avenue, Center Street, and Bridge Street in the planter spaces without trees. Trees also will be planted at the Shelton Riverwalk.

In Derby, trees will be planted along the Derby Greenway and dogwood trees will be planted at the recently opened Ansonia-Derby Dog Park. 
Troop 3 Scout Anthony Bartholomew assisted the City of Derby in the development of the dog park in 2013 as his Community Service Project for Eagle Scout rank.

Shelton Mayor and Housatonic Council BSA executive board member Mark Lauretti is planning to visit the tree planting effort in Shelton at 10 a.m. Friday and Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto is expected at the Derby Greenway at 11 a.m. to visit with the Troop 3 Scouts.

Troop 3 Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Edwards of Ansonia plans to lead the Scouts in planting 20 white pine trees at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center April 26, as part of Earth Day activities. Plans are also underway for planting trees in Seymour and Oxford.

This is a press release from Randy Ritter, Troop 3 Scoutmaster. For more information contact him at 203-733-5347.

Troop 3 in Derby holds court of honor

Housatonic Council BSA Scout Executive Kevin Bishop presents Troop 3 Derby Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Justin Patten with the National BSA’s Quality Unit Award at a recent court of honor ceremony held by Troop 3 at the Derby Second Congregational Church. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Boy Scout Troop 3, sponsored by the Derby Second Congregational Church, recently held a Court of Honor at the church hall. Founded in 1914, the Troop is celebrating 100 years of providing Scouting to youths of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Housatonic Council BSA Scout Executive Kevin Bishop presented Troop 3 with the Quality Unit Award for meeting a high standard of goals in areas of advancement, membership, training and community service.  

District Director and Strang Scout Reservation Camp Director Bill Zinky was also on hand to promote the summer camping opportunities at the Goshen Scout camp. In addition, Zinky provided the annual Friends of Scouting where more than $7,000 was pledged by Troop 3 families to support the Valley’s Housatonic Council BSA.

Troop 3 Committee Chairman announced the scouts who were selected to participate in the Troop’s International Exchange Program.

Scouts who will be representing Troop 3 as exchange Scouts to Derby, England are Senior Patrol Leader Ryan Cafaro and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Anthony Bartholomew. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Justin Patten and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Matthew Moran will represent the troop as exchange Scouts to Limerick, Ireland.

The Troop will also be hosting three Scouts from Limerick, two Scouts from Derby and two scouts from Peterborough, England this summer. The English and Irish scouts will be part of Troop 3’s contingent participating in a three-week cross-country camping trek visiting national parks. The international exchange program is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Robert Feeney, a Troop 3 alumnus.

The Court of Honor ceremony under the direction of Patrol Leader James Chopak and Advancement Chairperson Margie Kish, recognized 27 Scouts for earning the following merit badges and advancing in rank: Anthony Bartholomew: Climbing, Matthew Cafaro: Climbing and Space Exploration, Ryan Cafaro: Climbing and Crime Prevention, Andrew Devine: Climbing,

Jason Edwards: Climbing, Matt Edwards: Climbing and Crime Prevention, Vinny Fazzino: Climbing, Michael Flora Jr: Climbing, Emergency Preparedness, Farm Mechanics and Rifle Shooting.  Also, Ben Grasso: Citizenship in the World, Matthew Kish: Climbing, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World, Farm Mechanics and Radio, Ryan Kish: Climbing, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World, Radio and Space Exploration.

Brandon Kling: Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Radio, Snow Sports and Space Exploration, Naveen Madivala: Climbing and  Crime Prevention, Colby McLiverty: Climbing and Citizenship in the World, Elliott Moscato: Climbing and Citizenship in the World,

Justin Patten: Climbing, Louis Richetelli: Climbing and Space Exploration, Adam Sroka: Citizenship in the World, Michael Shea: Citizenship in the Nation and Citizenship in the World, Joseph Szewczyk: Climbing and Crime Prevention,  Zachary Thomas: Crime Prevention and Steven Tracz: Citizenship in the World and Family Life

Earning Scout Rank was Vincent Yanez. Second Class Rank was awarded to Vinny Fazzino, Jayson Hutchinson, Thomas Robertson and Zachary Thomas.

First Class Rank was presented to Elliott Moscato and William Smith. Life Rank was earned by Jason Edwards and Michael Shea.

New Scouts who crossed over from Cub Scout Pack 3 into Boy Scout Troop 3 are: Alex Oleschuk, Andrew Kluk, Jared Tobin,  Brandon Yanez,  Aaron Asprelli, Bobby Stankye, and Mike Szewczyk.   Troop 3 still has several openings for boys at least 11 years old who would like to experience the self confidence and character building  adventures that Scouting has to offer. 

Contact Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, 203-732-0343 for more information.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Troop 3 in Derby awards 290th Eagle Scout badge

Troop 3 Derby Eagle Scout Joshua Moscato, center, with his parents, Leo and Kathy Moscato and brother Scout Elliot Moscato. /Contributed photo

DERBY – Fewer than 4 percent of Boy Scouts in the United States attain Eagle Scout Rank and Housatonic Council BSA Troop 3 Scout Joshua Moscato has attained that mighty goal.

The Second Congregational Church, sponsor of Troop 3 since 1914, was the venue for the Court of Honor ceremony to recognize Moscato, 15, son of Leo and Kathy Moscato and brother of First Class Scout Elliot Moscato, all of Derby.
Mayor Anita Dugatto, Shelton Mayor and Housatonic Council Executive Board Member Mark Lauretti and former Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri participated in the ceremony by presenting proclamations and Eagle statuettes to Joshua.

Eagle Scout Neeraj Madivala, a freshman at the University of Connecticut, was presented with the 2013 Ed & Caroline Strang Eagle Scout Scholarship, served as master of ceremonies. Scout James Cobaugh served as organist for the ceremony, playing the National Anthem and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The court of honor was under the direction of Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster James Frovarp.

Joshua started scouting in Cub Scout Pack 3 Derby with Tiger Cub leader Beverly Martin and eventually earned the Arrow of Light Award as a Webelos Scout.  He joined Troop 3 and has served as scribe of the Pink Panthers patrol, patrol leader for the Lone Wolves, placing second in the 2012 Spring Camporee, Den Chief for Pack 3 and he was proud to serve as a Troop Guide and mentor.  He is a  Brotherhood member in Order of the Arrow Paugassett Lodge 553 and has earned 38 merit badges  
In June 2012, Joshua was awarded the Derby Mayor’s Youth Award for his community service. 

In addition to many weeks at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation summer camp, Joshua attended the 100th Anniversary Boy Scout National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia in 2010, and travelled with Troop 3 on a two week Pacific Coast camping trip in 2011, and sailed with Troop 3 in the Florida Keys in 2012. 

For his Eagle Scout project, Joshua, directed his fellow Scouts in erecting a flag pole at the Derby Train Station and the Valley Council of Governments. He placed engraved pavers at the base of the flag pole which were purchased by members of the community.  
These stones were respectfully positioned around the flag to commemorate the memory of many loved ones.  Joshua worked with the members of the Valley Council of Governments, DiGiovanni and Sons, and Walsh Fence to bring this project to fruition.  The flag pole is illuminated at night. Old Glory can be seen from Route 8 and serves as a symbol to our veterans who have given their lives and continue to serve our country.      

Joshua is a sophomore at Notre Dame High School in West Haven and is a member of the swim team. He looks forward to attending college and majoring in electronic engineering.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Troop 3 in Derby accepting Super Bowl sub orders

 

Troop 3 Derby Scout Ryan Kish prepares a one-foot Super Bowl sub at last February's fundraiser.  / Contributed photo

DERBY - Boy Scout Troop 3 is accepting orders for one-foot and five-foot sub sandwiches as part of their annual Super Bowl Sub Sale fundraiser.  

The subs are made to order and home delivered Feb. 2 anywhere in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. All orders must be received by Jan. 29.

One-foot subs are $7 each and the five-foot, double-wide party subs are $65. Proceeds from the sale will help the scouts attend Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation summer camp and a three-week, cross country camping adventure. 

For more information visit www.troop3derby.org or to place an order call  203-732-0343 or see any Troop 3 Scout.


This is a press release from Troop 3.

Dinner in Derby to benefit Boy Scout Troop 3

Bus trip to benefit Troop 3 of Derby

DERBY - A bus trip to benefit Boy Scout Troop 3 of Derby to raise money for year-round activities and camping trips is planned on Oct. 12.  

It's a pre-holiday shopping trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, N.Y.
The bus will depart at 7:45 a.m. from the Derby Train Station on Main Street and return there at 8 p.m.

Price is $40 per person, which includes bus and continental breakfast.

To make a reservation contact Pam Neuendorf, 203-650-3281 or Carole Cafaro, 203-735-7519.

Bus trip to benefit Troop 3 of Derby

DERBY - A bus trip to benefit Boy Scout Troop 3 of Derby to raise money for year-round activities and camping trips is planned on Oct. 12.  

It's a pre-holiday shopping trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, N.Y.
The bus will depart at 7:45 a.m. from the Derby Train Station on Main Street and return there at 8 p.m.

Price is $40 per person, which includes bus and continental breakfast.

To make a reservation contact Pam Neuendorf, 203-650-3281 or Carole Cafaro, 203-735-7519.

Derby teen raises money for Eagle Scout project in Ansonia

To renovate tech lab at Assumption School

BSA Life Scout Justin Patten, a member of Troop 3, Derby, is pictured with Kathleen Molner, Principal of Assumption School in Ansonia, sorting orders for the Butter Braid Fundraiser. He organized the event to raise money for his Eagle Scout Service Project. 
Justin is a graduate of Assumption School Class of 2011. He has chosen to renovate the tech lab at Assumption School for his Eagle Scout Service Project. 
Profits are being used to purchase supplies for the tech lab. / Contributed photo

This is taken from a press release from Assumption School.

3 Eagle Scouts recognized at Derby church

BSA Troop 3 Derby’s newest Eagle Scouts, from left: Alex Main, Evan Altamirano and Jake Grasso.


DERBY - Elected officials, a gospel choir and more than 200 friends, family members and Scouts were on hand at Second Congregational Church recently to recognize Housatonic Council BSA Troop 3 Derby Eagle Scouts. They are Alexander Main, John “Jake” Grasso, and Evan Altamirano. 
The Eagle rank is Scouting’s highest honor.

The court of honor was under the direction of Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster James Frovarp.

Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri, Orange First Selectman James Zeoli and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti presented proclamations and gifts on behalf of their communities. 

The Bridgeport based Pivot Ministries Choir performed two gospel songs in celebration of the good works completed for the organization by Alex Main.
A slide presentation of the Scouts in action was presented by Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Alex Main, 15, a Shelton resident, is the son of Graham and Rosemarie Main. He is the older brother of Troop 3 Scout Matthew Main.

Alex earned the Arrow of Light Award with Pack 3 in Derby before joining Troop 3, where he earned 34 merit badges. He attended the 100^th Anniversary Boy Scout National Jamboree in Virginia in 2010. 

Alex is a freshman at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull where he is involved in the school’s drama club, debate club and ukulele club. 
He is a member of and clarinetist in The Milford Concert Band and in 2012, he placed third in the Western Regionals Competition.
He plays the soprano saxophone and he also plays fife for the Derby Historical Society’s David Humphreys House, where he volunteers as a Junior Docent. His future plans are to become an English teacher.

For his Eagle project, Alex collected men’s clothing, toiletries and food items for Pivot Ministries in Bridgeport.
Along with other Scouts, he collected more than $14,000 worth of merchandise for Pivot Ministries, a Christian based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men. Alex and his family are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Shelton.

Restored vegetable garden

Evan Altamirano, 18, is the son of Cesar and Janine Altamirano and older brother to Noah and Katherine. Prior to living in Middlebury, Evan was born in Derby and resided in the Valley and Florida. 
Evan is a 2012 graduate of Pomperaug High School and is currently a freshman at Central Connecticut State University, majoring in business. Evan and his family belong to St. John of the Cross Church and he has participated in several mission trips with the youth group.

Evan first began his scouting adventure with Pack 902 in Woodbridge and then Pack 306 Boca Raton, Florida before joining Pack 3 Derby, where he earned the Arrow of Light Award. 

Upon joining Boy Scout Troop 3, he participated in Troop 3 trips to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England, the BSA Florida Sea Base and a Grand Canyon camping adventure. In addition, Evan enjoyed camping each summer at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen.

For his Eagle Scout Community Service Project, Evan worked closely with staff and members of the St. John of the Cross Parish to restore and cultivate a vegetable garden area for the youth members of the church to maintain and harvest the produce for donation to local soup kitchens.  

This sustainable garden not only provides food to the needy but offers an opportunity for community members to come together and become invested in a long term mission of stewardship and commitment.  

Attended National Jamboree

John “Jake” Grasso III, is a lifelong Orange resident and the older brother of Troop 3 Scout Ben Grasso and the stepbrother of Troop 3 scout Michael Getlein. Jake’s father and step-mother are John and Shanon Grasso. His mother and step-father are Lynn and Elijah Dreher.

Jake is a parishioner of Holy Infant Church in Orange. He started scouting with Pack 923 in Orange and then joined Pack 3 Derby, where he earned his Arrow of Light Award.

Upon joining Troop 3, Jake served as Den Chief, Patrol Leader and Troop Historian. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of The Arrow Paugassett Lodge 553. Jake has participated in Troop 3 trips to the Grand Canyon, National Parks of the Western US and as a member of the Housatonic Council contingent he attended the 100^th anniversary of Scouting National Jamboree in Virginia.

Jake is a junior at Notre Dame High School in West Haven where he is a member of the St. Brother Andre Bessete National Honor Society and the Concert Chamber Choir. He plans to attend Quinnipiac University where he will study to become an elementary school teacher.

For his Eagle project Jake led a group of Scouts who improved the area around the Racebrook School Pond in Orange, built and installed two picnic tables for use by teachers, students and staff.

Altamirano, Main and Grasso are the 282^nd, 283^rd and 284^th scouts to achieve Eagle Scout Rank since Troop 3 was founded in 1914. 
The troop meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Derby 2^nd Congregational Church and welcomes new members.

This information was taken from a press release from Randy Ritter.  

Congratulations go out to these three Eagle Scouts on their achievements.