Osborne Homestead Celebrates Centennial Wedding Anniversary

DERBY- In honor of the 100th wedding anniversary of Frances Eliza Osborne and Waldo Kellogg, the Osborne Homestead Museum will have a special exhibition of wedding pictures taken at the Kellogg Estate gardens and Osbornedale State Park.

Its gardens and grounds have in the past and continue to provide an ideal and affordable destination for wedding photography. For the entire month of October, visit the museum and view wedding photos from the 1970s to the present day. 

Frances Eliza Osborne and Waldo Stewart Kellogg married October 21, 1919 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Derby.  As Frances wrote to her mother, their love was as strong as “Romeo & Juliette or any of the storybook lovers,” and their marriage was one of equal partnership.  Frances was already a successful business woman and community leader when she met Waldo, an architect who supervised the design of the Veteran’s Hospital in West Haven.  They ran Osbornedale Farm, at what is now Osbornedale State Park, and contributed to the design of the museum.  

This special wedding exhibition will recognize and honor the couples who have had their wedding photos taken in the state park. About eighteen wedding couples’ photos will be featured in the museum.  You might even see the wedding pictures of your relatives, friends, and neighbors!  Along with their photographs, there will be a display of bridal gloves, wedding accessories, and the Kellogg’s wedding gifts.  Wedding stories and legends will also be featured.  

Get inspired, learn about wedding legends, and celebrate Frances and Waldo’s, other “Kellogg” couples’, and your wedding anniversaries at the Osborne Homestead Museum throughout the month of October.  

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is open for free guided tours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It is located at 500 Hawthorne Avenue off of Rte. 34 in Derby.  For additional information email susan.d.robinson@ct.gov or call 203-734-2513. 

(This is a press release from Osborne Homestead Museum)

Derby's Troop 3 marks 100th anniversary in Goshen

Troop 3 alumnus and Eagle Scout Adam Rak, with daughters Jane and Lydia, traveled from California to participate in Troop 3’s 100th anniversary family camping weekend at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen./ Contributed photo

DERBY – More than 100 people from Boy Scout Troop 3, Derby’s past and present participated in a camping weekend at Housatonic Council’s Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen, to celebrate the Troop’s 100th anniversary.

Former members attended with their families from as far away as California, New York and Massachusetts.

Activities included fishing, boating, rifle shooting, archery, Wiffle ball, crafts, dutch oven cooking, campfires and hiking the camp’s 186 acres of fields and forest.  Movies from the Troop’s early years, as well as recent Scout Gang Shows and scrapbooks assisted the “old timers” in sharing Scouting stories with current Scouts.

The weekend also included a tree planting at the camp, named for late Scouting Pioneer and Troop 3 leader, Edmund D. Strang. 

The Scouts have planted 60 trees in Derby, Ansonia, Shelton and Goshen with a goal of 100 in celebration of their centennial year.  

The event was under the direction of the Troop 3 committee of leaders, parents and alumni. 

Meals were prepared in the Frank Gates Dining Hall by Assistant Scoutmasters Charles Hemstreet Sr, Chris Cafaro and others. Memorabilia from the 100th anniversary was available for sale to alumni and presented as gifts to current Troop 3 Ascouts who participated, on behalf of the Derby Second  Congregational Church. 

Founded in 1914, just four years after Scouting was organized in America, and still sponsored by the Derby Second Congregational Church, the Troop is celebrating with special events throughout the year.  

On  Sept. 27 a time capsule burial will take place on the Derby Green in conjunction with the troop’s annual Ed Strang Day, a free event to introduce Scouting to the community. 

Also coming up are an Alumni Minstrel and Scout Gang Show Oct. 25 and a celebratory banquet at The Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour Oct. 26.

All former Troop 3 Scouts and their families are invited to participate. Contact Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, 203-732-0343 for more information.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. 

 

Troop 3 in Derby to hit century mark

Members of Troop 3 gather for a group shot. Photo contributed by Randy Ritter

DERBY – Made up of boys 11 to 17 from throughout the Valley, Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby will begin its 100th year of Scouting at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Second Congregational Church on Elizabeth Street, across from the Derby Green.

The troop, among the oldest in Connecticut, was founded in 1914, and is still sponsored by the Second Congregational Church. 
Meetings are held at the church each Wednesday through June and all interested boys may visit with a parent or guardian. 
Boys younger than 11 who are interested in Scouting can visit Cubmaster Dan Cyrul and Cub Scout Pack 3 at 6 p.m. Mondays at the Derby Methodist Church.

The Junior Leaders who run the weekly troop meetings and monthly campouts as members of the Patrol Leaders Council include Senior Patrol Leader Ryan Cafaro, Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders Justin Patten, Anthony Bartholomew, Steve Tracz and Colby McLiverty, Patrol Leaders Jason Edwards, Mike Flora, James Chopak and Ryan Kish, Scribe Joe Szewczyk, Chaplain’s Aide Michael Shea, OA Representative Ben Grasso, Webmaster Jason Edwards, Quartermaster Dominic Livoti, Historian Naveen Madivala, Librarian Julian Gilloren, Troop Guide Jim Butler, and Junior Assistant Scoutmasters Matt Moran and Andrew Devine. 

The patrol leaders’ council is guided by Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter and Assistant Scoutmasters Bill McDonnell, Chris Cafaro, John Spinetti, Mike McMahon and others.

Monthly meeting themes include: Iron Chef cooking, history, paranormal, wilderness survival, cinematography, criminal justice, outdoor skills, military and cycling.
Highlighting the 2013-14 Scouting year will be 100th anniversary celebratory activities, performing in the 90^th Annual Scout Gang Show, attending Strang Scout Reservation summer camp and a three-week cross-country camping trek with scouts from Ireland and England.

The Troop also schedules camping trips at least one weekend a month throughout the year and conducts regular community service efforts like Scouting for Food and Good Friday service projects. In addition scouts working towards Scouting’s highest honor, Eagle Scout Rank will lead significant community service projects like the Derby Dog Park project lead by Troop 3 Scout Anthony Bartholomew. 
Almost 300 scouts have achieved Eagle Scout Rank in Troop 3’s history.

Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 will be offering a free hands-on activities to introduce the program to all youths. 
The annual event, called Ed Strang Day on the Derby Green in honor of the late Scouting pioneer, will be held Sept. 28. 
For information call 203-732-0343.


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