Housatonic Council to Present 22nd Annual Good Scout Award

The Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America, will present this year’s “Good Scout” Award to longtime community leader Curtiss*Ryan Honda.  The award will be presented to Curtiss*Ryan Honda on Thursday, October 20 at the Brownson Country Club, 15 Soundview Avenue, Shelton, CT from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

 

The Housatonic Council presents a Good Scout Award to an individual or organization that exemplifies the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America as expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  The recipients are chosen for their outstanding community service as evidenced by the interest and leadership given to many worthwhile organizations as well as the respect and esteem in which they are held by their colleagues.

 

Good Scout Award honorees are selected by a committee that is chaired by Mark Lauretti, Mayor of Shelton and member of the Executive Board of the Housatonic Council.

 

“Curtiss*Ryan Honda has contributed to the betterment of life in our Valley towns in many ways,” said Mayor Lauretti.  “Curtiss*Ryan Honda has been an engaged partner with the Housatonic Council and through their support of many of the Valley’s community organizations and initiatives to improve the quality of life for area residents.”

 

Previous recipients of the Good Scout Award include Walter Archer, Jr., Jamie Cohen, Helen and Gerald Bogen, David Rifkin, Mark Lauretti, James Ryan, John Anglace, Representative Richard Belden, Robert Scinto, Dean Borgman, Norman Santa, Patrick Charmel, Royal Wells, the Jones family, Fletcher Thompson, William Bassett, Monty Blakeman, and David Grant, the law firm of Welch, Teodosio, Stanek & Blake, LLC (formerly known as Winnick, Vine, Welch & Teodosio, LLC), Ned Miller, and Jeff Bruner of the Iroquois Gas Company.

 

The Housatonic Council serves the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.   Established in 1923, the Housatonic Council is one of the oldest councils in the Boy Scouts of America.  In addition to delivering the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, and Learning for Life programs, the Housatonic Council owns and operates the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen.

 

If you would like to attend or support the Good Scout Award Ceremony, please contact the Housatonic Council at (203) 734-3329.

 

(This is a press release from the Housatonic Council)

 

 

Housatonic Council to honor Scout leader at Derby event

DERBY - A Winter Gathering for camp alumni, camp staff alumni and friends of Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 7, at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane.

Charles “Chuck” Hemstreet, Sr, a long time Scout leader, will be recognized with the Outstanding Camp Staff Alumni Award for more than 50 years of service to Housatonic Council.

Charles Hemstreet

Hemstreet joins previous award recipients Emil “Bill” Martin, Henry “Jay” Decho, Robert “Bob” Dion and the late Rudy Gajdosik Jr.

In 1960, Charles Hemstreet Sr., of Seymour, joined Derby Methodist Church sponsored Pack 3 Derby as a Cub Scout under the direction of Edmund D.Strang and Paul Kassheimer. 

Advancing then to Derby Second Congregational Church sponsored Troop 3, where he attained Eagle Scout Rank, and then becoming an adult leader within Troop 3 and Derby-Shelton Rotary Club sponsored Explorer Post 33. 

Served on camp staff 

He was among the founding members of the Order of the Arrow Paugassett Lodge 553 and has been a lifelong supporter of Edmund Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen. Hemstreet served on Summer Camp staff for many years and has volunteered an extraordinary number of hours providing electrical upgrades to the campgrounds and cooking for fundraising activities.

He has served Troop 3 as a chaperone on numerous camping trips to Canada, 1971 Europe Trip and 1991 Cape Cod trip. 

He has also hosted English and Irish Exchange Scouts and participated on the National Jamboree Committee for Housatonic Council.

In 2002, Hemstreet arranged for and transported $30,000 worth of previously owned cooking equipment to upgrade the Strang Scout Reservation Dining Hall. In 2004, he served Paugassett Lodge 553 as the Chairman for the Section Conclave, an annual gathering of 300 O/A Lodge members from throughout the region.

He is a Vigil Member and Associate Advisor of Paugassett Lodge, a Troop 3 committee member and an Associate Advisor for Venture Crew 33.

Hemstreet has worked as an electrician for Ansonia Copper & Brass and has been involved in numerous community organizations such as the Derby Lodge of Elks, Sons of Legionnaires and the Valley United Way Campaign.

He has been married to Scouting volunteer Kathy Hemstreet for 41 years and they are parents of Troop 3 Eagle Scouts Chuck Hemstreet Jr. and Jay Hemstreet, as well as daughters Mary Kate and Allison. They have three grandchildren.

The event includes hors d'oeuvres, soda, coffee, cash bar. 

Cost is $25 for registered members of the camp alumni association and 2013 camp staff, $30 all others. RSVP to Raymond Oppel, 203-929-6616 or email at rayo58@sbcglobal.net 

Proceeds to benefit Housatonic Council’s Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation.

 

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. 

 

30 Eagle Scouts honored at dinner in Derby

                                                                                                                                       

Housatonic Council BSA, based in Derby, recently recognized 30 Scouts from the Valley area who achieved Eagle Scout Rank in 2013 at a dinner at the LaSala Banquet Hall in Derby. 

Pictured top row from left:  Kyle E. Barber, Troop 27 Shelton, Daniel M. Vigezzi, Troop 27, Joshua Kreitler, Troop 27, James Rossik, Troop 11 Seymour, James A. Butler, Troop 3 Derby, Michael R. Neuendorf, Troop 3, Logan Clair, Troop 27, Wesley A. Sekelsky, Troop 27, Matthew R. Vittori, Troop 27.

Middle row: Joshua Thomas Eighmie, Troop 11, Matthew R. Maciejko, Troop 65 Oxford, Christopher M. Haack, Troop 19 Shelton, Liam Dylan Davis, Troop 55 Shelton, Justin J. Patten, Troop 3, David W. Ahearn Jr, Troop 3, Ryan M. Caruso, Troop 27, Brett Butler, Troop 28 Shelton, Steven William Kandro, Troop 19, Andrew Kyle Miller, Troop 27, and State Superior Court Judge Richard Marano, Sr.

Bottom Row: Noah P. Lisewski, Troop 65, Kevin C. King, Troop 1 Oxford, Joshua A. Moscato, Troop 3, Ryan C. Cafaro, Troop 3, Jeremiah D. Kingston, Troop 105 Ansonia, William J. Kowarik, Troop 3 and Andrew J. Devine, Troop 3.

Not Pictured - Gabriel Gene Brown, Troop 55, Christopher G. Friend, Troop 19, Daniel R. Heiden, Troop 55, and Quinton T. Hongo, Troop 101 Huntington.

The Eagle Scouts led significant community projects from nature trail bridge building to collection drives for the Spooner House homeless shelter to cemetery and history center repair projects.

The projects tallied more than 5,000 hours of service.

Nationally fewer than 4 percent of all Scouts achieve Eagle Scout Rank.

The Eagle Scouts received recognition from Shelton Mayor and Housatonic Council Executive Board member Mark Lauretti, Derby Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Exalted Ruler Jerry Coolidge and Francois W. Pelletier CW3 USARMY NG CTARNG (US) representing the Military Order of World Wars.

Eagle Scout Michael Yevich Jr. served as Master of Ceremonies. 

Housatonic Council Silver Beaver recipient and Eagle Scout Michael Kellogg was the guest speaker. 

State of Connecticut Superior Court Judge and Past Housatonic Council President Richard Marano Sr. was presented with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award for his service to Scouting and the community.

The event was under the direction of Housatonic Council Advancement Committee Chairman James Frovarp.

For information on joining the adventures of Scouting contact the Housatonic Council Service Center, 203-734-3329 or visit housatonicbsa.org.

This is a press release form Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

 

Ansonia Rotary, Scouts to hold fundraiser in Seymour

SEYMOUR - The Rotary Club of Ansonia and the Housatonic Council of Boy Scouts are teaming up to raise funds for scholarships from noon to 3 p.m. Nov 17 at The Inn at Villa Bianca, 312 Roosevclt Drive. 

Leaf peepers can enjoy a delicious repast and a sampling of wines and beers as they journey along the Housatonic River.
A silent auction is also planned.

The event supports academic and recreational scholarships for two local civic organizations.
Villa Bianca will provide a carving station and a variety of hot and cold hors d’ouvres, while Valley Discount Liquor will offer wine and beer tastings from around the world.

The cost of a ticket is $35 and can be purchased from Rotary Club members or from the Scouts’ Derby office.
Contact Rotary member Lori, 203-231-2578 or email lori.veillette@yahoo.com or Scout offices at 203-734-3329 or wzinky@bsamail.org.
 
The public is invited. Tickets may be purchased at the event.

The Ansonia Rotary Club and the Housatonic Council Scouts award scholarships to local youth for academic excellence and for summer camperships.

The Ansonia Rotary Club also supports the efforts of Rotary International to eliminate polio in the world and create clean water facilities in India.

 

This is taken from a press release from the Rotary Club.

Scouts to stage 89th annual gang show in Derby

 

In 2012 Scout Gang Show Cub Scouts from Pack 3 Derby performed “It’s a Small World” with Troop 3 Scout Joe Szewczyk. / Contributed photo

DERBY - The more than 100 members of Housatonic Council Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 will present their 89th Annual Scout Gang Show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Derby United Methodist Church.

The historic church is at the corner of Fifth and Elizabeth streets, across from the Green.


Part old-time minstrel, vaudeville, and variety show, the world’s longest running show of its kind has been performed by the Derby scouts annually since 1922 (shows weren’t performed for two years during World War II).
Although the Derby show is the only one performed in the United States, Scout Gang

Shows are performed by Scout groups throughout the United Kingdom and former British colonies. The Glasgow, Scotland Scout Gang Show has been performed since 1936.

Highlights of this year’s “That’s Entertainment” themed show include “Willkommen” by Troop 3 Senior Patrol Leader and chorus director Matthew Moran, “Make Em Laugh” by Cub Jackson Kellogg and “Born to Be Wild” by Scout James Chopak.
Director and interlocutor for the show is Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter and piano accompaniment is provided by Jeremey Lombard.
Lighting and sound are under the direction of Assistant Scoutmaster John Spinetti.

“The Scout Gang Show strengthens the relationship between our pack, troop and crew families and continues to give our scouts the opportunity to gain self confidence while learning the music from America’s past,” said Ritter, who has been directing the show for 19 years.

Award-winning stage and screen performer Brian Dennehy and Center Stage director Gary Scarpa of Shelton are among the Scouting alumni who performed in the show as youths under the direction of the late Scouting pioneer Edmund D. Strang.

The “Endmen” or joke tellers for the show include Troop 3 and Crew 33 members Neeraj Madivala, Steven Tracz, Andrew Devine, Billy Kowarik, Michael McMahon, Dominic Livoti, Aron Zamfino and Colby McLiverty.
“Stooges” performing run-on skits for the show are David Ahearn, Mike Neuendorf, John Murray, Matt Edwards and Justin Patton.
The Stooges are under the direction of Rodman Kneen, Sr. who has been involved with the show for 81 years, having first performed as a Cub in the 1932 show.

Special guests include Sarah Widomski, Derby High School student and “Derby Idol” winner Sara Poppa, and Troop 3 Committeeman and former Mayor of Derby, Marc Garofalo.

Tickets are available for $7 from Pack 3, Troop 3 and Crew 33 Scouts, or by calling 203-732-0343. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

Proceeds from the show assist Sscouts in attending Housatonic Cub Scout Day Camp, Boy Scout Summer Camp at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen and Housatonic Council Scouts attending the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.


 This post is taken from a press release.

Scout camp alumni, staff to honor longtime volunteer

Jay Decho

DERBY - A winter gathering for camp alumni, camp staff alumni and friends of Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 8 at Grassy Hill Lodge.

Henry “Jay” Decho, of Naugatuck, a longtime Scouting volunteer, Aquatics Director, and former Camp Director at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, will be recognized with  the Outstanding Camp Staff Alumni Award for more than 45 years of service to Housatonic Council. 

Decho is a history teacher at Shelton High School.

The event includes hors d'oeuvres, soda, coffee, and a cash bar. Cost is $25 for registered members of the camp alumni association and 2011 camp staff, $30 all others.

RSVP to Raymond Oppel, 203-929-6616 or email at rayo58@sbcglobal.net  

Proceeds will benefit Housatonic Council’s Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation.

This information is taken from a release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. 

Macaroni supper to benefit Housatonic Council

DERBY - A Macaroni and Meatball Supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary Church Hall, 212 Elizabeth St,

Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for children 16 and under.

The supper features a menu of family-style macaroni, meatballs, sausage, salad, soda, coffee and dessert prepared by Marc Garofalo, members of St. Mary Church and friends of Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America. 
Reservations are required; call 735-7519 or email: ccafaro@bsamail.org. This event sells out in advance. 

Donations and checks should be made payable to:  Housatonic Council BSA. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available.
The supper is served and funded by the Scouts and parents of Boy Scout Troop 3, Derby under the direction of Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.
The event benefits Derby-based Housatonic Council's Scouting program for the more than 2,000 Scouting youths throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

For more information about corporate sponsorship, call or email Ritter, 203-732-0343 or randyritter@excite.com, or visit http://www.troop3derby.org/

 

 

 

Macaroni supper to benefit Boy Scouts

DERBY - A home-style macaroni and meatball supper will be served 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at St. Mary Church Hall, 212 Elizabeth St. to benefit Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America.  

The menu, prepared by Marc Garofalo, members of St. Mary Church, and friends of Housatonic Council BSA includes macaroni, meatball, sausage, sauce, bread, salad, soda, coffee and  dessert.  

The cost is $10 for adults; $8 for children 16 & under.
Reservations are required. Call 203-735-7519 or email ccafaro@bsamail.org 

For information visit www.troop3derby.org