Ashland Scouts have busy summer
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The Ashland Boy Scouts from Troop 179 have been kept busy all summer with a variety of good deeds, activities and fun.
Starting with their first ever Cake Bake Auction during the Ashland Summerfest, the Scouts — along with their families’ help — baked a sundry of fun and interesting cakes such as a ship, baseball, dice, July Fourth themes, a race car track and Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein!
Photo courtesy of Polly Libby
SCOUTING ADVENTURES — The Ashland Boy Scouts from Troop 179 recently hiked Debouillie Mountain and the surrounding area. Here the boys took a break to cool off with a dip in the pond. Pictured are, from left, front row: Tyler Golden, Otis Nelson, Airin Harmon, Steven Bellanceau and Daniel Rafford. Back row: Polly Libby, assistant Scoutmaster; Kim Rafford, Linda Milligan, Scoutmaster; Andrew Libby and Malcolm Milligan.
Eagle Scout Henry Milligan was the very entertaining and motivating auctioneer helping the troop garner high bids. Milligan did a great job! Keep an eye out next year for another Scout-sponsored cake auction with even more new and exciting cake ideas!
On Saturday, the Scouts had the honor of marching in the July Fourth parade in Ashland, as well as the Portage Lake Parade July 9. Boys and adults marching were Peng Cheng, Zach Carr, Andrew Libby, Airin Harmon, Steven Bellanceau, Otis Nelson, Garrett Graham, Wyatt Carr, Mason Deabay, Malcolm Milligan, Polly Libby, assistant Scoutmaster; Linda Milligan, Scoutmaster; and Henry Milligan. Also marching was Daniel Kane, Linda’s nephew. Each Scout did an excellent job representing their troop and the BSA.
On the Sunday of the Summerfest, the Scouts held their annual Barbeque and Beach Ball Race. On the menu for the barbecue were hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and potato salads and a variety of cool, refreshing drinks. Watermelon, chips and desserts were also served. Dr. David Scullion of Portage Lake was the lucky winner of the Beach Ball Race. Congratulations go out to him!
Photo courtesy of Polly Libby
CANOE WARS — One of the many events the Ashland Scouts participated in at Boy Scout Camp this summer was “canoe wars.” Various troops competed to see who could sink their opponents canoe first by using buckets of water. Ashland Troop 179 tied once, won twice and lost only one. They came in second place overall. Pictured from Troop 179, in the foreground, are: Daniel Rafford, Malcolm Milligan, Mason Deabay and Peng Cheng.
The Scouts also attended Camp Roosevelt in East Eddington. The boys earned several merit badges such as small boat sailing, COPE climbing and rappelling course, wood working, archery, rifle and shotgun, camping, cooking, Indian lore, leatherwork, orienteering, pioneering, insect and mammal studies, weather and environmental science. During their “free time,” the boys enjoyed swimming, finishing up their merit badge requirements, as well as visiting the Camp Store stocking up on Scouting items, ice cream, drinks and candy! They all had a great time and were lucky to have had wonderful weather all week; the first week in five years not requiring rain gear!
Boys who attended camp were Otis Nelson, Malcolm Milligan, Garrett Graham, Zach Carr, Mason Deabay, Steven Bellanceau, Peng Cheng, Polly Libby, assistant Scoutmaster; Linda Milligan, Scoutmaster; Airin Harmon, Wyatt Carr and Daniel Rafford.
Another day found the boys on an adventure hiking Debouillie Mountain and the surrounding terrain of Debouillie and Pushineer Ponds, taking the time to cool off with a swim midway through. While there, the Scouts met a wonderful couple that were camping that shared the use of their cook stove so the boys could enjoy their lunch. They shared a lot of stories and laughs with them before continuing on. Again, Mother Nature shined brightly upon the boys offering them beautiful skies and scenery. This hike also helped several of the boys complete some requirements in their Scout books.
Sounds like the Scouts had a full and active summer! Way to go Troop 179! Thank you for sharing your adventures with the community. I know we all enjoy hearing about what you’re up to. Great job!
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435-8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.
