Pack 81 celebrates 60th Anniversary

BY HELEN B. FOSTER, Correspondent

Members of Susquehanna’s Cub Scout Pack 81, their leaders, parents and honored guests joined together at the Thompson Fire Hall on Saturday, May 21, to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

The Blue and Gold Banquet is the time for the Cubs to receive recognition for their past year achievements as they advance from Tiger Cub to Wolf Cub, to Bear Cub and then on to Webelos I and Webolos II.

As each Cub Scout was advanced in rank he received a new neckerchief signifying his new station as well as all his awards with a parent/parents standing with him to assist with the pinning ceremony.

The highlight of every Blue and Gold Banquet is the Cub Scout to Boy Scout crossover ceremony. This year there were six Cubs crossing the bridge to be received by Boy Scout leaders as the newest members of Susquehanna’s Boy Scout Troop 81: Justin Belvedere, Robert Burns, Shaun Chandler, Chad Lee, Travis Rockwell and Ed Wilbur.

Arranging the Blue and Gold Banquet and taking part in the advancement ceremony were Committee Chair Tammy Heller, members Clark Collins, Karen Downton and Cubmaster Dave Jenkins and Assistant Cubmaster TJ Heller.

Newest Committee member Don DeWitt was introduced at the banquet. Leaders, besides Jenkins and Heller, working with the Cubs are Aaron Rockwell, Gene Perry, Brett Spoor, Dave Jenkins, Terry Rockwell, Tom Nitterour, Dan Belvedere and Sue Belvedere.

Delhanna District Executive David Alamo was on hand to compliment Pack 81 and Troop 81 for the “good program and the leadership provided by the many volunteers who work with the Scouting program that helps these young men grow.”

Stone Bridge Lions Club members Leonard Kello and Pete Niven accepted the certificate of appreciation presented to the Lions Club as sponsors of the scouting movement in Susquehanna.

Also on hand was Chikkie Hansen to present Scouting memorabilia that her Grandfather Ira Reynolds had collected over his 90 years as a Boy Scout. Ira was instramental in organizing Susquehanna’s scouting program and was involved up to the time of his death in November 2010.

Reynolds attended the 2010 Blue and Gold Banquet, the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.

Other organizations, besides the Lions Club, recognized were American Legion Post 86/Legion Riders Chapter 86; Canawacta Lodge and Thompson Lodge F&AM; E.K. Owens Hardware; Thompson and Susquehanna Fire Departments; Riverside Lanes; Endless Mountian Stone; Paul Barnes; Jeff Sheldon; Ray Swanson; J&J Landscaping; Schneider’s Market; Rob’s Country Store; Outback Steakhouse; Price Chopper; Walmart, Vestal; Fred’s Market; Sharon’s Design Studio; Loyal Order of Moose; Bronson Stone and Robert Keyes of Susquehanna Community School District; Peoples Neighborhood Bank; Pennstar Bank; Frito Lay, Kurt Smith; Paraco Gas/Smokey Heller. All of these organizations and individuals were thanked by Tammy Heller for their generous support to the Scouting movement.

Canawacta Masonic Lodge and Thompson Masonic Lodge served a chicken barbecue to those attending.