"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
The Boy Scouts of Troop 007 live up to that oath each and every day. Troop 007 which meets Monday evenings at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Glenwood and is headed by Scoutmaster Eric Bishop, "fledged" five Eagle Scouts from the ranks of its troop this spring.
Eagle Scout projects take months of planning and cooperative work from the whole troop for success. Within Troop 007 that daunting goal was achieved by Matt Bishop, who constructed and installed bat boxes at the Western Regional Park and the Warfield Pond Park with the Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation (and subsequently all who enjoy local parks) as beneficiary of the fine work.
Chris Conover constructed shelving units for the Grace Community Church, facilitating a long needed space for storage and organization areas.
Tom Condron created a prayer garden in memory of his friend Joseph Gordon, which was installed for all to enjoy at St. Alphonsus Church in Woodstock.
Ryan Condron repaired an existing walkway and created a new walkway at the Howard County Conservancy to the delight of all who visit the nature center.
Robel Daniel constructed a walkway of stunning paver stones at the Orthodox Church of St. Matthew in Columbia.
Aside from the pride felt by the troop members over the accomplishments of their five Eagle Scouts, the rest of Troop 007's members have been busy with plans for summer treks. Some of the senior members of the troop will attend Scout camp in the Florida Keys at Camp Sea Base, where scuba diving lessons are anticipated. During July, all of the troop will attend summer camp at Camp Keowa at Ten Mile River Camp in Bethel, N.Y.
The spring of 2015 was a time of celebration for Troop 007 as 20 new Boy Scouts bridged to the troop from Bushy Park and Lisbon Elementary Schools.
Well done, Troop 007. Interested in local Troop 007? Scoutmaster Eric Bishop can be reached at troop007scoutmaster@gmail.com.
So long, farewell. That was the chorus heard all over town on June 19, when West Friendship Elementary students bade their final "goodbyes" to long time teachers and staff. Darlene Heflin, Sue Ay, Patricia Mack Preston, Linda Chrest, Tom Cole, Donna Adams, Roseanne Fritz and Valerie Hester were among those who said goodbye to West Friendship as they embark on new adventures.
Many thanks to State Sen. Gail Bates, who took time out of her busy schedule in Annapolis to moderate the simulated congress sessions at area schools. Bates of West Friendship never fails to participate in this wonderful citizenship program.