Renovo Boy Scouts Celebrating 50th Year Anniversary

by Barbara Mastriania

RENOVO – It’s a year-long celebration for Renovo’s Boy Scouts of America Troop 137. The troop is 50 years old this year.

The anniversary observation has included Eagle Ranks awarded to three members, and a special banquet with numerous dignitaries attending. It also includes their usual activities and hiking, camping and helping others by ‘cleaning up.’

The formal celebration was held in May with an Anniversary Recognition Banquet that included the presentation of Eagle Rank awards to three troop members – Jonathan Probst, Tristan Shelb and Mason Johnson – by U.S. Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, 5th Cong. Dist. Thompson is a 30-year veteran of the Juniata Valley BSA and has received the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Guest speakers in addition to Rep. Thompson included Julie Brennan, representing Sen. John Wozniak and Ethel Snook, an adult Scouter from 1952 that has served as a Den Mother, a day camp director, on seven national jamboree staffs, and held numerous council positions and other posts. In addition to the guest speakers, Dave Bower and Dave Flack also presented awards to young men in the 12-member troop. Donna Berry was master of ceremonies for the event. Senior patrol leader Vincent Dimattia led the Pledge of Allegiance and scout law and Rev. John Harwood gave the invocation.

Troop 137 has been “cleaning up’’ for years and helping with the teardown of the annual PA State Flaming Foliage Festival and various other activities including the annual Kettle Creek Music Fest, the Hyner Challenge and just last week after the 100 Mile Challenge. They also man food and water stations at the hikes. Last week they were set up at Hyner State Park for the 100 Mile Challenge.

They meet weekly year round, troop leader Donald Long said. In summer months they go on camping trips. In the winter they swim at Western Clinton County Recreation Center. In June they joined the area veteran’s organizations for the Flag Day observation.