Blue Ridge District Scouts Gather to Recognize Adult Leadership

By Ron Fitzwater

Scouts and their supporters of the Blue Ridge District, Old Hickory Council of the Boy Scouts of America,

gathered at West Jefferson United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 5, to recognize the adult Scouters who lead and shape the young men and boys who participate in the program.

Ceremonies were opened with the presentation of the colors by a color guard from West Jefferson Troop 214, the reciting of the Scout Oath and Pledge and an invocation by Eagle Scout Ed Hammitt.

Following the opening ceremonies, a pot luck dinner was served and, after a short time to eat and fellowship, the awards were presented.

In his introduction to the awards ceremony, District Chairman Scott Cronk thanked the Ashe County Scouters for "pulling together and helping to pull off the evening," and the Watauga County Scouters for making the trip to attend.

"I think what came to mind as I saw I was to welcome and introduce people is that sometimes in Scouting we get to be known as almost a secret organization. In the way that sometimes we meet in the church basement or the school room, the back of the Eagles lodge and people don't know we are there. They might see us at a parade or in the newspaper and they don't know a lot about a lot us," Cronk said.

"What we are doing here tonight is recognizing what it is that takes place in those meeting places across our district and specifically who makes it happen and that is you the leaders," he said.

"We are here to recognize the people who surprise themselves and surprise others. A lot of us are afraid sometimes that these guys aren't listening. But just when you think that there is no possible way that you can reach them, that I don't connect with them or I'm too old or out of touch, well that's when a Scout pops up with the right answer or does the right thing at the next campsite. That makes you realize, 'maybe somebody was listening,'" Cronk said.

"Then you hear about one of your Scouts out in the community who does the right thing after he is no longer connected to Scouting, that's when you know that what you were trying to get across at that Scout meeting took hold.

"Without realizing it, you folks have become role models, an authority figure, second parents, counselors, youth advocates and teachers, but the bottom line is, you are a leader. You show up every time and you put on a program for these guys and believe me, they may not know what all you have to do, but they know that here is an adult that cares about them. So we are here tonight to say thank you for doing that," Cronk said.

Award winners for the
2008 Blue Ridge District
Unit Spark Plug Award
James Dunegan (Pack 237)
Rex Burgess (Troop 237)
Suzanne McAdams (Pack 123)
David Long (Troop 109)
Patricia Hodges (Pack 109)
District Lamplighter Award
Glenn Stuart
Frank Hayes
Rob Fuller
Cub Scout Adult Leader Knot Awards
Tiger Cub Den Leader Award
Wendy Goss (Pack 237)
Cubmaster Award
Travis Denny (Pack 237)
Cub Scouter Award
Nikki Mackler (Pack 109)
Cub Scouter of the Year
Wendy Goss (Pack 237)
Mark Poteat (Pack 100)
Lee Rankin (Pack 123)
Boy Scouter of the Year
Dolly Goodman (Troop 237)
Bob Rochelle (Troop 100)
Venturing Advisor of the Year
Chris Beck (Crew 221)
William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award
Rob Fuller for Pack & Troop 199
Travis Denny for Troop 237
District Award of Merit
Jerry Butler
Special Presentations
Special Award: Terry Cole for his many years of service as District Chairman