Troop 3 to kick off 94th year on September 5th

Our first troop meeting of the new Scouting year will be Wednesday, September 5, 7 to 8:30PM at the Derby 2nd Congregational Church. We will be handing out the new troop roster and going over the new, exciting troop calendar that your Patrol Leader's Council has planned for the 2007-08 Scouting year. 

In addition, Mr. Oppel will be collecting your annual troop dues of $25 per scout and $40 for two scouts in the same family.   

We will also discuss plans for the upcoming Ed Strang Day on the Derby Green, to be held on September 15. Press release :  DERBY - Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 resumes its weekly Wednesday night meetings beginning September 5 at 7PM. Founded in 1914 and still meeting in the hall of the Derby 2nd Congregational Church, Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby is among the oldest continuously operating troops in the United States. With currently more than 60 members and 20 registered leaders from throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the troop continues to offer opportunities for European travel, monthly backpacking, camping and hiking as well as training in leadership, teamwork and citizenship. Boys at least 11 years old interested in joining are invited to visit the troop meeting.

Troop 3 has been recognized for its community service by being named the Valley United Way's 2007 Youth Organization of the Year. In 2007, the scouts have provided more than 2,000 hours of service to the community through its many Eagle Scout projects and annual Scouting for Food drive, packages for those serving in the military and Good Friday cleanup day.

Youth members of the troop's Patrol Leader's Council have recently completed the program planning for the the 2007-08 Scout calendar year.  Patrol leaders include: Derby and Ansonia Patrols: Tyler Stankye, Robert Mahan and Tim Stankye, Shelton Patrols: Mac Thompson and Michael Neuendorf, and Adarsh Salian for the Seymour/Oxford Patrol. Under the direction of Senior Patrol Leader Adam Cleri and Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders Matthew Frovarp, Christopher Wentz and James Blaskewicz, the junior leaders have planned monthly camping events at Ed Strang Scout Reservation, ski weekend at Killington, Vermont and Mohawk Mountain, as well as backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and Massachussetts. Additional highlights for the year include a 4 day cycling/camping trip to Block Island, Rhode Island and a week long tall ship summer sailing adventure in the Florida Keys.

Along with Cub Scout Pack 3 and Venture Crew 33, the troop will host an event on the Derby Green to introduce the adventures of scouting to the public. The free event, to be held on Saturday, September 15 from 10AM to 2PM is titled "Ed Strang Day on the Derby, Green". The event is held by the scouts annually in honor of the late Scouting pioneer and recent Derby Hall of Fame inductee Edmund D. Strang, who was the driving force behind Scouting in the Valley for 70 years. Events at the September 15 event include a rope bridge walk, obstacle course, CPR demonstration, crafts, games, model campsite, fire safety and dutch oven cooking. Slide shows of the scouts at summer camp and their recent 16 day trip through the United Kingdom and Ireland will also be shown.

Troop 3, Pack 3 and Venture Crew 33 will offer free Scouting registration at Ed Strang Day for any boys interested in joining any of the three Scout units. A parent or guardian must be present to complete the Scouting application. For more information contact Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, 732-0343.

Annual Troop 3 Calendar Planning Session

Who: Senior Patrol Leader, ASPL's and Patrol Leaders

Where: Derby 2nd Congregational Church

When: Saturday, Aug 25, Noon to 2PM

Why: To plan out our year of Scouting themes, events, activities and trips

How: Arrive in casual clothes with your Patrol Leader's notebook and a pencil or pen. Represent your patrol by bringing interesting ideas for themes, troop meetings, camping trips...etc  The success of our scouting year is dependent on YOUR participation and ideas.

Our first Troop meeting will be on September 5, 7-8:30PM and first PLC meeting will be on Sunday Sept 9, 7-8PM, both at the Derby 2nd Congregational Church. 

Please plan to have an organizational patrol meeting between Aug 26 and Sept 4. New patrol rosters will be distributed at the calendar planning session.

Homeward bound

Aug 12- HOME SWEET HOME

6,904 miles by air, 1,625 miles by land, 120 nautical miles by sea, 34 People, 16 Days, 13 Towns/Cities/Villages, 11 Hotels, 4 Countries, 2 Planes, 2 Ferries and 1 Coach bus.

We flew home from London via Heathrow Airport to JFK and arrived at the Derby Train Station where our trip began. Our families greeted us and it was great to see them and to once again be home sweet home.

                                                                     

 

Our groups:

The A Team           Team America    Team Freebird   The Owls           The Cosmos

   

Thanks a million to everyone who made this trip possible:

Dr. Robert Feeney, The Matthies Foundation, Verizon Wireless Foundation, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Bless Your Sole Seafood and the people of the Lower Naugatuck Valley who supported our many fundraising efforts.

Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury and London

Aug 11 

The City of Bath is a city in Southwest England. It is most famous for its baths fed by three hot springs. The city was founded around the only naturally ocurring hot springs in the United Kingdom. When we first got off the bus we walked into the town square, where we split into our groups. My group went to go see the outside of the Roman Baths. It's in great shape for how old it is. Next, we went and looked in the souvenier shop. It was a very nice store. After that we went and got a little bite to eat and a smoothie.   By Mike Tracz

 

Today is our last full day of our WISE trip. We’re going to go to see the city of Bath and also Stonehenge, both World Heritage sites, before we head back into London for our last night. After our typical early wake-up and breakfast we boarded the coach and headed towards Bath. We saw some hot air balloons over the countryside on the way.

When we got to Bath we broke up into groups and my group chose not to spend 8 pounds each to enter the building to see the baths. Instead we went around to the side and I climbed a wall to take a picture just as my camera died. The people who did go in and see the baths said they were incredible and well worth the price of admission.

 

 

Randy led my group to find the closest Starbucks and we all had some pastries and coffee (Adam Cleri even drank the Bath water) while discussing Mike Herde’s upcoming birthday party.

We headed back to our bus and once the Altamirano’s finally arrived we were off to Stonehenge.

When we arrived there the parking situation was quite confused because it was a sunny Saturday morning with blue skies and everyone was there. To enter the site you went through a tunnel from one side of the road to another and we were all given audio listening devices describing what we saw. We were told that experts think that over the 5000 years it has been there the site was used as a calender to tell the Summer and Winter solstices and at one time it may have also been a burial site. We took lots of photos from all around Stonehenge, visited the gift shop and then jumped back on our coach.

 

Next we headed into the old city of Salisbury, which had an open air market taking place. They had lots of fruits, vegetables and meats for sale and Randy let us go off on our own and we were to meet back up with him and Mr. Bill at 1:30. We waited 20 minutes past that time and they never showed so we left with Mr. Murray.

Along the way to London we filled out the trip survey, had a quiz that Billy Boroski and Kevin Henri won and then we had the drawing for the late pool funds that John Murray and Mr. Bill won. We then applauded Billy our driver and Jon our guide for the great job they did on the trip.

Upon arriving at our hotel in London we unloaded the luggage and presented Jon with our trip jacket and friendship gift and Billy with a troop t-shirt and MP3 cassette converter. We will miss them after all these days on the road with them.

Mr. Martin Hall and his wife Jane, from the Peterborough Scout group met us at the hotel. They arrived earlier in London and helped us out tremendously by purchasing our half-price tickets to the West End shows in advance.

After eating pizza in Leicester Square half of our group went to see Stomp and the other half saw Mary Poppins. I thought Mary Poppins was pretty good, especially when the chimney sweeper danced on the walls and the ceiling, also when Mary Poppins flew out over the audience with her umbrella. We took the underground back to Kings Cross and after thanking the Halls we went to our rooms in the fancy hotel for our last night’s sleep in the United Kingdom.

By Chris Wentz

Ferry me back to Wales and Cardiff Castle

Aug 10

Dear Journal,

Today was a very early day. We had to be up and ready for breakfast at 6:15AM. We drove for a long while and during this drive I napped, saw many cattle and sheep pastures, and talked to Evan. The bus ride was a trip to catch a ferry from Ireland back to Wales. The first thing I did on the Ferry named The Isle of Inishmore was to explore. I found an arcade, shop, restaurant and a bureau de change. Evan and I browsed the shop and bought a travel Monopoly set. We played it with some of the other scouts who were on the boat with us. Then I got some lunch from the restaurant.

During the last half hour of our boat ride I played DDR (Dance Dance Revolutions) with Evan. Then we got back onto the bus and off the bus into Wales. The we drove to a rest stop and stayed there for 30 minutes for a snack because the next time we would eat wouldn’t be until 7PM.

We drove for more time and passed a place that was polluted with metals and the people use seaweed in their food. To them it is called lava bread. Our guide Jon also told us that Catherine Zita Jones was born in this area. On this ride I discussed upcoming themes for months in the troop year with Adam our new SPL. We also had a conversation with Evan about magnets, how they work, and how electricity is related to them. We then arrived at the Park Inn where we swam in the pool and hung out at the hotel.

Then we got dressed up in our jackets and ties and went to the Cardiff Castle.

We had our group portrait taken and then took a tour the clock tower rooms of the castle and ate dinner there. Cardiff Castle's extravagant rooms are themed. Astrological and Biblical themes are everywhere.

The meal included entertainment with musical harp and other performances. They even performed a song similar to our “Austrian Went Yodeling” campfire song and Josh Frovarp was the bear and Mr. Altamirano was a St. Bernard Dog.

We got to sample the seaweed which was inside of the ham that wrapped it. Also we had stew and then chicken. We sang Yankee Doodle Dandy, the Announcement Song and of course the CANADA cheer for the Canadians present. 

They also called Mr. Anderson and Mikey Herde up to dress as girls and do a dance, it was very, very funny.

What a great way to end our night in Wales.

By Tyler Stankye

Getting the gift of gab at Blarney Castle

Aug 9

I woke up  at 7:30 AM and got out and I helped Billy (the bus driver) with loading the luggage. After that we went to the restaurant for breakfast of eggs, ham, cereal, Irish soda bread, yogurt, blood pudding and sausages. We boarded the bus and headed to world famous Blarney Castle.

There was a slight Irish mist in the air as we walked towards the castle and then we climbed the 128 circular steps to the top of the castle. It was a tight fit, especially for Josh. We all got in line and kissed the Blarney Stone. To kiss the Blarney Stone for the “gift of gab” we had to lay on our backs bending over and kissing the stone upside down.

Following the kissing of the stone we headed out of the castle and some of us went deep into the dark dungeon beneath the castle and we also explored the nearby cave. I went to the gift shop and got country patches. While we all ate lunch my mom shopped for Irish linens. Before leaving Blarney Castle we had a surprise meeting with Valley United Way CEO Jack Walsh, who was also visiting Ireland from Derby.

After a couple of bus pit stops along the way we drove by the Waterford Crystal factory and saw a huge chandelier. We finally arrived at the Waterford Marina Hotel, which is right by the river. We had salmon, chicken or roast beef for dinner and then played cards in the hotel or went with our chaperones on a walk around the town before going to bed.

Charles Stankye IV

Lords of the Ring of Kerry and Killarney

Aug 8

We started heading South to Killarney. On the way, we drove the “Ring of Kerry”, a 100 mile loop around Kerry County, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. We drove along winding roads, towering cliffs and saw views, which are often put on postcards.

 

Fuscia grows wild as shrubs here and many people grow it in their gardens. There is also a bright orange wildflower called mombretia which floods the roadside with its color.

There were some rest stops along the way which had overlooks for the photo stops. The scouts appreciated the opportunity to run along hillsides when they could.

We arrived in Killarney and boarded horse and buggies for a “jaunty ride”. We rode into Killarney Lakes National Park within the city where  there was a castle built in the 1400s but destroyed in the 1600s by Lord Cromwell. Again, the scouts enjoyed climbing up on the castle wherever they could.

After the jaunty ride we had some shopping time at the picturesque shops in downtown Killarney.

We took the short drive to our hotel, the Killarney Court Hotel and had an hour of so to relax and get ready for dinner. Dinner was very good and was filling.

After dinner, some opted to walk back to the High Street area while others stayed at the hotel to play cards and turn in a little earlier tonight.

Chaperones Debbie Oppel and Christine Jalowiec

Cliffs then Camaraderie

Aug 7 

We got up at the crack of dawn for breakfast and then loaded up into the bus for a seemingly endless drive to our next location. On our bus trip we passed town after town on our way to our first stop for the day, the Cliffs of Moher. Along the way we passed through Lisdoonvarna, which hosts the biggest Matchmaker's Festival in the world in September.

The arrival at the Cliffs of Moher was a long awaited stretch of the legs along with a view that was breath taking in more than one way. We were able to view this excellent sight from more than one location though you had to walk up a steep hill or climb a number of stairs depending on the angle you wanted to view the cliffs from. We had a perfect day with blue skies and puffy clouds to view the cliffs and we could see for miles and miles. We took lots of photos and also took out the troop, American and Irish flags for photographs. After taking in this amazing view we loaded back up into the bus and headed for Limerick, our next destination and our big event for the day.

 

We dressed up all prim and proper in our Boy Scout uniforms and loaded up onto the bus the 42^nd Limerick Meelick Scout Troop arranged for our transportation to their meeting place.  This is one of the troops we have had an ongoing exchange scout program with for about 25 years.

The Meelick scouts, leaders and families were waiting for us as we arrived and then after introductions we started playing some games in the back of their meeting area. First we played a game where we ran around in circles until they called out a number and we would have to get in groups of that number. Billy Boroski was the last American scout in the game with two Irish Scouts. We also played some hacky sack and saw that some of the Irish Scouts were able to do it a little while some of the others just kicked it around crazily or ran away form the hacky sack. There was also a game sort of like Chicken that we play in the pool, with people bumping into each other with people on their backs. We also built human pyramids.

Following the games outside we went inside for some delicious food like chicken wings, sausages and salads. Then a group of locals played traditional Irish music while Mrs. Doris Ryan and some of the other Irish Scout Leaders taught us some Irish Dancing. I think some of our scouts got the hang of it but others were just tripping over their two left feet. More than half of the Meelick scout troop is composed of girls, so that’s why I think some of our scouts enjoyed the dancing.

Following the dancing we started the indoor campfire. Both groups were signing campfire songs that they knew, getting us all to hear new things. Though I think that Adam Cleri took the spot light at the campfire with his performance of his Gang Show song “Haben Sie Gehort Das Deutsche Band ?” from the Producers. Adam also performed his Grinder song, which I’m pretty sure at times cared some of the Irish scouts.

This was an evening to remember, no matter who you were as long as you were there. We were able to talk with exchange scouts of past, even Kevin O’Shaunnesey, who was an exchange scout exactly 20 years ago. Also Richard and Steven Hayes, Nigel Ryan and the two recent exchange scouts Neil Ryan and Adrian Coffey. We also had Troop 3’s 1999 Exchange Scout Sean Henri there too, so it was a real reunion. Some of us had our photos taken for the local Limerick newspaper and then Limerick Meelick Scoutmaster Michael Ryan and our Scoutmaster Randy Ritter exchanged plaques commemorating the event. Our scouts then presented all of the Meelick scout parents and leaders present with our friendship gifts of Woodbury Pewter American Eagle bells.  Mr. Ryan then presented each of us with a nicely framed set of Irish scout patches. We ended the campfire circled around the campfire, joining hands for our traditional campfire closing vespers.

We were able to talk with exchange scouts of the past and meet new people. I had a great conversation with Neil Ryan, who who spent time at my house when we hosted him in 2005. Scouts also exchanged patches, neckerchiefs and t-shirts as memorabilia of this outstanding night that should be remembered in the minds of everyone who was there.

It was a long goodbye to our new friends, though some of the “lucky” scouts got email address to keep in “contact” with the Irish Scouts, even the male ones, so that they could exchange letters and also so we can send them some Lucky Charms, seeing that they do not have that in Ireland.

After this eventful night everyone had the long bus ride back to the hotel, where I’m told everyone but the chaperones went right to bed (the Irish scout leaders came to the hotel for an additional get together. Thus brings an end to the day that will be among the greatest on our tour of the UK and Ireland. Now I Stephen Poppa, am signing off, completing my journal for this excellent day.

Stephen Poppa

Dublin Day, Irish Sea Ferry Crossing and Chester

Aug 6 - Dublin

We were able to sleep in late because we are in Dublin for two days and didn't have to have our luggage packed and ready to go. So, after our 8:30 breakfast we boarded the coach for a quick circle of Dublin and we also picked up Mr. Michael Ryan, the Limerick Scout leader who coordinates our Irish exchange scout program. Mr. Ryan took the bus up from Limerick to spend the day with us.

 

We passed sites like the Dublin Cathederal and Phoenix Park, where we stop and saw the Papal Cross, an oversized cross that towered over us. Also in the park were the homes of the US ambassador and Irish President.

 

From there the coach dropped us off at Dublin's center where each group split off for a free day of sightseeing and shopping. Most groups started with shopping and lunch, one group visited Trinity College and the Book of Kells, one group then set off to play football at the park and they also rode tandem bikes in the rain. Another group decided to spend their day doing laundry. My group however, went to the Guinness Brewery for a tour. Inside we learned how to brew Guinness beer and all the history of the company. The tour was seven stories and at the top was a complimentary soda and beer for the adults, served in the top room which was a room with windows providing a panoramic view of the entire city of Dublin.

We walked back in the rain and stopped in an Italian restaurant for dinner not far from the statue of Molley Mallone.  Today was the first day it had rained and it was only on and off showers so no one really got too wet. After dinner we walked back in the rain and hung out in the hotel. Some people went out to see a real Irish production of River Dance, they said it was wonderful.

At 10PM everyone returned to their hotel rooms for bed. It had been a long fun-filled day in the Dublin rain. By Matthew Poppa

Aug 5 - Irish Sea Ferry Crossing & Dublin

From our departure of Wales we went to a harbour to board upon the Ulysseus of the Irish Ferries to make our way across the Irish Sea to Dublin.

When we first got off the coach once it was parked on the ferry we make our way up to the main passenger level. We were astonished by the fascinating decor and elegeant style of the ferry, it was like a mini cruise ship. Most of use had fun seeing the Simpsons Movie in the on board movie theater, then playing cards and sleeping during the 3 hour trip. Some even ventured to the top deck, which was quite wet and windy.

After we departed the ship we drove into Dublin and checked into the Jury's Inn hotel. We then broke up into our groups and headed out to town for dinner. My group (Team Freebird) joined the Team America group and went to a pub called "The Quay" located in the Temple Bar section of town. The food arrived very fast and was very good. Some of us had fish and chips and others had burgers. It was then good to get back to our hotel and get some sleep.

By Alex Oppel

Aug 5 - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

After a short stay in Chester, England we made our way to the country of Wales. Wales was more of a rural area. For lunch we stopped in a town with the longest name in the world, called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. This name means St. Mary's Church in the dell of the white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool, by the red cave of the church of St. Tysilio.

 

During our stay for lunch we did not see any of these whirlpools and caves or such things It was a long day to travel. We travelled from Liverpool, England to Chester, to the town with the long name in Wales to the port city of Holyhead to take a 3 hour ferry ride to Dublin, Ireland. That's 3 countries in one day!

By Alex Neuendorf

Aug 5 - Chester, England

After we left Liverpool we drove to Chester, England. Chester is in the county town of Cheshire, England. It is located on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales. Chester is one of the best preserved walled cities in the United Kingdom and is most notable for its successive historic uses and occupations.

When we arrived we walked around the city with our guide and then ventured out in our groups with our chaperones. We walked around on the city walls and found a the remains of a Roman amphitheater and an ancient Roman garden, which we explored, it was fun!!

   

While we were waiting at the pick up point for our bus I got to eat some donuts (*o*) (I like donuts) and call my mom back home in Connecticut. When we left we headed to the city with the 56 letter name in Wales. Along the way we saw ancient castles, but I miss Scotland (~-~).

By John Murray (Cosmos/Owls group)

Beatlemania in Liverpool

8/4/07

We left wonderful Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Capital hotel after spending two nights there. We headed out on the road with Liverpool being our final destination. The drive through Scotland was beautiful. Surrounded by small mountains in the green countryside, fields of sheep everywhere, colorful streams flowing through the fields and hills with wild flowers growing alongside the river. At one point we stopped along the side of the road and watched a farmer on a tractor herding his sheep with his two dogs. The dogs ran around the group, keeping any small groups from straying. At one point, one sheep started running away and both dogs ran for it at once, jumping on the sheep. The sheep quickly ran back to the group after that. The dogs looked like they were having the time of their lives running around fields and chasing sheep. It was amazing to see this because it isn’t something that the average person sees in his/her life.

While we were driving along, we came upon this point where we were high up in the mountains. Very tall mountains called “The Devil’s Beef tub”. It reminded me of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It’s weird because a lot of this drive has reminded me of Colorado, except greener. I loved it here. The mountains are indescribable. They are something that you would have to experience for yourself. Our next stop was Gretna Green. It was our last stop in Scotland before heading back to England. It wasn’t very interesting unless you wanted to elope and have a blacksmith marry you. There were a couple of shops and a restaurant or two. We had an hour there but Billy Boroski and I were bored and boarded the bus early.