The 75^th year commences! Here’s news about Devon 50 Alumni! (9/2001)

Our new Eagle Scouts are Anthony Lee # 241 and Peter Makela # 242. I had the honor of presenting the Eagle Scout Charge while Scoutmaster Emeritus Bill Iorio conducted the impressive Eagle Ceremony in Eagle Grove at the June Birthday. The new Canoe Building was dedicated – thanks to Bob Purdy (TC), Bill Rubert (TC) and Bill Iorio among many others. Gerry Cavanaugh (TC Chair) announced plans are underway to construct a rappelling tower at Camp Jarvis and developing the Archery Range.

Following the Troop’s 74^th Birthday at Camp Jarvis and a successful Horseshoe encampment, Scoutmaster Bard Haerland led 14 Devon 50 Scouts to the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Camp A.P. Hill, Fredericksburg, Virginia this past July. Then he and his son, David #227 spent time scuba diving!  In case you have not heard, Bard Haerland, after almost two years of Scoutmastering is stepping down and will remain an active Assistant Scoutmaster. It was announced at a kick-off party for parents that Rich Scott (Eagle and OA) will be the new Scoutmaster. Rich has two Scouts in the Troop. We wish him well.

Eagle Scout Sean McConnell #221 was on the Horseshoe Staff this summer. He was Rifle Range Director and then promoted to Nature Director.  Unfortunately, Sean ran into the fangs of a copperhead and ended up in the hospital. He’s recovered and headed to Jefferson University for Med School. What a price to pay for medical experience! Mark Graham #153 was back at the Health Lodge.  JB Rettew #29 was at camp as an Assistant Commissioner as was Neil Chippendale, SM Emeritus. Scoutmaster Emeritus Jim Dunn returned to the area and spent time at camp with the Troop, too.

Sadly, I must report that Buddy Wolter #87 passed away this spring.

Other Devon 50 Alumni news.  Kudos to Brian Chu #233 who was honored as the scholar-leader-athlete of his graduating class this year at Conestoga! Also, applause for Donald Brownlow #19 who was honored by the Haverford School for his work with students there in history for 50 years!  Bill Sellers #10 celebrated his 80^th Birthday this spring.  I ran into the sister of Tom Stillwell #22-dec., Jean Harlow, who’s in the process of moving into Tom’s old home in Paoli.  “Doc” Bill Lenker #32 is still active with Troop #78. I ran into Jud Vosburg #34 at a stockholders meeting. Also, heard from Bill Richardson #36 who is back in the West Chester area.   Kurt Wolter #98 is busy building homes in the Berwyn area. Matt Christenson, Eagle from Berwyn 113 before joining 50, was back from Idaho as keynote speaker at Octoraro Lodge’s 75^th anniversary banquet in March and then for the Horseshoe Reservation Alumni Association in July. Matt has been in touch with T50 Alum Don Nelson whose a TV news anchor in Boise. John Kemmerer #130 is serving as Co-chair of the Council’s Denim & Diamonds Gala and Auction for the fourth year. I ran into Steve Kilcullen #137 and brother Paul #138 at a special golf outing in memory of their dad, Tom, who passed away last year. I just heard from Major Brett Barraclough #128 who is attending Command and General Staff College as the American Exchange Officer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brett plans to be at our 75^th next June. Dave Aument #113 is active with a troop in Kennett Square with his boy.  T50 Alum Steve Miller sent me a recent Email and is planning to return as well.  Had a nice chat with T50 Alum Jay Shelton who’s applying for a position with the local police force. I saw Bill Gillespie #142 at a local store with his offspring – he’s doing well. Chris Rettew #93 is in Columbus, Ohio where he’s been active in his son Andrew’s troop. Andrew Rettew attended Horseshoe in the 1990’s with the Troop for three years and is currently working on his Eagle. Dr. Jim Meadowcroft #45    attended our Troop Committee meeting in June to talk of merit badge opportunities. I saw Doug Hayes #111  at Camp John H. Ware, III (Jubilee) a few weeks ago. Doug’s boys are in Cubs and Webelos.  John Iorio #172 is serving as Troop 50 Venture Crew Leader. Others heard from or seen – Steve Johnson #110, Henry Nassau #79, David Ward # 86 (with Troop 66 West Chester), Ollie Uberti # 216, Al Bosetti #133 and many more!  At his parent’s event to kick off the 75^th year, I saw “JR” Cavanaugh #220 who is attending West Chester University.

The movie Pearl Harbor brought to mind what was happening that fateful December 7 day in 1941.  A Devon 50 staff meeting was taking place at the time the bombs were dropped.  It was learned later that Tom Webb #17 survived that horror while being there as a radioman aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia. (After writing this article for the T50 Alumni, the calamity wreaked on America by the terrorists on September 11, 2001 stands out as being the nation and the world’s worst war disaster surpassing even Pearl Harbor.)

Keep posted on the Devon 50 site for more news about the alumni and events for the 75^th. In the meantime, please send me any information about yourself or other Devon 50 alumns. My Email address is jbr3@prodigy.net Also, consider joining the HSRAA (Horseshoe Reservation Alumni Association) – check its website www.hsraa.org

Best wishes to all. Pray for all who have died in the recent action as well as their families; pray that justice and peace will prevail; and,  hold dear the memories of those whose lives have been taken in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. 

Hope to see you June 14-15, 2002!  JB

FROM THE EAGLE’S PERCH TO DEVON 50 ALUMS...
Prepping for the 75^th! J. B. Rettew Feb 2, 2001  

    At year-end I talked with Devon 50 Eagle Scouts, Scout Masters and parents from all over the United States to update the Troop records.  It was fun re-connecting with those who were in the Troop when I was a Scout in the ‘40’s, many of later generations and especially those to whom I presented Eagle Badges or the Eagle Charge in more recent years.
    Our Eagles are an illustrious group.  There are doctors, dentists, lawyers, architects, businessmen, ceramic engineers, computer scientists, military leaders, salesman, students, teachers, etc. and… yes, even some retirees like myself. There are 239 Eagle Scouts to date in Devon 50 and some more on the way in 2001! A great achievement…not many troops can boast as many. Bill Sellers, Eagle #10 and his brother Frank #9 were the earliest ones I touched base with. I even reconnected with my old Wolf Patrol Leader, Herb Gretz (Eagle # 27 – 1945) and Earle Ellson (’42 – ’47) my Jr. ASM.
     Recently, I read a news piece on Don Brownlow (Eagle # 19 in 1939). He’s a teacher and has just finished 50 years teaching history at the Haverford School and is still going strong.  I got an e-mail from Dave Jones (Eagle # 103 – 1972) who tells me of being on the Council Executive Board in Washington State. He’s a mountain climber and has climbed in Nepal, Alaska and in the States.  Lee Kyle (Eagle # 135 – 1978) is with the EPA. Clint Haris (Eagle # 173 – 1987) has just returned from Europe and has acquired a property in Massachusetts that he plans to refurbish. Many, many other stories. Send us an e-mail to let us know what you’re doing – we’ll put it in the website.
     The first issue of a series of  “The Pelican Tale” (yes, the Troop still has “The Pelican Feather”) is in the mail to alumni.  You can see in there the progress made on the Canoe Shed – almost there! Shed? It looks like the Taj Mahal! Scout Master Bard Haerland is the editor – he has done a great job, as he has with the Troop! Bard has also redesigned the Troop 50 website, a reflection of his many talents. Gerry Cavanaugh is the Committee Chairman and is doing a fine job in getting parents involved to support the guys in the Troop and the leaders. Troop 50’s 74^th Banquet is this month.
     Look for updates on this column, hopefully on a monthly basis. Stay tuned. You are an important part of the Troop’s fabric of tradition…we would like to hear from you.   Do not forget to mark the 75^th dates of June 14 and 15, 2002 for the Reunion and Birthday…it promises to be better than the 50^th!  BE THERE!

J.B. Rettew - January 2001

          Recall those days of backpacking the Appalachian Trail…canoeing the Delaware…scavenger hunts ....and, yes, even ‘snipe hunts’!  
        Well, -  today’s Troop is just as active and spirited. As alumni we can take pride in our Troop, its long-standing reputation, its Scouts and especially the fine leadership of SM Bard Haerland as we  head towards the 75^th Birthday celebration in 2002.
         Today, canoeing has become a main interest of the boys; so much so that the T50 owns a fleet of canoes and is building a canoe shed at the upper end of the parking lot at Camp Jarvis. Also, the plans call for a rappelling tower to be erected in the days ahead. More news to come!
         This “Alumni” part of the Troop’s website will carry additional information and nostalgia in the months ahead. If you keep in touch with fellow alumni tell them about the Devon 50 website or refer them to the Chester County Council’s website which will provide the link to Devon 50 in the future and Octoraro Lodge 22. 
         That address is http://www.cccbsa.org and there is additional information about contacting the Troop in our site.

                                  Best as ever – JB Rettew

Devon 50 Scouts - December 2000

Devon 50 scouts of the past!

We have heard a lot about all the fun things that you have done in scouting when you where our ages. We are having great fun as well at troop meetings, and we have been going on a lot of cool trips. We are going on a ski trip the 12th of January, to Elk Mountain in the Poconos, - we do that every year.

We have also been working at troop work days cleaning up Camp Jarvis.

We would really like it if you would please stay in touch with us because we would love to hear your stories, or learn from your experiences.  We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely, Scouts of Devon 50
Jonathan Bauer, Troop Scribe