Grand Island Boy Scout Troop #630

Boy Scout Troop #630 Webpage

"Boy Scout Troop 630 News 2007"

Troop #630 meetings are held weekly at St. Stephen's Church
"Boy Scout Troop 630 Official Web Page"

(An interesting weekly newsletter that shares stories with Scouts and Scouters)
"Scouting Way"
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Boy Scout Troop #630 Spaghetti Dinner - 2007
    St. Stephen's Boy Scout Troop #630 will hold a home cooked spaghetti dinner from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 25th in St. Stephen School cafeteria. Those who are interested in attending and who would like to purchase tickets are asked to call Christopher (773-8056) or email him at bswagler@verizon.net. The costs are as follows:
Adult $5.50
Child (4-10) $3.50
Seniors $4.50
Child under 4 Free
   Take out orders will be available. Dinners include spaghetti with home made sauce, salad, bread, drink and dessert served.
   Those attending will also find a basket raffle with many donations provided by local Grand Island merchants. This event serves as the major fund raiser for the scouts to help supplement their monthly camping trips, summer camp and high adventure outings.

Cubs Honored At Boy Scout Sunday - 2007

Click photo for a larger view.
Boy Scout Sunday was celebrated at Saint Stephen's Church on Sunday, February 4, 2007. Several Cub Scouts from Pack 630 were honored for their participation in religious activities. Pictured (front left) are - Light of Christ Emblem Awardees Stephen Stouter, John-Paul Bobak, and Nicholas Kam; (top) Father Gregory Klein, Parvuli Dei Emblem Awardee Elliott Michki, Light of Christ Emblem Awardees Andrew Szolnoky and Geoffrey Webb, and Catholic Emblems Counselor Carol Hamm.

Boy Scout Sunday Celebration - 2007
   Boy Scout Sunday will be celebrated at Saint Stephen’s Church on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at the 9 a.m. Mass. All Cub and Boy Scout units on Grand Island are invited to participate and are asked to arrive at church at 8:30 a.m. in full uniform with the troop's Unit Flag. Scouts will then process down the aisle at the beginning of the Mass.
   Several Cub Scouts from Pack 630 will be honored during the Scout Sunday Mass for their participation in religious activities. The Light of Christ emblem, a stepping stone award toward developing a personal relationship with Jesus, will be presented to John-Paul Bobak, Nicholas Kam, Stephen Stouter, Andrew Szolnoky, and Geoffrey Webb.
   Elliott Michki will be receiving the Parvuli Dei emblem for advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge. Thomas Major from Pack 510 will be receiving the Parvuli Dei emblem at his home parish of Saint Charles Borremeo in Niagara Falls.
   Congratulations go out to these boys who have worked hard since September to receive these awards.

Scout Sunday Celebration 2006

Click photo for a larger view.
Boy Scout Sunday was celebrated on February 5, 2006 at Saint Stephen's Church. Twelve Cub Scouts received their religious emblem awards. Pictured are "Light of Christ" emblem recipients Derek Konopski, Jake Niland, Ryan O'Neil, Samuel Pryzybyl, Luke Strott, and William Tompkins; "Parvuli Dei" emblem recipients Michael Bobak, Daniel Konopski, Alexander Kovacs, Matthew Seaman, John Sosnowski, and Christopher Swagler; Assistant Cubmaster Frank Kovacs, Father Paul Nogaro, and Religious Emblems Coordinator Carol Hamm.

Boy Scout Sunday Celebration - 2006
   Boy Scout Sunday will be celebrated at Saint Stephen’s Church on Sunday, February 5, 2006 at the 9 a.m. Mass. All Cub and Boy Scout units on Grand Island are invited to participate and are asked to arrive at church at 8:30 a.m. in full uniform with Unit Flag. The group will then process down the aisle at the beginning of the Mass.
   Several Cub Scouts from Pack 630 will be honored for their participation in religious activities at Scout Sunday Mass. The Light of Christ emblem, a stepping stone award toward developing a personal relationship with Jesus, will be presented to Derek Konopski, Jake Niland, Ryan O’Neil, Samuel Przybyl, Luke Strott, and William Tompkins.
   Receiving the Parvuli Dei emblem for advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge will be: Michael Bobak, Daniel Konopski, Alexander Kovacs, Matthew Seaman, John Sosnowski, and Christopher Swagler.
   Congratulations go out to these boys who have worked hard since September to receive these awards.

Island CERT Team, Troop 630 To Participate In Disaster Preparedness Drill - 2005
   Members of the Grand Island CERT team will participate in a disaster preparedness drill on October 15, 2005. The drill, being held in a local state park, will include personnel from state, county and local community emergency responders, as well as Boy Scouts from around the area. The hands on training exercise beginning in the morning will focus on preparedness of individuals and the community to respond to all types of emergencies and threats.
   Boy Scout Troop 630, of Grand Island, NY, will also take part in an October 2005 Camporee with an Emergency Preparedness theme. The major accomplishment for the Camporee will be to assist in the staging of a full-scale disaster drill with Emergency Preparedness Responders to include: the Department of Homeland Security, Erie County Department of Emergency Services, Erie County HazMat Organization, The Specialized Medical Assistance Response or SMART Team, local hospitals, first responders and the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Scouts/Scouters will serve as the "victims" of a simulated terrorist attack using a chemical or biological weapon on a Scout encampment and the large-scale response will serve to test the region's ability to respond to a 300+ victim multiple casualty incident in an area far from the urban setting.

Tim Burns Completes Eagle Scout Project - 2005

Tim is shown presenting the project to Town Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro and is also shown with his father, Jack Burns.
Click photos for larger view
   August 18, 2005 . . . Tim Burns, son of Jack and Sandy Burns of Grand Island, will be recognized at his Eagle Scout ceremony on September 18, 2005. As his Eagle Scout Project, Tim planned and carried out the painting of the trash barrels used throughout the Grand Island parks and recreational areas by people within and outside of the community.
   The barrels were rusty, and detracted from the recreation facilities of the Island. To complete this project, Tim, who worked with Town Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro, first set about gathering the required materials, and making the stencils used for identification. He then enlisted the help of other members of his troop and his family for the actual cleaning, painting and stenciling of the barrels. The completed project consisted of 123 hours of total work, and 52 finished barrels.
   Tim has been involved in scouting since second grade when he joined Cub Scout Pack 630. While in Cub Scouts, he earned his Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos rank under the guidance of his Den Leaders, Nancy Fusco and Greg Voyzey. He then went on to earn the Arrow of Light, which is Cub Scouts’ highest award.
   Tim crossed over to Boy Scouts in February of 2000. He joined Boy Scout Troop 630 of Grand Island. To date, he has earned 39 merit badges and held the positions of Patrol Leader and Scribe. He also attended four summer camps, three troop shoots, three ordeal weekends, Philmont, and many other camping trips that Troop 630 has offered, such as the Bison campouts and the cabin campout. Tim was elected into the Order of the Arrow (Boy Scouts Honor Camping Society) in 2004, where he earned his Ordeal. Tim is currently a Brotherhood member.
   Tim is currently in 11th grade at Grand Island High School. His activities include Art Club, Ski Club, and Alter Serving at St. Stephen's RC Church. Tim, who will continuing to be active in the troop in meetings and campouts, plans are to go on to college after high school, pursuing a career in Art Education at Buffalo State College.
   Tim's grandfather, Jack Burns, 73, of Grand Island also received the rank of Eagle Scout in 1949.

Boy Scouts Participate In Carving Class - 2005

   Boy Scouts from Troops 510 and 630 recently attended Wood Carving Merit Badge classes at St. Stephen's Church. Requirements included safety instruction, sharpening and carving two objects in wood. Pictured are Aaron D'Angelo, Andrew Ginsburg, Casey Dahlstrom, Travis Zukic, Jason Chadwick and leaders Brian Mongello, Tim Shilling and Gary Dahlstrom. Missing from the photo are Charlie Lavallee, and John and Tom Gilewicz.

Cub Packs Enjoy Winter Afternoon - 2005

Jodi Robinson Photos
St. Stephen's Cub Scout Pack #630 built their own sleds out of appliance boxes last year and had such a good time they invited other packs to join them this year. The boys and their families joined together to have a winter fun day at the Grand Island Memorial Library hill at Veteran's Park on Saturday, February 5, 2005. The packs spent weeks creating sleds out of boxes, cardboard, paint, tapes and plastic. After sledding, the families enjoyed hot chocolate, trail mix and fruit cobbler made in Dutch ovens at the hill. The weather cooperated with sunshine and blue skies. Fun was had by all.

Boy Scout Sunday Celebration - All Cubs, Scouts Invited - 2005
   Boy Scout Sunday will be celebrated at the 9 a.m. Mass at Saint Stephen’s Church on Sunday, February 6, 2005. All Cub and Boy Scout units on Grand Island are invited to participate. Scouts are asked to arrive at church at 8:30 a.m. in full uniform with their Unit Flag, ready to process down the aisle at the beginning of the Mass.
   Several Cub Scouts from Pack 630 and Pack 425 will be honored for their participation in religious activities at Scout Sunday Mass. The Light of Christ emblem, a stepping stone award toward developing a personal relationship with Jesus, will be presented to Michael Brown of Cub Pack 425 and Zachary Cooney of Cub Pack 630.
   Receiving the Parvuli Dei emblem for advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge will be: Alec Buffamonte and Lucas Siebert, members of Cub Scout Pack 630.
   Congratulations go out to these boys who have worked hard since September to receive these awards.

Two Members of Scout Troop 630 Receive Eagle Scout Award - 2004

Michael Siegel (left) and Joseph M. Fusco, III - Click photo for a larger view.
   Michael M. Siegel, son of John and Sarah Siegel of Grand Island, and Joseph M. Fusco, III, son of Joseph and Nancy Fusco, also of Grand Island, received their Eagle Scout award, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. The presentation took place at a candlelight ceremony held on May 14, 2004 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Whitehaven Boulevard, Grand Island. This award reflects the many hours that the scouts have labored long and faithfully to develop toward alert and participating citizens through the Boy Scout program.
   Michael’s Eagle Project was done in conjunction with the Messinger Woods Wildlife Care and Education Center. The project included designing three portable animal release cages. Each cage had to be capable of carrying animals into a release area for acclimatization. Michael worked closely with Robert Andres in the design of the cages for both animal safety and caretaker volunteer usability. He supervised construction of the cages by Troop 630 on Grand Island along with some “squirrel boxes” made by Wolf Den #5 of Pack 630, Grand Island. At the Grand Opening (May 17, 2003) of the new Messinger Woods Animal Hospital, Michael presented the three cages and ten squirrel boxes.
   Joseph conducted a Flag Retirement Ceremony for his Eagle Project. The ceremony took place on Flag Day, June 14, 2003. Councilwoman Mary Cooke sponsored Joseph’s project. Part of his project consisted of making a flag collection barrel which was put in the Grand Island Town Hall where people could drop off their worn or torn flags. The flags were later transferred from the Town Hall to Joseph’s home where they were sorted and counted. His original goal was to collect at least 200 flags, but he ended up with over 800. Ashes from the flags were later spread at the OA ordeal weekend and other campouts after the ceremony.

Troop #630 To Hold Annual Spaghetti Dinner - 2004
Members of Boy Scout Troop 630 at St. Stephen's will hold their annual Spaghetti Dinner from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004 in St. Stephen's cafetorium, 2080 Baseline Road. This event is the scouts' major fundraiser and proceeds go directly to the scouts' accounts to be used for camping equipment, uniforms, etc. This year a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Neighbors Foundation. The dinners (spaghetti & meatballs, salad, Italian bread, coffee/tea or orange drink, and dessert) are prepared by the Boy Scouts, their families, and their leaders.
Tickets at $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and $3.50 for children ages 3-12 (children 2 and under are free). Tickets will be available at the door or in advance from the scouts. Take-out will be available and the day will feature door prizes and raffles. For further information, call Robert Busch at 774-0113 or Linda Boorady at 774-8312.

Scout Troop 630 Attends 40th Annual "Klondike Derby" - 2004

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    While the rest of Western New York is trying to stay warm in their homes, several boys from Troop 630 on Grand Island went further north. The boys participated in the 40th annual "Klondike Derby" at Camp Stonehaven in Lewiston, NY. With temperatures in the single digits and dropping below zero at night, the team learned how to stay warm while living outdoors. The boys spent 40 hours outdoors, competing in events and sleeping in a tent. They learned the importance of layering and keeping clothes dry.
   The lessons learned from Mr. Pete Kavanaugh must have worked because none of the boys reported being frozen. The Team included : Jason Clark, Matt Collins, Andrew Donahue, Nathan Hamm, Keith Wegryzn and Travis Zukic. They were supported by the hearty leadership of Scoutmaster Anton Zukic and Committee Chairman Jim Bates, with Assistant scoutmasters Tim Collins and Mike Wegryzn.
   The crew worked together as a team to compete in a series of events. They placed first in knot knowledge and Patrol on a block. Patrol on a block is an activity where the patrol has to figure out how to get everybody standing on a 12" diameter log, they set a new record by standing for 335 seconds.
   The Scouts earned second place in the knowledge competition and "Maze in the haze," where they had to get a blindfolded member through a maze in the shortest time.
   Probably the most impressive was the second place finish in the fire building competition where the team built a fire on the snow covered field in 8 degree air and in under 3 minutes Troop 630 had a pot of water boiling.
   Other events included a dog sled race pulled by scouts, building a survival shelter with the supplies carried in their sled and a snow ball distance throw.
   Fun was had by all and they were all thankful that there was actually snow this year, (they say it makes pulling the sleds easier).

Boy Scout Sunday Celebration - All Cubs, Scouts Invited - 2004
   Boy Scout Sunday will be celebrated at Saint Stephen’s Church on Sunday, February 8, 2004 at the 9 a.m. Mass. All Cub and Boy Scout units on Grand Island are invited to participate. "Please arrive at church at 8:30 a.m. in full uniform with your Unit Flag. We will then process down the aisle at the beginning of the Mass," a spokesman for the Scouts said this week.
   Several Cub Scouts from Pack 630 will be honored for their participation in religious activities at Scout Sunday Mass. The Light of Christ emblem, a stepping stone award toward developing a personal relationship with Jesus, will be presented to Michael Bobak, Alexander Kovacs, John Sosnowski, Christopher Swagler, and Jadon Wegrzyn.
   Receiving the Parvuli Dei emblem for advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge will be: Jonathan Voyzey, Benjamin Sherman, and Jason Chadwick.
   "Congratulations go out to these boys who have worked hard since September to receive these awards."

Troop 630 Assists At Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner - 2003

   Members of Boy Scouts Troop 630 assisted the Knights of Columbus with their Spaghetti Dinner, benefiting the Neighbors Foundation. The boys cleared and set up the tables, working very efficiently under the direction of their leaders, Sandy Gworek and Carol Hamm. They are working on the public service part of earning their Ad Aitare Dei Medal, a Catholic Boy Scout Medal. The boys are Matt Collins, Nathan Hamm, Joe Collins, Jacob Paszkiewicz and Andy Donahue.

800 Flags Collected For Flag Retirement - 2003

Dan McMahon Photos - Click photo for larger view.
   The Flag Retirement Ceremony on Saturday morning, June 14, 2003 drew a tremendous community response, "typical for Grand Island, I think, with over 800 flags collected," said Councilman Mary Cooke. Other special guests in attendance included Supervisor Peter McMahon, Councilmen Richard Crawford Jr. Dan Robillard and Kevin Rustowicz and the VFW Honor Guard.
   According to Councilman Cooke, 200 flags were provided by Ace Flag Company and many were collected and stored at Town Hall since the last retirement ceremony. Joe Fusco III, a member of Boy Scout Troop 630, planned the ceremony as part of his Eagle Scout project. A handsome, secure barrel that he and his father and troop made for flag collection will remain in the Town Hall Lobby. When filled, Troop 630 will take the flags and conduct a retirement ceremony during their monthly campout. Plans are for a ceremony to be held once a year for the entire community to attend. "This is a great development, I think. A regular method of retirement will be so convenient and then we will not have the incredible buildup that we just experienced," Councilman Cooke said.
   During the ceremony each color is retired separately. The red and white stripes are cut apart from the blue field of stars. Red is placed on the fire first, followed by white, and then by the blue field of stars. "As they are placed on the fire, a description of what that color means in our flag is read by a Scout," Councilman Cooke said.
   Click Eagle Scout for previous story.

Scout To Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony
By Joelle Logue
   Joe Fusco III, an Isle Boy Scout, is planning a flag retirement ceremony for Flag Day, June 14, 2003 as part of his Eagle Scout project. The Saturday ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the Town Gazebo in the Town Common and everyone is cordially invited to attend. Worn out flags are being collected in a barrel in the lobby of Town Hall. The ceremony includes the cutting apart of all the colors and the burning of the flags.
   Saturday's event is sponsored by the Boy Scouts of Grand Island and supported by the Town of Grand Island.

Troop #630 Serves Over 500 Spaghetti Dinners

Julie Dee Photos - Click for larger view
The 40-member Boy Scout Troop 630 served well over 500 spaghetti dinners at its annual event, Sunday, April 5, 2003 in the St.Stephen School Cafeteria. The Scouts, who sold 465 presale tickets, gained valuable experience in everything from cooking to serving to running the dishwasher to mopping floors! Proceeds stay with the troop and help fund summer camp for the Scouts, 21 of which attended summer camp last year and earned a total of 96 merit badges and four rank advancements. In the past decade 14 scouts from Troop 630 have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 630 is an active troop and has an emphasis on camping.
Boy Scout Troop 630's upcoming events include St. Stephen's Church yard clean up on April 19th, a camp-out the weekend of April 25th, their annual picnic in May, and of course summer camp in July.

Troop #630 Offers Annual Spaghetti Dinner - 2003
St. Stephen's Boy Scout Troop 630 will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2003 in St. Stephen's cafetorium, 2080 Baseline Rd. Dinners include spaghetti & meatballs, salad, bread, coffee/tea or orange drink, and dessert. Tickets at $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and $3.50 for children. There is no charge for children two-years-old and under. Tickets will be available at the door, and take-out will be available. For further information, call 774-8312.

Greg Voyzey Jr., Eagle Scout

   Eagle Scout Gregory Voyzey Jr., a member of Boy Scout Troop 630, was recognized Sunday, February 9, 2003 in the Knights of Columbus Hall for attaining his Eagle Scout rank.
   Gregory's Eagle project consisted of building shelves for St. Gerard's food pantry in Buffalo, which was in great need of storage space. This was a seven-month project which resulted in the pantry receiving 32 linear feet of shelving.
   Greg, 14, an 8th grade student at St. Stephen School, is a member of the school's basketball team and has studied piano for eight years. He is the son of Greg and Paulette Voyzey of Pin Oak Circle and his scoutmaster is Chris Donahue.

Boy Scout Sunday 2003

Fred Claus Photo
Island Boy Scouts attended the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Stephen's Church Sunday, February 2, 2003 starting off with a procession of Scouts carrying troop flags and followed by Father Paul M. Nogaro. Those receiving the Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei awards are listed in an article below.

Boy Scout Greg Voyzey Jr. Earns Eagle Award
Gregory Charles Voyzey Jr., a member of Troop 630 of the Boy Scouts of America will be presented his Eagle Award at an Eagle Court of Honor at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 9, 2003 in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1841 Whitehaven Road. Invited guests are asked to R.S.V.P. to 773-1560 by February 3, 2003.

All Cubs, Scouts Invited To Boy Scout Sunday
   Boy Scout Sunday will be celebrated at St. Stephen's Church at the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 2, 2003. All Grand Island Cub and Boy Scout units are invited to participate. Scouts are asked to arrive at church at 8:30 a.m. in full uniform with unit flags. All Scouts will process down the aisle at the beginning of the Mass.
   Several Cub Scouts from Pack 630 will be honored for their participation in religious activities at Scout Sunday Mass. The Light of Christ emblem, a stepping stone award toward developing a personal relationship with Jesus, will be presented to Paul Arida, Alec Buffamonte, Gregory DeNormand, and Matthew Seaman.
   Receiving the Parvuli Dei emblem for advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge will be Brian DeNormand, Robert Dickinson, Sean Donovan, Christopher Ernst, Michael Seaman and Thomas Sommer.
   Congratulations to these boys who have worked hard since September 2002 to receive these awards.

Troop #630 To Hold Annual Spaghetti Dinner

St. Stephen's Boy Scout Troop 630 will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2002 in St. Stephen's cafetorium, 2080 Baseline Rd. Dinners include spaghetti & meatballs, salad, bread, coffee/tea or orange drink, and dessert. Tickets at $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and $3.50 for children 3 to 10 years old, are available at the door, and may be purchased in advance from any scout or by calling Linda Boorady, 774-8312. Kids 2 and younger eat free. Take-out will be available.
The event is the Scouts' major fund-raiser, and proceeds go directly into accounts to be used for camping equipment, uniforms and other items.

Boy Scout Sunday - Feb. 3

Fred Claus Photo
Cub Scouts of Pack 630 pose on Scout Sunday 2002 with Father Paul M. Nogaro and Scout leader Carol Hamm who coordinated the event. They are (not in order) Alexander Ahne, Connor Cady, Tyler Cooney, Alex DeRosa, Andrew Jasek, Dylan Kelly, Daniel Konopski, Jonathan Voyzey, Joseph Collins, Jason Clark, Nicholas Ernst, and Jonathan Seaman. Not shown is Cub Scout Christopher Brownschidle who was absent from the photo.

Boy Scout Sunday will be celebrated at St. Stephen's Church at the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 3, 2002. All Grand Island Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are invited to attend and are asked to be at the church by 8:30 a.m. in full uniform. Unit flags should accompany the various Packs and Troops. Scouts will proceed into the church together at the beginning of the Mass.
Cub Scouts from Pack 630 to be honored on Sunday with the "Light of Christ" emblem are Alexander Ahne, Christopher Brownschidle, Connor Cady, Tyler Cooney, Alex DeRosa, Andrew Jasek, Dylan Kelly, Daniel Konopski and Jonathan Voyzey. The Parvuli Dei emblem for advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge will be presented to Jason Clark, Joseph Collins, Nicholas Ernst and Jonathan Seaman.

2001 Articles Appear Below

Troop #630 To Hold Spaghetti Dinner 2001

   St. Stephen's Troop 630 will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2001 in St. Stephen's cafetorium, 2080 Baseline Rd. The dinner is the major fundraiser for the scouts and proceeds go directly to Troop #630 and will be used for camping equipment, uniforms etc.
   Dinners, which are free to children 2 and under, include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, Italian bread, beverage and dessert and are prepared and served by the Scouts, their families and leaders.
   Take-out will be available and there will be a split club raffle. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advanced from individual scouts by contacting Toni Antonelli, 773-6624 or Ann Rossiter, 774-8163.

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