Longtime Ada Scoutmaster Tom Lehman was recognized Aug 31 as he turned over the Ada Boy Scout Troop to Jeff Kurtz.
The ceremony took place at the Scout Cabin in Ada ParK.
FOR PHOTO ID GO TO BOTTOM OF STORY.
Lehman was recognized for 30 years of service to scouting in Ada. He has served on committees designed to help the Troop, as well as, Cubmaster for Pack 124, Scoutmaster for Troop 124, and Leader of Venture Crew 124.
His successor, Jeff Kurtz, formerly a Den Leader of Pack 120 of Alger, joined Troop 124 in 2012 when his son became a Boy Scout in the Troop.
The recognition took place during the Troop's Court of Honor Ceremony held quarterly.
Court of Honor
Theo Hardesty opened the ceremony with special music on the bugle as the Scouts marched in for the flag ceremony. After the flags were placed, Senior Patrol Leader, Korwin Kurtz came forward with a torch to ignite the evening’s campfire.
Khyler Stoll led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Garrett Rettig leading the troop in the Scout Oath. The Scout Law was then led by Jared Hunt. Korwin, Master of Ceremonies, directed their attention to the skit being played out called “Mummy Skit.”
Announcements were made by the following:
• Scribe, Aaron Spar, reminded everyone about the flag raisings that the troop participates in each year during the Ada High School football games and the ONU home games.
• Bugler, Theo, talked about their campout at Fort Laromie State Park where they canoed, hiked, swam, and built a working catapult out of sticks and lashings.
• James Lee, Patrol Leader, spoke about the exhibits that were on display during the Allen County Fair.
• Dexter Wood let the folks know about the recent canoe trip that was taken with Mad River Adventures.
The troop then transitioned Jeff into the Scoutmaster role where each scout, scouter, committee member, and parent gave them their 2 cents, literally.
David Savino, on behalf of the Ada Citizens of Scouting Committee, presented Tom with a plaque thanking him service and filled in the group with some background on Tom and his 30 years of Scouting.
Tom accepted the award and thanked those from his past scouting experiences for coming to honor him for this achievement. He spoke of how much he has enjoyed leading some of the boys who are sons and grandsons of those he has led before.
Future events were brought up by Kandi Kurtz, Troop Treasurer, about the upcoming Popcorn Fund Raiser beginning later this month.
Rosanna Scott educated the crowd about the end of the month Zipline Campout being held at Marken Farms in Urbana. Jeff mentioned the fair set up and meeting times for the Hardin County Fair. Sean Beck, Committee Chairman, then presented Jeff with a Scoutmaster badge for his uniform and an Assistant Scoutmaster Badge for Tom.
Merit Badges were awarded by Mr. Lehman with the help from Mr. Kurtz.
• Korwin earned his Citizenship in the World, Leatherworking, Programming, Rifle, Cycling, and Communications badges.
• Isaac Spar, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, was received his Archery, Game Design, Kayaking, Wilderness Survival, Golf, and Citizenship in the World.
• Aaron was given Leatherworking, Movie Making, Scouting Heritage, Golf, Personal Management, and Emergency Preparedness.
• Quartermaster, Jacob Butterfield accepted merit badges for Theater, Game Design, Geocaching, Movie Making, Emergency Preparedness, Golf, and Pets.
• Jared Hunt collected badges for Citizenship in the Nation, Emergency Preparedness, Rifle, and Pottery.
• Theo earned Citizenship in the Nation, First Aid, Game Design, Personal Management, and Emergency Preparedness.
• Theodore Hadley acquired Citizenship in the World, Safety, Indian Lore, Fire Safety and First Aid.
• Donald Waters obtained Disability Awareness, Game Design, Movie Making, and Robotics.
• Deavan Scott was given badges for Golf and Personal Management.
• Wyatt Rettig received Archery, Game Design, Kayaking, Wilderness Survival, Citizenship in the World, and Personal Management.
• Kamron Wilkerson and Garrett Rettig accepted badges for First Aid and Swimming. • Dexter Wood also earned a merit badge for First Aid.
Temporary Patches were then awarded to several scouts. The Camp Berry Summer Camp patch was obtained by Korwin, Isaac, Aaron, Jacob, Jared, James, Theo, Theodore, Donald, Wyatt, Kamron, Garrett, and Dexter.
Isaac earned his 35 hours community service award, and Wyatt received his SFF 2014 and Polar Bear. Kamron, Dexter, Garrett, and Donald acquired their Baden Powell Patch and the Polar Bear Swim patch was accepted by Isaac, Korwin, Theo, and adult leaders Jeff Kurtz and Suzy Hardesty.
Eight boys were honored with Rank advancements. Kamron and Garrett earned Scout Rank, Kamron and Donald achieved Tenderfoot, Wyatt, Theo, Isaac, and Jared accepted their Star Rank, and Korwin received Life Scout.
Following the Rank Advancements, another skit was performed. Korwin then closed the meeting with an invitation to stay for s’mores and punch.
Persons interested in visiting the troop, seeing them in action, or joining up may stop by their fair booth set up north of the horseshoe pits or Monday evenings at the Ada Park.
During cold weather they meet in the basement of the police station. All meetings are held at 6 p.m.
THE FOLLOWING NINE BOYS SCOUTS IN ADA TROOP 124 ADVANCED IN RANK AT THE RECENT COURT OF HONOR HELD AT THE SCOUT CABIN AT WAR MEMORIAL PARK.
THEY ARE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
GARRET RETTIG - SCOUT, KAMRON WILKERSON – TENDERFOOT, WYATT RETTIG – STAR, JARED HUNT – STAR, KORWIN KURTZ – LIFE, KHYLER STOLL – FIRST CLASS, ISAAC SPAR – STAR, THEO HARDESTY – STAR, AND DONALD WATERS – SECOND CLASS.
PHOTO BY: CARL WILKERSON
