Salute to Our Eagles: September 12, 2024 Guide Council Newsletter

Join us in congratulating these recent Bay-Lakes Council Eagle Scouts:

Conor Enright, Troop 1038, De Pere, WI, Voyageur District
Samantha Hensley, Troop 410, Escanaba, MI, Hiawathaland District
Gabriel Rammer, Troop 777, Fond du Lac, WI, Ledge to Lakes District
Sean Smith, Troop 1019, Algoma, WI, Voyageur District

Conor Enright is a member of Troop 1038, chartered through St. Anne’s Episcopal Church of De Pere, WI. He completed his Eagle Board of Review on September 10, 2024.

In his own words, “My Eagle Project was building 15 Song Sparrow Birdhouses along the East River Trail in accordance with the wishes of the Ledgeview Parks Committee. Song Sparrows were chosen as they are one of the more common birds in the area and serve as the average for the diameter of the hole size drilled. By choosing a common bird, I can ensure that others of similar size can enjoy the new habitat.” ]

Conor’s unit leader is Matthew Wegmann.

His Eagle Court of Honor is scheduled for November 16, 2024.

Samantha Hensley is a member of Troop 410, chartered by Immanuel Lutheran Church of Escanaba, MI. She completed her Eagle Board of Review on August 29, 2024.

Her Eagle project, in her own words, “With the help of 10 volunteers, I made and donated 26 tie blankets for [the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Green Bay.] I chose the PICU because that is where I stayed after my accident and was given my own tie blanket. I chose tie blankets for the PICU to give the kids staying there something that is a little bit warmer and more colorful than the hospital blankets. Each blanket has a fun pattern and a solid color on the opposite sides. Each blanket offered up a different design and are big enough to keep teenagers warm. The patterns ranged from fun s’mores to white plaid.”

Samantha’s unit leader is Melissa Hensley.

Her Eagle Court of Honor is scheduled for October 12, 2024.

Gabriel Rammer is a member of Troop 777, chartered by the Fond du Lac Area Catholic Parents for Scouting of Fond du Lac, WI. He completed his Eagle Board of Review on August 14, 2024.

His Eagle project, in his own words, “I led a team of 22 volunteers, the majority youth, to transform the landscape outside the offices of my parish church, Holy Family Catholic Community in Fond du Lac, WI. I coordinated the team’s work with the contractor’s efforts to remove grass areas and install rock borders. Once the contractor’s work was completed, my team of volunteers planted shrubs and ornamentals, laid down weed barrier, and spread stone mulch around the plants. Initially, the thought of fundraising for the project was daunting. I learned that speaking at 9 Masses, before up to 600 people per Mass, was a challenge but also was exciting and fun. Preparation for speaking, and for the project tasks as a whole, gave me the confidence to succeed.”

Gabriel’s unit leader is Mrs. Chris Simon.

His Eagle Court of Honor is scheduled for November 29, 2024.

Sean Smith, a member of Troop 1019 chartered by the Ernest Haucke American Legion Post 236 of Algoma WI, completed his Eagle Board of Review on September 10, 2024. In his own words, “My (Eagle) project was helping the families of Kewaunee County build their family time through literacy and family projects. I  teamed up with the Algoma Public Library and the Friends of the Library to increase daily literacy by decreasing screen time. The project included 180 family make and take-home literacy backpacks and 60 scales (rocks for making Page the Python) over the 8 weeks of summer. Every Wednesday this summer, there was a theme that supported family time and reading time. The themes began with a Reading Can Take You on Many Adventures backpack supplied with various books, chalk, bubbles, crayons, board games and places to visit in the surrounding counties. Then the following weeks were Here Fishy, Fishy!, Recycling Roll Critters, Bird City Algoma, Up, Up and Away (learning about flight), Creative Fun!, Puppet Time, and Page the Python (rock creation of favorite books). Through the weeks of being at the library to meet and greet the families, the excitement for reading and interacting as a family in the community grew. In the end, I received a name from some of the families “The Scout Library Kid”. Even today when I see the kids in the school or around town, they call out “Hey Scout Library Kid are you making more projects soon!” The best part was seeing the kids so happy to pick up the new weekly kit and even bring back finished projects to share with me..” His unit leaders are  Denise Magle Scoutmaster and Tammy Smith Chairperson. An Eagle Court of Honor will be scheduled by year’s end.