New Eagle Scout, and Cranbury Day
By: Lorraine Sedor
If any town can be called the Eagle Scout capital, I truly believe Cranbury would receive that designation.
Congratulations to Greg Bredariol, Cranbury’s latest Eagle! Greg, who is 18 and entering his senior year at Princeton High School, will be honored on Saturday, Aug. 12 at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Greg has been in the Scouts since he was in first grade. He recently completed his Eagle Scout project, which was to lead other scouts and volunteers in building a fence along the West property entrance road.
Cranbury Day is just one month away and local groups are gearing up for the annual event.
The Friends of the Cranbury Public Library are collecting books. Donations of used books in good condition may be left at the Kanawyer home, 20 Brainerd Drive. Please leave books in waterproof bags near the front door.
The Historical Society will have a sales table on Main Street featuring prints, note cards and memorabilia. Orders for fall mums, kale, pansies and cornstalks will also be taken. Don’t forget, the Society delivers!
I recently chatted with Pete Sockler about his passions for shooting sports. Pete began shooting when he was 9 years old, about the same time he began helping out at his uncles’ landscaping business. His uncles taught Pete how to shoot a BB gun stressing safety and proper firearms handling. Pete’s interest in shooting grew and by the age of 11, his fathered enrolled him in an NRA Small Bore Rifle program, where he competed around New Jersey, eventually earning the Distinguished Expert award at 17 years old.
Pete was also actively shooting with the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rifle and shotgun merit badge on his way to attaining Eagle Scout status. At college, he became a certified instructor in all disciplines of shooting and safety, and started a rifle club, which became one of the largest clubs on campus.
As an adult, Pete has continued with both shooting and scouting. He said, "Scouting has been in our family for three generations my father is an Eagle Scout, too. My son, PJ, will be the third generation of Eagle Scouts for the Socklers."
Pete serves as a Scouting instructor for the archery, rifle and shotgun merit badges and is an active member of the Citizens’ Rifle and Revolver Club. This Sunday, Pete has invited Cranbury Boy Scouts to a trap shoot there, and is even inviting the 2005-2006 participants to be his guests.
In recent years, Pete has also revived his interest in archery, thanks to his son’s interest in the sport. His own experience with archery began as a kid in his backyard and at scout camps. He also participated in archery in high school and college.
I was surprised to learn from Pete that there are 17 Olympic shooting events included in archery, pistol, rifle and shotgun. He encourages anyone who is interested to consider competitive shooting, and offers this important advice: safety and safe firearms handling are the first lessons in mastering the sport.
Pete explains, "Shooting, like any other sport or discipline requires practice, diligence and a high degree of responsibility. It is much like driving a car safely and responsibly. It is important to understand local firearms laws and to affiliate with other junior and adult shooters who are active in the sport so that you can learn from and with them. It is also important to have a safe place or gun club where you can shoot. All junior shooters must be supervised by an adult. Shooting is a great sport that you can enjoy well into your retirement years."
And, thanks to Pete, many a Cranbury Scout is well on his way to mastering this time-honored sport!
Residents can reach Ms. Sedor by phone at (609) 655-3386, by e-mail at lwsedor@comcast.net, and by mail at 32 Evans Drive, Cranbury, N.J. 08512.