Scouts have busy slates

Upcoming events occuring in and around Cranbury

By: Lorraine Sedor
   The First Friday Reception this week at the Gourgaud Gallery will feature the Abstract Paintings of Nick Skally, titled "Let It Drip."
   The reception will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gallery. Nick Skally’s work is colorful and uniquely textural — it should be exciting for those who love abstract works. Stop by to meet Nick, enjoy some food and drink and view some of his terrific art.

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   OK, so you decided "Camp Mom" was going to be loads of fun for you and your kids this summer. Just a few weeks into summer and you’ve come to senses!
   It’s not too late to find some fun diversions for your children, right here in town. The Cranbury Arts Council Art & Technology Camp still has a limited number of openings in the following classes: Jewelry Design July 9 to 20, from 10 to 12 a.m. and Intro to Aeronautics, July 16 to 20 form 1 to 3 p.m. Call Joanne Hanson at (609) 395-9111 for further info.
   Also, on July 9, at 1 p.m. in the Cranbury School’s Large Group room, come enjoy magic, comedy and storytelling with Brian Richards. Brian will be teaching tricks you’ll be able to perform yourself. Maybe learn how to make mom, dad or your kid sister disappear!
   The program lasts approximately one hour and is appropriate for ages 3 and up.

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   I caught up with neighbor Marie Dey recently via email. Marie reports that she was away for 13 days last month, in California for her granddaughter’s high school graduation. I’m not sure why high schools do this, but the graduation was on the football field and it was 99 degrees and of course in full sun!
   Despite the heat, Marie’s granddaughter graduated and Marie said, "I had a grand time with my oldest son and his family. It was very unseasonably hot in Campbell where they live and they do not have air conditioning!"

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   Each year, with the help of fellow scouts, dedicated adult leaders and plenty of grubby cars, a number of Boy Scouts advance to Scouting’s highest honor, Eagle.
   Last week, Sam and Bob Venanzi raised more than $300 for their Eagle projects at a car wash. They each are working on projects to benefit the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society.
   Among other Scouts in town who have recently earned, or are working on, their Eagle project is Vrajesh Modi, who is marking storm drains in Shadow Oaks. Joe and David Kirkenir also are well on their way to earning Eagle. Joe has designed and is planting landscaping at the corner of Symmes and South Main. His brother, David, recently completed his Eagle Scout Board of Review meeting.
   Not to be outdone by the boys, Girl Scouts in Cranbury have been busy working on community service projects. Since September 2005, the girl of Troop 1467 completed 12 Troop to Troop projects. The girls, under the leadership of Sally O’Grady, parent Cyndy Coppotelli and Scout Anna Coppotelli, were responsible for sending 55 boxes of goodwill to deployed troops. Fifty-three boxes were sent to "their" Air Force squadron stationed at Ali Base in Iraq; one was sent to an army company returning home from Iraq, and one was sent to some Air Force troops returning home to Texas. Over 960 pounds of items have been sent over the 17 months that the girls were involved in these projects. Directly, the girls’ efforts touched between 1200-1500 troops. However, the indirect effect has been much greater; troops who merely heard about the support the squadron received were touched that relative strangers were putting so much effort into letting those men and women know they had not been forgotten.
   Anna reports: "The Halloween cards the girls made for the first Halloween project were hung up in a meeting area where a large party was held. The base has 9,000 troops, and I’m sure many of these men and women enjoyed our efforts." Her mother added, "I came to understand that the Scout troop developed somewhat of a reputation on the base!"
   In honor of their efforts, Troop 1467 received a flag that flew in Iraq, and a certificate from the squadron. Anna and her mother had the honor of meeting the sender of the flag, Master Sgt. Lu Pitts (now retired), in Texas at the end of April. Said Cyndy, "He remembers the scouts and all they did for his squadron with great fondness! He actually said that their efforts changed his life."
   Among the many project the girls completed were an eight-foot banner and letters sent to the troops; 150 Halloween goody bags (twice!). They sewed, decorated and filled 225 holiday stockings; made Valentine’s cards and goody bags (twice!); and made a "welcome home" banner. Other holidays the girls celebrated with their squadron were Easter/spring with 120 goody bags; Independence Day with 120 hand-decorated foam frames and cards; and 105 Christmas/winter holiday ornaments, cards and filled gift bags. They also ran a booth on Cranbury Day where passersby were able to sign cards and a banner. Plus, they donated extra Girl Scout Cookies to their squadron.
   In addition to all this, a number of girls also went on to complete individual service projects. I’ll have more on those girls and their award-winning projects next week.
Residents can reach Ms. Sedor by phone at (609) 655-3386, by e-mail at [email protected] and by mail at 32 Evans Drive, Cranbury, N.J. 08512.