Bob and Sam Venanzi incorporating the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society into their service projects
By: Madeleine Johnson
Twins Bob and Sam Venanzi, of Cranbury, are used to doing things as a team. Now the two are rushing to complete their latest undertakings, their Eagle Scout service projects, before they turn 18 on Aug. 29.
"It’s twice as busy, because I have to work on my project and also help Sam out, but he helps me out with my project, too," Bob said. "But it’s comforting. We both feel the pressure since we’re just beating the deadline."
Bob and Sam are members of Boy Scout Troop 52 and will be seniors at Princeton High School in the fall. They made sure their projects benefited their hometown, specifically the History Center on South Main Street, also known as the Gristmiller’s House.
"For my project, I’m creating a stand for the replica millstone which will be going in front of the Gristmiller’s House," Sam said. "My project will be using a series of metal pillars to support the stone on a slight angle pointed toward the road, and we’ll also be adding a small brick border around it to make it look nice."
Sam’s project came at the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society’s suggestion.
"I chose to do this because the society wanted me to do. They had this replica gristmill standing around in the Public Works Department and wanted to show it off as a little bit of Cranbury’s unique heritage," he said. "I jumped at the chance. This town has given so much to me that I decided to give something back."
Bob’s project was also inspired by the historical society.
"My project involves taking historical slate blocks and creating a walkway in the back of the historical center. It will be connecting the firehouse parking lot to the historical center’s back door and to its outhouse," Bob said.
It’s only fitting that the boys decided to incorporate the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society into their service projects, since they have family members who work there, their grandmother Ginny Swanagan and mother Kirstie Venanzi.
"We have two relatives who do work in the historical center, one being my grandmother. She gave the idea to me and, because I was looking to help out any way I could, I took the first opportunity that came up," Bob said.
Scouts have to complete their service projects before they turn 18 to be considered for the Eagle rank and, while Bob and Sam are closing in on the finish line, they’ve both been hindered by unforeseen challenges.
"My biggest challenge was probably setting up the sono tubes. That’s what’s going to be holding up the pillars," Sam said. "We set them 3 feet into the ground and we would wait a couple days, and then it would rain so some of them would start to decay and we’d have to replace them. It took a lot longer than I anticipated, but I guess it’s better to learn this now than later in life when I’m building my dream home."
Bob’s biggest problem is also with the equipment he’s using.
"I have to find historic slate. What I’m using is leftover slate the Public Works Department was storing after it took out a sidewalk a few years ago," he said. "I thought I had 12 blocks, but it ends up that somehow there was a mix up and I’m stuck with only six. It’s aggravating and it’s eating away at me, but I’m trying to work around it."
Obstacles aside, the twins both agree that their Eagle Scout projects have taught them quite a bit.
"I’ve been working on my Eagle Scout project for the past two or three years. I spent a little too long on the planning side," Sam said with a laugh. "But, I’ve learned a lot about planning and expenses and fundraising and I’ve gained a lot of leadership skills I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life."
"The Eagle Scout project has given me a goal and it’s taught me about the importance of planning and knowing what you’re doing," Bob added. "It’s taught me the importance of working around other people’s schedules and to contact them not that day you need them, but a few days beforehand. That’s what kind of got me to learn about planning. I wasn’t a big planning guy before this."
But they know they wouldn’t have forged ahead with their service projects if they hadn’t enjoyed being a part of the Boy Scouts, which they both feel has given them so much, offering them a wealth of lessons and a variety of opportunities.
"Before I joined the Boy Scouts, I didn’t do a lot of camping. As soon as I joined, I got to go on a lot of trips. It helped change who I am and helped me have a greater appreciation for the outdoors," said Sam, who said he and his brother have been Scouts for about nine years. "I’ve learned a lot of useful skills through Boy Scouts. I’ve been able to do community services, I’ve met a lot of people, I’ve learned how to do medical treatment, I can make knots and I can use fire and knives in a nonthreatening way."
Bob also said that his years of Scouting have had a positive impact on him.
"Before Boy Scouts, if you would have told me that we’re going on a hiking trail for a whole week with nothing but wilderness, I would have said, ‘No, that’s sounds terrible,’ but now I’m up for it. I got to encounter unusual things that the organization of Boy Scouts only really lets you do," Bob said. "It’s changed my whole train of thought. It’s helped me become a well-rounded person."
While their Eagle Scout projects are coming to a close, Bob and Sam agree that they’ll do their best to remain active in the organization.
"I definitely want to remain active in Scouts," Bob said. "It’s been such a great experience for me and I want to help people enjoy the same experience I had."
"Even after I’m an Eagle Scout, I will help and try to be active in the group and active in the others’ projects. The troop has been great with making it possible for others to become Eagle Scouts," Sam said. "Boy Scouts is a great experience and there are a lot of unique opportunities. It changes your life in a positive way, the stuff you learn in Boy Scouts and the opportunities it offers to learn about this great country."