By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Cub Scouts from Pack 193 and Boy Scouts from Troop 193 were honored Sunday at their annual Blue & Gold dinner at the VFW.
Nationwide, such annual dinners honor Scouts’ accomplishments and celebrate the birthday of the Boy Scouts.
Scoutmaster Jim Kelly welcomed everyone to the dinner “that starts the 60th year (of Scouting) in Manville.”
Mr. Kelly and assistant leader Mike Trond both received a standing applause for their 20 years in the Scouting program.
Mr. Kelly introduced Fred Gorbatuk from VFW Post 2290 and said, “The VFW is our sponsor and is the best sponsor a troop could ever have. Because of the VFW, we have a place to meet in a beautiful facility and places to store our equipment. We have an awful lot to be thankful for.”
Borough Councilman Ed Komoroski spoke to the Scouts on behalf of the mayor and council.
”Scouting is a big part of the community,” he said. “We have always supported the work that the Scouts have done; the numerous Eagle projects, the cleaning up of the brook area, and it goes on and on.”
Mr. Komoroski said he was a Scout here in the same building about 45 years ago.
”I never got my Eagle badge,” he said. “I wish I had the encouragement to continue on. Scouting is very important, and you should be proud of yourselves. Continue on being a Scout. Get that Eagle badge as it is going to help you out in the long run. It will help you get into college. It will help you get into the service. It will help you a long time and stays with you forever.”
Cub Scouts Anthony Barras, Nathaniel Bezick, Eric Castillo and James Lee all received the Tiger rank advancement recognition.
The Boy Scout of the Year went to Justin Olejnik, who could not be present.
Assistant leader Mike Trond, along with Anne and Mark Shubiak, received the Thomas Strong Award in memory of a man who was deeply involved in Scouting in Troop 193. Mr. and Mrs. Shubiak have helped Troop 193. All have helped in many ways to earn the honor.
Michael Brice, Prabhav Mamidi and Anthony Miller received the Bear rank. Wyatt Hamilton, Jacob Reilly, Bryan Spiers and Jacob Taylor received the Wolf rank. Wyatt, Bryan, Nathaniel, James and Anthony Barras also received their Bobcat rank.
The sailboat regatta winners received their trophies. First place went to Jacob Reilly, second to Timothy Franks and third to Michael Brice.
Pinewood Derby car winners received their trophies. They included first-place winner Bryan Spiers, second-placer Jonathan Spiers and Jalen Petersen in third.
Webelos activity pins were presented. Jalen Petersen, Nicholas Mattei and Cole Chapkowski each received fitness, geologist, aquanaut, citizen and artist. Timothy Franks received fitness, geologist, citizen and artist.
Scott McGinn received his geologist, citizen and artist. Jonathan Spiers received the fitness, geologist, citizen and artist, and Anthony Tomasko, fitness, citizen and artist. Connor and Kyle Budd received their outdoorsman pins.
Nole Chapkowski was presented with a Webelos Den Leader patch and Carissa Chapkowski and Jason Chaya with Assistant Den Leader patches.
Connor and Kyle then crossed the bridge, symbolically leaving Cub Scouting and becoming Boy Scouts. Mr. Hixson wished them well as they crossed over the symbolic bridge. Mr. Kelly and the Boy Scouts of Troop 193 welcomed them and dressed them in the Boy Scout neckerchief, hat and slide.
Boy Scout Ramon Quinonez received his Scout rank, Nicholas Barras, the rank of Tenderfoot, and Michael Zangara, the rank of First Class Scout.
Badges also were received and presented. Daniel Shubiak received the reptile and amphibian study, Michael Zangara, bird study, and Matthew Miller, the environmental science badge.
Tote and chip cards were presented to Boy Scouts who are qualified to carry and use a pocket knife. They are Nicholas Lazos, Hunter Lambert, Damien Klementovich, Mathew Fiduk, Connor Budd, Bradley Brown-Montalvo, Matthew Drobny, Daniel Shubiak, Ramon Quinonez, Keilor Chaves, Nicholas Barras, Luke Drobny and Michael Zangara.
Special pins were presented to those who have been in Scouting for years. Those receiving the five-year pin were Nicholas Lazos, Matthew Miller, Matthew Drobny, Luke Drobny, Mike Drobny, Michael Zangara and Justin Olejnik.
Gaining a pin for 10 years of service were Susan Blanken, Matthew Trond, Jasui Olejnik, Mike Sellar, Danel Allen and Kevin Sellar.
Bruce Hixson and Mary Ellen Zangara were honored for more than 10 years.

