Community: Scouts recall 60 years of fun

The only thing missing at the reunion for Boy Scout Troop 201 was a roaring campfire and marshmallows. But at least there was plenty of pizza, skits by the boys and river-rafting stories.

About 100 Boy Scouts past and present, parents, siblings and friends gathered on Sunday at the Magnolia Park United Methodist Church for the first alumni event, which was organized by Giselle Vivado and Joylyn Spencer.

Ethan Durkee and Nick Rogus were deeply involved in their skit, called “Wild West Shootout.”

“The parents never get to see the skits, so this is a treat for them,” said Nancy Durkee, Scoutmaster of Troop 201. “Some of the skits they pick up from camp. Others they make up on their own.”

Today the troop boasts 31 members. It is more than 60 years old and is the oldest troop in the Iron Eyes Cody District, which serves the communities of Burbank, Southern Glendale, North Hollywood, Studio City, Sun Valley, and Sunland, Durkee said.

The reunion was a way to show the boys that they are carrying on a great tradition, she added. And it lets former scouts know that today’s members are still having a great time.

The event’s other purpose was to raise funds to help more boys go to camp this summer, said co-chair Vivado.

The Scouts have chosen to go to Emerald Bay, the Boy Scouts of America camp on the west end of Catalina Island. Boys have fun while earning merit badges in water sports and other activities while there. Five days at camp costs $600 per boy, she said.

“We are hoping to have raised $2,000 tonight,” Vivado said. “The effort represents hundreds of hours by our parents and wonderful donations from local merchants.”

The troop, which is sponsored by Magnolia Park United Methodist Church, also is raising funds with the community discount card. It costs $10 and offers discounts at Flappers Comedy Club, Racer’s Edge and other businesses. To get one, email troop201fundraising@gmail.com.

Former Assistant Scoutmaster Don Peterson, who is the liaison between the church and troop, remembered a rafting trip he and wife Debbie went on when their son David was in the troop 30 years ago.

On the way to Snake River in Idaho, they stopped at Circus Circus in Las Vegas, where the boys won several stuffed animals in the arcade. Since there was no place to store the prizes, they ended up on a raft going down the river along with the boys, Peterson said.

Brace Canyon Park will be growing a lot greener, thanks to those who donated to the 57th annual Plant-a-Tree project.

Community members who made donations to the program in honor of relatives and friends, or in memory of those who passed away, were recognized at the annual Donor Awards Ceremony Thursday at the park.

Robert Vincent, chairman of the Civic Pride Committee, welcomed Mayor Jess Talamantes and more than 25 guests. The Women’s Council of Burbank ran the program for 40 years until Civic Pride took the baton in 1996.

Funds donated to the Civic Pride program will go to finance the purchase and planting of trees in Brace Canyon Park, said Janice Bartolo, deputy director of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Department. The reforestation at Brace is necessary due to the loss of trees that have reached their life expectancy, she said.

Some of those receiving certificates for donations were Vera Kuiumgian, Ara and Shoushan Boyadjian, Victor and Ramela Serobyan, Shirley Hoffman and Gladys Askey.

Officials announced that Burbank has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 35th consecutive year. Only Burbank and the city of Sacramento have received the honor since the program began.

La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles conducted its annual meeting and breakfast at the Castaway on March 10. Chairwoman Sue Ann Gordon and her committee decorated the room inspired by the Audrey Hepburn movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Guild members also dressed to the theme and were greeted by committee members Pat Maskell, Kris Veatch and Chris Welker.

Following officers’ annual reports, Judy Gragg, outgoing president, passed the gavel to new President Nancy Johnson. Veronica Chavoor installed the 2012-2013 officers: First Vice President Rosemarie Witten, Second Vice President Deborah Spang, Secretary Lynn White-Shelby, Treasurer Pat Maskell, Public Relations Chair Glenda Jones and Parliamentarian Judy Gragg.

Chairwoman Bonnie McClure and Director Suzanne Lapis, of the Associates & Affiliate Office of Children’s Hospital, were honored guests. They expounded on the guild’s support of the hospital with fashion shows, spring cotillions and especially the Thrift Shop, located at 3310 N. Burbank Blvd.

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.