The Annals of Troop 29 of Congers

1925—Troop 1 of Congers is formed in the Central District of Rockland County Council.

 

1926—Reverend William Deissler, the pastor of the local Methodist Parish, now the Congers United Methodist Parish, is Scoutmaster (he may or may not have been Scoutmaster in the previous year). The troop is chartered through a group of citizens. The troop is in Spring Valley District. Meetings are held on Fridays at the Methodist Church. The troop performs daily flag raising duty.

1927—The troop is chartered through the Troop Committee. The troop is in Nyack District.

1928—The troop is now Troop 1 (29). The troop is chartered through a group of citizens. Meetings are held on Mondays at the Fire Hall. Scoutmaster Deissler goes on pilgrimage to the Holy Land (then the British Mandate of Palestine, for historical perspective).

1929—The troop is chartered through the Methodist Church. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Dan Beard moves to Suffern, as he had vowed to move when the subway opened in his town.

1930—The troop is now Troop 29. Stanley Russel becomes Scoutmaster. The troop is chartered through the Civic Organization of Congers. The troop is in Suffern District. Meetings are held at the High School.

1931—The troop is chartered through a group of citizens. Scoutmaster Russel receives the Council’s Certificate of Faithful Service. The troop counts traffic for the County Zoning Committee.

1932—The troop receives the President’s award for growth. The troop attends the Council’s Annual Merit Badge Exposition at the Nanuet Fire House and presents the Cement Work Merit Badge.

1933—The troop is in no district. Meetings are held on Thursdays.

1937—Peebles Farm in Congers is used as a Boy Scout campsite.

1939—Eric T. Olson becomes Scoutmaster. The troop is chartered through itself.

1940—The troop is chartered through a group of citizens. Meetings are held at the residence of the Troop Committee.

1941—Meetings are held on Thursdays at the High School. Dan Beard dies, and is buried at the Brick Church Cemetery in Monsey.

1942—Scoutmaster Olson is drafted into the Army during the Second World War and is killed in action in Europe.

1943—Peter Marchak becomes Scoutmaster.

1944—Blake Pierson becomes Scoutmaster.

1945—Herbert George becomes Scoutmaster.

1948—Joseph Travaglini becomes Scoutmaster. The troop is in Central District.

1949—John Lyons becomes Scoutmaster.

1951—The troop is chartered through the Congers Businessman’s Association. Meetings are held on Mondays.

1952—C. Robert Arnold becomes Scoutmaster. The troop is chartered through the Congers Rod and Gun Club. The troop is in Palisades District. Meetings are held on Thursdays.

1953—Meetings are held on Wednesdays.

1955—Ray Sanseverino becomes Scoutmaster. Meetings are held at the Veterans’ Memorial Association.

1956— C. Robert Arnold becomes Scoutmaster again.

1957—Andrew J. Kolsted becomes Scoutmaster.

1958—Joseph Franco becomes Scoutmaster.

1959—George Prouty becomes Scoutmaster.

1961—William Cook becomes Scoutmaster, Meetings are held at Congers School.

 

1962—Meetings are held at the Veterans’ Memorial Association.

1963—Troop 29 attends the Loyalty Parade in Pearl River. Scouts dance in Indian costumes.

1964—The troop is in De Clarke District.

1965—Joel Shollenberger becomes Scoutmaster. The troop is chartered to the Lieutenant Raymond B. Jauss Veterans’ Memorial Association Post, to which it is chartered today.

1966—Charles T. Newcomb becomes Scoutmaster.

1967—The troop is at its largest, with 73 scouts.

1968—Meetings are held at Congers Elementary.

1970—George Williams becomes Scoutmaster.

1973—John Rossi becomes Scoutmaster.

1976—The troop is in Shatemuc District. Meetings are held on Tuesdays.

1977—John Certofanti becomes Scoutmaster.

1979—Nils Lundquist becomes Scoutmaster.

1981—Albert Harty Jr. becomes Scoutmaster.

1983—Meetings are held on Wednesdays.

 

1984—Harry Von Thaden becomes Scoutmaster.

1986—John Van Housen becomes Scoutmaster.

1991—Todd Mayer achieves the Eagle Scout rank and receives an award of recognition by the Town of Clarkstown.

1993—Herman Mayer becomes Scoutmaster.

1997—The troop is at its smallest, with six scouts. John Van Housen becomes Scoutmaster again.

1998—The troop is in Rockland District of Hudson Valley Council, in which it is today.

2000—The troop is now Troop 29 (2029). Paul Repka becomes Scoutmaster.

2001—Carl M. Flickinger, a former Troop 29 adult leader and father of Carl Flickinger and Craig Flickinger, Troop 29 members, dies at age 38 in the September 11^th attacks.

2002—Dan Mooney, who is Scoutmaster today, becomes Scoutmaster.

 

2003—Conor Mooney and Joseph Parrino achieve the Eagle Scout rank and are presented with Certificates of Award by the town. Michael D. Henneberry, Korean War Navy veteran and former Troop 29 adult leader, dies at age 74. Former Scoutmaster Van Housen dies at age 58.

2005—Kris Cantos achieves the Eagle Scout rank.

2007—Troop 29 participates in Flag Day ceremonies at the Haverstraw Brick Museum.

2008—Matthew O’Dowd achieves the Eagle Scout rank.

2009—Meetings are held at the Congers Lake Community Center, where they are held today.

2010—Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The troop attends Scout Sunday for the first time. The troop aids in the Saint Paul’s Clothing Drive. The troop receives the recognition from the town in the 100^th Anniversary of Scouting in America.  Michael Hoblin, Christopher Fernandes, and Frank Voce achieved their Eagle Scout rank.  Hoblin’s project was the St. Paul's School Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Restoration; Fernandes’ project was the Hi Tor Animal Shelter Storage Shed construction, and Voce’s project was the fire hydrant markers in Congers.  Joe Leonard achieves the Eagle Scout rank. His project was the renovation of Snyder’s Cemetery.  Robert Duggan and Anthony Trivino achieve the Eagle Scout rank. Duggan’s project was the construction of Girl Scouts Addison Boyce Tent Platforms, and Trivino’s project was the reconstruction of the Germond’s Stone Wall. 

2011—Meetings are held on Wednesdays, when they are held today. The troop visits Annapolis, Maryland.

2012—Troop 29 visits the USS Slater and attends the Veterans Day Commemoration there.  James Leonard achieved his Eagle Scout status with the Good Counsel Home Storage Garage reconstruction.  Patrick O'Dowd earned his Eagle by collecting and donating goods to the Montrose Veteran's Hospital.

2013—Anthony Mancino and John Fincken achieve the Eagle Scout rank.  Mancino created the Congers Elementary School 9/11 Memorial Garden and Fincken the King's Park Flagpole Garden.

 

Unknown year:

—Sean Hall achieves the Eagle Scout rank. His project was the flowerpots at Gethsemane Cemetery.

—Michael Hughes achieves the Eagle Scout rank. His project was the directory at Gethsemane Cemetery.

—Richard Cardinale achieves the Eagle Scout rank. His project was the play fort at St. Paul’s Nursery School.

 

 

Sources

 

-LoHud.com

-Troop 29 History.xls

-“St. Paul’s Parish Centennial Celebration” (available at the Rockland Room in the New City Library)

-“50 Year History of the Rockland Council Boy Scouts” (available at the Rockland Room in the New City Library)