Aug. 7, 2002
<lst>Send your organization's announcement to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
Troop 761 Visit Reservation
<bt>Thirty-five Boy Scouts and nine Scouters from local Troop 761 attended the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Hiawassee, Va. during July. Blue Ridge Scout Reservation is 17,500 acres of hardwood forest and lakes, an abundance of native plants and wildlife, deer, beaver, rabbit and squirrel, along with a lake brimming with fish.
Scouts participated in a variety of merit badge courses including amphibian and reptile studies, archery, basketry, canoeing, cooking, emergency preparedness, environmental science, first aid, fishing, Indian lore, leatherwork, lifesaving, rifle and shotgun shooting, rowing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, wilderness survival and woodcarving. Scouts and Scouters also accomplished youth protection training, kayak and whitewater instruction, safe swim defense and safety afloat, received snorkeling certification and swam a mile non-stop in a lake.
Troop 761 Scouts accumulated more than 100 merit badges in the week as well as received the "Hound's Tooth" Award for Troop excellence for the fourth year running. Scouts attended several Blue Ridge Reservation sub-camps, including Camp Powhatan, Mountain Man, Claytor Lake and New River Adventure camps.
Army Pvt. Brian C. Downing has graduated from the network switching systems operator-maintainer advanced individual training course at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga. Downing is the son of Jesse C. and Anne Downing of Ashburn. He is a 2000 graduate of Broad Run High School.
Jan Newell is the new Broadlands Nature Center program director. Newell will plan and conduct activities at the Broadlands Nature & Information Center. Newell moved to Broadlands from Lovettsville with her husband and two children in August 1999.
Ramage Mendez, 16, a junior at Potomac Falls High School and the son of George and Patricia Mendez of Sterling, was recently awarded the Boy Scouts of America's highest award for achievement, the Eagle Scout, becoming the 10th Scout to do so from Troop 761. Ramage joined Boy Scout Troop 761 in 1998 and has served as assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader and troop guide. Through his efforts, he earned 21 merit badges and completed his Eagle service project, the carpeting of the downstairs of Guilford Fellowship Church. Ramage achieved a number of Scouting awards including Baden-Powell, Johnny Reb Patch, Leave No Trace, Brownsea Island, Polar Bear Swim, Caving, Quality Unit, Firem'n Chit, Rodney Camp, Gettysburg Patch and Totin'Chip.
Local Eagle Scout candidate Willy Jones of Troop 761 recently hosted a rock concert to benefit the volunteer rescue squad of Loudoun County and raised more than $500 for the fire service. "Rock 4 Rescue" took place on Saturday, July 27 at the Patton Recreation Hall located at the Cascades Fire Department on Middlefield Drive in Sterling. Bands featured included Soul Avulsion.
Jason E. Benn of Sterling has received a Bachelors degree in Information Systems and Decision Sciences from Virginia State University.
Brandon L. Mathews of Sterling has received a Bachelors degree in Management from Virginia State University.