Around Broadneck: Broadneck area benefits from Eagle Scout projects

Eagles usually hatch in the spring, but four new eagles emerged from the Ulmstead Barn in Arnold last Thursday evening. They are members of Boy Scout Troop 835. Each teen had fulfilled all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, something only 2 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve.

The new Eagle Scouts, all of whom are Broadneck High School students, are: Joe DiPaola and Giovanni Gargano, both 16, and Ryan Jan and Sean Hocking, both 17.

Joe built a nature platform along the trail that ribbons through Greenbury Point. The six-foot high structure, built with the assistance of Troop 835 members and friends, is designed to help nature lovers drink in the view. As with other projects built by his fellow scouts in Troop 835, 84 Lumber donated some of the wood used in the project.

"I felt relieved and excited with my accomplishment," he said.

Giovanni, better known as "G," didn't just construct a path to the children's playground in his St. Margaret's Landing neighborhood.

"I had to design a drainage system, with the help of my cousin John Childs," he said. The two dug a series of holes and filled them with gravel and installed the underground system. The $2,000 project took a year from the drafting board to laying down steel edging, river cobble stone borders and a mulch pathway, and has inspired him to consider a degree in engineering.

"It felt good that it was done," Giovanni said. "It meant a lot to earn the Eagle award."

That new bullpen and pitcher's mound in Arnold Park? Thank Ryan.

"I've played baseball there since I was six," said Ryan.

His was another detailed, sweaty project that will provide years of enjoyment for county kids.

"We always needed a pitching mound and it's something I could do to give back," he said.

He is seeking an appointment to the Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy and will also apply this winter to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. Despite the odds, he managed to attend Summer Seminars this summer at both the Naval and Air Force Academies.

Sean has been in scouting for six years; recruited by his younger brother Craig. In turn, Sean recruited several others to scouting. The Anne Arundel Fish & Game Club, located off St. Margaret's Road overlooking Mill Creek, had several projects to offer Eagles.

Sean had to design and build a sturdy shed near the club's pistol range to hold targets and supplies.

"It was a great experience," said Sean. "It was outdoors, it involved leadership and was pretty fun, too."

He hopes to be a biology or science major at University of Maryland or Anne Arundel Community College.

"Being an Eagle is helping people, solving problems and living by the Boy Scout law," said Giovanni, as his friends nodded in agreement.

The Broadneck area has one more Eagle. On Oct. 18, a Boy Scout Court of Honor was held to recognize Richard Lamont Kelly for his Eagle Award. A member of troop 2214 and Venture Crew 2214, Richard, 18, is a senior at Broadneck High School. To earn his Eagle Award, he designed and constructed a brick patio for Mary's Shrine at the Knight's of Columbus Center in Severna Park.

The Broadneck Baptist Church, located at 1257 Hilltop Drive in Cape St. Claire, is hosting its first Holiday Shopping Fair and is celebrating local home-based businesses from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 6.

"Three women in our very small congregation have started home-based businesses as a means of helping their families ride out the financial storm," said Eloise Ullman. "We wanted to provide them with an opportunity to earn money, gain new clients and provide a special event for our community."

Fourteen businesses are participating, from The Herbal Touch and Cosmic Coffee, to jewelry offerings, sweets, kitchen products and therapeutic massage. Entry to the Holiday Shopping Fair is a donation of nonperishable food items that will be given to My Brother's Pantry.

"The Pantry's shelves are the lowest we've seen them in the many years that the churches of the Broadneck peninsula have been supporting it," said Eloise.

In addition to door prizes, there will be refreshments, plus wine and cheese.

Mark your calendars. "Forgiveness," a feature-length, award-winning documentary will be screened at two area church sanctuaries in November. St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 1601 Pleasant Plains Road and St. Margaret's Road, is the first host at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 and St. Anne's Church on Church Circle will host at 7 p.m. Nov. 14. Admission at both locations is a $10 cash donation per person, $1 for students. Doors open at 6:40 p.m.

Narrated by Mia Farrow, the film features Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and renowned peace activist; psychology professor Dr. Everett Worthington; and others speaking of the power of forgiveness. After each showing, a panel of area ministers will answer questions and offer their own comments on the film and its subject.

The net proceeds from ticket sales at the two events will be donated to the "Living Bricks" Rwandan reconciliation fund, the Jericho Program for prisoner re-entry in Maryland and the Touchstones Discussion Project / Prison Program in Maryland.

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