The small but mighty Boy Scout Troop #77

Every Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Boy Scout Troop #77 holds its meetings in the upper room of the Groton Fire Department. Although there are currently just three active members in the troop, they have accomplished a great deal in the past year.

Aiden Avery, Cooper Hewitt and Nate Viglietta, who make up the Stale Bread Patrol within the troop, are very enthusiastic about their scouting journey and all are working toward becoming Eagle Scouts — the highest honor one can achieve as a Boy Scout.

Avery is a junior and Hewitt is a sophomore — both students at Groton Jr./Sr. High School. Viglietta is home-schooled but is also a junior. Avery has been a scout for the past six years, starting out as a Cub Scout, Hewitt started his scouting path as a Cub Scout in fourth grade, and Viglietta joined Troop #77 in spring 2020.

The boys are matched with troop leaders almost one to one, with Scoutmaster Kristen Likel (Hewitt’s mom) and Assistant Scoutmaster Rae Avery (Aiden’s mom) present at every meeting. They often welcome District Committee Chair Ed Brewer to their meetings as well.

Likel and Rae stepped into their respective roles in 2019. Likel said she grew up doing many of the things the scouts do with her dad, so it is a natural fit for her.

Rae said they both “jumped in feet first and have been learning as we go ever since!”

Brewer fondly spoke about being in scouting since he was in second grade as a Cub Scout. Prior to his current role, his adult service ranged from being the Cub Scout associate of the Hiawatha District and then the district executive of the Taughannock District.

“I loved it as a kid, and now I enjoy seeing other kids enjoy it as I did,” Brewer said.

Likel said she “loves seeing Ed teaching and helping the boys — it’s truly a passion for him.”

All three Troop #77 scouts have Star ranks, and all three spontaneously recited the ranks in order for me: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle.

Most people who know anything about scouting know that much of what the scouts do to move up in rank is earning merit badges — Brewer said there are 137 of them to choose from — but they also have opportunities to become part of “The Order of the Arrow” as scouts or leaders. Rae said that it is “kind of like the National Honor Society of scouts.”

There is a special white sash worn over the scout uniform when one becomes a part of the Order. Its oath is “Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service,” and one must be elected by peers, be at least a First Class scout and complete “the ordeal” to join.

Brewer, of course, had all three parts of the red embroidered arrow logo on his sash, and Rae earned her “Brotherhood” level last year when she completed her ordeal. Likel and the three boys earned their sashes this past summer at their ordeal, which is a 24-hour camping weekend at Camp Barton filled with a lot of community and camp service.

Camp Barton celebrated its 100th anniversary this past May, and Troop #77 was on site doing hiking, practicing first aid and learning the history of the camp. They also worked at Camp Barton’s summer camp, earning merit badges.

“Scouting gives you a chance to help the local community and connect with others as a result of the community events we do,” Aiden said.

The troop has sold chocolate bars and popcorn and held a bottle and can drive this past year as part of its fundraising efforts. Members also look forward to hosting Doug’s Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 19 by the Speedway on Main Street.

“Troop #77 has been chartered by the Groton Fire Department (GFD) since the 1960s,” Brewer said. “And we are very fortunate to have Lester Coit as our chartered member troop representative. The GFD approves all leaders and fundraising efforts, and we also have Joe Peterson, another adult, who is the troop’s treasurer.”

For community service, the troop made bluebird houses for Groton Memorial Park and has adopted 2.2 miles of Route 222 that members spend time cleaning every April.

“That’s the reason I joined in 2020,” Viglietta said. “I saw them doing it and wanted to be a part of it. Since then, it has helped me grow and improve as a person and a scout and is teaching me more about the world around me, myself and my community.”

The boys also spoke about helping to pack food bins at the Groton Food Pantry and delivering them to those who can’t get to the pantry to pick up their food. They all hope that others who might like to join them would consider joining a meeting to see what it’s all about.

“Scouting is a way to make friends and experience doing anything and everything you might need in life,” Hewitt said. “It gives you practical experience and you get exposed to different cultures at camping jamborees. You get to explore things that you wouldn’t normally see if not in scouts.”

Viglietta added, “Boy Scouts is a massive organization, and it gives you lots of opportunities to learn and grow in every aspect of life from physical and personal fitness to leadership.”

“I’ve had unique and new experiences I never would have done before,” Aiden said. “Getting all the way to Eagle Scout shows perseverance, and I want to get there.”

All three boys are working toward earning Eagle and are actively looking for community service projects that will benefit the entire community to help them attain it. Those who have such opportunities available may contact Brewer at Edward.E.Brewer@gmail.com.

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.

In brief:

Oktoberfest at the Legion

The Groton American Legion, 307 Main St., will be holding an Oktoberfest beginning at 2 p.m. Oct. 1. There will be German food and festivities, including music by Alpine Al from 3 to 6 p.m.

Phil English, the oldest and only WWII veteran left in the Legion, will also be celebrating his 98th birthday that day, so a birthday cake will be served in his honor at 4 p.m. All are welcome to stop by to wish him a happy birthday.

Chicken and ribs at Casper’s

Casper’s Kitchen, 118 Main St., will be putting on a chicken and ribs fundraiser to benefit Groton Youth Football on Oct. 1 beginning at 11 a.m.

Free rabies clinics

The Tompkins County Rabies Clinic will be at the Groton Fire Department, 108 E. Cortland St., from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29 and the TCAT Bus Garage, 737 Willow Ave. in Ithaca, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15. Preregistration is recommended at tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/rabies.

Proof of prior vaccination is required for a three-year certificate. Dogs must be leashed or in carriers, and cats and ferrets must be in carriers. The event is free of charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.