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After World War 11, Mr. Melacarro developed a piece of land in Cranston, Rhode Island adjacent to many State Institutions, bounded by Sockanosset Crossroads on the South, Pontiac Avenue on the East, Reservoir Avenue on the West and Lawrence Drive on the North. He called this development Garden City. It consisted of a group of single family homes, several apartment houses, and a shopping center. The majority of homes were bought by the average middle class American with a young family. The shopping center had all types of markets, banks, drug stores and department stores. It also had Garden City School, an elementary school that catered to children from kindergarten to grade six. A Garden City Tenants' Association was formed and among their goals was to establish recreational organizations for the children. Hence, in 1955 a Boy Scout Troop was established and called Troop 10 Garden City. The President of this association was Ralph Nicks and the first Institutional Representative to the Troop was Gerard Brodeur, and Edwin DeGroat was elected Committee Chairman. James Burke was the first Scoutmaster and the troop meetings were held at Garden City School on Thursday evenings. The troop was in the Cranston District of the Narragansett Council, BSA and unfortunately there was already a Troop 10 Cranston, confusion followed. The troop in 1961 or 1962 then decided by popular vote to call the troop, Troop 66 Garden City, inspired by a TV program of that era, "Route 66". The first neckerchief was designed by Eagle Scout Kenneth Maloney and current neckerchief by Eagle Scout Paul Supple. Between1965 to 1968, the Garden City Merchants' Association acted as the sponsor, and when that organization disbanded, the Cranston Rotary Club took over as the troop's sponsor. The Rotary Club was recently honored for having completed 40 years of sponsorship. From 1968 to now the institutional representative has been Raymond Butterfield, a Cranston businessman, a Cranston Rotarian, and some time later the father of an Eagle Scout from Troop 66. The first Yawgoog campsite was in Sandy Beach Division in Camp Baden Powell, which is now used for the Yawgoog Provisional Camp. Then it moved to the Three Point Division in Camp Musketeer. Soil erosion forced this camp to be closed. The Medicine Bow Division, Camp Netop was the next choice and the Troop still camps there the first week of August each summer. During the sixties, the Narragansett Council opened a camp at Buck Hill in the north western section of R.I. devoted to outpost camping and wilderness survival and at that time the troop would camp at Buck Hill for one week, and then be transported by bus on Sunday afternoon for another week of "hotel camping". Buck Hill had no mess hall. Each Patrol cooked their own food. They drew provisions from the commissary and cooked by Patrol. The tents had no bunks; it was primitive living, and a great experience. Two week camping lasted until 1980. In that entire period the troop membership averaged forty-five boys and we went to camp with 95% of the troop. The Troop grew because of a good program and good leadership. Among the early movers and shakers was a gentlemen named Bill Sherman, an engineer by profession and a devoted Scouter. Bill served on our committee and wore all kind of hats. He served on almost every sub-committee from camping to advancement. John Maloney, another great leader was the advancement chairman who later became the District Advancement Chairman. It was under his guidance that Troop 66 was certified to hold their own Eagle Boards of Review. Ted Hirsch, another devoted leader, was the second Scoutmaster and later became the District Chairman. Ted was followed by Phil St. Onge as Scoutmaster and had that position for one year. Stan Turco, an Eagle Scout, followed Phil St. Onge. Stan moved into Garden City from Providence where he had been a Scoutmaster of Troop 50 for eleven years, and when Phil St. Onge resigned in 1963, Stan was asked to take over. He held the Scoutmaster's position officially until 1968 when he was asked to take the Chairmanship of the Cranston District. He stayed active on the committee and continued to take the troop to Yawgoog and Buck Hill each summer until 1975. He eventually became Council President and still serves on the Narragansett Council and the Region 1 Board of Directors. He left the troop in the late seventies and in 1995 came back when his grandson joined. He currently serves as the Public Relations Chairman. Tom Pitt assumed the Scoutmaster position for one year and Frank Fitzpatrick then Committee Chairman filled the position from 1969 to 1972. He was followed by Gordon Palumbo who served until 1975. Dan Adler followed until 1978. When he left, Dave Sherman, who was then the District Camping Chairman, also assumed the role as Scoutmaster. In 1986 Tony Haigh took the position and served until the end of 1997. In January 1998 Buzz Greenhalgh was sworn in as our newest Scoutmaster. The 50's produced six Eagle Scouts. This was a great record for a new Troop. During the sixties and seventies the Eagle Badge was pinned on fifty seven young men. As of October 2008 the troop has 125 Eagle Scouts. Donald Upham, Assistant Scoutmaster in the seventies was an excellent role model for the boys. He believed in taking any training course available and made it possible for boys to attain leadership skills. He was a great camper and taught scouts to tan their own leather from raw skins. He also was a great promoter of Scout Spirit, encouraging the Troop to cheer for other troops. During the same period, there were many men who gave of themselves for the benefit of the Troop but to name just a few men who contributed greatly to the success of Troop 66 acting as Assistant Scoutmasters or Committeemen were: Paul Hurley, Frank Fitzpatrick, Frank Gallogly, Keith Brill, Ted Hirsch, Sid Shapiro, Jerry Fish, Sam Perelman, John Harootunian, Paul Supple, Larry Caron, Norval Garnet, Ken Adler, Dan Adler, Bill Cloxton, Gordon Palumbo, Ken Maloney, and Ted Hirsch. There were others, but this writer’s old mind has been dimmed. The Troop has attended all the Camporees, Bean Hole Bakes, and Klondike Derby’s throughout the years and has earned many awards. The best reward is the track records our graduates have accomplished for themselves and the community. At this time, (11/2008) Troop 66 has produced: 1-Council President The troop has also produced one Wood Badge course director: Ernie Rheaume-2003 2008 saw 5 Troop 66 Scouters attend Wood Badge at Buck Hill and Camp Cachalot District Awards such as the George Bucklin Medal, The Award of Merit, and the Scouter Awards have been given to several members of the Troop over the years. Troop 66 earned the Quality Plus Award for Excellence in Camping at Yawgoog from 1964-1968 and numerous other years Some troop Highlights:
The troop started helping CCAP in putting together Thanksgiving baskets for the needy of Cranston and Warwick in 1996. The tradition continues to this day. The troop continues to retain a large number of adults whose sons have aged out and moved on to college. These men enjoy the outdoors and companionship of other Scouters. They help to teach the boys all about the outdoors, scout craft and help with occasional backpacking trips. 2007-2008 SCOUT SEASON September -- saw Troops 66 & 1688 travel to NH to climb Mt. Cardigan. This was both troops first time there. The country and mountain were beautiful. We had a big black 4 legged friend visit our camp Saturday night looking for food. The Scouts had a lot of stories to tell about that night. October -- campout was at Aquapaug with a number of dads and Webelos from Pack 6 joining us. Saturday we all journeyed to Mystic Seaport for the day. November -- Troop 66 & 1688 traveled to Camp June Norcross Webster in Ashland, Conn for our annual Thanksgiving supper. We cooked 5, 20# turkeys. Three were cooked on tripods, one was cooked in a garbage can and one was deep fried. There were a total of ten courses served. We all sat down to supper at 6:00 pm and 85 people enjoyed the feast. During the morning and afternoon the Girls and boys participated in team building activities. December -- Troop 66 was at Buck Hill were we did some hiking and Geocaching January –the troop was again at its favorite campout—Camp Ker-Anna in Cumberland, RI. For lunch all the new scouts help prepare hand make pizza. The Scouters had a feast of their own for supper with steaks, fresh veggies & bread, Gregg’s pies and more. The Saturday campfire was a spirited and rousing affair with many songs and skits February – Troop 66 camped at the Blue Hills in Milton, Mass. We were all set to hike the 9 mile ridge trail and do some Geocaching. But Friday night saw 4” of new snow. Saturday was spent doing rank advancement. March -- The troop went to Camp Cachalot for our 3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Corn Beef and Cabbage dinner. Mark O’Malley and crew oversaw the cooking of all the food. The trip has become a favorite for all the cooking and eating we do. Snow again put the brakes on the activities we had planned. April –The Isaac Davis Trail in Acton, Mass holds a re-enactment of the march that Capt. Isaac Davis and his band of Minuteman took to the Olde North Bridge were the “Shot heard round the world” was fired. There was an enormous campfire Saturday night at the Camporee. Troop 1688 again joined us for the weekend and the 7 mile march from Capt. Davis’ home to the Olde North Bridge. May – Troops 66 & 1688 again meet up for a fun filled weekend, this time at the U.S.M.A. {West Point Camporee}. We all hiked over Bull Hill to receive our pin. There were many activity stations set up. Saturday saw all the troops in attendance competing in as many stations as possible. A Blackhawk helicopter blew over 7 outhouses as it was taking off from the Camporee. Mud was everywhere all weekend. June – Troop 66 attended this 3 day canoe trip on the Saco River in Maine. The cost was $100 per person and covered all campsite fees, food, canoes and transportation all 3 days to and from the river. This is a trip to go back to. The weather and the river were absolutely the best. The Scouts Did It. 100 Eagles and now on to 200! Over 140 Scouts, Scouters, Friends and family turned out to celebrate our 100 Eagles. Updated October 28, 2008 |
