Scouts celebrate centennial
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Boy Scouts from several communities will converge on the Aroostook State Park this weekend to take part in Winterama 2010.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary for Boy Scouts of America. This is the first district event for the Centennial Year. Winterama 2010 will be a challenge for all and much fun for Scouts of all ages,” said Steve Farnham, North Star District activities chairman.
Farnham said he’s looking for a good turnout, with Scouts from throughout Aroostook County taking part in two days of events, Feb. 13 and 14. This is the first year the event will be held at the park.
“This is the 43rd continuous year for the event,” he said.
The first event was hosted by Loring.
“The first year for Winterama was 1968 at Loring Air Force Base. It was an activity sponsored by LAFB right through their closing in 1994,” said Farnham. “It continued at the Loring Commerce Centre through 2002.”
According to Farnham, the event was held in Caribou in 2003 and 2004, then moved to Presque Isle.
“The University of Maine at Presque Isle served as the site for the event from 2005 to 2009,” said Farnham.
The North Star District is made up of several Aroostook County communities.
“The District is comprised of units from: Houlton, Presque Isle, Ashland, Washburn, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Woodland, Van Buren, Madawaska and Fort Kent,” Farnham said.
Farnham said it’s not uncommon for Scouts from outside Aroostook to participate in the annual event.
“At the 2009 Winterama, Troop 6 from Bangor came up and during the Loring years, Scout units from throughout Maine and Canadian units from New Brunswick attended,” said Farnham.
In addition to the Winterama activities, Boy Scout Troop 171 will be holding a Scout Sunday Service Feb. 14 at Grant Memorial United Methodist Church in Presque Isle.
“Troop 171 has 10 members. We will be taking part in activities throughout the year, to commemorate Scouting’s 100th anniversary. That includes traveling to Virginia this summer to take part in the annual Jamboree. Six boys from my troop will be going,” said Tom Peary, leader of Troop 171.
For more information about Scouting, contact Farnham at stevefarnham@aroostookaging.org or Peary at peary@ainop.com or phone 764-0726.
