Boy Scout Troop 41: 1993 Trek to Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico
Boy Scout Troop 41: Sugar Grove News 1970s Articles
Click on first image to open PDF with compilation of photos.
Events surrounding Boy Scout Troop 41 appeared in the Sugar Grove News during its publication in the 1970s.
Boy Scout Troop 41: Bill Keck's Patches
To help celebrate the history of Sugar Grove Boy Scout Troop 41's 70th Anniversary, Bill Keck displayed the patches and Order of the Arrow sash he earned as a scout with Troop 41. Patches include: * 1964 Cathoree, Pius XII * 1957 BSA National Jamboree, Valley Forge * Ke-De-Ka Area Council * WIYAPUNIT 106W * Explorer Careers Conference, University of Wisconsin * Devil's Cave, Camp Shabbona, Pioneer-O-Ree
Boy Scout Troop 41: 70th Anniversary, June 2019
https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/06/23/scouting-values-transcend-time-as-sugar-grove-troop-celebrates-milestone-anniversary/ai69wuc/ KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE Scouting values transcend time as Sugar Grove troop celebrates milestone anniversary Troop 41 hosting special events to commemorate its history By CHRIS WALKER June 26, 2019 SUGAR GROVE – In 1949, Harry S. Truman was president of the United States and the village of Sugar Grove wasn’t incorporated. A lot certainly has changed in the past 70 years, but one thing that has remained a constant is the Boy Scouts of America Troop 41 in Sugar Grove, which was founded in 1949. “I think scouting is still the same,” said Dave Seraphin, chaplain and former scoutmaster. “The same values we picked up many years ago, these new Scouts do, too. Boyhood has not changed. The boys are still the same as they were 30 years ago. A boy is a boy is a boy. He’s fun to work with. He goofs around. He gets very serious. They do the same pranks today that they did way back then.” Troop 41 has recognized its wonderful, long history with a few special 70th anniversary events already this year, including fireside chats in April and May at the Sugar Grove Historical Society and most recently a Family Potluck Indoor Picnic at the Sugar Grove Township Community Building on June 9. “It’s been a wonderful thing,” said Jim Fox, current scoutmaster of Troop 41. “We were filled from wall to wall here, and some of the gentlemen that were here had never met before. It just goes to show that Troop 41 isn’t just who you see here every Tuesday night, it goes back much further than that.” And even if you go back to Troop 41’s humble beginnings, you can see things that remain today. “Our scoutmasters were always concerned for us,” said Dave Frantz, a Scout from 1959 to 1963. “There may be differences in scouting today than there was when we were younger, but one of the things was, and still is, that scoutmasters and adults involved in scouting will be there for you. We never lost any boys. You were never by yourself. We always had a good time. We did a lot of first-aid training, but we never had to use it on each other.” Former Troop 41 Scouts reflected on the impact it has made in their lives. The group includes Doug Musser, highway commissioner of the township of Sugar Grove, who became an Eagle Scout in 1974. “Scouting gave me the confidence to do other things, other challenges,” he said. “I was never afraid to try anything. I still have my Scout book, and I still look at it if I have a question.” Rick Johnson, a Scout from 1959 to 1961 and president of the Sugar Grove Historical Society, said he’s interested in the values that others have brought and passed down to him. “For me personally, I’ve always been shy,” he said. “Learning about my family’s history as well as being in scouting and interacting with other kids my age and adults helped me mature. It came at just the right time for me.” Clif Frantz, a Scout from 1953 to 1958 whose father, Groff, helped start Troop 41, said his memories remain so vivid because when you grew up in Sugar Grove in the 1950s you had to find the fun for yourself. “There wasn’t a movie theater within miles,” he said. “The nearest one was in Aurora. You couldn’t get a fountain Coke. There was no entertainment whatsoever. But fun was free, and you provided it for yourself.” His younger brother, Dave Frantz, said that most of today’s kids probably aren’t experiencing that kind of fun any longer. “I wish the young people today in Sugar Grove could have the same pleasure we had as kids,” he said. “Talking about how it affected you and your life, I think it helps kids to have a standard. “I always preach to me kids, well that’s what they tell me, that there is a right way to do things and there is a wrong way. When you do things the wrong way, it will usually come back to you. If you do things the right way, your life will be good. That’s basically being a Scout, doing things the right way.” And any reminiscing about being a Scout isn’t fully honest without camping tales and other adventures, as well as misadventures. “I remember one time after a Scout meeting in the Community House, I broke my arm right there,” said Bill Lye, a Scout from 1952 to 1958. “Before they put the ceiling tiles up downstairs, there were pipes up there. I climbed up on a table and jumped off and grabbed a pipe. I was swinging on it and then fell and broke my arm. About a month or so later after it healed, someone asked me, ‘How’d you break your arm?’ So I said, ‘Let me show you.’ I got up on the table, jumped up and grabbed a pipe and then I fell and broke my arm again!” Clif Frantz recalled an old swimming hole in Bliss Woods. “When we were about 8 or 9 years old and Sugar Grove had a population of only about 200 people, we used to ride our bikes down the middle of [Route] 47 to Bliss Woods to go swimming,” he said. “We’d swim all day long. There wasn’t an adult, a lifeguard, a life preserver or anything. No supervision whatsoever.” Fond memories of camping and canoeing also were shared. “I always enjoyed the Boundary Waters with the troop when we went up to northern Minnesota to go canoeing for a week,” said Mike Hauge, a Scout leader and father of Eagle Scout Mike Hauge (1999). “That’s been a highlight in my memories of Troop 41. It’s been a few years since we did that, and we are looking to perhaps do that again in the future.” While Troop 41 Scouts from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s probably didn’t think back then that someday they’d be celebrating such an anniversary with teens and pre-teen scouts a year before 2020, it showed the youngsters how much of an impact scouting can make in one’s life. That included 11-year-old Jacob Rubo, who joined the Scouts only a few months ago. “It’s been pretty cool to meet these older scouts and listen to them sharing all their memories with the younger scouts,” he said. “We’re actually a lot alike in many ways, which is cool. I’ve made a lot of new friends, so I’m happy to be a Scout.” Many Scouts in Sugar Grove feel the exact same way.
Boy Scout Troop 41: 50th Anniversary June 1999
TROOP 41 PREPARES FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY At its regular Tuesday meeting, June 9, the Sugar Grove Boy Scout Troop 41 began its year-long preparation for its 50th anniversary celebration by visiting with three of the original troop members and leaders. The meeting started at exactly the same time and place (7:30p.m. at the Sugar Grove Community Center) as the first troop meeting on June 9, 1949. Attending the meeting were two of the original scouts - Ken Claesson and Harold Lye - and one of the original leaders, Groff Frantz. These three told stories of the early days of the troop. Claesson had the most merit badges. Lye unknowingly saved a fellow scout's life. According to Lye, when the troop first started, it was exciting because there were no organized activities in Sugar Grove, unlike today when kids can join any number of sports or other activities. They started without any uniforms, just neckerchiefs supplied by the troop. They had to piecemeal together their own uniforms. Because of the lack of funds, the first tents were small, one-man tents, unlike the big three-man tents of today. George Alexander donated lumber which was used by the troop. Early campouts were mostly at KeDeKa Campgrounds on Bliss Road. Equipment was sparse and much ingenuity was necessary on campouts. Also at the meeting the scouts were shown a beautiful plaque listing all the scoutmasters of Troop 41 from the beginning of the troop in 1949 to present. This plaque was recently donated to the troop by the Sugar Grove American Legion Post, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Hess, and Mr. and Mrs. Dean Muser. Anyone interested in Boy Scouts may call Scoutmaster David Seraphin for more information.
Sugar Grove, IL, Community Members: Boy Scout Troop 41, 1949
Hand-written notes: ******************** SCOUT TROOP #41 SUGAR GROVE First Meeting May 23, 1949 The first meeting of the Boy Scout Committee was held at the home of Donald S. Myers Monday evening May 23, 1949. At this meeting, Donald Myers was appointed Scoutmaster, Claude Tyler, assistant Scoutmaster. The following appointments were made: Chairman: Groff Frantz Institutional Representative, Secretary-Treasurer: Tom Frantz Outdoorsman: Arden Perschnick Thursday night at 7:00pm was decided upon as the meeting night. All meetings to be held at the Community House. Mr. Albert Thurow of Yorkville acted as Counselor at this meeting. Monday night, June was set as the date for the introductory meeting al all eligible boys and parents. This meeting is to be held at Camp KeDeKa. Respectfully submitted, Tom Frantz, Secretary ****************** BOY SCOUT TROOP 41 June 1, 1949 Second meeting of scout committee was held at Claude Tyler's Wednesday evening. We discussed planning for introductory scout meeting to be held at Camp KeDeKa Monday June 6. Each member was given a certain number of boys and parents to contact. ******************** BOY SCOUT TROOP 41 June 9 1949 First regular meeting of Sugar Grove Troop #41 was held at Community House at 7:30pm. Official scout members for first meeting were: Darrell Livingston Donald Bolly Gerald Askins Kenneth Claesson Harold Lye Robert Snow Richard Sears All members were present, except Harold Lye and Richard Sears who joined the troop June 10. Click on first image to open PDF.
Boy Scouts in Sugar Grove: History from 1930-1974
History of Boy Scouts in Sugar Grove fro 1930 - 1974, including Boy Scout Troop 41 Click on first image to open a PDF with the original document.
BOY SCOUTING IN SUGAR GROVE Scouting has been going on in Sugar Grove since about 1930 or 1931. Mr. Victor Fighte, then basketball coach at Sugar Grove Hight School was Scout master at that time. A Scout troop has been active here on an intermittent basis since that time. Records, if any, are sketchy but the Big Rock Post of the American Legion was sponsor for many of those years. I am sure other organizations took their turn, but no records exist as to who or what years. The troop died out again in about 1947, and early in 1949 the Sugar Grove Methodist Church official board was approached to sponsor a Scout troop in Sugar Grove. The board voted to accept the challenge. The first meeting under this sponsorship was held at the home of Donald Myers on Monday evening, May 23, 1949. Groff Frantz was made Committee Chairman. Tom Frantz became Institutional Representative and Secretary-Treasurer, Arden Perschnick became Outdoorsman, Donald Myers was appointed Scoutmaster and Claude Tyler became his assistant. Mr. Albert Thurow of Yorkville acted as Counsellor at the meeting. The first troop meeting under that charter was held Thursday evening, June 9, 1949. Charter members were: Darrel Livingston, Donald Bolly, Gerald Atkins, Kenneth Claesson, Robert Snow, Harold Lye and Richard Sears. Lye and Sears were not present at the 1st meeting but joined the next day. Accurate records of dates, names of Scouts and Activities over the years are not available. We know that Gary Wilson was one boy to attend a National Jamboree during his career as a Scout. We are sure many highlights have been lost over the years. Scoutmasters and approximate dates of service include: Tom Franz 1950 and 1951; George Alexander acted as temporary Scoutmaster for part of 1952; and Sydney Warne took the post in the fall of that year. He served through 1956. Elmer Lambert took the job of Scoutmaster in January of 1957 and held this post for 2 years. Jack Huggins was his Assistant. Elmer joined the Commissioners staff at the time and Edwin Stanton accepted the Scoutmaster’s job. Stan Albright became Assistant Scoutmaster then and held this post 8 years. Troop 41 became a Pioneer Troop at this time, being one of the first troops to go to Camp Chin-Be-Gota, WI. Prior to this point two attempts were made to establish Explorer posts. Mr. Jack Shouba was the first to act as Post Advisor. We have no record of the duration of this post. When Syd Warne gave up as Scoutmaster, it was to make a second attempt to establish Exploring here. Again the movement dwindled out. Bill Keck took on the duties of Scoutmaster in 1966. At that time the troop had dwindled to 10 boys. In 1966 Bill left to attend college and Stan Albright accepted the office of Scoutmaster. Frank Damon became his assistant. The troop started growing faster then and some records came into being. Stan Albright, Jr. and Richard Damon became the first Sugar Grove Scouts to receive the God and Country awards in 1967. Also, at this time the first of a series of annual pilgrimages to Camp Chin-Be-Gota started. This chain is still going in 1974. Joe Hoehn was moved to the post of Scoutmaster in January 1969. He served as neighborhood Commissioner for a year prior to this. Community growth and an ever expanding activity program, including camping, hiking, and canoeing contributed to a rapid growth in the troop since 1967. David Musser and Kevin Claesson became the first Eagle Scouts here in June of 1970. Any other Scouting records fell during 1971 and 1972. The troop register grew to over 50 boys at one point. Don Pfeffer came to the troop as Scoutmaster for the year 1973. At his request Joe Hoehn stayed on as troop committee chairman. Lloyd Feltz and George Point as Assistant Scoutmasters contributed greatly to the year’s successful activities. Four Scouts received God and Country swards in 1973. They were Dale Feltz, Tim Brumm, Randy Point and Dean Pashen. Jeff Everett was presented his Eagle award that year, also. An Explorer post was revived in the community in December 1971 with the Lions Club as sponsors. The post Advisor was Jim Remington. At this writing he is continuing in that capacity. Mark Gemmer and Charles McGee completed their Eagle work as Explorers during 1973. Both Boys had been members of Scout Troop 41. Lloyd Feltz took on the duties of Scoutmaster as of January 1, 1974. Don Pfeffer is staying on as his assistant. Plans for this year include another first. We are planning to send a group of Scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch in Arizona. A full summer of other more local activities is also being planned.
Ke De Ka Scout Reservation Training Center
Ke De Ka Scout Reservation Training Center: 1984
Boy Scout Troop 41 in "Sugar Grove News"
Articles about Boy Scout Troop 41 in the "Sugar Grove News"
Boy Scout Troop 41 Eagle Scouts who attended Picnic for Troop 41's 70th Anniversary on June 9, 2019 at Sugar Grove Community Building
Pictured (Left to Right): Kevin Claesson 1970 (One of the first Troop 41 Eagle Scouts), Donald Perrin 1974, Bryant Seraphin 1987, Scott Rubo 1995, Tom St. Jules 2007, Alejandro Barragan 2009, Sam Wolf 2016, David Wojak 2015, Austin Jordan 2014, Mark Wojak 2015, Alan Morrow 2016, Derrick Smith 1997, Brett Long 2002, Brandon Buchberger 2005, Kevin Cummins 2001
Sugar Grove, IL, Boy Scout Troop 41, 70th Anniversary (1949-2019)
Newsletter Article 2019 Troop 41 was established in 1949 and has 70 years of history partnering with the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, working with youth, and serving the Sugar Grove Community. To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Troop 41, Scouts from the past and present gathered together for personal interviews and fireside chats to tell their stories. Their stories begin with the history of Sugar Grove and the Sugar Grove Community Building that Troop 41 has called home since 1949. They recount favorite memories of adventures, misadventures, campouts, and special projects. Then Scouts from the past pass on their words of wisdom and encouragement to the younger and future scouts. Our Chaplain and previous Scoutmaster Dave Seraphin observed that while the Scouts from the past told their stories, they turned back into 12-year old boys right in front of his eyes. Here are the stories from the Scouts in their own words. Former Troop 41 Scouts • Richard Sears: Scout 1949-1950s (One of the First Scouts in Troop 41) • Bill Lye: Scout 1952 – 1958, Order of the Arrow • Clif Frantz: Scout 1953-1958, Order of the Arrow (Father Groff Frantz helped start Troop 41; Uncle Tom Frantz was a Scoutmaster) • Dave Frantz: 1959-1963, Order of the Arrow (Younger Brother to Clif Frantz) • Bill Gramley: Scout 1959-1965 • Rick Johnson: Scout 1959-1961 (President of the Sugar Grove Historical Society) • Bill Keck: Scout 1950s, Scoutmaster 1963-1965 • Jack “Luck” Shouba: Scout 1950s, Order of the Arrow • David Musser: Eagle Scout 1970, Order of the Arrow (One of the First Eagle Scouts) • Doug Musser: Eagle Scout 1974, Order of the Arrow • Dave Seraphin: Scoutmaster 1984-2014, Chaplain 2015-present, Eagle Scout Dad (Byant Seraphin 1987) • Mike Hauge: Leader, Quartermaster, Eagle Scout Dad (Mike Hauge 1999), Cub Scout Grandpa • Dan St. Jules: Leader, Treasurer, Eagle Scout Dad (Tom St. Jules, 2007) • Bill Schramm: Scout with Troop 41 (1980-1990s), Leader • Rick Wojak: Leader, Eagle Scout Dad (David Wojak and Mark Wojak 2015) • Joe Rubo: Leader, Eagle Scout Dad (Scott Rubo 1995), Scout Grandpa • Scott Rubo: Leader, Eagle Scout 1995 • Jacob Rubo: New Scout Sugar Grove Historical Society Volunteers • Sue Jacobson: Boy Scout Brother Rex Wolf in 1950s • Joan Perrin: Eagle Scout Son Donald Perrin 1974Click on the first image to open a PDF containing the full newsletter.
Cub Scout Pack 341: Awards Night. 1980s
David Anderson, Kay Martin, Tom Campbell, Dan Burgess, Martin, Chris Lee, Ernie Campbell, Carolyn Campbell, Ellen Burgess
Cub scouts receiving awards from the scout master
Cub Scouts Pack 341: Awards Night. 1980s.
Cub Scout Pack 341: Presenting the Colors. 1983.
Ellen Burgess, Linda Haakinson, Margaret Christophel
Cub Scout Pack 341: Pinewood Derby. 1983.
Karen Anderson, Tim Mires, Josh Hard, Eric Schwarz, Ryan Christophel, Cummins
Cub Scout Pack 341: 25th Anniversary Cake. 1983
A cake celebrating the Cub Scouts' 25th anniversary