Volunteers assisting John Whitehead with his Eagle Scout project, back row, from left, are: Scoutmaster Vern Schaeperkoetter, Carl Brielmaier, Steve Straw-hun, Bill Whitehead, Tony Strawhun and Chuck Enger. Middle row, from left, are: Gloria Roth, Zack Chinea, Greg Winkeler, Andrew Schaeperkoetter, John White-head, Chris Enger and Matt Brielmaier. Front row, from left, are: Justin Roth, Andy Beckman, Kurt Hammann, John Mohler, Ryan Shaw, Matt Schaeperkoet-ter, Bob Shaw, Paul Cejas,and Nick Cejas. Not pictured are: Charmaine Chinea, Nathan Roth, Bob Kuhlmann, Fred Busch and Nathan Busch.

Twenty assist youth in Eagle Scout project

More than 20 people recently assisted Boy Scout John Whitehead of Troop 647 on his Eagle Scout project at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oakville.

John’s project involved digging a ditch 125 feet long, one to two feet wide and one to two feet deep for the St. Francis of Assisi Athletic Association. The ditch is designed to prevent erosion and water from coming onto the field after a rain.

Before the day of the project, however, there were many days of downpours and the mud was like quicksand. The day of the project was overcast, but sunshine was predicted by afternoon. John’s father and the athletics director were hesitant to start the project due to the puddles of mud in the area where the ditch was to be dug.

But John said he was not going to give up without a fight because he had faith in his volunteers from Troop 647 who would come and help him. He knew the Scouts and adults would work together to help accomplish what he set out to do for his Eagle Scout project.

By mid-morning, John had more than 20 people at his project bailing water, digging stumps, sliding in the mud, laying drainpipe and having to use a wheelbarrow to carry rock across three ball fields to the ditch. A sprinkling of rain caused John to adjust his plans by digging deeper in some areas and seeing exactly how the water would flow.

In addition, the stumps that were found were easier to remove, which also contributed to the project’s success.

Twenty assist youth in Eagle Scout project

More than 20 people recently assisted Boy Scout John Whitehead of Troop 647 on his Eagle Scout project at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oakville.

John’s project involved digging a ditch 125 feet long, one to two feet wide and one to two feet deep for the St. Francis of Assisi Athletic Association. The ditch is designed to prevent erosion and water from coming onto the field after a rain.

Before the day of the project, however, there were many days of downpours and the mud was like quicksand. The day of the project was overcast, but sunshine was predicted by afternoon. John’s father and the athletics director were hesitant to start the project due to the puddles of mud in the area where the ditch was to be dug.

But John said he was not going to give up without a fight because he had faith in his volunteers from Troop 647 who would come and help him. He knew the Scouts and adults would work together to help accomplish what he set out to do for his Eagle Scout project.

By mid-morning, John had more than 20 people at his project bailing water, digging stumps, sliding in the mud, laying drainpipe and having to use a wheelbarrow to carry rock across three ball fields to the ditch. A sprinkling of rain caused John to adjust his plans by digging deeper in some areas and seeing exactly how the water would flow.

In addition, the stumps that were found were easier to remove, which also contributed to the project’s success.