MASS ASSEMBLY: Pack 55 Scouts pose briefly on the steps of the world renowned Cathedral of the Incarnation following a special mass as part of the scout’s annual Fall Campout activities. As the world watched the crystal ball descend in Times Square on New Year’s eve, the cub scouts, parents and leaders of Garden City’s Cub Pack 55 celebrated their Auld Lang Syne with happy memories of one of the organization’s best year’s ever and.... plans for even better times in 2010!

According to retiring Cub Pack 55 Leader Susan Quigley, “2009 was a great year for our 6-11 year old Garden City boys, as we celebrated moving up and graduating in rank at our annual Blue & Gold Dinner, hosted a wheel chair rugby game, achieved top honors in the district-wide Pinewood Derby races, camped overnight in the museum of natural history, as well as the woods; performed color guard duties at the LI Ducks games and our own village Memorial Day parade, and completed numerous civic and public service duties.” Incoming Leader Kim DeMaro is particularly excited about 2010, because it marks the 100th anniversary of scouting “While providing our wonderful group of enthusiastic, involved families and boys the opportunity to participate in some of the nation-wide scouting celebrations.”

NATURE HIKE: Garden City Bird Sanctuary Scouting Coordinator Marty Lenahan, with the help of his trusted four-legged assistant, leads Pack 55 Scouts, from left, Frankie McLaughlin, Will Karcher, Steven Onos, Michael Bereswill and Jack Karcher on an extended nature hike through the sanctuary. Cub Pack 55, which is sponsored by the nationally renowned Cathedral of the Incarnation in the heart of the village, is an interdenominational organization dedicated to providing ongoing cultural, educational and social fun and enrichment for boys in grades 1 through 5, who attend any elementary school in Garden City. To learn more about how to join Cub Pack 55 and enjoy its numerous programs, contact: Pack Leader Kim DeMaro at 741-4760, email (kimberly.demaro@kattenlaw.com).

DERBY CHAMPS: Twin Scouts Michael, left, and Joseph Bereswill nosed out each other and all other racers to take top prizes in the Annual Pack 55 and Nassau District-wide Pinewood Derby races.
LAND SCHUSSING: As part of Pack 55’s “Scouting Around the World” party, 1st grade Tiger Scouts, Rear, from left, Joseph Pedone, James DeMaro and Aidan Biel copy scouts from Greenland as they challenge 3rd grade Bear Scouts Anthony D’Antone, Billy Murphy and Daniel Ferreira to a tri-tandem land ski race with the help of Tiger Den Co-Leaders Stacey Pedone, left, and Kim DeMaro.
ENGINE-EERING 101: Assistant Scoutmaster Chris Curran demonstrates how to build an automobile engine as part of a scout learning project.
SIGNALING AKELA: Scoutmaster John O’Hare raises the scout sign in front of Pack 55 members and their proud parents.
IN THE FOLD: Jennifer Debler demonstrates origami paper techniques, such as those practiced by scouts in Japan, to Pack 55 Webelos Scouts, from left, John Campo, John O’Hare and Christopher Donohue at a special evening on “Scouting in Foreign Lands”.
STEPPING OUT: Under the careful watch of Leaders Brian Noll, left, Stefan Debler, Irene Onos, right, Kim DeMaro and Dr. Helen Greco, Pack 55’s scouts march briskly down Franklin Avenue in the village’s annual Memorial Day Parade.
QUAD RUGBY HEROES: Pack 55 Scouts encourage a member of the United Spinal Association’s championship New York Jets Quad Rugby Team, as he and his fellow players demonstrate the wheel chair sport during a special game for the Garden City youngsters
IT’S A WRAP: Volunteer parent Dan McLaughlin cannot control his laughter as Pack 55 scouts, assisted by Co-Den Leaders Patty McLaughlin, foreground, and Irene Onos, “mummify” him during “Halloween Night” fun.