Boy Scout Troop 6650

Press release:

Scout Dimick was happy to add a new microlite fishing pole with a 6 to 1 ratio reel and cork grip to his outdoor gear. This is the third pole in his collection. He started his collection after earning his Fishing Merit Badge at an Iroquois Trail Council Camp Dittmer Merit Badge weekend where he caught three fish in one, a fish inside a fish, inside a fish.

This year's Polaris Fishing Derby took place at Ellicott Creek Park in Tonawanda. The event took advantage of a DEC free fishing weekend. Scouts and guests were welcome, hosted by Greater Niagara Frontier Council's Troop 824 out of Sanborn, NY. The event provided lunch, bait and had BSA Merit Badge Counselors available to answer fishing questions and assist participants.

The Polaris Fishing Derby was scheduled on a DEC free fishing weekend so parents, grandparents and siblings age 16 and older could participate with youth competitors without purchasing a fishing license. The Derby provided seven competitor prizes consisting of fishing poles, reels and a 4th edition copy of Trout Salmon Steelhead Fishing in Western New York. A non-Scout (guest) won the door prize of a brand new bicycle. First place went to a Cub from Pack 193 for a 17" Rudd.

The Trout Salmon Steelhead Fishing in WNY book was donated by a local Cheektowaga chapter of Trout Unlimited. The book is a compilation of almost thirty fishing enthusiasts, detailing several WNY waterways maps, mayfly hatchings, water depth contour maps, twenty fishing flies, and a slew of fishing and conservation information. Trout Unlimited works to maintain the health of our waterways to protect the future of WNY fishing. The organization conducts presentations and classes about fishing to groups, including Scouts.

Scout Dimick was able to identify his catch using the free annual NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide booklet that is available at many outdoor equipment sales counters, local municipalities or directly from the DEC at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html. Sept. 24th & Nov.11th are the two remaining NYS DEC 2022 free fishing days.

National BSA awards require additional Scout accomplishments beyond earning specific merit badges. Participating in the Polaris Fishing Derby meets Scout Dimick's award requirement for the prestigious BSA Angler Award. The award also requires completing the Fishing, Fly Fishing and Fish & Wildlife Management Merit Badges.

Camp Dittmer will be offering the Fishing Merit Badge this summer at Merit Badge Weekends. Information can be obtained by calling the Iroquois Trail Council at (585) 343-0307. Camp Dittmer offers family camping throughout the year.

Submitted photos.

Hunter Meyers' aunt, Amber Winters, is very proud of her nephew, and so are quite a few others.

The Eagle Scout (left inset photo) "did a cool thing today," Winters wrote The Batavian in an email.

And that was to continue his troop's flag-raising tradition at The Manor House in Batavia on Veterans Day.

That would be Boy Scout Troop 6650, based in Alexander.

"Our Boy Scout Troop has been holding a ceremony at The Manor House* for their veteran residents for the last 14 years," says Hunter's mother, Season Meyers. "The ceremony was cancelled this year due to COVID.

"However, I found out they had a brand-new flag pole installed with the express intention of our troop raising the first flag on it to dedicate it to their veterans.

After discussing it with Hunter we decided we were NOT going to let The Manor House nor their veterans down. 

So, "with the help of his grandfather, Hunter raised the first flag on the new flagpole and it was officially dedicated to the veterans," Season said. "All the residents were so grateful and we were beyond thrilled to participate.”

Hunter's grandfather is Peter Michael Meyers, who lives in Attica, as does Hunter's family.

Hunter is the youngest to rise to the rank of Eagle Scout in many years, according to his mom.

He is 15, but earned his Eagle badge at 14, one of only three to earn the achievement that young in Genesee County history.

*Editor's Note: Before the assisted-living facility at 427 E. Main St. became The Manor House, it was known as Victorian Manor.

Photos courtesy of Amber Winters.

Next two photos, Hunter Meyers, left, and his grandfather Peter Michael Meyers, preparing to raise the American flag today, then hoisting it.

Third photo below, Hunter Meyers and an unnamed resident at The Manor House unmask briefly to smile broadly after today's flag-raising ceremony.

Bottom, Hunter Meyers in front of the new flagpole at The Manor House and its new U.S. flag.