Philip Browning attains rank of Eagle in Boy Scout Troop 75

ANOTHER EAGLE has spread his wings in our neighborhood.

Philip Browning of Boy Scout Troop 75 was awarded the rank of Eagle at a ceremony June 20 at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church in Columbia.

Phil, son of Marilyn and Don Browning, has been in Scouting since 1988, when he joined as a Webelo.

Since then, he has earned 23 merit badges, won the Arrow of Light in 1990 and was awarded the Silver Belt Buckle and Silver Patrol Leader medal.

His Eagle service project involved landscaping the area adjacent to a shed on the property of Christ Memorial -- the troop's sponsor.

Scoutmaster Pat Roth and Eagle Scout Stan Ward read "Lighting the Eagle Trail" as part of the ceremony.

Jack Eckstrom presented the Eagle Charge, and fellow Scouts Jon Barnes, Joe Blasi, Matt Green, Jon Leshin and Nick Thomas participated in the ceremony.

Eight Eagle Scouts in the audience were welcomed, and the year in which each earned his rank was mentioned. They are Charlie Hedges, 1943; Dick Barnes, 1958; Bruce Marshal 1959; Marty Leshin, 1968; Pat Roth, 1970; Jon Barnes, 1996; Stan Ward, 1996; and Nick Thomas, 1997.

Special Olympians

Forty-five east Columbians took part in the recent Special Olympics and came home with 28 medals. The Olympians participate in nine sports.

The softball team, which received a silver medal in Howard County competition, went on to win its division's state championship gold medal at Towson State last month. Team members included catcher Jon Franklin, shortfielder Rosie Gallo, second baseman Phillip Pietra and Andy Walker at shortstop.

Jason Kauffman won a gold in the 50-meter race, fifth place in the 100-meter and a gold medal in the softball throw.

Kimberly Petro won gold in the 50- and 100-meter races.

In aquatics, Kyle Archard won a gold medal in the 25-meter free relay and 50-meter freestyle. He also won silver medals in the 25-meter butterfly and freestyle.

Julia Gallagher won a gold medal in the 25-meter free relay and silver in both the 25-meter freestyle and 50-meter breaststroke.

Molly Peter won two gold medals in the 25-meter free relay and 15-meter unassisted, added a silver for the 25-meter freestyle and a bronze for backstroke.

Lynn Sawamura won a gold in 25-meter freestyle, and two silvers in 15-meter unassisted and 25-meter backstroke.

Brian Vary won a gold in the 25-meter free relay, a silver in 25-meter freestyle and placed fourth in the 25-meter backstroke.

In the equestrian division, Matthew Plantz won a gold in Team 1 Relay and placed fifth in Trail Class B.

Randi Penenburgh's team won a gold in bowling, and she placed fourth in individual bowling.

East Columbia coaches were Chris Chatkin, Marilyn Miceli, Becky Lessey and Lynn Richardson.

Maureen McCarthy is the force behind the Special Olympics. She extends her thanks to everyone who helped.

Block party

Anne Dodd, Kings Contrivance village manager, invites residents to meet their neighbors by sponsoring a block party.

Residents may pick up a registration form to list the location. They may select invitations, supplied by the village board, along with a list of suggestions.

After the party, the board will reimburse $25 of the cost of paper products, charcoal, soft drinks, juice, ice, condiments and food. Only the first 20 registrants will be eligible for the freebies.

Information: 410-381-9628.

Pub Date: 7/08/97