By Debbie Adams
BSA Scout Troop 235 hosted a dinner–Scout Style–at their newly renovated Scout building on
April 10, inviting several local leaders as their guests. Some of the more prominent guests
included retired William Byrd High School teacher and coach Barry Trent, who earned the rank
of Eagle Scout, Vinton Police Chief Fabricio Drumond, and Pastor Tim Wright of Evangel Four
Square Church. The troop’s most recent Eagle Scout, Gabe Wilson, assisted as emcee for the
evening, along with Scoutmaster Steve Thrasher.
included (left to right) Nathaniel, Henry, Jerry, Thomas, Franklin, Avi, and Bradley, along with
Eagle Scout Gabe Wilson. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Much of what was described as a “no frills” dinner (similar to what Scouts prepare on a camping
trip) was prepared on grills outside by the Scouts and their leaders. There were campfire foil
packets of vegetables and various meats known as “Silver Turtles” assembled to cook in the
coals, along with some delicious Dutch oven cobblers.
enjoys some Dutch Cobbler.
Scoutmaster Steve Thrasher told the guests that he had been a member of the troop back in the
early 1970s and at that time Scout leaders held dinners to which local community leaders were
invited to “share some fellowship and let us say thanks for their support of Scouting.”
As he and Cubmaster Greg Leslie worked on renovations to the Scout building, which is located
at Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church, they decided to restart the dinner tradition to
thank the community and show off the updated space.
“Part of what Scouting is all about is showing Scouts about being members of communities–
from small communities like our families to larger communities like our schools and towns, and
ultimately the world. Our Scouts learn this through the several ‘Citizenship’ merit badges they
work on. They study leadership in the community. More importantly, they learn this by the
examples we show them and their involvement in some of our troop activities.”
To the guests he said, “Our troop is truly blessed. Some of you have either been associated with
our troop in the past or know someone who has been. Some of you have supported our troop in
many different ways. We are thankful for your support. Some of you may have the opportunity
to support us in the future. We want to make sure to say thank you. We also want to make sure
you know who we are. One of the best ways to get to know each other is through fun and
fellowship.”
He noted that the troop was started in about 1956 by Thrasher UMC. The building was
constructed in 1964 by the troop and many members of the church. The cornerstone was laid that
year. In the years since, it has been used by both Boy and Girl Scout groups.
Evangel Four Square Church on Hardy Road in Vinton now has taken over as the Charter
Organization for both Troop and Pack 235 but the building at Thrasher continues to be used by
the troop, as well.
Membership in Cub Scout Pack 235, for children in lower grades, dwindled during the COVID
pandemic but has restarted, meeting twice a month at Evangel Four Square, led by Cubmaster
Greg Leslie, also an Eagle Scout.
Scoutmaster Thrasher thanked Thrasher UMC and Evangel Four Square for their support in the
remodeling process by purchasing new windows (the old ones were the originals from 1964). He
also acknowledged Eagle Scout Daniel Webb whose Eagle Scout Project several years ago was
adding a garage to the building.
Thrasher reminisced about Troop 235 Scouts who were now in the military, in public service, in
law enforcement, or in industry.
He and Leslie hope to continue the Scout Dinner tradition as the troop and pack grow.
