Eagle Scout court held for Patrick Lavin

March 26, 2008

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Patrick James Lavin Jr. was held in the sanctuary of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. Tom Cowgill was glad he wasn’t the only minuteman arriving in a nick of time. Greg Donahue stopped to congratulate Patrick on his way to the girls’ basketball championship game. I waved to Molly and Hannah Lavin as they checked out the sound system in the back of the sanctuary while proud parents, Kathy and Pat Lavin, gave instructions to Don Paul who was taping the program. I chatted with Sally Cocozza before sitting down with Andrea Bell who gave me tickets Wendy Nickles made for the UMW spaghetti dinner. Harry Vanderslice joked around as he made sure everyone had a program. Past Scoutmaster Joe Clark served as master of ceremonies and Tyler Onesty and Evan Sheridan presented the colors then Jeff Fralinger led the flag salute. Eagle Scouts, Randy Clark, Ryan Winslow, Kyle Everson and Alex Matthews, escorted Patrick Lavin to the front of the sanctuary where bright sunshine glistened through the beautiful stained glass windows and Patrick stood at attention to receive citations and presentations from distinguished guests. First up was Nelson Albano on behalf of Jeff Van Drew, followed by Rita Fulginiti, sporting a bright green jacket, with a proclamation from Frank LoBiondo and a desk set with symbol of the eagle from the county clerk. Cathy Taylor and Jay Gillian made a presentation on behalf of the board of education then grand master Ed Price gave a presentation from the Masonic lodge.
Assistant Scoutmaster Bill McMahon read “One Hundred Scouts” then Scoutmaster of Troop 32 Glenn Everson told tales of Patrick’s camping trips and pinewood derby races. Scouts, Matt Propp, Michael Rodriguez, Anthony Wilent, Matt Caulfield, Kyle Everson and Franklin Unger, presented the “Trail to Eagle” highlighting Patrick’s life in scouting. Sal Perillo, Keith Hartzell and Jody Alessandrine presented Patrick with a commendation from the city in appreciation of his Eagle Scout project, the beautification and landscape around the youth athletic field’s concession stand at 35th and Haven Avenue. Tom Mullineaux and Charlie Bowman on behalf of the OCBP and OCFD joked about knowing “Old Pat” for years and had glowing comments about Eagle Scout Patrick who is a lifeguard on the OCBP. Eagle Scout class of 1986 and police Sgt. Tim Williams made a presentation on behalf of the PBA. It was Commandant Donald McDevitt of the Cape May County Marine Corps League who garnered the most laughs who as a former DI in the Marines shouted “Get your hands out of your pockets” to Patrick who immediately withdrew them and stood at attention. Past Scoutmaster Bob Gray and committee chair Cynthia Chemerys read letters from William J. Hughes, Walter Cronkite, Richard Stanislaw and Sen. John Glenn congratulating Patrick on his Eagle Scout achievement. After Joe Clark pinned the Eagle Scout pin on Patrick, Patrick presented appropriate scout pins to his Scoutmaster Glenn Everson and his mom, and a tie tack to his dad then thanked them for helping him through his journey in scouting.
As guests headed for the reception in Stainton Hall I caught up with Michele Gillian, Rae Mullineaux, Diane Everson, Janet and Frank Unger and Gail McMurray who was two hours late for work at Ruth’s Hallmark Shop, but had to attend the ceremony as she taught Patrick in preschool. Dana and Joe Sheppard, LuAnn and Charlie Wowkanech and Evie and Bob Bachich had a good laugh as they figured I was asking for special dispensation when I explained to Brian Roberts why I missed the morning worship service as I was out of town to see my granddaughter’s school play “42nd Street” and just got home. It was a patriotic theme in the Stainton Room with red and blue tablecloths and white napkins with flags and shooting stars in the centerpieces on the tables. Sally Onesty, Cindy Fralinger and Kerry Caulfield set out the delicious Italian buffet featuring trays of lasagna, meatballs, chicken wings, Caesar salad and Italian bread. I chatted with Lucy and Bill Wilent, Kathy Winslow and Kate Donlevie at the buffet table then caught up with Dawn Vanderslice checking out the chocolate and vanilla sheet cake Jennifer Bowman made with the Eagle Scout emblem created by husband, Charlie Bowman. Kathy Lavin was busy taking pictures while Pat Lavin cut the cake with Willie and Allana Mathis patiently waited with mom, Beth Schumacher. I stopped to check out Patrick’s pinewood derby cars and photos of his Eagle Scout project with Bryan and Jennifer Chojnacki and Paul Gallagher before heading home to celebrate my husband’s birthday.
SCAT (Student Coalition Against Tobacco) held their annual pasta dinner in the high school cafeteria. SCAT president Nicole DeCredico and valedictorian of her class, greeted guests when they arrived along with Tyler Dougherty, Jaemi Chu and Tamara Lalovic-Cox. These girls tried to ignore Alex Troum who sported his favorite Giants football jersey. Jaemi Chu, Stephanie Shiffler, Kelly Brady, Alexa Zauck, Lianne Previti and Kelly McKee were busy in the kitchen serving lasagna and baked ziti donated by Piccini’s and Inn at Sugar Hill. Jim and I enjoyed dinner with Marion and Ned McCaughey and SCAT faculty advisor Tom Gahr stopped by to thank us for supporting SCAT with all proceeds going for senior scholarships. Sean Beebe, who works at the Shores at Wesley Manor, called me “Paula” as in Abdul as he heard I was a judge for Mr. OCHS. I waved to John McKee as he headed into the kitchen to fill his plate. Sharon Heenan brought her kids, Delaney and Gregory, and G. Workman to the dinner. I chatted with Sonja Cox while we checked out the large selection of desserts. Sue Jamison joined her husband, principal Matt Jamison, for dinner and Matt and my husband were the first ones back for seconds when Tom Gahr announced they had plenty of pasta left. Kathy and Mike Allegretto and Hope Shaw joined us at our table for dinner. Kathy Greene made ziti and cupcakes for the dinner that she enjoyed with some of her children. It was great to see Danielle Greene who is substitute teaching at the high school while waiting for a permanent teaching position. Kathy reports two of her daughters will be appearing in the Ocean City Repertory Theatre’s production “The Wizard of Oz” next month. Congratulations to Shawnda Conser whose favorite beau, Erick McGinnis, surprised her with an engagement ring on Valentine’s Day. Shawnda keeps busy planning chamber of commerce events and now she will be organizing the biggest day in her life, her wedding and reception and she’s already talking to the staff at the Flanders.

Keith Hartzell chats with Marilyn and Bob Gray, Cynthia Chemerys and Bill Wilent at the Eagle Scout reception.
 

Cathy Finnegan chats with Hannah and Molly Lavin and Dawn Vanderslice at the Eagle Scout reception.
 

 Eagle Scout Patrick James Lavin, Jr. (center) poses for a picture with Scoutmaster Glenn Everson, his parents, Kathy and Pat Lavin, and past Scoutmaster Joe Clark.
 

Diane Everson, Allen and Betty Bevan and Kate Dunlevie at the Eagle Scout reception.
 

 LuAnn and Charlie Wowkanech, Dana and Joe Sheppard and Evie and Bob Bachich get together at the Eagle Scout reception.
 

Tom Gahr (center) poses for a picture with SCAT members Alex Troum, Tamara Lalovic-Cox, Nicole DeCredico and Tyler Dougherty.
 

Jaemi Chu, Stephanie Shiffler, Kelly Brady, Alexa Zauck, Lianne Previti and Kelly McKee serve pasta to principal Matt Jamison.