Celebrating tradition at Tuscarora
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on February 26, 2018 5:50 AM
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Gage Galla Rivers, 11, Daniel Lewis, 11, and Tristan Galla, 15, hang out on a pile of wood at Goldsboro Builders Supply on Thursday as they welcome people to the 95th anniversary celebration for the Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
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Luther Millington signs up for the live auction so that his wife, Anne, can bid on a cruise vacation during the 95th anniversary celebration and auction fundraiser for the Tuscarora Council. The Scouts are raising money to purchase a new mower for the 110 acres of land at Camp Tuscarora.
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Jonathan Durham, 14, sings the national anthem Thursday night during the 95th anniversary celebration and fundraising auction for the Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America at Goldsboro Builders Supply. Jonathan is representing Troop 33 from Clayton.
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Rusty and Tammy Talton look through the silent auction items during the 95th anniversary celebration and auction fundraiser for the Tuscarora Council. The Scouts are raising money to purchase a new mower for the 110 acres of land at Camp Tuscarora.
The Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America celebrated 95 years of service along with hosting a live and silent auction Thursday night.
Boy Scouts, their families and friends gathered for an evening of fun and fellowship at Goldsboro Builders Supply on Patetown Road.
The event was held to honor those who have helped shape the Boy Scouts and supported Camp Tuscarora. The camp serves approximately 7,000 youth and adult volunteers in Duplin, Greene, Wayne, Johnston and Lenoir counties.
Luke Evans, who has been a Boy Scout for five years, said being a part of the organization has changed his life for the better.
"I have learned life skills, while working at the Boy Scouts camp," he said. "I have had the opportunity of making new friends, while learning project-building skills, along with treating people better.
"It has been great to give back to my community. This program gives life skills and a promising future of a window of opportunities."
The evening began with a silent auction that included an array of sports memorabilia.
Curt and Sigrid Dunbar came out to support their two grandsons, who are both Boy Scouts, Will and Daniel Lewis.
During the silent auction, the Dunbars placed bids on Duke University memorabilia, including an autographed photo and autographed jersey of J.J. Reddick, who now plays basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers. The opening bid for the jersey started at $500.
Silent auction items included two N.C. State Wolfpack tickets, with parking, and a Hershey's chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.
Wes Walker, who conducted the live auction, also auctioned off a hood from the race car of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., which went for $125.
Another item auctioned off was a trip for five days and four nights to Cancun that went to the highest bidder for $700.
An autographed basketball jersey of Tyler Hansbrough, the most decorated and honored player in UNC Tar Heels history, was auctioned with a starting bid of $150.
The auction was held to raise money to purchase a SCAG Fuel-Injected Turf Tiger mower, which will be used to cut 110 acres at the camp. The mower is estimated to cost $17,000.
During the ceremony, Jonathan Durham sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," and prayer was given by Steve Blackman.
By the end of the night, at least $10,000 had been raised, with additional fundraising amounts still being counted.
Steve Moore, president of the Tuscarora Council, also presented two Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards to retired Army Maj. Gen. Al Aycock and Dr. Hervy Basil Kornegay for the contributions they have made to the Boy Scouts.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the governor of North Carolina. It is given to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.
Kornegay also received the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award which recognizes notable Eagle Scouts who have performed distinguished service at the local, state and regional levels.
Kornegay, a 1951 graduate of Goldsboro High School, was celebrated for his many years of service to Boy Scouts and the work that he has done throughout the county. In 1950, he became the first Troop 42 Eagle Scout and then went on to attend the National Jamboree. Five members of his family have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
During his high school years, he was the pianist for the men's chorus that was under the direction of the late Andy Griffith.
Aycock received the Eagle Scout in 1974, while being a part of Troop 2099 in Goldsboro. He spoke about the life lessons he learned and how the Boy Scouts helped shape his career.
"Theses two men define what being a Boy Scout is all about," Moore said.