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First Posted: 2/7/2014

Presidents’ Day means only one thing in West Pittston: spaghetti. Two things if you count the meatballs.

Boy Scout Troop 352 conducts a fund-raising spaghetti and meatballs dinner every Presidents’ Day and looks to the event for funds needed throughout the year.

This year’s dinner, which is open to the public, is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 17, at the First United Methodist Church, corner of Wyoming and Montgomery avenues. The meal includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti, salad, beverage, and dessert.

Take-outs will be available from 4 to 5 p.m. Inside dining is from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $7.

Tickets may be purchased in advance (call 570-655-1083) or at the door.

“The spaghetti dinner helps with day-to-day costs as well sending our scouts to summer camp,” head scoutmaster Ryan Foy said.

The scouts camp at Acahela, Goose Pond, Lavigne, and Lackawanna.

Now led by Foy, along with Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Pollard, Troop 352 began in 1921 and was chartered in 1924.

Pollard will be the head chef taking over the reins from his dad, Warren, who has been manning the stove at the Methodist Church for decades. Peter Moore and Andrew Kudasik are assistant scoutmasters.

The medium-sized troop is active throughout the year. Typically there is one camping trip per month during the school year, weekly meetings, and either a weeklong traditional summer camp or educational trip.

Until the mid-80s, the troop maintained its own private campsite in the West Wyoming mountainside. The campsite was a place to introduce the boys to outdoor skills using what they learned at their meetings. The troop has been active in the community since its inception and has been successful with boys achieving the high rank of Eagle Scout. Most of 352’s Eagle Scouts have served ten years or more.

Troop 352 celebrated a milestone in 2009 commemorating their 100th Eagle Scout. That year, Troop 352 awarded seven scouts with their Eagle Rank at a Court of Honor ceremony held at the First United Methodist Church.

During that ceremony, the Eagle candidates listened to special messages presented by the Troop’s 35th Eagle Scout Dominic Aritz, and the Troop’s 20th Eagle Scout Ronald Rogers. The ceremony was led by Scoutmaster Ron Pollard (Eagle #62), Assistant Scoutmasters Walter Harding (Eagle #67) and Peter Moore (Eagle#88).

A plaque handcrafted by Peter Sidari, Jr. listing each of the Troop’s 100 Eagle Scouts was presented to 352 at the ceremony.

The troop meets every Monday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Methodist Church.