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Eagle Scout's service project goes up in smoke

November 25, 2003|BRENDA S. EDWARDS

LANCASTER - Zachary Simpson, a member of Boy Scout Troop 180, wanted to improve the ramp area along the Kentucky River and Ky. 39 in Garrard County. He also wanted to earn his Eagle Scout award so he decided to build two picnic tables in the recreation area as a community service project.

Simpson did all the requirements. He raised the money and got his fellow Scouts to help build a concrete pad. The job took two weeks in the summer of 2001.

The Scouts leveled the ground, placed gravel in a 14- by 20-foot concrete pad, then constructed the tables.

After Simpson's project was complete, Mark Anderson decided to work on his Eagle Scout award by constructing a shelter over the tables. He did the work in one weekend in 2002.

However, the project went up in smoke. The new tables apparently did not set well with someone. The tables were removed from the concrete and used to build a bonfire this year. The shelter was not damaged.

Simpson suspects the fire was probably a prank by kids partying.

Since making a plea for help to replace the tables, Simpson said people have been donating funds and he thinks Fiscal Court may decide to replace the wooden tables with metal ones.

Besides the Eagle Scout honor, Simpson has the Three Palms award that includes 15 or five each of bronze, silver and gold palms medals.

A Scout for six years, Simpson was a high school freshman when he was named Eagle Scout. He has won numerous Scouting awards, including 32 badges, and has had cardiopulmonary resuscitation and lifeguard training.

He is a member of the Garrard County High School football team which won the district championship this year and a member of the Beta Club.

He is the son of Stephen and Patricia Simpson of Buckeye Road.

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